Alexander couldn't get enough of the alluring woman. He dared to lift up Natalia to his waist while kissing her passionately as he carried her inside the penthouse.

The woman, in return, put her arms on his broad shoulders trying to cope up with Alexander's phase. Reaching the living room, the man carefully laid her on the big couch.

After a while, both of them were panting.

Natalia opened her eyes and looked at the handsome man who's been hovering above her. She chuckled as she thought of something.

"What?" The man asked while narrowing his eyes.

"The gown....you almost ruined it." The woman uttered as she placed her hands on his buff chest to put a space between them.

"I can buy hundreds of this as many as you want." He replied in a hoarse voice as he nestled his head between Natalia's neck and shoulder.

Naomi Uno's creations are the cream of the crop and too expensive for one's collection. The woman shook her head and pushed him to sit down. However, Alexander hugged her and the woman was seated on his lap and looked like she's straddling him on the process.

"L...Let go." Natalia was suddenly reddened at the posture. She misses Alexander and this wasn't her first time of being intimate with him. But this particular scene wasn't her intention in the first place.

"Oh. Shy?" Alexander teased the woman and still held her down. Natalia averted her eyes as she cannot hold the weight of his stares. She struggled to come out of his arms but he wouldn't let her. After few scuffles, Alexander released her and went straight to the bathroom.

Natalia fix herself as the man was away. She called for room service sensing that Alexander didn't have his dinner yet and planned on joining him.

The gorgeous man returned at the living room wearing a Hughes' three-piece brunette colored suit to match her attire. His image is world-shaking as always tempting any eyes that will lay upon his form. His cold and powerful demeanor overwhelmed Natalia and she tottered a little as Alexander approached her.

(Reference of what they're wearing)

"Now, where were we?" Alexander held her tightly as he lift her chin.

"The food." Natalia quickly uttered.

The man took a glimpse on the table and smiled. Then he just looked at the woman who avoided his gaze. Seeing her tinted cheeks once more, he eventually led her to the dinning table. They sat down and started to eat.

Natalia had calmed her senses and was quietly observing Alexander. She never really processed her emotions regarding the man. All their interactions were mutual but they never really talked about them.

"Alexander..." She softly called. The man looked at her waiting for the next words. She stood up, raised her hand and smiled. "May I have the pleasure of dancing with the great 'Alexander Gates'?

The man laughed quietly and reached the small hands and stood opposite the woman. Alexander commanded his own voice-controlled virtual assistant to play some music. The woman was a little bit amazed about the technology but came back to her senses as she heard the sweet melody.

They danced the night away enjoying each other's company. They didn't noticed that heavy rains were already pouring outside until Natalia took a glimpse at the glass windows.

"It's raining." The woman spoke breaking the trance between them. She rested her chin on the man's chest while her hands were laced behind his neck.

"Mmm." Alexander simply muffled. They stayed like that for a matter of minutes.

"Thank you Alexander. For everything. You've been such a good.....friend...to me." Natalia told him solemnly.

Alexander stared softly at the woman and kissed her head as he rubs her back with his one hand. An act which melted the woman's heart.

He ignored the part where she mentioned 'friend'. He himself didn't have the time to process what they have. But one thing is for sure... he needed Natalia by his side forever.

After the fabulous moment, Natalia looked at the wall clock and tried to separate herself from the man. "I should head back at the Estate." She told the man and searched for her phone inside her clutch bag.

[Jake: Hello, piglet. I'm waiting for you. What time will you get home? Should I fetch you at the condo? It's pouring hard.]

Natalia looked at Alexander who is approaching and stood too close to her.

[Natalia: Uhm...No need to fetch me. I have my own---]

[Alexander: She's with me. I will drive Natalia back tomorrow.]

[Jake: The heck you are!---]

Alexander ended the call and tossed Natalia's cellphone over the couch.

The woman was so surprised she couldn't react faster. She narrowed her eyes at the man.

