Two weeks ago

The aloof boss was still in his office beyond working hours. He's currently reminiscing about yesterday night with Natalia. It's impossible to avoid having a smile on one's face thinking about the woman. Lately, he has been pondering regarding the future. A future with her.

Subconsciously, Alexander dialed his grandfather's number. "Grandpa, I have a favor to ask you. Can we meet?"

The next day, Alexander met the old man at the Zion Grand Hotel.

"Boy, what is this favor of yours?" The old man started as he scanned the restaurant's menu.

"I need a piece of red beryl." The young man stated without coating his words. He vividly remembered the three little wishes of Natalia from his memory. He knew his grandfather has a hobby of collecting gemstones that's why he contacted him and hoping to obtain a small piece of the stone.

The old man raised his brows. "Have you come to your senses and ready to put a ring on your fiancée's finger?"

Alexander shook his head and secretly smirked. His grandfather never failed to remind him about some random woman. "No. But I am sure that I'm going to marry the woman I fancied. My apologies, grandfather. No one's going to change my mind."

His grandfather snorted and took a sip of his wine. "Let's see. Once you meet the woman I'm telling you about, you will surely eat your words."

"Doubtful. She's not even my fiancée to begin with, grandpa." This time, the young man showed his taunting smile and looked at his grandfather who seemed to be thinking.

The old man sighed, but his posture stayed the same as someone who still refused to give up. "Once prepared, the gemstone will be delivered at your doorsteps." With that, they ate and talked about different things.

#######

That afternoon, Alexander received the 'favor' that he requested from his grandfather. The old man exceeded his expectation and had sent a tiny box with a red beryl-designed ring. A tiny note was attached to the package which says,

'Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart.'

His lips curved at the truth behind the written words thinking of a woman. Alexander told himself that he needs to repay his grandfather in another way.

After staring at the ring, he kept the box in one of the drawers for the meantime and thought of a way how to convey his emotions to the special woman he cares about.

"Duchess. You cannot just barge inside Mr. Gates office----" Sergei informed the royal lady as she strive to open the door of Alexander's office.

The President's door flung open. The woman catched her breath as she squeezed herself bypassing Alexander's assistant.

"I'm sorry Mr. Gates----"

"What are you doing here?" Alexander uttered in a cold and displeasing manner and glowered at the trespassing woman.

In Duchess Ruth's eyes, the man is truly striking and her desire escalated every moment she encountered him. She wanted Alexander by her side. That's why she confided about it earlier with her new found friend, Ariel Zippi, to asked for a solution to her current predicament. The blonde woman encouraged her to voice out her situation and to never waver.

"You need to be responsible."

"What did you say?" Alexander spoke in such a way that will bring one person to his knees.

"I'm pregnant." The duchess firmly replied tossing a document at his table. It's an ultrasound report from a respective hospital.

Sergei just stood at the background assessing the situation and reminded himself to verify the document.

Alexander scowled at the woman and marched towards her. "Duchess, I've tolerated you enough and expected that one will have some propriety. Don't test my patience for you do not want to see the other side of me."

"At your penthouse. Don't you remember? It all happened there. You took advantage of the situation when I was taking care of you that night. I swallowed the embarassment that even when we were making love, your mouth still slipped and called that woman's name!" Duchess Ruth wailed at her words as she recalled the night. Her grief seemed immeasurable and her body was trembling.

Sergei gave a glass of water to the woman to calm her senses. He looked over his silent boss and was thinking what would happen next after the revelation. He saw Alexander creased his eyebrows like trying to remember that specific night.

After a while, his boss walked towards the door and called out to him without looking back and left the royal lady behind. He quietly followed Alexander to wherever he plans to go.

After the scene, the duchess wiped her tears with the back of her hands. She then explored the office and sat down on Alexander's chair. She can smell his minty scent and leaned more on the seat. She brushed her hands on every single item over his table. She then opened the built-in drawers and discovered a tiny box. She opened it and her eyes glimmered. Then the woman dialed a number and smiled at her next step.

