Chapter 31 Who are you to me?
Mark and the others turned up unexpectedly, which made Natalie stunned for a long time. She forgot how flustered she was when she let go Luke's hair. In short, the both sides were looking at each other between the pavilion and the wooden bridge in a strange atmosphere.
It was so awkward.
Natalie paused to think of how to with them calmly, she began to doubt how did Luke manage to be so unconcern with everything?
She couldn't help but look at him. He seemed emotionless as expected. He leaned on the back of the chair lazily, resting his legs in the most comfortable position. After signaling the gang, he just raised his hand to brush the short hair that was gripped by her.
Since they had saw what's in front, there's nothing to hide. The gang by the wooden bridge looked scared, pushed Mark to the front, and dawdle towards the pavilion.
Mark braced himself and shouted: "Boss!"
Everyone else stood in military position, as if saluting the officer, followed by a chorus of "Boss!".
This gang of men dressed in shiny suits or expensive leather jackets, with gold and jewelry all over their necks and wrists, well known as the playboys in the Athana who only knew how to smoke and flirt around at the first glimpse.
The spacious pavilion was filled up by the crowd.
Sitting in the corner next to the column, Natalie looked tiny. It seemed that none of them were easy to deal with. Natalie didn't want to get into trouble, so she pursed her lips and turned deaf.
Suddenly, someone randomly greeted: "Mistress!"
"......"
Natalie subconsciously glanced left and right, realizing that she was the only female present, and her heart froze immediately.
The next second was a chorus of "mistress".
Natalie froze there, obviously looking panic.
Luke glanced at her expression beforehand, and then glared at them.
"Who did you just greet? She is Dr. Moore." He said lightly.
They all heard the rumors that their Boss had unusual relationship with a girl and it was uproar on the Internet, hence they came to see what's going on.
It was unbelievable to be dumbfounded by this reverse situation, but Mark responded quickly and greeted her in a friendly manner, "Long time no see, Dr. Moore."
Natalie acknowledged him without saying a word.
She couldn't say that she was unmoved when Luke clarified their relationship, at least her emotions dimmed a little without noticing.
This time she was aware and clearly felt down-hearted. Thinking about it carefully, even if Luke didn't say it, she would have to explain it, but it was very strange, as if she was unable to hear him say out.
When he said it, she would overthink.
"Don't shout!" Does it really mean that they don't have any feelings towards each other? Although...it's true.
As Natalie kept quiet, Luke asked her if she wanted to go over and play the shooter game.
His casual tone sounds like nothing had happened.
In fact, Natalie wanted to go back, she couldn't enjoy the beautiful scenery around with a bad mood, but she was not a troublesome girl.
This group of people came visiting Luke, she shouldn't leave as soon as they just arrived.
"Just go ahead," Natalie smiled and said softly, "I'm a little tired, I will rest here for a while." Luke gave her a deep look without asking anything, he just told her to stay there.
The playground is near the flower garden, not far from the pavilion. Natalie leaned on the railing, and could barely see them playing around, chatting and laughing together.
Luke was walking in the front, her view on him was blocked by others.
Natalie buried her face in her arms, closed her eyes and thought, what on earth was the current situation with their relationship?
Were they forced to get their relationship tangled up? They are not that naive.
Natalie knew how complicated Luke's social circle was.
Even Forrest couldn't accept the attitude of the people in that circle, let alone the Athana circle.
There is no true love in that group, as they lead a decadent relationship affair. In fact, if there was any woman by his side today, that group of people would definitely greet that person as Mistress.
Natalie understood that it was normal for them, it's not her special treatment.
But that doesn't mean that he played with her feelings, because Luke did nothing to her.
So far, their most intimate physical contact was just her hugging around his waist.
What was his intention? Who is she to him?
Natalie must admit that she always felt that they were developing towards a more intimate relationship, and it was only the obstacles of their past and personality made them hesitated.
But now, Natalie couldn't get it.
She had never been so lost after breaking up with Forrest.
Luke stood in front of the balloon booth, with the air gun resting on his right shoulder. He aimed the muzzle, pulled the trigger, as the balloon burst, the second shot hit the target accurately.
His body shape and standard striking posture attracted many passersby, some applauded while some shyly took pictures secretly, and some whispered that they might have recognized him.
Luke just ignored the others and gestured to the vendor to get the biggest teddy bear without any expression.
The street vendor was distressed, however, seeing that he was not easy to mess with, he had no choice but to hand in the prize obediently.
Mark and the others were also eager to try, but Luke coldly left with the teddy bear.
"Where are you going, boss--" Mark shouted at his back.
Someone kicked him and lowered his voice: "You must be stupid! He is going to send the toy to mistress."
Another reminder: "Hey Duke watch your words! Boss just mentioned not to call her mistress, I don't think our boss likes her."