"Stay the night. It's very late. Don't worry. You can rest at any room you like." Alexander told her with a genuine smile. He then instructed a maid to clean the dishes and went to his study.

Natalia, still in a daze, found herself upstairs. There are two rooms there. She skipped a familiar room and tried to supress her sour feelings from that night. She will definitely choose the other.

Her problem was that she didn't have any clothes with her. She looked at the wardrobe but only found large t-shirts and men apparels. She sighed but nevertheless changed to a random shirt after she took a quick shower.

Feeling sleepy, she went to the king size bed and settled at the right side far from the door. After few minutes, she heard the door creaked, heard clothes being tossed off and felt someone lie on the bed. Natalia suddenly stood up and glared at the person.

"What are you doing here??" Natalia asked in an unpleasant tone.

"You chose this room, right?" The man asked sitting up and exposing his bare upper body.

"Yes! And you should sleep at your room." Natalia emphasized.

"Alright." The man nonchalantly lie down again and closed his eyes.

"Alexander." The woman called out. The man exhaled and rolled over her side.

"This is my room, princess." Alexander smirked as he stood up and towered her small frame.

"But..last time when the duchess---"

"That room was severely contaminated and was abandoned right away. This is the master's bedroom now." Alexander explained and swiftly lifted her up.

"Since you already chose this room...." The man stopped and was satisfied as he saw his shirt on Natalia's body.

"...Let's sleep." He delicately threw Natalia on the bed.

Natalia, "...."

#######

The next two weeks, the Zimmer Estate became busy. True to his words, Alexander sent some medical experts who will examine the condition of Daniel. Thrice a week, men in white come and go inside the household.

Natalia has been preoccupied with the procedures and stayed at the Estate all the time. She's hopeful for any progress that her father will make.

Hannah also visited the old man every week together with the priest. The sweet child had been praying for Daniel since the day she saw him.

"Thank you very much little one." Natalia said sincerely as she hugged Hannah one afternoon. Her phone rang and answered it while she carefully let go of the kid.

------------

"Your grace." Ariel greeted the woman. The duchess called her last night for a coffee while she's having a passionate moment with Devon. The interrupted activity last night didn't last long as what she had expected. Irritated, she thought that this meeting should be worthy of her time.

The two women met at a well known coffee shop wherein customers can reserve an exclusive area which they did.

"Ms. Zippi..." The duchess greeted in return. She poured out her notions about a specific matter to the blonde woman. Something has been bothering her this past days.

Ariel blinked and nodded as she listened to the words of the royal lady. As per the woman's story, she definitely has the same symptoms of what Natalia had three years ago. After telling the whole account, the duchess looked at her helplessly. She smirked in her heart and comfort the duchess. She told the royal lady an idea that will solve both of their current predicament.

The duchess will surely be happy at the expense of her adversary, who is her so-called bestfriend. This time, Ariel is sure that Natalia will be put on a gloomy situation which she thought the woman deserves.

Duchess Ruth sincerely thanked the woman for the enlightenment and brought her to a shopping mall and let Ariel choose any designer items that she wants.

They could be considered as the best of friends from afar as they walk side by side smiling happily. Both of them celebrated the good fortune that will come their way.

--------------

Later that night, Natalia stepped out of the Zimmer Estate to meet with a woman.

Earlier that day, the duchess called her as she wanted to know the people who knew Alexander. Even though Natalia didn't want to, she cannot simply offend a royalty. That's why she's at a fine dine-in restaurant waiting for the lady.

"Sorry to keep you waiting." An apologetic voice spoke coming from the lady who sat opposite Natalia.

"It's alright your grace." The brunette woman replied with a smile.

"I called you, as I've said, to know more about the people who are seemed close to Alexander."

Natalia just nodded listening intently at the woman.

"This news is not yet out but I wanted his close friends to know ahead." The lady continued.

"We're getting married!.." Duchess Ruth uttered while raising her left hand showing a red beryl designed engagement ring.