First meet up
Seeing Mr Rhodes’ condition she gulped and typed something on the keypad.
“Room number four, left from here, sir.”
“Thank you.”
Mr. Rhodes wiped off the drops from his temples. It wasn’t that hot anyway. Listening to that Nathalie headed towards the indicated direction leaving the girl dazed. Who let out a sigh and leaned on the desk to watch her going.
“She was giving me creeps, man!”
Mr. Rhodes opened the door for her as Nathalie headed inside. Mr. Miller standing beside the bed with his arms folded back on butt and Bluetooth in his ear, dressed in a grey suit, he was also one of her human – robots!
“Nathalie, my child.”
A feeble voice fell into her ears as she looked towards the old handsome man who was laying there as a patient surrounded by tubes and an oxygen mask.
The once arrogant austere power reduced to nothing but soft rasps of breath, well which of course was a planned scenario.
Nathalie waved to Mr. Miller and her grandpa’ assistant went out and everyone followed too.
She sat by the bed.
“Grandpa it’s twice this month now, why are you doing this?”
She questioned her grandfather in a low voice holding his wrinkled hand.
“What can I do, Nat? Perhaps my time is coming up.”
The man chuckled pretending to be even more sick and he had been doing great at that.
“Don’t say that grandpa, you are going to live fifty more years. It’s all because of your upset diet and the stress.”
Her voice which was unmoved earlier without any warm emotions, now had turned soft and eyes filled with tears.
How could anyone control herself in that moment!?
“You know the reason, Nat. Why don’t you agree? Do you want me to die taking stress and worrying about you?”
The old man’s voice rose a bit as he paused and again continued.
“The doctors have told me that I got a minor heart attack this time. But Nathalie, if you continue to go like this alone I will surely die off soon.”
Nathalie let out a loud sigh as that wasn’t happening for the first or second time.
“Grandpa, you know when mum died giving birth to me, all I had after her was you. We both were for each other. You taught me everything, loved me, gave me what I wanted. You brought up me like I am your only son.”
Nathalie’ voice had utmost respect and love for the old man, which even his own sons and daughters didn’t have.
“I molded myself into a successful business-woman. I wanted to make you feel proud. From the start till now it was only you and me. You are my priority but I’m sorry grandpa, but I can’t marry leaving you alone and causing…. complexities in my relationship.”
She placed a lousy excuse in front of him which Nathalie knew herself too that it won’t work at all.
“I know you worry about me, my child. But as a woman you have to get married. As you said I’m your priority then you should obey me. Please marry.”
“But grandpa with whom I will marry will perhaps leave me one day, or will be a gold-digger, or whatnot!?”
She tried to reason out playing the last card.
“Mr. Diego will not. Marry him, Nat.”
The old man tapped her hand gently as he looked at her expecting an agreement.
“But I never met him, nor anyone has seen him, he keeps his profile low and is rumoured to be a playboy.”
She gave an explanation.
“You are believing on stupid rumours?”
Mr. Lancaster knew his stubborn grand- daughter.
“Please grandpa, I’m married to my work. We will talk about this later. You need rest.”
She stood up and kissed his forehead, the only person she showed her emotions to.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.
“I won’t be there for so long, Nat.”
He said a simple phrase but Nathalie knew the threatened tone of her grandfather. That he would do anything to get her married even on the day he will die.
She left the room and ordered Mr. Miller who was standing outside with Mr. Rhodes with a crooked finger.
“Take care of him.”
He nodded and she walked towards the entrance. Mr. Rhodes followed her. Reaching the car she let out a deep sigh and turned to her secretary.
“Mr. Rhodes, you can have a leave now.”
“Yes boss.”
He immediately responded as it was a rare case he was granted a half leave by Nathalie herself. Sure enough her employees didn’t know even how to spell half-days.
“Keys?”
She stretched her hand out. As he handed her keys, and the vehicle roared out on the road.
Passing by the buildings, wandering alone in the car. She cranked the volume of music high.
“I can’t marry that man grandpa whose reputation is known as a notorious playboy. I simply can’t leave you alone but I’m afraid that you will do anything to make me say yes. You might even hurt yourself.”
Her mind had been searching for the solution to the situation immediately and Nathalie knew that she had to stop her grandpa from doing any harm to himself too.
“I have to think of some way. I can’t lose you grandpa.”
Her mind was talking to her.
While her heart was shut down a long time ago, when she decided to be the ‘real son’ of her grandpa.
But in the process of being successful she lost her feminine qualities of tender love, softness, gentle appearance. Her emotions lost its allure.
“Damn this!”
Her stomach growled.
Crossing the lane she parked in front of famous AK – Bakers. Crept out as the cool air kissed her face gently but her grey furry jacket and the complete attire gave her the look of a badass wonder woman!
The wind chime announced her arrival into the shop. And due to her influential appearance which was differentiating her from all the casual patrons, the waitress greeted her immediately and Nathalie placed her order of one donut.
Unusually she was given off her order immediately and she paid through the card and left. The wind chime again announced the departure of the devil as the whole staff and customers felt relieved.
Instead of driving again she crossed the road and entered the front park. Eating while taking small bites she walked towards the bench and seated.
Every passer – by gave her strange stares which Nathalie ignored as she didn’t owe anyone.
So their strange stares didn’t affect her at all, all she
wanted to relax her mind. After finishing the donut she placed the wrapper on the bench and leaned a bit against her back. it was the moment when she sensed someone’s presence besides her on the bench.
“Don’t lose hope ma’am it’s equal to losing sight. The loss of both will lead towards darkness!”
A male strong voice hit her ears as jumbled words pulled her out of her reverie. As Nathalie moved her head towards right and saw the handsome man sitting beside her in jeans and hoodie which did nothing to hide his handsome looks.
“Hmm.”
She replied to him not paying heed towards him.
“What kind of problem can a girl like you have? I mean you are beautiful and rich if I’m not mistaken. I’m sure your problem isn’t that big as mine is.”
The man kept on blabbering. He read her very well. Maybe he was a psychologist.
“What’s your problem?”
This time Nathalie was irritated with his continuous interference.
“Ah, me!?”
He pointed towards himself in surprise as didn’t expect Nathalie to speak to him at all.
“Well my friend who is actually more like my brother-friend is in hospital and I badly need money for his treatment.”
The man leaned back heavenward letting out a sigh.
“The amount is big but I’m sure I will manage it somehow. Even if I have to borrow some.”
He gave her a soft genuine smile.
Something flickered in her eyes as she asked him again unsure of herself as his words stirred something inside her.
“How much is it?”
“UuMm….. 10, 000 Dollars.”
The man spoke hesitantly.
Nathalie searched for something in her pocket.
“Here take it. Meet me sharp at ten tomorrow. I think we both can help each other.”
The man took the card from her with blank expressions.
“Okay.”
She stood up and walked out when Nathalie heard his voice full of gratitude, to which she replied without turning and waving two fingers in pendulum direction!
The man crept the card into the pocket of his jeans and took out his cell phone. He searched for a specific contact and dialled the number.
“First step of the ladder passed, sir.”
He heard some reply from the other side and cut the call with a smirk.