Chapter 7 The Strange Breakfast
Natalie’s POV
I felt awkward once I entered the dining room with Daniel. Everyone’s gaze was fixed on us. The anxiety inside me rose, but I reduced the overwhelming feeling and managed to break the silence by greeting them while approaching the table.
“Good morning, everybody!”
“Good morning, honey,” Grandma replied with a tender smile on her face.
“Daniel, this is my family. Everyone, this is Daniel, our new neighbor.” I mumbled, feeling my cheeks burning from embarrassment.
I wish they wouldn’t notice. It’s hard to explain why he’s here in the early morning.
“Hi, Daniel. I’m Tobi. Nice to meet you!
Please sit and have breakfast with us” aunt Tobi said cheerfully.
“No, no. Daniel is in a hurry! We were just doing some morning exercises together. He is already late. He has to go to work!” I said in panic, afraid if he stayed he would say something about the marriage.
My Grandma interrupted, saying, “Don’t be rude, Natalie. Ten minutes won’t make him late, isn’t that right, Raf?”
I stared at Rafael who was sipping his coffee and scrolling down his phone screen. I avoided looking at him when I walked in. I can’t meet his gaze. Whenever I remember what I did last night, I feel embarrassed.
He replied in an indifferent tone, didn’t bother himself to look at us, “We don’t want to disturb him, Grandma!!”
Did he think that I slept with Daniel?
But why should I worry about what he’ll think?
I should be happy that he was careless, but I wasn’t.
“I guess work can wait. The food seems delicious. Gosh, I lost a lot of energy last night.”
Daniel said that and winked at me. I froze. The burning red invaded my face. I’ll smash his teeth, bastard.
Thereafter, Daniel sat on the chair opposite Rafael. If looks could kill, Raf killed him with his looks.
I cleared my throat and sat beside Daniel silently. Even though I lost my appetite, I put some food on my plate and began to take some small bites, hoping this situation would end quickly.Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
“I sent the servant to wake you up, and she told me you didn’t sleep here last night!” Grandma said that and my throat shrunk and I started coughing violently.
Daniel retorted before I could react, “Natalie slept with me!”
Everybody on the table stared at him in shock, including me!
What the hell!!
“Daniel!!” I snapped in horror. How could he spat such a lia!!?
When I yelled at him, he realized what he had done, he smiled apologetically and corrected, “Sorry, I mean she slept in my house, pardon me, my English isn’t perfect”
Then his gorgeous smile widened and added, “actually I don’t sleep with marr…..”
I closed Danielle’s mouth with my tissue pretending to wipe his mouth and said, “There was a chocolate in your mouth corner!”
“Yeah, it tasted so good like you do,” Daniel said, and I turned dark red.
The bastard was harassing me! I’ll deal with him later. I have to make him leave now.
I stood and said earnestly, “Daniel, I’m really sorry, but you have to leave, I’m late for my work! Let me walk you to the door”
But before we could leave, Rafael said in a cold tone, “Natalie, I need you at my study now!”
Then he threw his tissue on the table and walked out of the room.
The arrogant man, he didn’t even say please or wait for my reply!
I stared at Daniel. I can’t let him stay here alone with Grandma and aunt Tobi. I can’t trust what he may say.
As if he was reading my mind, he mumbled with his French accent, “Don’t worry about me, beautiful. I’m here eating my breakfast with those two gorgeous ladies”..
I clenched my fists, the bastard, he made me beg him to come with me, yet now he is reluctant to leave. Didn’t he just tell me he had to go to work?
That hooligan, he made everybody think that I slept with him.
I stood before Rafael’s study, sluggish to knock on the door. I took a deep breath, knocked two light knocks and opened the door.
He was immersed in writing on his laptop, and didn’t raise his head when I entered, yet he said, “Have a seat!”.
I gathered my composure to reduce a shiver. I don’t want to shiver like every time I was alone with him!
“As you know, it is still six months until the divorce!”
He suddenly said. I blinked. It was the first time he mentioned the situation between us since the day we signed the contract.
I nodded. It seems this is the only thing I am good at lately!
He raised his face when he didn’t hear my voice. Stupid I am, he didn’t see my reaction.
“Yes, I know,” I said.
He stared at my eyes, his gaze was cold and distant, I didn’t know why!
He got off his chair and walked towards me. His eyes did not leave mine. He sat on the chair before me, relaxing in his chair.
“Is he your boyfriend?” He repeated the same question of last night, knocking his fingers on the edge of the chair.
So, he thought that I had slept with Daniel!! I have to tell the truth and clarify things. I know he is talking about Daniel. I don’t know what the relationship between our divorce and Daniel is though!?
I started, “No, I just met him last night, but he…”
“And your boyfriend, wouldn’t he refuse?” He interrupted me.
Does he think I had a one-night stand with Daniel? I frowned and added, “No, I …”
I was about to say ‘no I don’t have a boyfriend at all, and I lied last night’ but he cut me off and held my chin tight, looking straight into my eyes with anger shining in his gaze.
I put my hands on his hand and stammered hesitantly, “Rafael, you’re hurting me!”