"Why are you here?" Natalie asked frantically, pointing at Nicholas as if she was seeing an invisible creature. Meanwhile, the man in the gray hoodie and matching training pants just smiled meaningfully. Natalie swallowed her saliva with difficulty, trying to calm herself down. "You're Nicholas, right?"
"Yes, it's good to see you again, Nat," Nicholas replied casually.
"Why are you in Chicago? And... what are you doing in the supermarket?" Natalie asked again, she still can not believe she will meet this blonde-haired man again.
"I've been here for a few days, and I just finished working out. Is there anything else you want to ask?"
Natalie looked at Nicholas in disbelief, he had been in Chicago for a few days? However, Nicholas never said anything to her! And did he come because of what she said the other day?
"Don't worry, I was in charge of monitoring the hotels in Chicago more closely. I usually share my duties with Denzel, but this time we are temporarily separated," Nicholas said as if he knew what Natalie was thinking.
"I see," Natalie nodded in understanding with a smile. Then she pushed her shopping trolley back to the cashier because all the items she wanted to buy had been fulfilled. Nicholas followed suit, walking beside Natalie.
"What are you doing here?" Nicholas asked, opening the topic.
"What do you think? I'm doing my monthly shopping, because yesterday's supplies are almost gone," Natalie replied. "And you?"
"I wanted to buy a drink," Nicholas replied briefly.
"Then where's the drink you wanted to buy? You haven't picked it up yet?"
"Not yet, I forgot."
Natalie stopped walking because she was already in the payment queue, she smiled awkwardly because Nicholas kept following her like a lost child who did not know the direction. "Take it first, to be paid at once with my groceries."
"Wait," Nicholas said, and then ran a little to find a fresh drink area. While Natalie only shook her head at the man's behavior, after knowing that Nicholas was the same age as her, she could talk a little casually like a peer.
They were the same age, but their fates were very different. It felt like Natalie always wanted to lament her fate.
After about ten minutes, Nicholas returned with an energy drink. The hat he had been wearing was now only in his hand, making Nicholas' handsome face clearly visible to the people around him.
"Sorry for the long wait," Nicholas said a little breathlessly. Natalie took the drink and put it in her shopping cart.
"Why are you sweating so much? Is it far?" Natalie asked, holding back laughter; for some reason, seeing Nicholas like this made her think that he was cute.
"I got lost, the area is too big and I forgot the way here," Nicholas replied innocently, putting his hat back on. He began to realize that many eyes were looking at him.
Finally, it was Natalie's turn to pay for her groceries. Just as she took out her wallet, Nicholas had already given his black card to the cashier. Natalie was dumbfounded; she was about to protest because again, Nicholas was doing something without Natalie asking.
"Nic, this is my grocery bill; let me pay for it!" Natalie exclaimed, keeping her voice down so as not to make too much noise.
"There's my stuff in there too, so I have the right to pay for it," Nicholas replied casually without feeling any burden at all.
The corners of Natalie's lips twitched in annoyance. She forced a smile, and said, "You only have one item, Mr. Ramirez."
"It's okay, the cashier used my card anyway." Nicholas smiled slightly when the cashier returned his black card after paying for both of their purchases.
Not only that, Nicholas also carried Natalie's groceries.
"Give it to me," Natalie pleaded as they walked back out of the supermarket.
"It's heavy, let me carry it," Nicholas refused.
Natalie sighed in resignation, Nicholas was really stubborn. Ah, maybe this is what Natalie does not like about Nicholas. Actually, Nicholas is a royal, gentlemanly man, and treats Natalie well. However, there were some things that made her feel reticent and not want to continue to trouble him.
They stopped right in front of the supermarket because it was raining quite heavily. Nicholas was silent, he did not bring any vehicle at all because the previous activity was only intended for exercise in the afternoon. He did not expect the weather to be like this. The man turned to Natalie, who looked relaxed and seemed to be taking something out.
"How did you get home, Nic? Did you bring a vehicle?" Natalie asked as she opened her transparent umbrella.
Nicholas shook his head. "I just brought myself here."
Natalie was not so surprised to find out about it. She looked up at the sky, there seemed to be no sign of the rain stopping. Natalie was not too worried because her apartment was not too far away and she had an umbrella with her. However, Nicholas? Natalie did not have the heart to leave the blonde man alone like a lost child.
Natalie turned to Nicholas, who had a flat expression as he looked up at the sky as if he was lamenting his fate.
"It looks like the rain will stop for a long time, are you going to stay here?" Natalie asked, because Nicholas might have other plans.
"Yes, I live quite far from here."
"So why did you exercise to get here? Did you get lost?"
"...."
Natalie's guess turned out to be correct, after she saw Nicholas not answer and become immediately busy with his cell phone. Natalie sighed, she took over her groceries, then said, "I'll go now, my apartment is very close to here."
"Ah, okay. But are you sure you're going home now? It's raining quite heavily, you and your groceries will get wet," Nicholas asked, looking worried.
"It's okay, really. It's a waste of time to keep waiting here."
The corners of Nicholas' lips curled downward, feeling as if his heart was being cut by a knife at the woman's words. "Being with me is a waste of time?"
"Huh?" Natalie turned to the man and was surprised to see the change in Nicholas' face, which was as cloudy as the weather today. "It-it's not like that! Ugh... I was actually planning to invite you to temporarily shelter at my place."
"What? Can I come to your apartment?"
"Yes, rather than you being here. The weather is getting colder, you'll get sick," Natalie replied a little embarrassed especially seeing Nicholas' expression which had changed again, a thin smile carved on the man's lips making his face even more handsome.
Natalie was taken aback when Nicholas grabbed the umbrella she was holding. Her groceries were also taken over by the man again.
"Come on, we'll get sick if we stay here," Nicholas said, looking excited.
Natalie blinked, and soon she chuckled amused. There was no denying that Nicholas' behavior was absolutely adorable.
"Alright, I'll lead the way."