Natalie
I'm munching on a sandwich in front of the TV. It's cheesy and heavenly, and I'm cozy.
A super dramatic romance series is playing, and Frank, the butler, is gripping the seat while wearing a passionate expression. He is really into this show, and I don't mind hanging out with him.
Noah is fetching me that pregnancy test, and I'm super lazy today—I'm wearing sweatpants and Noah's oversized t-shirt. Nothing else. I can't be bothered to put effort into my appearance.
"No, Cammie!" Frank exclaims, turning to face me. "Why is she being such an idiot? She should be with Rafael, not with Alexander!"
"I don't know..."
Frank inhales to calm down but mutters. "Cammie is driving me insane. She keeps going back to this ex-boyfriend Alexander even though he has nothing to offer!"
I shrug and bite into my sandwich again. "Alexander has some nice abs, and he is super-wealthy. Cammie is obviously into that."
"But Rafael is her true love, and he is a CEO in secret!"
I laugh. "What can I say? Cammie is a gold digger. She doesn't deserve to be with Rafael, at least not according to me. Alexander and Cammie deserve each other. Rafael is too pure."
"He truly is," Frank drinks his coffee. "But I wish for Rafael and Cammie to find each other. That's why I've followed this series for so long. I just want that happy ending."
I laugh in amusement, saying. "I don't think there will be a happy ending. The ones running this show are milking money from it. They are also making Cammie's character stupid—I would marry Rafael in a heartbeat."
Frank turns my way, looking smug, with his lips curling. "I thought Noah was the man you're into? You two were looking so in love on the couch yesterday. Didn't Noah call you the love of his life this morning? I heard something like that being said while I was cleaning the other room."
I blush. "You're not supposed to know about us!"
Frank chuckles in amusement. "It's hard to pretend I have seen nothing when you spend every night cuddled up in each other's arms. You and Noah can't keep your hands off each other."
My heart pounds against my ribcage. "Please, don't tell Cynthia. She might forgive Noah, but she would murder me and throw me out of the mansion. That woman doesn't like me."
"And I don't like her," Frank grimaces. "My loyalty lies with Noah—not lady Cynthia. Between us, I think she is a bitch. She is cold-hearted and only cares about herself and her son."
"And my dad, I hope..."
Frank gives me a sympathetic smile. "Cynthia is in love with your father, but only because she can't stand being alone. He feeds her ego by calling her beautiful, and he is good-looking and younger than her—I suspect your dad's appearance is what she is after."
"You really think so?"
"Yes, Cynthia is terribly shallow."
Wow, the butler is a savage. Frank's honesty is surprising, and if I ever marry Noah, I will keep Frank around. He also deserves a raise. This butler is impressive.
"I like you, Frank. You're honest and not afraid of saying what you think—it's very admirable." By now, I'm wearing a big smile. "Please tell me you like me because I can sense a beautiful friendship growing between us."
Frank smiles. "Oh, I like you too, Natalie. You're the only woman Noah has brought home who talks to me. The other ones have been mean and special… But you don't frown upon my profession and don't throw your Gucci bags at me. You treat me like another human being, and now we are watching a Spanish drama together."
"Aw, so I'm already in your close circle of friends?"
"Yes, and we hold meetings every Sunday morning. Don't be late for your first one—we are going to talk shit about Cynthia behind her back."
I crack up. "You're funny."
Frank holds up his coffee. "To an extraordinary friendship."
I hold up my sandwich. "To an extraordinary friendship indeed."
We laugh and focus on the TV again.
Cammie is making love to Alexander, and Frank winces. He obviously disagrees with Cammie's life choices, and I snort through my nose. The poor guy needs to move on from this show.
"Do you want to watch a horror movie instead?" I ask.
"You know what, Natalie?" Frank faces me and smiles. It makes a dimple pop in his wrinkly face. "I deem that's an excellent idea."
I get up from my seat. "Should I make popcorn? I realize it's early in the morning, and the birds are singing, but I can't watch a movie without a salty snack."
"I've never had anyone prepare my popcorn before."
I beam at Frank. "Then this will be your first time, and you're in luck because I make the best popcorn. The secret lies with the amount of butter I use, but don't tell anyone."
Frank smiles, about to thank me, but he is interrupted by his phone ringing on the coffee table. I hit pause with the controller, and Frank presses the phone to his ear.
"Frank Hiddleston, the butler of the Parker family, speaking. How may I help you?"
The other person speaks, and Frank's face rapidly pales. His eyes travel to mine while he keeps listening. He seems to be breaking into a cold sweat and stands up to pace the room.
"But he is still breathing?"
Him?
Now it's my turn to panic. I stand up from the couch and find Frank's wide eyes. There is worry written over his features, fright in his eyes. I've never seen Frank wear such an alarming face before.
Something terrible has happened, and I understand without asking that the phone call is about Noah—I can feel it in my soul. My stomach is churning with dread, and tears are prickling behind my eyelids.
"Which hospital?"
I stop breathing. Has there been an accident? Dear God, I hope Noah is okay—I don't know what I would do without him. Fuck. Can Frank get off the phone already? I want to hear what is going on!
"We will be there within minutes."
Frank places down the phone. He hesitates for a few seconds that feel like four long years, and then he looks at me. His eyes are haunted, and my heart hammers against my ribcage.
"What happened?" I whisper, not daring to raise my voice even an octave louder.
"There has been an accident," Frank tells me. "A truck crashed into Noah's car, and he needs surgery. They had to fly him off to the hospital. He is still breathing, but he is severely injured—the doctors were honest and said they don't know if he will make it."