A/N: Hello guys! To help me promote my work, you can add them to your public reading lists. That will come a long way, I believe.

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And of course I appreciate YOU ALL!!!

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May you enjoy this chapter! :)

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The Belle Shop - General Assembly Day

"As part of the company's social responsibility, our founder, Natalia Zimmer together with the Zimmer Company will give back to the community. We have chosen the Antioch Orphanage to be the recipient of our blessings. This will happen in three weeks period to give us time to prepare. We'll be sending details via email later this day. Thank you everyone. Have a good day." Trish announced to the crowd of employees.

Most of the audience were half listening as they were distracted by a good-looking guy sitting at the front row. It's none other than the president of Zimmer Company, Jake.

Trish noticed this when the man walked in to the hall. Most of their employees are women so almost all heads are glancing at Jake's seat. She glared at the man and slightly furrowed her brows.

Jake, in his two-piece black Armani suit, enthralled everyone just by sitting down. His chiseled jaws, his short faded-haircut with texturized top, his opal eyes and vigorous presence echoed through the eyes of each observer. The man surely can cause a commotion.

Descending the stairs, Trish slowly went down. Jake, who was comfortably sitting, hurriedly stood up and assisted the woman on climbing down the ladder. The employees were secretly shrieking at the scene.

The pretty red-haired CEO hesitantly put her hands on Jake's but did it anyway as she doesn't want Natalia's brother to be embarrassed. She know the scene will be the new gossip inside the office, days from now. She sighed at the thought. If it wasn't for Natalia, she wouldn't consider this partnership.

"Smile kitty." Jake said to her.

"W..what?"

"The few media people here will be taking our picture." The man casually replied. He then put his hand on the woman's back and flashed a gorgeous smile in front of the cameras.

Trish was startled with his action but quickly composed herself for the picture documentation. The people, who were watching the scene, felt that the two good-looking presidents are like first time attendees at a prom night. Both of them have tinted cheeks caused by hidden shyness.

After several shots, Trish and Jake walked straight to the CEO's office to discussed the outline of the event.

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Yushkova Tradings Inc.

Devon instructed his men to blend with the staffs of the upcoming gala for the elite society. It's an annual event sponsored by the Ellison clan which is the most powerful family on the States. The event would be a great opportunity to fulfill his plan with Natalia. He will have her by any possible means.

The gala will happen two months from now. He cannot wait but he will. It's for him and Natalia anyway. Soon, the world will know that his wife only belongs to him.

"Sir, the thing was already delivered from the black market." One of Devon's personal guards reported to him.

"Good. Start the practice. Make sure they will learn about the ins and out of the gala so that everything will be done accordingly." Devon stated.

"Yes, sir."

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"Did all of you received an invitation to the Ellison gala?" Luna Lee asked the group.

They are currently having dinner at Natalia's condo. The owner cooked gourmet pasta side with home-made garlic bread. She also baked several butter cookies to celebrate the court's decision about the marriage.

Trish shook her head as a sign of a 'no'. The Vene family is not yet considered elite as they are just starting to hold influence and power through the help of Natalia. Ziv was a well-known fashion guru thus he is always present at those kind of events. The Lee household are obviously elite as they have great influence on the Asian countries. The Zimmer family also belongs to the same class as they can manipulate the digital world if they wanted to.

"Don't worry, I'm sure you'll be going." Ziv confidently told Trish.

"Which leads to my ever loyal self to do your gowns!" Ziv added.

"Yass!" Luna shouted. Her mouth was still full of pasta.

"And your jewelries will be sponsored by The Belle Shop." Natalia said to the group and looked to Trish. The latter nodded her head in agreement.

"Double yass!" The black-haired woman shouted again.

"What's the theme again?" Trish asked curiously.

"The invitation says 'Gala: A Night of Fairy Tale'.... So magical!!" Luna expressed dreamily. Among the group, she is the cheerful friend opposite the serious one who is Trish.

"Dates! Do you already have a date?" Luna asked excitedly. All of them shook their heads.

"I do have one." A man's voice spoke. All of them turned their heads.

"Brother! What brought you here?" Natalia asked amusingly.

"It's cookie night, right?" Jake went to the kitchen comfortably and opened the cookie jar. He then poured out milk to a mug.

"You do...have a date?" Natalia asked skeptically raising her eyebrow as she watched her brother exiting the kitchen.

"Yes.....

....Trish." Jake stood behind the red-haired lady while munching a cookie. Trish almost spit out her water. The man patted her back slowly.

