After confirming their feelings for each other, Mikael started showering a lot of love and care for Natalie. He did all the small things that made her feel loved by him.

Looking back at the first time they met, Natalie never thought they would get to this stage in their lives. She never thought that she would come to love someone even so more that she would forget about all the injustices that she felt in the world.

But, as the saying goes, 'loves has to experience tribulations in order to become strengthened hence, the beginning of their trial period kept drawing near.

Their happiness came with trouble and how they are able to overcome this will determine how far they were willing to go for each other.

Natalie had just finished submitting her speech for the launching of the jewel 'Shadowed Beauty' as the one who brought about the name. she was given this opportunity to write something about how the jewel made her feel the first time she saw it.

Even though Natalie knew that this was given to her because of William's affection for her, she still didn't refuse it. After all, she needed all those small pushes if she wanted her career to move forward. After discussing with Mikael, she decided to go for it.

Thinking of Mikael, Natalie broke into a smile. He had begun filming a week ago and has been busy so she was taking the bus home. after turning off her computer, Natalie picked her bag and stood up to leave.

She decided to pass by Lucy's office since she hadn't seen the latter the whole day. It was rush hour for everyone because of the new month they were in.

Today was 1st December and the festivity was already in their feelings. Natalie got into the elevator and stood at the corner along with two other workers from the Secretarial department.

''Hey, is she really seeing the CEO?'' one of the ladies muttered and they both giggled.

''That's what is going around. If not, why would the CEO give her such a big gig? We've worked for this company for more than five years and the CEO or Amy are the only two who writes about Jewel presentation. She is not even here for more than three months and she is already given such high profile work to do''

''Do you think she slept with the CEO?''

''No, I didn't sleep with him'' Natalie replied and turned to look at them, ''working here for more than five years and you still haven't learnt how to mind your own business. If what I was given bothers you so much, then work hard and get it. stop accusing me without evidence''

''What?'' one of the ladies sneered, ''we would all want to be given the chance to prove ourselves, but we don't have the ability to seduce the CEO like you do''

''Really? Is it because you are not so pretty like me?'' Natalie asked and looked at the elevator that had stopped, she was about to go out and took a step backwards, ''that startled me'' she smiled pointing at the silver lining inside the elevator, ''sometimes I get surprised whenever I see my reflection in the mirror. I am just too beautiful for my own good'' she said and knocked the two ladies together before going out.

''Hey!!!'' the ladies shouted at the same time but Natalie waved them goodbye as the elevator closed. She turned and her gaze turned cold.

''Natalie, what are you doing here?'' Lucy asked when she saw Natalie walking towards her.

''I missed you. are you done with work?''

''Mm, sorry, I didn't come to see you today. Work in this department is draining all of my physical energy''

''That's why I came to give you some energy. Do you have a date with Matt today?''

Lucy looked at the time and shook her head, ''no. He said he was going to work late today. I'm all yours''

''That's good. Let's go, I am going to buy you ice cream''

''Let's have some coffee first. I'm freezing'' Lucy suggested.

''Anything for you'' Natalie took Lucy's bag and held her hand as they walked towards the elevator.

''You seem to be in a good mood today''

''I am just happy''

''That's good. Happiness is a good thing''

''Right'' Natalie's smile slowly faded as they got into the elevator. She didn't know but lately, she felt that Mikael was hiding something from her. She shook her head; she wasn't going to allow that to dampen her cheerful mood.

Walking out of the company, hand in hand. They crossed the road to the café shop just across their company.

Before entering the café, Natalie turned and looked around suspiciously. Lucy who was already inside, went back and dragged her along.

They found a table by the window and sat down before their coffee was served. Natalie looked at the flower tree that was erected just outside the window and smiled.

''Christmas. I used to love celebrating Christmas''

''Right'' Lucy added, 'I just love Christmas but that is because of the many gifts that I will be receiving. Today, our team leader told us that after the successful launching of 'Shadowed Beauty', we will start preparing for Christmas. He said the company always holds a party for its workers at Christmas eve and on 31st to end the year''

''I hope there will be bonuses'' Natalie muttered.

''Natalie, you are dating someone, right?'' Lucy asked and Natalie flushed and coughed, choking on the coffee she just sipped. Lucy picked a glass of water on the table and gave it to her. ''I'm sorry, are you alright?''

''Oh, I am fine. But, what makes you think that I am dating someone?''

''You are glowing Natalie. You look so beautiful lately. You are already beautiful but I am saying that, you look even more beautiful. You smile a lot too. I figured you might be dating. How is Mikael treating you? Is he romantic?''

''You… how did you know he was the one?''

''Natalie, he is staying with you. even I would fall for him if we stayed together for so long. Don't worry, your secret is safe with me''

''I haven't told my sister and Xia yet''

''They are far away. Don't feel bad about it, I'm sure they will be happy for you'' Lucy said and smiled.

''I missed them. I should give them a call when I get home''

…

''Which flavour do you want?'' Natalie asked Lucy as they stood in front of the ice cream man.

''Vanilla flavour'' Lucy replied as she licked her lips.

''I will have the same too'' Natalie removed her purse to take out the money and someone suddenly snatched it and started running away. ''Hey, my purse'' she screamed and ran after the thief.

''Natalie, it's dangerous'' Lucy shouted and also ran after them.

Natalie chased the thief around the neighbourhood while shouting. ''Stop there, you thief'' she suddenly stopped when she saw the man running into an alley. She remembered what happened the other time at the cinema and her fingers quivered.

''It's just a purse, don't go after him, Natalie'' she reminded herself and sighed, 'but Mikael bought it for me…''

''Is this yours, Miss?'' a male voice asked, coming from the corner. Natalie turned back and saw a young man walking towards her. He was handcuffed together with the thief who stole the purse.

''Oh, you…'' Natalie glared at the thief.

''I saw him running with the purse, I figured he must have stolen it so I caught him. luckily, I found you''

''Oh, thank you so much. This purse means a lot to me'' Natalie said and took the purse but her ID card fell out of it and the man picked it.

''Natalie Jun?'' he mentioned the name on the card and handed it over to her.

''That's me, thanks'' Natalie took the card from him. ''But, what are you going to do with him?'' Natalie asked as she looked at the thief.

''Leave him to me. I should probably introduce myself. I am detective Wales''

''Oh, you are a detective? The police? What are the odds?'' Natalie was genuinely surprised.

''Yes, I just got transferred to this district a week ago, so I am still new. I heard a lot of thieves' hover around this place at night so I decided to take a walk around and you happened to be my first case''

''Your first case? Whoa!'' Natalie chuckled.

''I know this man. He's been snatching people's purses and his case was reported a few days ago. I should thank you for leading him to me''

''Oh, no. You are the one who saved me. I should thank you instead''

''I might need you to come to the police station to give a statement''

''I will do that. when do you need me?''

''Will tomorrow do for you?''

''That depends on the time but I usually go for lunch at 13:30PM, since it's not far, I can pass by''

''That will be great''