Duke vowed: "That's impossible, I'll wash your socks for a month if they are not having an affair!"
"Why are you that confident?"
"It's necessary for a scumbag like me to see people accurately." Duke raised his eyebrows proudly, and hummed: "His motorcycles are all out of print, have you seen him carry people? Anyway, I haven't."
Mark slide on Duke's shoulders: "I am the witness! I bumped into our boss and Dr. Moore..."
"Wait a minute." Duke pushed his arm mercilessly: "If it's not true, don't spread the word, we don't have that much time."
As he finished his words, the gang booed at him.
Duke straightened his black leather jacket: "Who do you think you are? You guys also smoke, drink and flirt too."
It was complete silent as no one argue.
Mark mysteriously explained what happened that night, adding his own words. "I heard it with my own ears, Dr. Moore said he is too big for her. Those cries sounded painful."
The gang exclaimed over this thrilling story.
"What did I say!" Duke hooked up with Mark again: "Not bad for him, I can't do such thing to hurt such a beautiful darling."
"Enough, then why did you keep an eye on her?"
"Yeah right."
"Boss is too insensitive on woman, she might be still angry at him."
While they were chatting, Luke had returned to the pavilion.
Natalie was about to fall asleep with her face buried in arms when she suddenly felt something leaning against her.
She was startled, opened her eyes and looked up. A The large khaki-coloured bear lurched into her arms. Lifting her head up, she saw the man standing in front of him.
"This is the biggest doll they had." Luke said.
He stood in the pavilion, a seat away from her, the sunlight shining through the gap in the leaves behind him, the sparse shadows swaying in the wind, against the light, his face flickered, as if it was an illusion.
Natalie lightly blinked her eyelashes, her hazy eyes gradually became clear, she looked down at the bear in her arms, which was even bigger than she was.
After a long time, Natalie whispered, "Thank you."
Her politeness did not sit well with Luke. He frowned and thought for a moment. He stepped forward and clasped his hands on the chair rail. "Natalie."
Natalie was sitting right between his arms. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard him called her name.
Luke hesitated for a while, then tentatively asked her, "Is it that you don't like them to call you that way?"
Natalie went mute at once, and unconsciously hugged the bear tightly.
Didn't you ask them to stop? What are you asking right now?
She didn't say anything for a long time, and it was easy to be mistaken for acquiescence to his words - she didn't like being called as Mistress.
Luke lowered his eyelids, his pupils half covered, she couldn't see the emotions in his eyes.
After a while, Luke suddenly said, "They're all spoiled. These guys are actually not bad."
Natalie looked up doubtfully at him.
"I don't mean anything," Luke looked at her with some earnest, and said, "Don't take it personally."
Natalie's eyes flickered, thinking about his phrase ""I don't mean anything ".
As she pondered, she nodded her head and gave a soft "hmm".
-
After returning from Sanctum Garden that day, Natalie didn't talk much with Luke. Although they lived in the same house, but both looked like two unfamiliar tenants.
The main reason is because Luke was at home less often. He was busy dealing with Hida and the Second Hospital, and often returned to the villa late at night.
Natalie hardly saw him, and she would go straight to her room after dinner, using the excuse that she was preparing for her exams and dd not stay around the living room.
It wasn't totally without conversation between them.
When Luke was at home, he always asked her what does she want to eat today, and occasionally he would tease her as usual, saying that if she stayed with him for a few more months, she would gain more weight.
Natalie would also take the initiative to ask him how things are going, but avoid other unnecessary conversations.
It seemed that everyone had forgotten what happened that day, and it seemed that everyone had something on their minds, and it was impossible to tell who was having more thoughts.
Stayed for a few more months, those words were as if talking like a lover, however when words came to Natalie , she just thought, "How could she stay that long?"
Moreover, Natalie had been asking about the updates on Bretton Pharmaceutical and the Alcomara No.2 Hospital so frequently, she looked like she was desperate to move away from him, and Luke responded in an indifferent manner.
Both of them seem to return to their initial relationship status of strangers before discharged from the hospital.
The situation continued until the end of the month.
Natalie didn't know what Luke was doing recently. The inspection results from the Inspection Bureau were out. Bretton Pharmaceutical and the Alcomara No.2 Hospital were indeed suspected of producing or selling fake products.
However, Luke was not in a hurry to expose it.
Natalie had no idea if he had any other plans.
Seeing that New Year was getting nearer, Natalie didn't know how to celebrate this year yet.
It used to be at The Harts, what about this year?
On the day of Natalie's mother's birthday, Natalie would make a table of her mother's favourite dishes, every year, without exception.
That day, Luke was occupied with errands as always. After he left, Natalie went to the supermarket alone.
To be precise, she wasn't exactly alone. Those bodyguards did their duty. They notified Luke from the moment she stepped out of the house, then accompanied her all the way.
