The Belle Shop

"Why are you here?" Trish asked the brunette woman.

"Why shouldn't I?" Natalia replied grinning. She headed to a small room at the end of the shop. The little space was her own creative world. May it be about designing a jewelry or her clothe line, the ideas were initially born here. She smiled at the sight. Everything's in place like it was used to.

"Thanks, Trish." She solemnly uttered. She hugged the red-haired woman and then sat down to do her thing.

Honestly, Natalia likes to sketch again but her main purpose of coming to the shop was to hide away. Last night has been a wonderful short time. No doubt. But there's this foreign emotion inside of her and she was afraid to acknowledge it. She needs time to think and process that emotion alone.

She recalled how the night between Alexander and her came to an end...

--------------

"So you're that man from the bar." Natalia uttered and everything makes sense. She thought how tiddly she has been during the night of the anniversary celebration.

Alexander just smiled at her. She could tell how many women would stumble at the scenery in front of her. 'A cold silent handsome man was smiling.' She silently chuckled.

The expression didn't go unnoticed in Alexander's eyes. "What were you thinking?"

"Oh. That having a sip of wine that night made me forgot few little things like the one you're talking about." She explained avoiding the real thought that she had.

"Little?" Alexander narrowed his eyes while looking at her. He plastered a smile but not really a smile.

Natalia froze and didn't know what to say. Fortunately, someone's phone rang. Both of them stared with each other and the ringing just continued.

"You should answer your phone Mr. Gates."

The man didn't respond and went on staring at her.

"It might be an emergency Alexander." Natalia convinced him and the man followed her words. He answered his phone not greeting the person on the other line.

"Have it on my desk early tomorrow." Alexander said in a cold commanding voice then ended the call. Another call came in and he said the same thing. She can see that his brows were now creased.

"I think that's my cue to leave." Natalia said as she wiped her mouth and stood up.

Alexander likewise stood up to stop her but another ringing tone can be heard. He looked at his phone with a darkened expression.

"It's alright. Your people need you. Thank you for tonight." Natalia reassured him and walked towards the door.

Alexander clutched his phone and called someone. "Sergei.."

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After drafting few designs, she let go of her pencil.

"Trish, I'll be out for a coffee. Do you want anything?" Natalia notified the red-haired lady as she picked up her purse.

"Americano."

"Alright." She replied walking out the door.

Natalia doesn't want someone to do her menial errands. That's why, here she was...falling in line at a nearby coffee shop.

"One Americano, takeaway. One Cappuccino and one banana muffin, dine-in please." She told the counter and took a seat. After waiting for few minutes, her orders arrived.

"You shouldn't have." A hand picked up her Cappuccino. She looked at the person.

'Insolence..'

Alexander drank from the cup and casually sat down opposite her. He also took a bite of her snack.

"...."

Natalia was astonished. This man really did hit her nerves.

"Mr. Gates..what brought your great presence here?" She asked frankly.

"You." The man candidly replied. Natalia just stared at him confused. His smile was blinding. His whole appearance can make a girl blushed but thankfully she didn't.

"Be ready by 8PM. I'll pick you up." Alexander told her not waiting for a response. He stood up and leave the poor woman alone.

Natalia shook her head in disbelief. 'That man.'

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"Thanks Nat." Trish uttered while taking a sip of her coffee. They are now sitting at the mini conference room to meet their new clients.

Having three meetings that day made Natalia worn out.

"How did you survive these things?" She asked more on complaining. Gratefully, Natalia has Trish to do all of it every time.

"You're dismissed for the day." The red-haired woman informed her smiling.

Natalia snickered. Trish was dismissing her because that's the last meeting and it's already beyond office hours. 'This crafty woman!'

--------------

Cal drove her to Zion Suites since it was closer. It's already 7PM when she arrived.

Now, she's curious how will Alexander pick her up as he doesn't know where she's at.

Anyhow, she went to the bathroom and refreshed herself. She then chose a dark floral print midi wrap dress, a two-inch brown stiletto, a black clutch bag and wore a ponytail. For cosmetics, she just used minimal make up and a light lip tint. She was satisfied at her simple reflection on the mirror.

Then her phone rang..

"Ready?" A low soothing voice asked her.

"I think?"

"Open the door for me."

"...."

"I would appreciate 'hospitality' Natalia." The man chuckled on the other line.

She absent-mindedly walked outside her bedroom and opened the main door. And there he was. A greek-god looking man standing in front of her.

Alexander looks dashing on his black casual turtle-neck long-sleeves shirt paired with a midnight blue denim and white rubber shoes.

(Reference of the attires)

"Come in." Natalia slightly shook her head to break the trance caused by the man.

Alexander smiled and followed the lovely woman leading him to one of the couches. He scanned the unit. "Wonderful."

"Thanks. Do you want anything?" Natalia inquired as she walked to the open kitchen and pour some water for her guest. The man observed her every movement.

"This will do, thank you." Alexander replied then drank the fluid after she handed it to him.

"You're early by thirty minutes." She told him. "And how did you know I'm here and not at the Zimmer estate or anywhere else?"

Alexander stood up and hovered over her.

"I cannot wait to see you."

"..."

"For your second question, do I really need to answer it?" The man said lazily while his one hand was kept inside his pocket and the other hand lifted Natalia's chin.

'This man is scary.' She reminded herself.

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A chapter full of Alexander and Natalia. Xoxo :)