Noah
The world feels less grey and more colorful whenever I'm with Natalie, but everything is falling into pieces this morning.
She is no longer my sunshine.
A few days ago, I enjoyed an entire day spent with Natalie. We laughed and ate Japanese food while we bonded. The conversation started light but turned darker the more questions I asked about her.
Natalie has a rocky relationship with her dad, and her mother walked out on her earlier in her life. She looked so sad while telling me that. My heart was crying, and every part of me wanted to hug her. I had to remind myself to take it easy.
And for a good reason.
Yesterday, I didn't know if Emma was my daughter. Now the paternity test has come back—Emma isn't mine.
I punch the wall so hard that my fists throb in pain. I'm angry and confused about why Natalie would lie to me. What other untruths has she told me? Fuck. I feel so stupid.
My stupid brain was falling in love with Natalie while she was playing me like a deck of cards. It hurts.
"Is everything alright?" My mother walks into my room. She is smiling and pulls up the blinds. "You never came down to eat breakfast. Did something happen?"
I wet my lips while staring down at the floor. My heart is shattered, and the universe is collapsing into darkness. The sickest thing is that I still like Natalie. I can't get her out of my head, even if the doctor called to break my soul into oblivion.
Emma isn't mine...
How could Natalie lie to me?
"Yes, something happened," I tell my mother without looking up from the carpet on the floor. "But I don't want to talk about it. Not right now. My head is a mess, and I need time..."
Her eyes study my face. I'm not looking at her, but I can feel her gaze like a physical weight on my shoulder. There is something on her mind—if I stay silent, she will reveal her inner thoughts.
My mother works that way. She can't keep secrets and spread her beliefs and reflections like sprinkles over a cupcake. We are close to each other, but sometimes I wish my mother could leave me alone.
"Is this about Natalie?" my mother asks.
My head snaps up to her eyes. "How do you know?"
"Well..." she scratches at her neck, sighing. "Elias and I aren't dumb or blind. We are informed Natalie has a daughter, and we are also aware that Natalie is working for you—it doesn't take a genius to figure out she has begged you for money already. She is a snake."
Oddly enough, I'm protective of Natalie. I dislike my mother's tone when she speaks Natalie's name. She sounds so disgusted by Natalie, despite not knowing her well enough to judge.
"Natalie hasn't begged me for money."
"Asking for a job is the same thing."
My lips curl. "I was the one who called Natalie. She didn't realize who her boss would be, and I threw her out after her interview. But then, after looking at her resume, I realized she was the most suited person to take Bianca's spot over summer."
I study my mother's features. She appears calm, but I can see her pulse ticking against her neck. It baffles me how she can shelter so much hatred for a woman she doesn't know. It also gives wake to the devil within me, so I continue to praise Natalie.
"In fact..." I keep my eyes on my mother to not miss the reaction I know she will have. "I think Natalie is a better assistant than Bianca. She is far more intelligent and has a keen eye for details. Unlike Bianca, she is never late and actually handles my customers with the respect they deserve."
My mother glares at me. "Bianca would make a better wife than Natalie, Noah. I asked you to hire Bianca because I hoped you would get to know her and fall in love."
"Ah, so that's why." I stand up from my bed and search for my t-shirt. My mother is still glaring at me, prompting me to add. "I would like to decide what woman to marry by myself."
My mother gasps. "Absolutely not!"
I arch an eyebrow. "And why can't I make that decision on my own, huh? Isn't that the most natural way? Falling in love with someone and making them my wife?"
"You're the wealthiest man in this country," my mother is spitting while talking. Her eyes are darkened with fury, and if looks could kill, I would be one dead man. "You can't choose just anyone! Women are cunning and would pick you for your money, so I will pick a classy woman who already has money to her name."
"Bianca isn't my idea of an ideal woman." I'm slipping into a pair of pants while wishing my mother could leave me alone. "She doesn't make me laugh, and we have nothing in common. I would be miserable as her husband. And who says I want to get married, anyway?"
"Your father would have wanted you to get married early to have grandchildren."
"No," I snort, meeting her eyes with a cruel smile. "That's your dream—don't drag my father into this. He would have wanted me to be happy. That's all that he asked for."
By now, my mother is crying. "Are you saying I don't want is best for my son, Noah? Are you calling me a terrible mother?"
No, but you're definitely a manipulative one.
Of course, I don't say those words, yet that's what I'm thinking while I'm getting ready to head out.
"Can we have this discussion later?" I ask my mother. "I'm in a hurry somewhere, so I don't have time for this conversation."
"Your future marriage is important, Noah. We have to plan for it someday, and I want you to marry Bianca."
"That will never happen."
I glare at my mother, not afraid of showing my disdain. Marrying a woman that I don't love would be absolute madness and Bianca? Please, it's like asking for a funeral.
I wouldn't survive a day with Bianca by my side.
My mother doesn't give up. She follows me down the stairs while I'm racing to get out of this mansion. I can't breathe in my mother's presence. She is trying to control me like a doll.
"Then could I set you up with a different woman?" My mother asks. "Lexie Williams, perhaps?"
That name picks my interest. Lexie was the woman I was heading out on a date with, but I abandoned her for Natalie.
I sink my teeth into my lower lip. "I will think about it."
Before I get into the dating game again, I have to confront Natalie about her lies about Emma being mine. Knowing that Natalie was toying with the truth and my heart hurt.
To think I fell for her.
Did Natalie only want my money all along? I've become terrible at judging someone's character because damn... I really thought Natalie loved me.
She drew me in like a moth to a flame.
And now, I'm even more broken than before.