I nearly fell forward after what I heard.

I covered my mouth to prevent a gasp that was trying to escape from my lips...

Mackenzie...

She was the only one I could think of right now.

I looked over my shoulder and carefully watched Cassandra move towards the bay window and I slowly crawled out of the kitchen at the speed of a turtle...

When it felt like I was in the clear I ran quickly through the hallways and then up the staircase.

I tried processing the information once again when I got inside my room. Before I knew it I started pacing back and forth anxiously...

So, it was only recently that Nathan find out Kenz was his biological daughter?

Now that I knew a little more about Nathan I understood why he decided to keep this hidden. I couldn't even begin to imagine how much pain and devastation was in his heart when he found out since he also didn't have Henry in his life until he was much older...

My thoughts began to spiral as I laid awake at night.

I wondered how this would affect Mackenzie and if she would ever find out given the circumstances.

She would probably feel betrayed by her mother or feel scared and unsure about the situation. Maybe she would start resenting Nathan?

I didn't know if I could do anything and that was also very frustrating...

*

Since I couldn't sleep well at night I decided to roll out of bed at 7am.

When I walked downstairs to make something to eat I looked at my phone in regret. I started smacking it as though it had done something unforgivable.

"This is all your fault..." I mumbled while walking into the kitchen. I didn't realize Edna was already there... and she was watching me smacking my phone.

"Are you alright, dear?"

I looked up at her and laughed nervously... how embarrassing. Of course Edna would already be downstairs.

"It just randomly shut off on me..." Edna nodded and she started brewing fresh coffee.

"Oh, I bought that new creamer you recommended. The boys like it."

I was now sitting on one of the bar stools and reaching out for a banana to eat.

"The Califia one?" Edna smiled and opened the fridge. There were several large almond-based creamers stocked.

"I'm glad..." I laughed while Edna winked at me.

"I got a pretty good bargain..." I held onto my phone tightly before setting it on the counter. Edna walked over to the marble island to start peeling and cutting fruit and she noticed my phone had turned on.

"I suppose it's working again?"

"Yes...finally!!" I looked over at it, acting 'surprised.'

"Sometimes... if we think something is broken...we just need to remind ourselves it just needs a little time, right?" I pressed my lips together and lifted my elbows up on the counter.

"Yes..."

Edna's smile was warm... she always had an incredible way of knowing what to say maybe intentionally or unintentionally...

Moments later she handed me a fresh cup of coffee with the creamer I liked and she patted my back gently a few times before returning to make breakfast.

I exhaled while cupping my hands around the mug. I took a little sip and I instantly felt relieved...

*

Later at the office I was in and out of a few meetings with Kai and Nathan.

Kai had intended to send a few people to Nagoya in a few weeks since he decided to push the timeline back a little. While I was sitting in his office with Nathan he was arranging their hotel lodgings.

And unfortunately I couldn't help but stare at Nathan. Especially after his minor 'errors' today. During his daily briefing to the marketing team he forgot a few documents and then messed up on a few statistics from several years ago. When Kai took over a lot of the employees were surprised...

Nathan had excused himself a few times... which was unlike him.

And I'm sure I knew the reason why.

He was probably dealing with pressure from Cassandra and his own conscience...

"Kai... I'm going to get us some coffee I'll be right back..."

The cafe on the first floor in the office finally opened up so I didn't have to go across the street anymore.

I didn't mind instant coffee but that meant I had to go to that break down...

And last time I had an unusual experience. So I decided to pick them up from downstairs for a handful of my co-workers. I brought drinks for the head administrator and executive assistants on our floor. They really enjoyed smoothies and fresh shaken teas with fruit. I also stopped by to greet our head marketing manager to pass her an Iced Americano. She was pleasantly surprised by my treat...

Then there was Kai who always had a plain, dark roast coffee.

When I placed it in front of him he noticed there was still one drink left.

"There's someone else you need to meet?" I nodded and he smiled.

"You... seemed a little odd today just like Nathan. Is there something going on?" he asked before sipping his coffee. It felt like I could taste the bitterness so I made a bit of a sour face.

"Nothing a little latte couldn't solve..." I said while grabbing a document he was looking for and placing it in front of him. He smiled at me before I left to find Nathan.

When someone told me they saw him heading to the rooftop terrace I grabbed my jacket and then I took a flight of stairs up to a large door. I steadied my cup in the crease of my elbow and opened the door with my newly freed hand.

"Here..." I said while walking over to stand by him... Nathan was looking out towards the horizon when I slowly approached him. He turned to look at me and smiled very sweetly. He held the cup and took a sip.

"Did you add cinnamon?" I nodded and he smiled again. "It's delicious..."

I leaned against the roof wall. The height of it reached my chest so I was able to lean forward, propping my elbows on the smooth surface. When I looked down I felt dizzy and took a step back.

"I thought I was brave..."

"Well, this building is a little higher than average..." he then looked down too and I turned to face him. I really didn't know what to say. Especially since it wasn't my place. I couldn't imagine what it would feel like to be in his position.

And the fact that Nathan had to remain silent was even more heartbreaking. I turned around and placed my elbows on the wall again. This time I stared down towards the ground.

"Oh, so you're not scared anymore?" I smiled to myself and closed my eyes.

"No, I'm still scared..."

"Then why put yourself in a vulnerable position again?"

"If I let all of my fears consume me then how can I change?"

He quietly looked ahead, considering what I had said. Then he replied:

"It's alright if you can't look down, though... overcoming your fears won't always make you stronger..." I slowly looked over at him and I noticed he had also closed his eyes... I watched the winter sun gently touch his face...

"Hmm..." I said while taking a step back. He slowly turned to look at me. "Then you'll never know the after effect of trying the impossible even without knowing the outcome..."

"What would that be?" he asked.

"That everything will be okay... no matter how hard we think something will be..." there was a moment of silence between us and Nathan smiled at me. It was something I hadn't expected so I was a little taken aback.

"You seem to know a lot of my secrets?" I paused again. I started to feel my heart rate rise. He then took a step towards me and when he got closer he touched the top of my shoulder lightly. "I'm also afraid of heights..." I looked up at him and noticed that behind his grin there seemed to be something sad clouding over.

"I've just gotten good at hiding it..." he added.

He patted the top of my shoulder a few times before walking towards the door. I turned to watch him lift up his latte to his lips.

"Thanks again, Hazel..."

I stood there quietly...

I'm sure he knew...

But if he wanted to keep this a secret... even if it made me anxious, I didn't have the right to interfere...

I started peering over slightly again, feeling a bit sick... but I pressed my lips together and stared down again... after a little while it seemed okay...

Then, I took a step back...

"Hazel..." I turned around and saw Kai who was now approaching me. He wasn't wearing a jacket.

"You're going to catch a cold..." I said.

I walked over to him and held onto his arm in order to escort him back inside.

"Did you find who you were looking for?" I nodded and he exhaled. He then wrapped his arms around me and placed his head near my neck. I shivered because of the warmth emanating from his skin...

"What are you doing? We're still at work..."

"I'm a bit cold..." he said and I chuckled.

"Then why did you come outside without a jacket on?" I pushed him away slightly and he was looking down at me with a serious expression. "What...?"

"Let's have dinner together."

"Just the two of us?" he nodded and I smiled.