''Mikael, have you forgotten about my younger brother?'' Thomas asked and looked at Natalie with a confused gase.
''Well, don't blame me, I can't remember a lot of people after what happened that year. Mikael Sun, the actor in Country Z?''
''Yes, that handsome actor. You and him would have made a cute couple but seeing that you are with Thomas, I am at peace. Thomas is more mature compared to that narcissistic boy.'' Mrs. Sun chuckled.
''Why don't you call him to come home if you miss him, aunt.'' Natalie asked and Mrs. Sun shook her head.
''It's not that easy.'' Mrs. Sun sighed.
''My brother left the city because my father didn't want him to be an actor. He and my father always fight when they meet. They are both stubborn.'' Thomas explained.
''I see.'' Natalie had no opinion on who Mikael was and so, refrained from probing into the Sun family affairs.
...
Country Z.
Two Seeds Hotel, presidential suite.
Inside the presidential suite, Mikael Sun sat on the sofa lazily as his fingers flipped the newspaper in his hands until he stopped at the picture of two couple. He smirked as he looked at the faces of Thomas and Natalie.
''I knew she had an agenda when she refused to accept money for saving you some time back. Looks like this was her ultimate plan. Elder brother,, you had the guts to marry this gold digger without my consent? Well, brother, I will make sure you don't have a single day of peace again.''
Mikael picked his phone and made a call. ''Get me the earliest flight back to Country V immediately.''
Mikael stood up and threw the paper away. He picked up the glass of whiskey on the side to sip with an indifferent attitude.
…..
C-CHAINS VILLAS.
Natalie walked over to the dining table with a pot of steamy hotpot that she had just prepared. She took off the gloves and sat across Thomas.
''This reminds me so much of college time when we used to do this often. You would storm into my hostel and prepare hotpot for me and my roommates.'' Reminiscing on her college days, Natalie beamed with joy.
''Isn't that one of the reasons why you agreed to marry me? Because I am a good cook!'' Thomas bragged.
''Of course, I'm a woman, but your cooking just puts me to shame. I can only eat prepared by you and Xia because of my allergies.'' Natalie said and they heard Thomas' personal phone buzzed.
''I will answer this first.'' Thomas said and took the phone. ''What is it? Really? He bought a ticket to Country V?'' Thomas smirked and cocked his brows. ''Alright, let me know when he arrives.''
''Who was that?'' Natalie asked curiously.
''I guess you will be meeting the mystery man after all. Mikael just bought a ticket to Country M.''
''Your younger brother? The same one that aunt talked about?'' Natalie asked back.
''Yes!. That stubborn boy is finally coming back.'' Thomas exhaled deeply with relief.
''He is not coming back because he saw our marriage in the news, right?'' Natalie looked at Thomas with a suspicious gaze.
''You always have a wicked hunch. That's right, he is coming because he saw our marriage in the papers but he isn't coming to congratulate us.''
''Huh? Then… no, right? He is not coming to say something clithe like he is against the marriage, right?''
''Maybe he is!'' Knowing his younger brother, Thomas was certain that Mikael wasn't coming to congratulate them.
''Send me his picture, I need to know the enemy well to brace myself.'' Natalie said and sighed.
''I'm surprised you can't remember anything about Mikael after the accident. You used to be so fond of him before your father moved you to Country C and we lost contact.''
''Really? Why can't I remember him?'' Natalie shook her head.
''I have to make sure he doesn't go back this time around.''
''You said he left because your father didn't like him being an actor. Will your father be okay with the idea of him coming to stay?''
''My father has come to terms with it. Those two just need to talk it out. When we return from this trip, I will let them reconcile.''
''But, why would he be against our marriage? I don't think I've done anything to make him have doubts about me.''
''Because he was the one who suggested I paid you off when you saved my life a few months ago. To Mikael, the only think women want are sex and money.''
''Why does he have such a twisted mindset? But he is right. I married you because of money.''
''You are different!''
