''My question to you exactly. How dare you say such a thing to me. You want me to go and apologise to your friend? You want me to stop embarrassing you? I always put you in a thick situation? Right, nicely spoken. I don't know how my behaviour puts you in a difficult position because you are not my mother. You abandoned me and picked up a new family. Stop acting like you have ever played a mother figure in my life''

''My mother? You don't deserve that title because if you were my mother, instead of forcing me to go and apologise to your friend, you would have asked me what happened first. You would found out what happened between me and that woman. If you were my mother, instead of jumping into conclusions, you would have gone to find out what happened at the hospital and maybe you would have gotten to know how that woman bullied me at Janice and made me have a relapse all because she claimed she was seeking justice for you. she was the one who stopped me, she was the one who started bullying me and all I did was to defend myself but no, that is been seen as me trying to put you in a difficult position''

''Do you know why you think I am out to embarrass and make things difficult for you? Because you are not my mother and you see me as an enemy. Someone who wants to ruin your beautiful career and family. So, instead of finding out what happened first, you are here to force me to go and apologise to the same woman who made me fall sick for almost a month. You are not my mother. You lost that right the day you left me''

''Stop the car or I will jump out''

''Stop the car'' Solace said furiously and turned to look at Natalie. It was like they were on a staring contest as they held each other's gaze, none refusing to back down.

Solace felt her throat dry up. she sighed and looked away first, saying, ''get out. If I find out that you are lying to me, I will not forgive you''

''I don't need your forgiveness because you and I don't have a relationship to begin with. Forgiveness is between people who have a relationship or some kind of connection. You and I… we have no such thing. I want you and your family to stay out of my life'' Natalie opened the door and got down from the car.

The car immediately sped off, leaving in the middle of nowhere. Natalie looked around her and realised they had gone far away from her company building. She sighed and hailed a taxi to go back.

….

''I'm sorry I'm late'' Natalie said once she entered the meeting room. She got an empty seat beside William and sat beside him.

''Drink this, you look like you need a drink'' William push his glass of juice which he hadn't touched towards Natalie.

''Thank you'' Natalie took the glass and drunk all the juice in it. When she finished he flushed and realised everyone's gaze was on her.

''Continue with the briefing'' William said to the man who was talking before Natalie entered.

…

After the meeting, Natalie took the notes from Amy and stayed back to write them down. She was interested in jewellery so she wanted to learn everything about it.

When everyone left, Natalie started comparing her reading the previous notes that Amy had given to her. She was so into it that she didn't notice that William had come back into the meeting room.

''You seem to like designing'' William said as he pulled out a chair beside Natalie to sit.

''Yes, I love designing. I want to be able to design my own jewellery one day''

''When you do, we can work on it. I can help you since I know more about jewellery designing. Let's do it this way, show me your designs and I will rate them''

''Are you trying to steal my designs?'' Natalie asked and smiled.

William looked at her and muttered, ''beautiful''

''Huh?'' Natalie looked at the ring design she doodled and smiled saying, ''this one, right?''

''No, I mean you. You are beautiful, Natalie''

''Thank you'' Natalie smiled and her body stiffened when she saw William's fingers touching her hair. He touched her hair and tugged them behind her ear.

''Your hair was falling off'' William explained and stood up from the chair. ''Natalie, you still owe me dinner. When will you take me out?''

''Huh? What dinner?''

''You promised to buy me dinner when you come back to work. You should keep your promises''

''How about lunch? I have dinner plans with my mother in law tonight''

''It's everything okay between you two? I thought that you would move out to stay on your own now that Thomas was no more. But, it seems that your relationship with your brother in law is strong. Is Mikael Sun good to you?''

''Yes, our relationship is good and he treats me well''

''That's a relief. But, I will be watching. When he doesn't treat you right, even for a moment, I am taking you away from him''

''You don't have to worry about that, let's go. The company cafeteria food isn't bad. We can eat there, right?''

''Then, you won't have to pay for my lunch, but, it's okay. As long as I am eating with you''

Natalie saw Lucy and Matt eating together when they arrived at the cafeteria, she stopped walking and smiled as she looked at them.

''They look so good together''

''They are unlikely but Matt is a good man. I can vouch for him because he is my cousin''

''Matt is your cousin?'' Natalie asked as she turned to look at William.

''Yes, he is my cousin from my mother's side. We've been together since we were young. He really likes your friend. He has been speaking about her for a while now''

''I feel so happy for them''

''Let's go and join them'' William said and held Natalie's hand but she took her hand away immediately as the face of someone came to mind. She had always been held by him that she found it weird and uncomfortable been touched by someone else other than him.

''Are they having a double date in the cafeteria now? Why are those two so lucky?'' Anita banged her cutlery on the table and said furiously. Her eyes were literally boring holes into Lucy's head.

''Anita, don't worry about Lucy. She and the head of Security won't be able to last. Guess what I found out?'' Dindin smirked.

''Do you have information about her? Does she have a dark past?'' Anita became curious.

''Not a dark past but something that will make her lose her job. Yesterday, I saw a man outside the building. He was looking for Lucy, so I decided to probe in further and I found out that he was her ex whom she left. He told me about her secret''

''She has a secret?''

''Yes, come closer'' Dindin said and Anita leaned closer. Dindin whispered something into her ears and her face brightened.

''Whoa, who would have thought she was from such a home?''

''Why don't you blow it up tomorrow?''

''I will use a different ID and spread the information. By the time everyone gets to work tomorrow, the news will be all over the place. When that happens, even Janice will be forced to kick her out. Hump, she didn't even belong here in the first place''

Dindin and Anita looked at each other with tactical understanding.

…..

''Bye, Natalie'' Lucy said as she got into Matt's car.

''Bye, Lucy. See you tomorrow'' Natalie waved at her before turning to look at the road. She frowned and murmured to herself, ''strange, he is not here and he didn't even call me. Is he still angry over the stunt I pulled?''

Natalie took out her phone and was about to call Mikael when the familiar car pulled over in front of him. she smiled and walked closer saying, ''why did you keep long… Assistant He?'' Natalie asked as she looked at the man who got out of the car instead of Mikael.

''Miss, I came to send you home. Mr. Sun had a last important meeting to attend. He asked me to bring you home'' Assistant He said politely.

''Important meeting? Is the company in any troubles?'' Natalie's voice sounded worried.

''No, Miss. Mr. Sun has a meeting with a Japanese Business Guru. The meeting was initially schedules for tomorrow but the investor suddenly called for a meeting today'' Assistant He opened the door for Natalie before getting into the driver's seat.

''It must be important then'' Natalie murmured.

''Yes, it is very important. The man is someone who is a national advisor for Strategic planning team of the Governor of Japan. But, he is also someone who believes in family. It will be a little difficult getting him to work with us especially because the young Master isn't married. It is rumoured that the man would easily give a consent to married men than single men''

''Then, will Mikael be alright?''

''He should be, but I can't really tell since I am not there with him. I told the young master to let you go and act as his wife but he refused. He said that you hated those things and he didn't want to force you''

''Assistant He, send me to where they are meeting right now''

''Miss, are you sure?''

''Yes, hurry'' Natalie said anxiously.