CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE: STRATEGY

Strategy.

If there was one thing Natalie had learnt how to not overlook, it was the power of planning strategically. She knew Rafael knew about strategy, but she was ten steps ahead of him—both he and Isabella. They wouldn't know what hit them. She would move like liquid, unseen, they wouldn't even be able to predict her next action.

Before Natalie left the office to see Rafael at the cafe, she typed swiftly on her phone, delivering another text message. They really wouldn't know what hit them.

Like a loyal servant, willing to take instructions from his master, and in return, get bread crumbs as reward, Rafael did not waver in heeding to Natalie's instructions. 

Even before she arrived, Rafael was already plunged onto a couch in cafe De Arte, where he and Natalie had agreed to meet. A smile graced Natalie's lips as she began approaching him.

"Rafael." She extended a hand for a handshake.

Rafael's eyes were lowered, as if he was trying to get used to the colour of the drink in his glass. He lifted them as soon as Natalie's voice registered in his head.

Natalie's smile broadened. She liked that broken look in his eyes, the helplessness that danced uncontrollably in his eyes as he looked onto hers, like his saviour. She liked that she could do that to him, she could render him helpless and make him beg for her mercy. This was just the beginning, one day, he would be really begging for her mercy, but she would not have it to give.

"You are here." He said, his voice dripped with relief, as if satisfied that the solution to his problems was staring him right in the face.

Natalie pressed her thin lips coated with crimson red lipstick together as she pulled out a seat. "I'm sorry I am late." She said apologetically.

Rafael traced his eyes to his wristwatch. "No, not at all, it's just fifteen minutes." He dismissed her apology.

Yes, fifteen minutes that she has meticulously calculated. She knew he would wait! Even if she stayed for an hour, he would wait.

"You said you can... Fix it?" Rafael began, doubt still danced in his eyes.

Around them, the soft hum of conversation and clinking cutlery filled the dimly lit café, couples settled dispute at one corner, friends sat at another corner to gossip about another friend, while a few others talked business.

 but Natalie and Rafael sat tucked away in a corner booth, untouched by the noise around them. Natalie had already taken the seat opposite Rafael, where she could see his face clearly when he narrates his ordeal. Candlelight flickered between them, casting golden shadows across Natalie’s face as she listened. She paid close attention, enough to catch all the news, but not enough to let Rafael's handsome features, even in distress, affect her.

Natalie leaned back on her seat. "I know a few people in the government that I can talk to. Tell me the details first. How far has it gone?"

A waiter approached then. "What would you take, ma'am?" 

"Red wine." She said without thinking, eyes still glued to Rafael's face.

Rafael took in a deep breath as the waiter walked away.

“It’s not public yet,” He began, his voice low. “But they’ve started digging. Government agents found some illegal dealings tied to some of our branches, they are setting up a panel for investigation. And I'm afraid, if they continue digging..."

“They’ll unravel everything,” Natalie finished for him, her tone calm, surgical.

He nodded. “I tried getting ahead of it, but they’re already speaking with internal contacts.”

The waiter returned then, bearing Natalie's wine.

Rafael ran a hand over his hair, ruffling it even more.

"What do you think can be done in this situation?"

Natalie sipped her wine, unfazed. “We control the narrative. I know someone in their enforcement unit—a friend of a friend. I’ll make a few calls, redirect their attention, and—if necessary—we’ll create a fall guy.”

Rafael looked at her like she had just handed him a lifeline. “You'd do that?”

“I'm always willing to help, Rafael,” she said, a cool smile playing on her lips. "After, I am a business partner now, I wouldn't want anything happening to my investment."

Her gaze stayed glued to Rafael's face, she did not miss the look of admiration that danced in his eyes—admiration for her. But other than the admiration, something else danced in his eyes, something she was certain even he could not place.

When she would ask to be let into the official board members of his company, he wouldn't even resist.

They lingered over their drinks for a while, conversation drifting toward contingency plans and discreet clean-ups. 

"It's late." Natalie suddenly announced, glancing at he wristwatch. "I should get going." 

"I would drop you off." Rafael sprang up. Maybe he wanted more time to be in the presence of this woman.

He eyes the bracelet on her wrist as she reached out to grab her handbag.

“My driver’s already on his way,” she said, checking her phone. “Thanks, though.”

And just as she has said, a man in tailored suit who looked more like a body guard than a drive stood at the door.

One last smile at Rafael, before she sashayed out of the cafe with practiced grace.

Rafael watched her leave, a hollow forming in his chest, as if something just didn't feel right about him letting her leave. She should be with him, she should be in the same space as he was. 

He shook his head to wipe the thought off. She isn't Alina.

The ride home was quiet, but Rafael’s mind was anything but calm 

Natalie had a strange power about her. Calm under pressure. Calculated. Ruthless when necessary—but never careless. He admired that. Hell, he needed that. Without her, his company could’ve already been halfway to ruin. But why did he keep having that lingering feeling that something was not right somewhere? Was it his constantly likening her to Alina?

Rafael shook his head, trying to convince himself that everything was a coincidence. 

She isn't Alina. He assured himself again.

He pulled into the driveway just past midnight and was surprised to see Isabella pacing near the front door, arms crossed tightly over her chest.

“You’re late,” she snapped the moment he stepped out of the car. "I've been home for a few hours and you were nowhere to be found. You weren't even answering your phone."

Rafael ran a hand over his hair. 

“I had to meet with Natalie,” he said plainly. “The company’s in trouble. We needed to act fast.”

Isabella scoffed. “Of course. Any excuse to run to her. It's always Natalie. You just want to run into her arms at the slightest chance."

Rafael’s jaw clenched. “This isn’t about her. It’s about saving the business. And she’s the one who knows how to do that.” Deep down, he knew it wasn't entirely true. There was a part of him who wished it Natalie in his space, it was her he had to come home to everyday after a chaotic office day. But that part of him was suppressed, right?

Isabella's voice rose with bitter anger, cutting into his thoughts. “She’s not the only one with connections, Rafael! You treat her like she’s your only hope."

Rafael scoffed. "At this point, she is." He said, not mincing words.

"And what if I tell you that I found a solution already?" She asked, stepping closer so she could reach him.

"What do you mean?" Rafael asked.

"Well, after I received the news, I began doing some digging. I met someone in the government—someone who might actually help without wrapping you around their perfectly manicured finger.”

He stared at her, taken aback, but her glare didn’t waver.

"And how are you sure this person you found would actually help?" He asked.

Isabella circled him, dragging her words. "That's hour problem, Rafael, you are trying to make yourself believe that she is the only one who can actually help, you just want the opportunity to be around her."

"Isabella, don't take this to he what it is not." Rafael scoffed and began tracing his way to his bedroom.

“Stop worshipping her like she’s your damn savior,” Isabella hissed after him. “Because maybe she’s just setting you up to fall.”

The last words echoed in Rafael's head as she shut his bedroom door behind him.