Natalie,just like a zombie, stalked into the best Italian cuisine in California. She should have known when they said 'dinner' they meant here. She didn't have anything against the restaurant but she was just on the edge. She herself didn't know why.
Catalina settled in a seat opposite to Natalie's and next to her darling husband. Their mere presence and charisma sent an effulgence around the restaurant,as the manager appeared before them. Natalie took a look around, it wasn't all that crowdy,just a little of individuals scattered in pair or groups.
"What would you like to have Bella" Catalina spoke with much affection. Natalie simply gave a tight smile. "Whatever your choice is"
"Nonsense" Luca accent vibrated. "We are tasting everything here Cara mia" He was joking but there was a certain seriousness in his eyes.
Gently, Natalie begun to loosen up. Luca ordered a cup of tea for them, while the chefs apparently prepared a different delicacy to the Duca di Caprielle liking.
Patiently they waited for their dinner, Natalie bantered Catalina with a lot of unimportant questions, it was better she asked the question than been asked.
"You don't say" Catalina laughed softly, her eyes twinkling at every blink. Natalie glanced at the couple, the uneasiness she had earlier felt was no more. Strangely she felt comfortable by the second.
She took another sip at her tea,when suddenly a familiar voice echoed in her ears, threatening to deafen her. Gracefully she lifted her head,her gleaming perfect brown hair falling above her shoulder on her magnifying bare skin which she exposed with an off shoulder silky red top .She gazed into a pair of grey eyes whose shock she took in evidently. Her sky blue eyes delicately travelling to the female beside, she locked eyes with the one and only Emma Brooke,whose puppy brown eyes registered trouble,a malicious smile covering her lips.This was trouble and Natalie knew it.
Natalie returned her gaze back to Dave's who was still staring at her.
"Duca di Caprielle" Emma called at Luca,her ostentatious voice was on. "Duchess Catalina" She turned to Catalina speaking a few words in Italian. Dave eyes were now anywhere but on Natalie as he greeted formally.
"You are here for dinner,right?" Luca asked with searching eyes. Natalie knew where his gesture was heading to but remained silent. That didn't surprise her, just within the hour she knew the Rennoli's,she knew they were warm hearted.
"Why not then" Emma jumped at the chance, picking a seat adjacent to Natalie's and close to Catalina. Dave knew what had just happened, he threw Emma a scrupulous look that seemed to be saying 'so this was your plan all along' Emma didn't seem to be fazed,with a smile on her face,she stared deeply at Natalie. Tonight was no doubt going to unravel something and Emma would ensure.
Natalie kept on chatting with the ever so vibrant Duchess. Discretely,Natalie found herself glancing to the door entrance of the restaurant,hoping Asher would walk through.
Soon, the head chef appeared,grinning like a fool. "Dinner is ready Duca" His accented italic accent flourished through. With a triple clap of his hands,a rather long line of chefs emerged with trays glued to their hands. They adorned the round table with various delicacies. Natalie thought this was more like a fiesta than a simple dinner. Her senses,much cognizant of the predator that sat at arms length, but one thing Natalie was certain of was she wasn't the prey.
A smile plastered on Luca face. "What do you want to have dolcezza?" Catalina shrilled,inspecting each dish carefully. Natalie didn't know exactly what to have,as she opened her mouth to say something, Emma's precedented action shocked her.
"Here Catalina..." Emma accustomed herself informally with the Duchess name. She shoved a tray into her hands. Natalie quickly grasp the situation, Emma had intentionally circled that plate out. Emma's affront at the elevator pretty much made everything crystal clear. Something was going on in her rotten brain,Natalie sent a stare across to Emma,who received it with a smile.
"There Carina try this.... You love this right" Luca voice sounded through, Natalie gently retracted her gaze from Emma to the Duke but upon the sight of Luca she tried suppressing the excruciating distress she ran into.
It was a shrimp scampi, laying finely on the tray.
She didn't need someone to tell her she was in some serious shit.
Natalie kept her cool,her thought running wild,she hid under a calm and reserved disguise.