''I got married to you because of the benefits that I stand to get. I was able to pay off my father's debt because I married you and my sister is having a good life, doing whatever she wants because she has your support.'' Even if she didn't want to admit it, Natalie knew she owed everything she had and Alice's success to Thomas.
''Nat, you're different. This is different. We got married because we both have something to benefit from this contract. It's not like you're extorting money from me or blackmailing me.''
''Let's eat. We need all the energy to fight against your brother.''
''Exactly!''
…..
C-CHAINS GROUP
Thomas walked into the office with Secretary He as they chatted.
''Is everything ready?''
''Yes, boss. Your father is already waiting for you to pick him up. Your brother has also just arrived at the airport.''
''I see, leave him and just tell the men to monitor him closely. Make sure he doesn't make things difficult for Natalie while I'm not here.''
''There is something else. His arrival was leaked and now the airport is packed with his fans.''
''It wasn't leaked. Mikael intentionally let it out. Don't you still know Mikael? This is something he is capable of doing.'' Thomas smirked.
''He hasn't changed at all.'' Secretary He chuckled.
''I know, right? Let's go, make sure you bring Natalie back home safely after the plane takes off.'' Thomas said and picked his bag, leaving the company.
By the time Thomas got into the car, Natalie was already watching the live broadcast of Mikael's arrival at the airport.
''Whoa, so this is the famous actor, Mikael Sun? Thomas, he isn't bad at all. Good looks must run in your family. He is just like you except that he has more hair and is a little taller than you.'' Natalie examined Mikael through the screen.
''Did you see the news?'' Thomas asked as he got into th car.
''Why is he so handsome. Isn't it a crime to be this beautiful when he is just a man? He puts women to shame.'' Natalie turned to look at Thomas.
''That's why he chose to be an actor. He has the looks and is super talented, but do you remember you asked me the same question the first time we met again at college after you moved to Country C?"
''I do. I was so angered by that pretty face of yours, but your brother is different. His beauty is refreshing.''
''So, are you regretting marrying me already? Do you want to divorce me and marry him instead?''
''Is that even possible? From divorcing one brother to marrying another? Won't people call me names? Don't worry, I am not interested in pretty boys. He isn't my cup of coffee.''
''I'm missing you already.'' Thomas placed his head on Natalie's shoulder.
''I will miss you too. I'm scared, you are leaving me when your brother is coming back. I should go and stay at Xia's place for a while until you are back.'' Natalie looked at the trees as the car moved.
''Hurry and come back to me, Thomas Sun. If you keep long, I won't forgive you'' Natalie murmured and Thomas smiled as he continued to rest his head on her shoulder.
Thomas drifted into sleep and his phone started buzzing. Natalie removed it and looked at it.
''Mikael Sun?'' She looked at the caller ID and bit her lips. She kept it on silent and the call came again for the third time.
''Thomas, you have a call from you brother.'' Natalie woke Thomas up.
''Mm, what did you say?''
''You have a call from your brother'' Natalie handed the phone over to him and he sighed before answering it.
''What is it?'' Thomas asked over the phone.
''Where are you? Let's meet before you leave. I heard you are travelling with dad today?''
''I'm on my way to the airport. Where are you?''
''I am still at the airport, greeting my fans.''
''So much for leaking your own arrival. What stunt are you pulling Mikael?''
''I came back because you got married to that gold digger miss wannabe.''
''First, she isn't a 'miss wannabe', she is your sister in law and she is not a gold digger.''
''Really? Prove me wrong. I still remember her very well. She was always trying to do something to gain attention. Marrying you just made all my thoughts about her true.''
''If you really came to dispute my marriage, why didn't you come earlier than today?''
''I don't want to wake up to the face of that woman."
''I'm going to Country V for 2 months with father. During that time, why don't you go and stay with Nat. Get to know her before you judge her. She is a nice and kind person.''
''No will do! There is no way I will stay in that house with that woman. What if she rapes me? A beautiful and perfect man like me can't stay with a woman alone in a big house. Don't blame me later on if your wife falls for me.''