Natalie arrived at the hotel where Devonte was waiting, and he stood to embrace her. "You don't look happy."

She kissed his cheek before sitting down when he pulled a chair for her. "I'm sorry I'm late." She apologized.

"My love, why would such a silly thing make you sad? Do you think I would be mad at you for just this?" He took her hand in his, kissing her knuckles gently.

"I know you wouldn't." A frown was still settled on her face.

"What's wrong?" He gently asked.

She shook her head. "Let's not talk about it right now. It might ruin our date." If she knew that she would still be in a bad mood after meeting him, she would have opted to cancel the date. However, that would have disappointed him so it was much better to pull herself together.

"No it won't. What's wrong?" He pried. He didn't want her to be sad about anything and if they could solve whatever it was, it would be for the best.

Thinking about it, she decided that trying to hide it would ruin their date faster than the actual problem would. "Desmond finally told my parents about us. I mean me and him. He cancelled our engagement."

He frowned. "And?"

He knew that there was more to it. Why would she be sad about such good news?

"I'm afraid they will try to match me up with someone else." She speculated. Knowing her parents, the possibility of that happening was pretty high.

"I'm not going to let that happen." He declared and shot out of his seat.

"Dev…" She pulled his hand so he wouldn't storm out and go find them. Luckily, they had booked a private room so there was no one else in their vicinity.

He clenched his fist in anger. "We have to tell them the truth, Nat. I can't bear it anymore."

He was not angry with her, but with her parents who just wouldn't let their daughter do what she wanted.

She understood this, and it irked her too. "Let me find a good opportunity and talk to them about it, okay?"

"Okay." He sat back down.

"I knew it would ruin our date." She didn't know how she was supposed to soothe him and it made her sigh sadly.

"It didn't." He cupped her face and gently caressed her cheek. "We still have a whole night ahead of us. Are you ready to explore with me?"

"I've always been ready for that." A low chuckle escaped her lips. She loved adventure and he was always ready to take her out on several of them.

Before he could tell her the next part of his plan, his phone that was on his side of the table rang. He was about to turn it off when she placed a hand on his to stop him. "It might be an important call." She didn't mind it if he received a call or two during their date, especially if it could be important.

He thanked her and answered it, and whatever the other party said made his brows furrow.

"Do you have to go?" She asked when the call ended.

He turned his phone off and shoved it into his pocket. "No. It was just my manager telling me about the selected female lead for my next movie."

"Oh." So it was about work.

"It's a fantasy romance movie. From the script, the romance part is more dominant and some scenes are rated 25."

"Okay." She hummed, not comprehending why he was explaining.

"The thing is, this female lead and I will be very close in the movie." It seemed as though she didn't understand him so he continued to explain. "There may be scenes that will not be very comfortable for you to watch. And the thing is, the female lead they chose is one I've acted with before. She's insane and clingy." By the time he finished speaking, his voice had lowered almost into a murmur, and nervousness was written all over his face.

"Alright. And why exactly are you telling me all these?" She still couldn't get it.

Her question caught him off guard. "Aren't you jealous?"

She chuckled at his question that seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. "Why should I be jealous? I know that all those scenes which would make me uncomfortable were not done by you." She knew that some actors lied to their partners about using body doubles for overly intimate scenes, but she also trusted Devonte and knew that he would rather pay compensation for breaching a contract than betray her.

"That's true, but it's me appearing on the screen. I was afraid you would be offended." He stammered out the last part. If she didn't like it, he would choose a different movie.

"So, do you want me to be jealous or not?" She laughed. He truly was impossible.

He was relieved that she was not jealous. "Why are you so understanding?" Sometimes he felt he didn't deserve her.

"I've known you for years, Dev. I would never date an actor if it wasn't you." She confessed. "I mean, what are the odds of dating a man who is handsome, loyal, good in bed, and at the same time, hardworking?

"You are the reason why I work hard." He would have called his girlfriend out for exaggerating her praise but after all the sleepless nights he had just so he could finish filming, he knew that everything she said was what she had been observing for all these years.

"Me?" She was puzzled.

He nodded. "I've only ever had one driving force except my passion for acting—deserving you. I don't want anyone spewing nonsense about you marrying a man who is below your status. I want to be able to stand beside my wife proudly." He confessed. He had heard of gossip about artists who made it great in the industry by relying on wealthy partners. He didn't care about anyone soiling his reputation, but he didn't want Natalie to ever endure such a thing.

"But you know that I don't care about such things as status. And wife?" The word he had called her surprised her.

"You will be soon." He took her hand and kissed it. "So, my love, are you ready for the adventure yet? We can take off as soon as we have our dinner."

They had just placed their orders.

"Sure thing. Will I need a pair of flat sandals?" She asked, in case they would walk a lot.

"No, you don't. If you tire out from walking, I will carry you." He promised.

Hence, the duo ate and went out for fun. If it wasn't because Natalie needed to go back home, she would have stayed the night at his villa where they had gone to watch a movie.

"Dev," She called his name out seductively as she reclined in his arms.

"Mmh?"

"Can I borrow something from you? I'll return it." She peeked up to ask.

"A kiss?" He asked while looking over to meet her gaze.

"That, and something else." She pecked his lips and slid off the bed, going over to his dressing table.

"This." She raised a crystal bottle to show him. It was his cologne and when he nodded, she sprayed it on her chest and neck.

"What's all that for?" He didn't understand. Could it be that she liked his scent and wanted it on her? But he could hug her for as long as she wanted, it was more natural that way.

"Slowly announcing our relationship." She chuckled. Since she had to leave, she bid him with a kiss and rushed home.

It was already 1am when she finally got home and just as she imagined, Ava was waiting for her in the living room.

"Where have you been?" The latter asked, since she was good at poking her nose into other people's business.

"Out, having fun? Is there any problem, mother?" Natalie listlessly walked past her towards the staircase.

She didn't need to be near Ava for the latter to feel Devonte's scent. She had sprayed just enough of it to be felt as soon as she was within a few steps of her mother.

Ava was horrified when she felt the masculine scent on her daughter. "Are you seeing someone? A man?"

Although it was what she wanted, Natalie was pissed off. "Do I have to answer to you no matter what I do, including who I go out with? How old am I, mother?"

"I only asked if you have been with someone." Ava insisted.

"Even if I hired a male escort, what is it to you?" Natalie snapped.

"Honey, I know rejection hurts but please don't ruin your life." Ava advised, thinking that her daughter was getting back at society because her fiancé had ditched her.

"You already ruined it. What's there for me to destroy?" Natalie walked off, loving the effect of her reaction.

In these slow steps, she would let her parents know that there was a man in her heart.