Chapter 4 Secret Boyfriend

Natalia opened her eyes, feeling the gentle morning light seeping through the window, illuminating the unfamiliar room where she had awakened. Her heart raced, and she remembered every detail of the night before.

Natalia found herself lost in thought but could still catch his lingering scent on the bed. A small, pleasant surprise reminded her of a passionate night.

Suddenly, a noise made Natalia jolt her gaze toward the bathroom. Her eyes followed Christopher as he emerged from the bathroom. His muscles stood out in the soft morning light, and water droplets still glistened on his skin.

Despite the night they had shared, this attraction remained uncontrollable. Natalia's heart raced, and it seemed like everything around her became still. This man was an irresistible temptation she couldn't deny.

Christopher approached the edge of the bed, and Natalia quickly pulled the covers back over herself, feeling a bit flustered. He leaned against the bed, his gaze fixed on her, and asked, "Do you want to continue, or are you planning to leave the bed?"

Natalia met his cold, confident, and determined gaze, unable to resist the arousal it stirred within her. She replied, "I didn't have any intention to leave."

Her words brought a cryptic smile to Christopher's lips, and he reached for her hand, gently lifting her face and softly kissing her lips.

As his lips parted from hers, the sweet taste lingered. He turned away, continued dressing, and said, "Today, you can go wherever you want. But be at the restaurant at seven in the evening."

The taste of their kiss still danced on Natalia's lips as she looked at Christopher. He was purposefully dressed, and his voice carried an authoritative tone, waiting for her response.

With a nod of agreement, Natalia replied, "I'll be there."

Christopher's departure after hearing Natalia's response left him satisfied. He drove back to his father's family home, a journey that stirred a maelstrom of contrasting emotions.

Stepping through the familiar doorway, his childhood memories flooded back like a tide. He couldn't help but reminisce about the carefree days of play in the garden and the warm embrace of his late mother, who had passed away when he was just a boy. These recollections painted a bittersweet smile on his typically stoic countenance, a rare expression.

However, the idyllic reverie was abruptly shattered when Christopher laid eyes on his stepmother, Victoria, who observed him from within the house. Her sly grin sent shivers down his spine. Victoria had always been a complex and vexing figure in his life, a woman who had married his father shortly after his mother's untimely death, and their relationship had never been devoid of tension.

With a deliberate and measured stride, Christopher moved inside, his hands in his pockets, passing by Victoria without a glance or greeting. In his eyes, she was an inconsequential presence.

Upon seeing his son return, Christopher sat near his father, Richard, who had a warm and welcoming expression. Richard always cherished the moments they spent together as a family and was genuinely delighted whenever Christopher returned home. He hoped this visit would be an opportunity to rekindle their relationship.

"Dad, I'm glad to be back," Christopher replied, though his demeanor remained somewhat distant and cold.

On the other hand, Victoria didn't waste any time and sat beside her husband. She sat across from Christopher, her gaze softening as she looked at him.

"Welcome back, Christopher. Let's raise a toast to your return," she said.

Christopher remained silent but raised his glass towards his father. He didn't offer any warm gesture towards Victoria. Richard noticed this and gently touched Victoria's as a sign of reassurance.

As the family gathered around the breakfast table, the atmosphere was a mix of warmth and tension. Richard tried to engage Christopher in conversation about his recent endeavors, but Christopher remained reserved, offering only brief responses. Meanwhile, Victoria seemed content as she observed the father-son dynamic, her eyes never straying from Christopher for long. She was a loving stepmother, while Christopher appeared to be a rebellious child.

Suddenly, Christopher spoke, his gaze steady as he looked at his stepmother. "I have a girlfriend now, Dad."

Victoria maintained her smile, but something about it seemed forced.

Richard was pleased to see a change in his son and suggested, "You know, Christopher, you should bring your girlfriend to meet the family. It's about time."

Christopher smiled, his gaze filled with determination. "I'll consider that, Dad. Maybe after I propose to her."

Meanwhile, at a café near the city center, Natalia had reunited with her two closest friends. They were pretty surprised by her expensive outfit, knowing that she had gone through a financially challenging period.

Natalia sat down with her friends, and their concerned expressions didn't go unnoticed. Sarah, one of her friends, asked worriedly, "Natalia, what's going on? You seem better than usual."

Natalia glanced around for a moment before replying, "It's nothing that happened."

Her other friend, Emma, leaned forward, arousing her curiosity. "Have you heard the news yet?"

Natalia's eyes widened in disbelief as Emma pulled up Jennifer's social media profile. The most recent picture showed Jennifer with Otis, Natalia's "former boyfriend." Emma didn't mince words, telling Natalia, "You've been cheated on, Natalia."

Natalia's mind raced as she remembered Jennifer, a girl who had once been close to her but always seemed envious and determined to take everything from her. She couldn't believe that Otis had deceived her as well.

Contrary to what Emma and Sarah had expected, Natalia couldn't help but smile faintly. "Don't worry, I've already moved on from him," she replied.

Natalia felt a twinge of disappointment but couldn't help but think about the previous day's events. She wasn't entirely innocent or naive in the situation. After all, she had left him to enter a fake marriage with Christopher.

Natalia, noticing her friends' surprise, decided to reveal the truth. "I've started dating someone else," she confessed.

Emma and Sarah were utterly taken aback by Natalia's disclosure. They exchanged bewildered glances, their eyes wide with astonishment.

"Well, Natalia," Emma exclaimed, "I didn't see that coming!"

Sarah chimed in, "Do we know this person?"

Natalia shook her head, then nodded again in a city where everyone seemed to know the wealthy Sterling family.

Emma and Sarah couldn't contain their curiosity. They bombarded Natalia with questions, eagerly seeking to find out who the mysterious new person in her life was. Since that tragedy, this was the first time they had seen confidence in Natalia's eyes.

"Well, Natalia, you can't keep us in suspense like this," Emma urged. "Who is it?"

Sarah chimed in, "Yeah, spill the beans! Is it someone we know?"

Natalia chuckled mischievously at her friends' relentless curiosity. She stepped closer, her eyes sparkling with delight. "Well, let's just say you'll find out soon enough," she teased. "I promise I'll introduce you to him when it's right."

Natalia quickly changed the subject when she noticed her friends getting too curious. She said, "Do you guys want to go shopping?"

Emma and Sarah agreed, excitement lighting up their faces. They exchanged enthusiastic smiles and were ready for an enjoyable shopping excursion. However, as Natalia paid and pulled out a powerful black card from her purse, her two friends couldn't help but start to have doubts about Natalia's enigmatic new boyfriend.

Emma and Sarah continued to press Natalia with questions about the new person she had started seeing. Natalia, however, was determined to keep the secret and insisted that she couldn't reveal anything just yet.

Suddenly, Natalia's phone received a text message from Christopher. He told her she could bring her friend to the date tonight and hoped she wouldn't forget. She was sure his chauffeur had told him she was going out with friends. She hesitated momentarily because she didn't understand why he wanted her friend to attend the restaurant tonight.

Emma noticed Natalia's strangeness and asked, "What's wrong?"