Natalie could feel Dave's persistent gaze boring right through her. She mentally stroked herself. "I'm really not in the mood for that" Her priceless smile invading her lips,hoping no one would notice the knife edge tension behind her smile.
It probably would have gone much better without the meddlesome Emma whose eyebrows crazed in a certain indication.
"Natalie come on,have some" Emma had to involve her devious self in this, she obviously wasn't wasting any chance she got. Natalie furrowed her brows to the devilish bitch before her. She knew what demented ideas swirled up in her bubbled brain.
Natalie drew in some breath which sounded like a lowly hiss. "I'm not interested,Emma" Natalie enunciating each word with a subtle degree of vexation.
Emma groomed her lips into a mockery smile,she wasn't backing out on this,what better way to verify Natalie's identity than this. It was a good thing she was here.
"Come on Bella,just a bite,I want to hear from you how good it is..." Catalina felt the need to chirp in. Her eyes twinkling pleadingly.
"Seriously I'm on a diet...I can't" Natalie felt her heart beat wobbling in fear. Whatever happens she can't eat that, it will be the end of everything. Natalie was positive of Emma's thought,her aim was solely to find out if she could actually eat this. "I'm sorry Catalina" Natalie's voice was stiff and sharp,masking the anguish she felt inside. She couldn't eat it,she was allergic to crustaceans and it would only send an answer off to Emma,a closure Natalie wasn't yet ready to reveal to her. Natalie knew the minute a little grazed her maw she was as good as dead. She couldn't have that, even if it meant breaking the heart of this lovely couple who had been nothing but kind to her she would.
"Please tereso...for me..." Luca cajoled pleadingly. Natalie could see the hurt in Catalina's eyes. She didn't mean to make them shamed but she couldn't still do it. Natalie stole a quick glance at her worst nightmare,laying unconcerned on the table after the mess it had put her in. She could vividly remember the reaction she got from eating just a pinch of cookie Skylar made with it,the after effect was damaging. If that happened here,her efforts and retribution would be flushed down the drain.
Emma's face registered triumph,she knew she had hit a spot,something she tried to do with much effort but failed.
She couldn't help but thank Thomas, the very same guy she ordered to carry out a thorough investigation on Natalie. Emma's annoying brown baby doll eyes never left Natalie. She was very much aware Natalie was insisting on not taking even a bite for a reason, if not a little bite wouldn't hurt to appeased the Duke and Duchess but Natalie was adamant, something someone afraid of something would do. Just like Jeanine. A mockery sneer smeared her lips. "Natalie come on,a bite wouldn't hurt,unless there's a reason you are being adamant..." Emma pursed her lips,she wasn't disturbed of the angry shots Dave's eyes sent her way. 'Idiot' Emma muttered under her breath. "....don't tell me you are allergic to it"
Her words threw Natalie off the cliff, the ever present smug that glued to Emma's hideous face got Natalie infuriated. She hated this feeling,Emma face registered something Natalie never wanted to ever see since her rebirth. A smile,a victorious conquering one at that.
Well that's enough.
Natalie displayed a breathtaking smile on her face. "For you Catalina... I'll have just a bite." 'What???' Natalie's inner voice screamed with rage. This wasn't Natalie with her brains but Natalie with her bruised heart. It was evident Natalie heart had abandoned her thinking ship of a brain,Emma's actions no doubt soared under her skin.
Natalie quickly regained her senses, calming her sentimental heart.
Goodness, she didn't know what she was doing,she had no clue how those words left her lips,but as soon as it did there was no turning back.
"Here" Catalina squeaked, helping her out with a cutlery,Catalina took it upon herself to fill in the fork. Natalie felt like a lamb on it's way to it's slaughter, how could she let her heart cloud her judgement. She prayed to the heaven's for help, deep down she knew the horrifying truth,she was doomed.
