Natalie couldn’t dodge. Sebastian didn’t let go of her until they were breathless.
“Aren’t you going to get the motorcycle?” Natalie’s face flushed as she rested her face against his chest, hearing his heartbeat. She licked her swollen lips and smiled to herself.
“No need. My friend will come and get it himself.” Sebastian shrugged. His magnetic, playful smile made her heart skip a beat. Natalie couldn’t take her eyes off him.
Garrett would have no choice but to get the Vyrus himself.
Sebastian pecked the corner of her lips again. “Your lips taste like strawberry. I like it. It’s just so sweet.”
It was almost nine when they got home.
As soon as Natalie entered the apartment, she rushed into the bathroom to shower.
Sebastian was checking his phone on the sofa in the living room. Just then, the male subordinate who had played the role of his boss sent him a message.
“Boss, what should we do with the painting on the wall?”
“Why bother asking?” Sebastian typed impatiently. They obviously had to keep the painting.
Meanwhile, the bathroom door opened.
Noticing that she had forgotten to take the bath towel, Natalie decided to tiptoe to her room to get it.
A football game was playing on the TV. The commentator’s intense voice muffled her footsteps, so Sebastian didn’t notice her.
When Natalie walked past behind him, she caught a glimpse of Sebastian’s phone and saw someone asked about the painting on the wall in a respectful tone.
Natalie stopped. Her face darkened as she finally understood what had happened.
“Sebastian!” Sebastian jerked up in shock when he heard her high-pitched voice.
He didn’t expect Natalie to come out of the bathroom so soon, so he subconsciously hid the phone behind his back upon hearing her voice.
But seeing the fury in her face, Sebastian immediately realized it was too late.
Natalie weakly slumped on the sofa.
The window was open, and her long hair billowed with the wind. She sighed and closed her eyes.
Moments later, she turned to look at Sebastian, her gaze cold and aloof. “What the hell is going on, Sebastian?”
Everything had been a hoax.
She was so touched when Sebastian stood up for her. But she felt like a fool now.
“I can explain.” Sebastian quietly glanced at his phone. Although he looked calm, he was burning with rage inside. He was mad at his subordinate for ruining his perfect plan.
‘Damn it! What a stupid, useless man!
Why did he have to send a message about the painting now?’
“No need! I clearly saw everything. You had joined a few people and performed a drama to deceive me. Natalie sneered.
Sebastian was startled.
He rubbed his brows and blew out a loud breath. He didn’t want to reveal his guilt.
Natalie had caught him red-handed, and Sebastian didn’t dare to deny it. He sat up and looked at her innocently. “Yes, that was a setup. It was a rented villa.”
Natalie crossed her arms over her chest. “Do you think I’m a fool?” She was seething with rage.
She took a deep breath to control her rage. “What the hell were you thinking? Do you have too much money to spare? It was a stupid thing to do.”
“I just wanted you to be happy.” Sebastian squatted in front of Natalie and held her knees. “Don’t be mad at me. I’m sorry,” he said intently.
Natalie shook her head and stood up, intending to leave.
Sebastian grabbed her shoulders, and the two fell onto the sofa.
Natalie’s face reddened with rage. She quickly grabbed her clothes in fear. Sebastian’s dark eyes bore into hers; he looked frightening. “Do whatever you want, but please don’t ignore me.”
“You are crazy!” Natalie shouted as she tried wriggling out of his hold. “Don’t touch me! You tried fooling me. What makes you think I’d listen to you?”
Before she could utter another word, Sebastian wrapped her into a tight embrace.
His body trembled, for he couldn’t control his emotions anymore.
Sebastian was an influential personality in the business world. People feared him. However, his voice broke when he spoke. “Don’t be afraid. I won’t do anything to you without your consent. I just want to talk to you. Can you please listen to me?”
He knew Natalie was unhappy but didn’t know what to do to make her feel better.
“I just want you to know that I care about you a lot. If you don’t like what I just did, I’ll try something else next time. Anything for you. From now on, I will listen to your every word. A few days ago, when you told me about Brandon, I knew it was my fault that it appeared I didn’t care. Trust me when I say I do care about you. Scold me, beat me, do whatever you want to vent your anger, but please don’t ignore me. I’ve never been with anyone before, and we are newly married. This is all new to me. I’m bound to make mistakes. Correct me if I do something wrong, but don’t just turn your back to me. I want to be a better man — a better husband for you.”
Sebastian stared into Natalie’s eyes. Their faces were inches apart. The intensity of his gaze trapped Natalie.
Sebastian’s shaggy air gently brushed against her face, emanating a faint peppermint fragrance. The macho man now looked vulnerable in front of her. Natalie could tell that he meant every word.
Autumn was just around the corner. The wind was blowing outside, making the clothes on the balcony sway violently.
Natalie pursed her lips and looked away.
“Get up first. Then we’ll talk, I promise.” She tried pushing him away. Her nose almost brushed against his.
“No. You will run away.” Sebastian held her tighter and looked into her eyes. “You can’t leave without giving me an answer tonight.”
Natalie pinched his arm.
Her anger had almost subsided.
She could tell that Sebastian had no experience in love, but he was willing to take an effort and change himself for her. It meant he truly cared about her.
However, Natalie didn’t want to forgive him easily. She rolled her eyes and looked away. “Forget it. I will spare you this time. Don’t make such a stupid mistake again. It cost us both money and time. Now, let go of me. There is still hot water running in the bathroom. I need to shower.”
Sebastian’s gaze slowly drifted to Natalie. He nodded and reluctantly let go of her.
However, his heart sank as soon as she stepped away from him. It felt as if something was missing.
