Chapter 8 - Swindler

Natalie's X-ray and CT scan results are normal, so the Doctor allowed her to be discharged on that day.

"Alright, I already did my part. I have paid for the bill and other expenses including your maintenance medicine. I have nothing to do with you anymore." Jian said when they reached outside the hospital.

"Hey! What about my bag?! I am penniless now and I have no place to go!" Natalie complained.

Jian looked at the girl, " It's not my problem anymore little girl!" He said.

"But I lost my bag because of you! You have to compensate for me!" Natalie insisted.

Jian smirked. " I already paid for all the expenses, what else do you want?" He asked.

Natalie stretched her hand in front of Jian. "Give me the same amount of money that I've lost!" She demanded.

Jian looked at the girl's little hand and then he stared at her as if he is sizing her up.

Natalie notices Jian's doubtful look, she raised her brows and asked, "What?!"

"How would I know that you are telling the truth?" Jian asked doubtfully.

"What do you mean?" Natalie asked back.

"What if it wasn't an accident?" Jian asked again.

"W-what?!"

What is he trying to say? Natalie thought.

"What if you did it on purpose? What if this is your strategy?"

"Strategy?" Natalie repeated Jian's last word. Now she understands what he means to say!

"Haha!" Natalie laughed sarcastically. "What are you trying to say, huh?!" She started to feel annoyed now!

"You did it on purpose to leech money from me, don't you?" Jian asked without holding back.

"What?!" Ha! This guy is too much! "Hey! Are you saying that I am swindling to you?!"

"I didn't say it!" Jian replied while staring at the little girl's face.

"But that is what you mean to say, right?!" Natalie put her hand in her waist and raised her brows.

Do I look like a swindler with this beautiful face of mine? Hahaha!

I may have dressed a simple plain shirt, jeans, and shoes but I still looked decent!

But this guy is accusing me of swindling him?!

How dare you accuse the heiress of the Zhuang family as a swindler, huh?

Natalie wanted to yell those words to Jian's face.

"Is it obvious?" Jian asked sarcastically.

"You!" Natalie lost her temper! "Hey! Mister Messy hair! I am not a criminal and I can prove it to you! You can even check for my family background---" Natalie froze, she almost bit her tongue for being so talkative!

Jian notices her change of expression and it made him doubt her more.

He put his arms across his chest and speak. "What? Why did you stop talking?" He asked with a smirk plastered on his face.

"Ehem!" Natalie pretended to clear her throat before she speaks. "I... I don't have to explain anything to you!" She said.

Jian sigh and replied, "Then, can I leave now?" Jian asked.

"..."

Natalie was speechless, 'this guy is so heartless!'

Will, he let me sleep in the street?

Jian turned to leave when he heard nothing from Natalie.

"Y---" Natalie opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something to Jian but she changed her mind and closed it again.

No! I will not sleep in the street tonight Natalie thought. And she already had an idea where to sleep for tonight!

Natalie silently followed Jian to the carpark of the hospital.

Jian was about to open his car when he notices the girl not far away from him.

He straightened his body and faced the girl. "Why are you following me?" He asked with his brows knitted.

Natalie bit her lower lip and lowered her head. "I... I have nowhere to go." Natalie said.

"Uhm, Mr, could you bring me home? Can you adopt me?" Natalie added.

"Cough! Cough! Cough!" Jian choked by Natalie's four words!

Is she crazy?

She wanted to go home with a man that she doesn't know?!

And the most crazier is that she wanted me to adopt her?!

Jian tried to calm himself before he speaks. "Little girl, my house is not an orphanage, alright?" He said.

"But it's already dark, I am penniless and can't afford a hotel. I don't want to sleep in the street." Natalie said pitifully.

My God Natalie! You're so shameless! This is the first time that you begged to someone!

Jian thought for a moment.

This girl seemed like she's telling the truth! She looked innocent anyway, and she's a girl! It would be dangerous for her to sleep in the street.

But what if she's just lying? What if she just wants to gain my trust and then she will rob my house?

No, no, no! She is just a girl, I can surely defeat her if she would do something unlawful!

But what if a paparazzi captured a photo of you and this girl together?

It might create a rumor!

Jian sigh, he is having a second thought! He feels like he is choosing between being a good or a heartless person!

"Miss, I 'm sorry but, I can not bring you home!" Jian decided to refuse.

Alright! He is heartless!

He is a famous artist and he is just being careful with his reputation. He is a man and she is a girl, what would people think if they see him and this girl together in his house?

Jian turned his back away from the girl and he opened his car. But he didn't expect that the girl would do something!

"Waaahhhh!!" Natalie suddenly cry!

Jian was stunned for a moment!

He looked at the girl again who is crying like a child throwing a tantrum!

There are few people in the carpark and Natalie instantly catch their attention!

All of them started to gather around!

Aish! Jian wants to curse!

This girl would give me a problem!

Jian covered his face with his hand as he approached Natalie.

"Ssshhh!! Could you stop? You already catch the attention of the people around!" Jian said in a low voice.

Natalie started to sob. " How could you leave me here!" Natalie said between her sobs.

"Alright! Alright! Just get inside the car!" Jian said.

Natalie's eyes instantly lit up!

-------

Inside the car...

"What's your name?" Jian asked the girl who is sitting beside him.

"Uh, My name is Na----" Natalie paused for a moment. She can't tell him her real name!

" My name is Nana." Natalie used her nickname.

"How old are you?" Jian asked again.

"Eighteen." She replied.

"Are you sure that you are not a swindler?" Jian asked.

"Of course!" Natalie quickly said.

"Where are you from?"

"Uh, I...I am from Shanghai."

"Shanghai? China?"

Natalie nodded her head. "Hmmm..."

"What brought you here?"

Hey Mister! Why are you asking me so many questions!? Natalie wanted to cry.

"Uhm, I am here to look for someone." Natalie lied again.

"Hmmm." Jian nodded his head.

"Alright, because it's already dark and you have no place to stay I will let you sleepover at my house for tonight. " Jian said.

Natalie doesn't know whether to feel happy or not!

She's glad that he will let her sleepover in his place for tonight, but she's having a second thought. He is still a man and she is a girl.

But he seemed harmless anyway. And if he would do something to me, I can defend my self against him and I think, his place is better than sleeping in the street!