She took the fork from Catalina which contained a handful of shrimp scampi, everyone eyes were on her now. Somehow she wouldn't swallow it,but didn't know the how she'll act on that,she couldn't exactly spit it out. Slowly and gently she brought it to her lips,the aroma alone invited in nausea,finally her tasting bud grabbed in the fork content. What now? Her inner thought yelled in paranoia while her brain looked for an escape. Nothing... Nothing... Her heart sped up,pouncing hard against her chest,still her demeanor was serene and void of her mental commotion. Her heartbeat doubled,she could feel her stomach steering up already. She couldn't bring herself to swallow yet. Then something happened, a beaming ray of hope. But she guessed it was too late. She felt a whooshing presence beside her,Natalie tilted her head up a little, her eyes meeting a pair of emerald green ones.
'Ash-' Before her thought muttered his name in sheer of happiness and damnation. Asher Reed cherry soft lips,came crashing with hers.
Natalie froze.'What the fudging hell?' Her thought managed to say before shutting down. She felt like time itself had paused. Every form of activity in her brain and body froze. The only thing she could feel was the warmth of Asher touch on her face. His soft lips exploring hers. Her legs weakened, gently she squeezed the fabric of top.
What was happening,she didn't know,she should be jerking away but why had her entire body gone numb. But something felt familiar, this felt familiar. Natalie somehow felt Asher's touch on her skin familiar,the way his lips brushed gently her mouth,it was all familiar but how? She had never been this intimate with him,unconsciously she found herself getting lost in the tenderness of his lips.
Slowly,Asher finally let go,his breath fanning her skin,his eyes never leaving her ocean blue gaze. He could see a lot of questions in there her cheeks instantly flushed in red stain,which Asher never failed to notice. Her eyes never blinked,apparently she hasn't yet recovered. "Sorry I'm late love" Asher husky and guarded voice echoed in her world of bewilderment she could hear faint giggling, probably from Catalina, she thought. Instantly she shook herself back, back to the presence of watchful eyes that gazed at them, and a certain grey pair who hauled in rage,hatred fuming through.
Natalie let out a smile, one could tell it wasn't her best. Her inner thoughts were running wildly. Had Asher gone mad? She confabbed with her thought,but her words weren't holding rage or hatred,only shock could be identified. 'Why...Why did he do that?' She questioned madly,as if his actions had forged something that couldn't be forgotten.
Her crazed thoughts buzzed like a hamster on a wheel. Just then a realization hit her,the shrimp that had stood in her mouth was no more. She hadn't swallowed it,then how? Her eyes travelled to Asher who just slid in the sit next to her,greeting everyone. Asher as if feeling her gaze on him,met her eyes. With the look he held,she knew he was behind this,he had somehow removed it during the kiss. Her gaze deepened,a gratifying smile blossomed.
"How does it taste tereso" Luca asked,his hands slightly on his chin.
"It's tastes GOOD" Her eyes on Emma,then back to the couple. Natalie couldn't contain the joy she felt, her eyes on Asher again,her gaze conveying the happiness she harboured. Emma didn't win and that's all that mattered to her.
Asher's POV
"Good to see you again Asher..." Catalina batted her eyelashes at me, her joy limitless as usual.
"Same here" I threw my gaze at the Duke Luca.
"We've been waiting for you Asher" His Italian accent,vibrated. Luca was still the same,he hadn't changed even after all this years,still vibrant and cheerful.
I simply nodded."Traffic" My eyes wandered to Dave and his companion. I didn't know how they'd managed to be here, but it was a good thing I came just in time before Natalie had swallowed the scampi, it was merely a sheer luck.
"Shall we?" Catalina pointed at the delicacies before us.
"I'm sorry... But I have to go" Dave's sounded making his way up,he looked alright but his voiced indicated aggravation. A mild chuckle escaped my lips, I didn't need anyone telling me,it was evident mighty Dave Anderson was fuming with rage and jealousy.
"What a shame...I was hoping to have a classic dinner with you both." I couldn't help but say,his grey eyes sending murderous glare that could have probably scared the light out of anyone, clearly not me.