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

Evening

"Isn't it beautiful? What do you think, Natalia?" Duchess Ruth stated lovingly. Her lashes were fluttering at the jewelry and spoke with such excitement.

Natalia stared at the woman's hand. A part of her heart seemed to break. Her eyes started to sting but she tried to control it and smiled. "It is indeed lovely."

"Right?" The duchess peeked at the woman's expression. She saw a flash of hurt in her face. She had waited for this moment wherein she can claim Alexander as her man and destroy every woman who lurks at him. She reminded herself to pamper Ariel more to show her utmost gratitude for this grand idea.

After sharing the full story, the duchess hugged Natalia and thanked the woman for listening and celebrating with her. The royal lady left the woman alone and went on her way to talk with Ariel. She touched her lower abdomen and smirked. "I knew that you will be useful."

Natalia, still in her seat, wanted to vanish right at that time. She needed a distraction. She paid for the bill and went to The Belle Shop. She busied herself with the planning regarding their Asian expansion and spent the entire night at the office for she cannot bear to see anyone at the moment.

Alexander called her but she just stared at her ringing phone. The man called her several times and messaged her if she's available that night. She ignored her phone and switched it off. No one knows the exact condition of her heart. Even herself.

When she had exhausted her mind, she exited the building and drove to nowhere.

Natalia ended up at the end of the city capital where a familiar church was located. She alighted from the car and just sat over the hood of the vehicle at the middle of the still road. She stared blankly for hours and didn't moved an inch thinking about her next steps.

As the sun let its rays peek out the horizon, she made a few calls, e-mailed important persons and tightly shut her eyes.

'God give me grace and lend me Your strength.'

That's her only prayer as she cannot forget the words which keeps on echoing inside her head.

'We're also expecting a child.' The duchess told her cheerfully.

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

Alexander went back to the penthouse and review the CCTV cameras. He watched the duchess came into his room that night and left his home in a slow manner the next day. Unfortunately, there's no camera installed inside his room and wasn't able to confirm what really happened. He closed his eyes as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

Sergei was also sitting at the couch and contacting the hospital where the duchess had undergone the imaging test for pregnant women. It turned out that her pregnancy is true and also felt that the situation gets more complicated. How will the young miss react to the news? How will his boss explain it to her?

Alexander felt tired and wanted to hear the voice of Natalia. He's been contacting her several times and also sent her messages. But no response. After few more attempts, he dragged himself inside his bedroom and fortunately, sleep enveloped him immediately with a hopeful thought that he will see her tomorrow.

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

"Devon..." Ariel whispered to the sleeping man at the middle of the night. She's in a good mood lately because of the story that she have received from the duchess.

At last, she was able to give Natalia a special gift she rightfully deserve. She knew that the woman has some kind of a connection with Alexander Gates. She couldn't figure it out yet back then. But when she learned that the man had sent a bunch of doctors for Daniel Zimmer, she came to a conclusion that the two have a deeper bond. She just needed some kindling and thankfully, the duchess showed up and was able to confirm her assumption between Natalia and Alexander.

"Hmm?" The half-sleeping man answered as the woman kissed his shoulder signaling that she wanted to do something. Devon responded instinctively and flipped Ariel underneath him.

#######

Morning came.

Alexander opened his eyes taking in the sunlight that penetrated the room. His mind automatically remembered yesterday's scenes which made him frowned. He sluggishly stood up then took a shower. He then made his way to the dinning area to prepare some coffee.

Gratefully, it's the weekend and he decided to stay at the penthouse. As he was preparing the hot drink, the door buzzer rang. Without an expression, he opened the door and was surprised by the person standing at the door.

"Hi. Can I come in?" The guest asked giving off a warm smile. She's wearing a sunshine-colored dress without sleeves making her creamy skin more vibrant. Her full appearance lightened his somber morning.

"Natalia." Alexander automatically embraced the woman whom he had been longing to see these past weeks.