Natalie
Things have been going great with Alaric. We have spent the entire week joking and having fun. We are getting married next week, and... I might not be the happiest I could ever be, but I'm satisfied.
"You seem lost in thought."
Alaric's deep voice washes me, and I realize I must have spaced out.
How rude of me.
We are eating dinner at some fancy restaurant. I'm talking to my dad again, and he gave us money; Noah's money, to pay for this dinner I'm having with Alaric right now.
"Are you alright, Natalie?"
Alaric's brows are furrowed, and his mouth is turned down. For once, there is actual concern written on his face.
"I'm excellent," I smile, lifting my class to share a cheer with my soon-to-be husband. When I see the worry disappear over Alaric's handsome features, hope for the future ignites within me.
Tonight is about us. I'm trying to fall back in love with Alaric because he is a good guy. When we first met, he was a total gentleman. He held up doors and threatened me to dinners.
I want Alaric to be like that again. He doesn't have to spend his cash, but wanting your partner to make you feel special is allowed. That's what I desire, to feel seen and important in Alaric's life.
"Natalie, I have something I want to discuss with you tonight," Alaric says in a low voice.
It confuses me how Alaric's face goes from happy to concerned, but I smile even though it's weird. "What is it?"
"Hmm," Alaric takes a deep breath. We are getting married soon, so I hope this is something romantic. "Our beautiful wedding will happen in less than a week."
I continue to smile at him, placing my hand over his to squeeze his fingers while keeping eye contact. "I'm aware; I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes..." Alaric's face suddenly turns pale. He removes his hand from mine, which is odd. "There is something I've known for a while, and it's... taking me everything I have within me to work up the courage to tell you."
How adorable. This must be about where Alaric is taking me for our honeymoon since we have yet to discuss that. I work extra at the mall, so my salary isn't high.
Still, Alaric is a lawyer. His salary is good, and we have been saving money together in a little pink pig in the living room. So maybe we could stay in some nearby city, just us together.
I'm sitting on pins and needles. "Just take a deep breath and tell me what's on your mind, Alaric. I'm sure it will work out in the end."
"I agree," Alaric licks his lips. "My business partner said the same thing."
Huh?
Business partner?
My heart skips a beat while my head fills with bewilderment. I have no idea what will come out next from Alaric's mouth. It must be serious. His face is paling, and my fingers are trembling in my lap from tension.
Is this bad or good news?
"Uh... So a friend and I want to open our own business. I took from the money we had saved up."
I stare at Alaric, unsure if I'm hearing him correctly. He took from our savings without asking me?
"What about our honeymoon?" I whisper.
"It would have to wait," Alaric tells me. His eyes meet mine, and he gives me a nervous smile. "After the wedding, I have to leave for London for a couple of weeks to get everything going."
Wait, hold on!
London?
"What are you talking about?" I ask in a whisper, proud that I'm not yelling right now. Because on the inside, both anger and disappointment are swelling inside of me.
I'm mad at Alaric. So damn frustrated. How could he do this to me? The only reason I'm not screaming is that I don't want to cause a scene in the middle of the most elegant restaurant in the city.
"Yes, we are opening our new law firm in a London office. It's just temporarily, darling. We will grow our business there and later make it worldwide. Everyone needs a lawyer, and we will find new clients in no time, so don't worry. Our savings are well-placed."
I swallow thickly. "But Alaric, I don't think you understand... I don't have any money in my bank account. I placed everything in that piggy bank, hoping we would enjoy a romantic honeymoon. You used that to open your own law firm without telling me..."
Is this a nightmare?
"But... Wait a moment... Is this what you wanted to tell me?" I shake my head, a fit of fake laughter rolling out through my lips. Alaric must be joking with me. "You used our savings, and now you're going to London? But what about us?"
"You can come to London with me," Alaric gives me a charming smile and places his paw over my hand. "We will have a beautiful life over there. Emma will grow up to have an English accent, and we can get that golden retriever you always wanted. Buy ourselves a little house with a gorgeous flower garden too."
I stare at him. "But Emma's dad lives here, in this country."
Alaric's smile falters. "Noah is a billionaire, Natalie. He can visit Emma in England. Besides, it wouldn't be so bad if he didn't come over so often when I was gone. I cannot stand that guy."
I suppose Alaric got a point. He has every right to dislike and be jealous of Noah after the car incident. After Alaric and I talked more about it, I realized Alaric was right and returned the car to a confused Noah.
"I suppose that's right... But I still don't want to move to England... It's too sudden, Alaric. I have Frank and Carmen here. Linnea and my workplace, colleagues."
Alaric snorts through his nose. "But Natalie, your work is hardly a career, and you can find another superstore in England. It will be good for us to make this move. Start over fresh and turn a new leaf. What do you say?"
This idea sounds terrible in my head. I don't want to move away from this city. I like it here. I might not have a career, but I was planning on taking a culinary exam in the future.
I love Alaric, but...
Shit.
I inhale. "I need time to think deeply about this. You can't just drop this bomb on me today and expect an answer, Alaric."
Alaric smiles at me and digs into his food. "I understand that, so let's enjoy this evening and talk about this matter later, okay? You will come to your senses soon."
I lift an eyebrow. What does Alaric mean by that? His words sound so weird in my head, but it's probably me who is overthinking things. Alaric is a good guy, and maybe England will be good for me?