Natalie propped her cheek on her palm and looked at her paycheck with a worried look. Although she had just received her salary, it was just a drop in the bucket for Hannah’s surgery.
“You just got your paycheck today. Why do you still look unhappy?” her colleague asked, frowning. One look at Natalie told her that she was upset. “Would you like to have a barbecue with me tonight?”
Natalie shook her head, smiling. “How about next time? I have plans tonight.”
“Okay. See you tomorrow.” The colleague smiled and took her bag to leave.
Natalie slowly packed up her laptop. When she was about to leave, someone patted her back.
It was Christopher. He was dressed in a brown wind breaker, looking fresh and pristine. He smiled at her, his eyes twinkling with delight.
“Ready to go? How about I walk you to the bus stop? What’s wrong? You look upset. Having trouble at work?”
Natalie clasped the straps of her backpack and smiled. “No. I was just thinking about something. By the way, Chris, are you free tonight? I just got my paycheck today and was thinking of taking you out for dinner.” She had already promised to take Christopher out, so she planned to invite him for dinner.
She didn’t have enough money for Hannah’s operation, anyway. Spending money on a meal didn’t seem like a big deal. After all, she had to return his favor.
“Yeah. I came across a new western restaurant. I want to give it a try,” Christopher suggested, feeling both surprised and flattered.
He pressed the elevator button. As the door closed, he examined her face and asked, “Is the man who picked you up last time your boyfriend?”
This question had been lingering in his mind ever since he saw Natalie with Sebastian. Even though he seemed hesitant to question her, he wanted to find an opportunity to find out about Sebastian.
Perhaps the man was her cousin, friend, or relative. After all, he didn’t look like the type Natalie would date.
The man looked like a beast and didn’t seem like the right match for her.
“You saw him the other day?” Natalie looked at him, hesitant to reveal their relationship. “That man is…”
Just as she wondered whether to tell the truth or not, her phone rang.
“Sorry, I have to answer this call.”
Natalie quickly walked out of the elevator and headed to the bathroom. “What’s up?” she asked in a hushed voice.
“When will you come back? I’m hungry,” Sebastian said. Natalie could picture him lying on the sofa, frowning.
“There are sandwiches in the fridge. Have them first.”
After a moment’s thought, Natalie felt that since she was married to Sebastian now, she had to tell him that she was going to have dinner with another man. “I’m taking Christopher out for dinner to pay back his favor last time. I might be a little late.”
The man remained silent for a while. “You’re not even sure if he was the one who helped you. Why do you have to pay him back?” he asked coldly.
Natalie bit her lip. “But I’ve already invited him. It wouldn’t be nice to cancel the plan all of a sudden.”
She heard the rustling of clothes. Then, Sebastian spoke, “I’ll come with you. Which restaurant?”
After telling him the restaurant’s name, Natalie walked back to Christopher. “Let’s go.”
They passed two streets and arrived at the opulent western restaurant.
“Well, I guess someone is going to join us for dinner. I’m sorry, Chris,” Natalie stuttered as they reached the door of the restaurant.
“It doesn’t matter.” Although Christopher sounded relaxed, he immediately figured out the situation. “Is it a male or a female friend?” he asked, trying to sound relaxed.
When Natalie was about to answer him, she saw Sebastian standing outside the restaurant. The setting sun cast a golden hue on his towering frame, outlining his features.
‘Wow! He has arrived soon.’
Christopher followed her gaze and saw a tall man with broad shoulders wearing a vintage black jacket. He looked like a mature man with fortitude yet seemed arrogant at the same time. His eye-catching features made Christopher gulp with insecurity.
“This is my husband, Sebastian. This is Christopher… I mentioned him over the phone,” Natalie said as she awkwardly walked to Sebastian.
Christopher’s eyes widened; his jaw dropped in horror. “What? When did you get married?”
He couldn’t help but look Sebastian up and down, who was also staring at him. It was, after all, a matter of self-esteem between the two men.
Natalie broke into a cold sweat. She forced a smile, trying to hide her fear because Sebastian’s sharp gaze was fixed on Christopher. He looked unhappy.
He put one arm around Natalie’s shoulder, suppressing his anger. “Haven’t you told others that you’re married and have a husband?” he asked in a low voice.
Natalie’s head started to pound. It was hard for her to deal with this matter with ease. Normally, she wouldn’t admit that she was married—especially since she had married in Cassie’s stead. If people knew that she was married, their little secret would be exposed.
Forcing an apologetic smile, she tried to laugh it off and said, “I told Chris just now, didn’t I?”
Sebastian snorted but said nothing.
The atmosphere among the three seemed to be cold as ice. Natalie had no choice but to bite the bullet and lead the way into the restaurant.
After they sat down, Christopher excused himself and went to the bathroom to calm himself down. He just couldn’t accept the fact that Natalie was married out of the blue.
Ever since he had taken his seat, Sebastian hadn’t even glanced at Natalie. While flipping through the menu, Natalie nudged him gently. “Are you mad at me?”
The man rested his chin on his hand as he skimmed through the menu. His eyes were cloudy, and he didn’t even look at her when she tried to talk to him. With a small, stiff smile, he replied, “No. Leave me alone.”
Disappointed, Natalie pursed her lips but didn’t say anything more.
“Did you two order already?” When Christopher returned, he smiled at them politely.
He could tell that there was some tension between the couple, but he was still flustered and didn’t know what to say.
“Not yet. Chris, is there anything in particular that you want to eat?” Natalie handed him the menu with a small smile.
Throughout the course of the meal, nobody spoke a word. Only Natalie and Christopher would occasionally make a comment, only for the conversation to die shortly after.
When he was done with his steak, Sebastian sank into the back of his chair, giving off a cold aura.
Just then, Cassie and her friends entered the restaurant.
“Wow… Look over there, Cassie. Is he a celebrity?”
Cassie followed the gaze of her friend and found Sebastian sitting at a table. He was incredibly handsome, but seemed oblivious to the fact that he had become the center of attention.
“Wait. I know him…” A smug smile appeared on Cassie’s face, but then the corners of her mouth dropped when she saw that Sebastian was accompanied by both Natalie and Christopher.
Two handsome men and a beautiful woman were all seated together. The scene was quite eye-catching.
