Chapter 3 The Mysterious Boyfriend

Natalie’s POV   

 I stumbled into the mansion, my legs barely holding me up, my heart racing wildly.

What had I done?

 

‘Kissing him, Natalie. Seriously?’ I scolded myself. ‘What will he think of you now?’

I pushed through the serving staff and headed straight to the kitchen, grabbing a mug and pouring myself coffee.

I needed caffeine. Desperately. Before I made a complete fool of myself at this damn party.

The kind of scene that would go viral overnight.

  

‘You had to get rid of your feelings,’ I reminded myself. ‘He’s engaged. He belongs to another woman now.’

‘He’s still your husband,’ a darker voice whispered inside me. ‘Even if it’s fake.’

  After a few cups of coffee, my mind finally began to clear. Not completely, but enough.

I headed to the bathroom to fix my makeup.

Of course… Debbie had to be there. Just my luck.

She stood in front of the mirror, stunning in a tight red dress that hugged every inch of her perfect figure. Slim. Tall. Long black hair cascading down her back like silk.

Effortless beauty.

My gaze dropped to my own reflection—to my curves, my chest, my hips. Even though I had a slim figure, I had extra curves…

Stop it.

I forced a smile. “Hey.”

“Hi,” Debbie replied smoothly, her voice calm and polished.

“You look gorgeous,” I said, the words tasting fake even to me.

I knew it wasn't her fault how I feel about Rafael. I just can’t bring myself to act normally with her. 

She smiled wider. “Thank you, Natalie. You’re so sweet.” She turned back to the mirror, applying her lipstick slowly, deliberately.

Our eyes met through the reflection. Then she smiled again. “By the way… my cousin David has a crush on you,” she said casually. “Why don’t you give him a chance?”

I said nothing. Just picked up a brush and focused on fixing my makeup.

“He’s a good man,” she continued. “Wealthy. Generous. Strong background.”

Still silent. And had no intention to respond. 

She turned to face me fully this time. “Isn’t that exactly what you’re looking for?” she added softly.

Then her lips curved, just slightly. “After all… that was your mother’s goal when she married Rafael’s father, wasn’t it?”

The words landed like a slap.

“So I assumed…” she finished, tilting her head, “...it would be your goal too.”

 I almost laughed, rolling my eyes. Every time we met, she tried this. Subtle pressure. Sweet poison.

Did she really think she had the right to interfere in my life just because she was with Rafael? Did she actually believe I would ever accept her as family?

I slowly turned my gaze to meet her well-mascarred eyes. “Debbie… really. I…” I was about to reply when the bathroom door opened. A couple of girls walked in, laughing.

Perfect timing.

I wasn’t about to have this conversation in front of an audience. Rumors will spread like wildfire. 

I grabbed my bag. “Let’s talk about this later.”

And walked out.

  

The moment I stepped back into the backyard… My eyes met Rafael’s dark gaze.

My heart skipped a beat.

Damn it. I shouldn’t have drunk tonight.

‘You almost ruined everything you had been hiding for years now Natalie,’ I sniffed to myself.

I looked away immediately, pretending I hadn’t seen him.

“Grandma,” I said brightly, wrapping an arm around her, forcing myself into conversation with her and her friends.

Anything to avoid him for the rest of the night. Anything to stay normal.

But it didn’t last long. Grandma soon grew tired and excused herself, leaving me alone again.

I exhaled slowly. ‘He’s probably with Debbie now,’ I told myself. ‘And already forgotten everything.’

Good.

That was good.

I turned toward the dance floor, spotting Fillo and Rebicca dancing with their boyfriends.

I was about to head toward them when…

"Dance with me." The low, dangerous voice brushed against my ear. My entire body froze.

Before I could react, his hand was already on my waist, guiding me forward. Controlling. Possessive. Like I had no choice.

I frowned…

  

"Are you avoiding me tonight, Natalie?” he murmured. “Am I missing something?” His dark blue eyes locked onto mine. Sharp, searching. 

“Avoiding you?” I laughed. “Why would you say that?” forcing a light tone, trying to soften the tension.

He didn’t smile. Didn’t soften. 

His eyes were cold as steel. His fingers pressed deeper into my waist, pulling me closer than necessary.

Too close.

My breath hitched.

Heat spread through my body, my senses blurring, my thoughts slipping.

I glanced around instinctively. People everywhere. Anyone could notice my feelings.

Fillo and Rebicca waved from across the floor. I already knew; they would interrogate me later.

Rafael’s grip tightened. “Natalie,” he said. Low. Controlled. Dangerous.

I looked up. Big mistake.

His eyes were dark. Too dark.

Something shifted in him tonight… I felt it. 

There was darkness in his aura. 

 “Who were you talking about?” he asked, his hand moving slowly over the bare skin of my back. 

My heart slammed against my ribs. 

This wasn’t normal. This wasn’t something Rafael normally would do.

Even though he noticed my confusion, he didn’t withdraw his hand.

“I… what?” I gulped.

He leaned closer. His scent wrapped around me, pulling me into a dizzying haze. “The one you want,” he said quietly.

My body went rigid.

 “I don’t know what you’re talking about…” I could simply tell him it was not his business. But his sudden question took me off guard.

“Don’t lie to me.” His voice was controlled, dangerous.

His voice dropped lower. Colder. He repeated. “Who is he?”

I gasped. My throat went dry.

“No... Why would I do that?" I mumbled, my voice too low, fearing anyone would hear us.

I laughed but my laugh choked when he stuck me firmly on his body. My fingers trembled against his chest. 

His lips brushed near my ear. Too close. “The one you want to fuck you,” he whispered.

A shiver ran through me. “Who. Is. He. Natalie?”