"The feeling is mutual but I totally forgot,I have some urgent matter to tend to." A snicker crawled in,evident enough to see. Quickly,the red haired whore was up,sticking to Dave like a goddamn glue.
I watched them bid their goodbyes, even caught a final stare Dave threw at Natalie, who unconcernly begun her meal. I felt proud at that moment. Whatever made him think that kiss back at Connecticut affected Natalie in any way,surely had him daydreaming. Don't get me wrong, I only sent someone after Natalie for her safekeeping, Emma actions lately has proven she was a complete nutcase and I wouldn't want any harm to come to my family again. 'Family' I sighed at that, what an ironic twist of fate,no make that murderous.
I watched them take their leave and we continued our dinner,catching up on old times and all done....
Natalie and I bade the Duke and Duchess goodbye making our way home. She was quiet during the drive,positive her thoughts were somewhere else,or rather on something. Behind the frosty gaze her eyes held,I could no doubt see through. There was a certain tension during the drive,that couldn't be denied. I didn't know why but something felt strange,I felt strange. Neither of us had spoken about the kiss, but considering the type of person Natalie was, she must be buzzing crazy on the inside...
Well that's aside.
I moved into the house with Natalie at close length. "Good thing tonight turned out well" She finally said after hours of silence. I turned to face her,her face lighting up with a smile. "Thanks again" Her soft voiced filled the air,music to my ears.
I simply nodded,for the first time in my existence,I didn't exactly know what to say. This wasn't me,this wasn't Asher Reed,suddenly I felt like an impostor. She stalked to the couch,dropped off her clutch. I motioned forward. "Did you know they both would be there?" I asked, realization suddenly hitting me.
Natalie shook her head negatively, relieving a sigh. "I almost messed everything up" she took her seat. One could feel the pain and anger emanating from her voice. She brought her perfectly manicured hands over to her face. Her indrawn breath sounding regretful hiss.
I stalked over to her,squatting a little to meet her length on the couch. "Just forget it,it was a good thing I was there just in time" I stroked her chin mildly, I felt the need,somehow to comfort her.
It was evident she was having one of her melt down, and I hated the feeling that always crept in watching her this way,something I felt the night of her rebirth. I felt the desperate urge to help,to make it all better for her in any way I could. The need,a pull to always make it less hurting for her. I sighed mentally, sometimes I couldn't help but ponder on the grave mistake Dave made,letting such a woman go.
"You are right...Thanks Asher,I couldn't imagine what could have happened if you didn't arrive just in time with the kis-"She stressed on a pause,chirping in a slight cough. I watched her hoping she'll continue but nothing. Her cheeks slowly staining with a blush of red,something I'm beginning to enjoy seeing. I knew just then it was my clue to change the subject, all that mattered was nothing went wrong,we couldn't afford that. Everything has been going quite well,this was not a time for unpredicted happenings.
A thought hit me,I quickly grabbed unto my phone, pulling a call through.
"Dave and Emma showed up for dinner tonight" My demeanor quickly changed,from the understanding and empathetic Asher from seconds ago to one who was stark and impertinent now. I listened patiently to the voice on the other end.
"I'm so sorry sir,I didn't know,I never informed her of anything." He paused,as if considering a fact. "It's probably him,the new guy Thomas" The caller's voice sentient,registering subtle submission at his master's feet. "
"We need to get rid of him then,continue with the task at hand and next time I'll appreciate a heads up,something disastrous almost happened." I said,stealing a glance at Natalie whose eyes where stuck on me.
"Sir,I'm very sorry. I'll be much more vigilant." His voice sounding apologetic.
"Very well,and what about Him?" I took the opportunity to ask.
His rather exultant voice echoed through. "Everything going quite well,I must say" There was amusement in his tone.
I brewed a faint chuckle. "Good job" I dropped the call,rubbing my palm gently on my dark gleaming hair.
My emerald green orbs on Natalie, I let out a reassuring smile. I knew exactly what to do,I couldn't let the newly known meddlesome guy interfering with the entire plan, I needed to get him out of the picture. What Emma knew so far was enough,at least until everything's ready.