Chapter 3 Welcome home

The journey home was a quiet one for Natalie. While Mathew seemed focused on driving, Natalie was busy drifting back into her thoughts, wondering how the meeting would have proceeded if she hadn't spilled that cup of coffee. About half an hour later, Mathew's Rolls Royce was parked in front of a whitewashed building. "This is you?" He asked, exiting the vehicle.

"No, this is my landlord." She chuckled "That's me." She pointed to the window on the first floor "Thank you for everything, Mathew. Um, I'll see you tomorrow at your office." She quickly spilled her words.

"That's it?" He looked at her, cocking his head slightly.

"What's it?" Natalie was confused.

"You aren't going to invite the gentleman who gave you a lift home and paid for the mess at the coffee house inside?" He prompted, burying his hands in his pockets.

Natalie sighed Why can't you just go away? Damn it. How am I supposed to invite you - the guy who drives to local coffee houses in a Rolls Royce to my little shack? Huh? Fuck it. We'll just get over with it.

"Hello? Natalie Rose to earth." He waved his hand in front of her "Should I take your silence as a sign that I'm not welcome?"

Natalie snapped from her thoughts "What? No no, please." She put on her best smile for him "Do come in." She led the way through the brown wooden doors and then up the whitewashed staircase " If I were you, I'd stand back." She advised as she fished out the keys from her bag.

"Stand back? Why?" He asked, following her instructions nevertheless. His eyes picked up slice amusement as he stood there, watching. Natalie put in the keys and then turned the doorknob, pushing the door open. The moment she did, she was pounced upon by a massive German Shepherd "Woah.."

"Okay, Tony." She chuckled as the dog lapped at her face "Okay boy, calm down. Calm down now. I'm home." She sat up as the dog looked at Mathew, stiffening as he approached the stranger and sniffed his pants "That's Mathew." She said before getting a hold of Tony's red collar "Be nice." She warned as she tugged him inside gently. The dog who was growling at Mathew relaxed once Natalie let go of his collar and sat down on the big sofa, claiming his throne.

"He doesn't like me," Matt stated following Natalie inside. He removed his shoes and hung his coat on the coat stand.

"Nothing personal." She answered "He just hates all men. Even the charming ones. Something to drink?"

"I'll take water." He smiled, following her as she went into the kitchen earning a snarl from Tony as he passed by him "So, you think I'm charming?" Smirking, he leaned on the refrigerator.

Natalie froze for a good two seconds. 'Dang, he's smart. of course I think you're charming. I'm just not going to tell you because A. You're my client B. You're about to get engaged and most importantly C. I don't believe in happily ever afters and ergo I wouldn't want to waste both our precious valuable time.' "No, I said Tony doesn't like even charming guys. Not particularly you." She pulled out a bottle of ice-cold water and handed it to him closing the door.

"Oh, I see." He opened the cap as she turned her back to walk back into the living room "Then, you think I'm not attractive?"

"That's not what I meant." She stopped and turned around "I just meant-"

"I was just pulling your leg, Relax." He burst into soft laughter "You are so adorable." That statement made her blush even more "Oh, you like reading?" He asked pointing to the wall of shelves that was hard to ignore.

"Love." She responded as she sat near Tony who positioned his head on her lap. Mathew approached the books and ran his fingers along the spine of the arranged books.

"Shakespeare." He nodded in approval " Wow, You have great taste. But all of these are-"

"Sci-fi, Crime, thrillers, very rare classics, and um horror." She quipped.

"No romance?" He asked, downing the small bottle.

"God no." Natalie rolled her eyes as she absentmindedly ran her fingers through Tony's fur "They make me want to puke."

"Why so?" He asked, taking his seat on the adjacent sofa and placing the bottle on the table.

"Oh come on, it's.." She shrugged "It's too much -"

"Cliché?"

"Yes!" She gestured wildly "Cute girl meets a hot guy, they go out on a few dates, life throws in hurdles, but magically they surpass all that, and voila they live happily ever after. That isn't real life."

"Falling in love does happen in real life you know." He blinked.

"Falling in love, yes. Happily ever after? No. There is no such thing as Happily ever after. I'd know, trust me. I've seen a lot of real-life experiences." Mathew seemed to consider her words. He sighed when he felt his phone vibrate and reached into his pockets.

"Excuse me a moment." Natalie noticed the change in Mathew the second he answered the call. He cleared his throat, his smile from before vanishing. "I understand." His jaw clenched "Yes, Father. I will make sure of it. As you wish. All right." He cut the call, looking pensive. He rose from the sofa and looked at her "I'm sorry but I have to go. Family calls."

"Yeah." She stood up with him "Everything is okay, I presume?" Tony whined and sat up as well, eyeing Mathew angrily.

"As always." He offered her a small smile and shook her hand "Thank you for tolerating me today." He took her hand in his and gave her a firm shake "I'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah, just um, drop the location and we'll be fine."

"I'll see you then." He walked back to the door and put on his shoes. Grabbing the coat he exited the door.

"Thanks for helping me out today and for being understanding." She responded.

"Anytime." He leaned in and pecked her cheek before vanishing below the staircase. Natalie stood there for a good minute and then walked swiftly to the window. She opened it and then looked down at the figure of the man who had just left her apartment. Mathew stood there before his car as he put on his coat and set his hair. Natalie watched as he got into the car and pulled away from her apartment, her cheeks still burning red from that peck on the cheek.

Tony, clearly annoyed by the lack of attention and the new competition barked loudly causing Natalie to jump. She held her palpitating heart and turned around "What?" she blinked "He's my client. It's my duty to make sure he makes it to his car safely. Don't look like that, Tony." She huffed 'Why did you have to kiss me on my cheek?'