"What are you---"

"Why? We are partners on the CSR (corporate social responsibility) program so, I think it would be normal for you and me to attend the gala together." Jake nonchalantly uttered.

After the revelation of his date, the man went to the master's bedroom to play his gaming console which was given by his sister. Trish on the other hand was blushing and trying so hard to hide it.

The three other persons smiled at the two during the exchange. They didn't say anything about the matter anymore and continue their discussion with secret smiles covering their faces.

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After a fun night with her friends and brother, Natalia had fallen asleep instantly and woke up before the sun rises.

She then prepared a relaxing warm bath. She undress herself and finally laid down on the bubbly tub. She closed her eyes and enjoy the serene feeling brought by the new morning.

After an hour, she cleaned herself and changed to a cozy wool off-shoulder loose top reaching half of her thighs. Then she went to the living room and prepared her tea set.

(Natalia's top)

She laid the utensils on the small coffee table and sat down on the carpet. She got interested when Luna told her about tea making. Thankfully, her friend taught her a simple method.

Natalia boiled two cups of water to a small stainless steel pot with a portable countertop e-stove. She took two teaspoon of green tea leaves and put it in a strainer over the ceramic teapot. She poured the hot water over the strainer and let the tea steep for few minutes. She then tasted the tea drink every once in a while to check if the liquid is suitable to her taste before taking out the strainer and put the lid on the teapot.

After being satisfied with her homemade tea, Natalia stared at the glass window and waited for the sun. She poured out some tea on her cup and enjoyed the peeking sun rays.

"You're late." She uttered gently when she felt someone sat behind her.

"Good morning princess." Alexander said to her. A small smile crept on the woman's face.

"Good morning, your highness." Natalia greeted in return which made the man gave a sexy laugh.

"Are you done thinking?"

"Thinking about what?"

"You seemed bothered the last time." Alexander told her.

"Is that why you're only showing up right now?"

"Oh. Are you waiting for me these past days? I should've known." The handsome man said while scooting closer to the woman.

"Keep on dreaming." Natalia sipped her tea to hide her smile. She offered a cup to the man but instead, Alexander drank from her cup. She frowned at his action.

"That's my tea." The woman said accusingly.

Ignoring the protest of the beautiful woman, Alexander put the cup away and hugged Natalia from behind and encircled his strong arms around her tiny waist.

With one hand, he gently moved Natalia's long waivy hair to one shoulder so that his chin may rest on the other.

Getting caught up in the moment, Alexander nuzzled his nose to her creamy soft shoulder and stopped at the nook of her neck coveting Natalia's vanilla scent.

"You smell freaking sweet as always..."

Natalia closed her eyes savoring the intense feeling building inside her. She bit her lips as her chest heaves up and down. She clasped his head and massaged it gently which made Alexander peppered her neck with sweet kisses.

"Xander..." The woman unknowingly uttered. Her mind was in chaos. She couldn't comprehend what was happening as Alexander nibbled her ear in a sensuous way.

"I've waited since the day I saw you walking down the grand stairs of that horrible mansion." The man said in a hush tone after a while.

He shifted the soft frame of Natalia facing his body and making her legs spread on each of his side. In return, the woman rested her hands on Alexander's broad chest which is covered by a simple white t-shirt then looked at him intently waiting for him to continue.

"I've been observing you from afar since that day wishing and hoping that I will be the one who'll give you the things you truly deserve."

"I've said to myself that since I couldn't have you, I will be satisfied on watching you and protecting you any way I can."

Natalia's eyes started to sting because of the man's words. Her one hand was brought up to the lips of Alexander then felt his gentle kisses.

"Just say the word Natalia...I can make them suffer beyond anyone's imagination. I can drag them down to hell if you want to. I would exterminate those despicable people right at this moment. Just give me your word." The man firmly stated but stared gently at the woman's eyes.

Natalia embraced Alexander. Her tears are now escaping her eyes. She never felt treasured by a man other than her family and friends. Her heart felt like it could explode any minute.

"I know. And I'm so grateful that you are always helping me secretly. I appreciate those things. But it's not your fight Alexander. Let me do this using my own capabilities." Natalia gently told him denying his offer. She did not want to offend him.

Alexander just sighed and finally nodded in agreement.

"Don't be mad at me." Natalia said with a soft voice. The man simply nodded the second time which made the woman feel more guilty.

They just stared at one another feeling a strong sweet tension rising up again between them.

"There's one thing you can do to ease my hurt feelings." The man teased trying to keep his cold tone.

"What?"

Alexander then lifted Natalia and walked towards the master's bedroom. He then gently throw the woman on the bed.

Natalia, "...."