After this time, Natalie was used to it and knew that they must be following her within a safe distance. After getting off the car, she walked into the supermarket like nobody there.
She pushed the shopping cart and walked past the shelves, surrounded by couples holding hands and discussing what to eat tonight, sadly she was the only single there.
What's for dinner tonight? It is such a sweet question between couples.
Natalie suddenly remembered that she was going to cook dinner at the night she just stayed at Luke's house, so they agreed to go to the supermarket together the next day. But he didn't keep the promise.
Natalie also unsure if she was actually angry about it, or maybe feeling scared.
She was afraid that he is the same as those people in that circle, no loyal romantic relationship, only passionate love. What worries her more is that she might had fall in love with him and brought herself into torturing feelings.
The gang's calling of "Mistress" made Natalie more sober.
With Forrest's lesson in front of her, how dare she fell into the same love trap twice?
Natalie restlessly put groceries in the shopping cart, such as beef and ribs, then walked to the vegetable area. She wanted to cook stewed eggplant, she pushed the cart to find the eggplant after getting the green peppers and tomatoes.
There were so many kinds of items in supermarket, it's like looking for a needle in haystack, Natalie was hovering around the vegetables.
"What are you looking for?"
A voice suddenly sounded in the ear, and it sounds creepy.
Natalie frowned and looked back. It was a man dressed in blue looking like a staff, in his twenties and a few strands of har was dyed red. He seemed like a thug who spends his time in cyber cafes, and worked in a supermarket as part time whenever he needs money.
Natalie didn't really want to talk to him, she acted deaf and continued to search at the shelves.
The man followed her closely and tried catcalling her.
Why haven't the bodyguard chased him away?
Natalie was very annoyed, so she quickly walked towards the eggplants when she found it, thinking that he would buy it quickly and stay away from that thug.
Just as she was choosing, this red hair thug leaned against the wooden shelves, and speak with a flirty tone "This is a thick type eggplant, it can only be eaten but can't be used."
Natalie paused with the round eggplant in her hand for a while. Confused, she couldn't help but ask, "What does it mean that it can't be used?"
She had a nice gentle voice, and the guy couldn't stop grinning weirdly. He took a cucumber from the shelves and put it into her shopping cart: "Use this."
Natalie scowled at him with confusion.
"Come, follow me to the storage room if you can't understand, and I will teach you..." The thug smiled creepily and wanted to grab her shoulder.
At that moment, an arm came across Natalie's eyes out of nowhere.
Immediately, it caught the red hair guy, and used two fingers to pinch on his wrist. With a click, the thug was hunched over in pain and moaning loudly.
"Get lost!"
Luke shook him off, his voice was low, dangerous, and ruthless.
Natalie looked at Luke in astonishment, and before she could think how did he suddenly appear here, the incident had caused a chatter among passersby around him.
Worrying that someone would recognize him and upload photos on Internet, which might causing drama and bad image for him, Natalie hurriedly grabbed Luke's sleeve, but snapped "Enough, stop being rude."
Luke turned his back on her and his face turned gloomy.
He didn't have a good temper, but he only lowered his head in front of her. Luke had been sulking since she had been treating him coldly after that day in Sanctum Garden till now.
As long she misbehaved, he wouldn't have to be afraid of scaring her again.
Luke didn't forget that he promised her to go to the supermarket before, and learned that she was out to supermarket, so he came here by purpose.
And it's his fault for helping her teach this damn bastard a lesson?
Luke took a deep breath, calmly said fine, and stared coldly at that bastard who fell on the ground: "Please go die for god sake, thank you ."
His politeness did not overpower his coldness and sinisterness, instead his arrogance was intensified.
As if he was deliberately going against her.
Natalie deeply felt that she was nothing to him. He would always be such a rebellious and emotionless person.
She didn't buy anything and left in a fit of pique.
Luke called her from behind twice, but Natalie turned into deaf ears and walked quickly.
If he wanted to, he could definitely catch up with her.
All the way from the supermarket to the parking lot, he didn't even care to hold her.
Natalie didn't look back, but as she got closer to the car, the feeling of loss made her want to shed tears.
The moment Natalie got into the car Luke stopped the closing car door with his hand.
Natalie was slightly surprised that he was still here.
"Why didn't you wait for me?" Luke propped himself up in front of the car, staring sternly at Natalie in the seat.
The fact that he was still there had eased Natalie's mood a lot, but his questioning tone shattered the emotion.
Natalie's heart was so uncomfortable that it seemed to have collapsed, she moved away her eyes and said nothing.
After a long time of deadlock, Luke sighed and hung his head, as if undressing and unarmoured, he admitted defeat. "Natalie, tell me, is there something I've did wrong..."
Natalie's eyelashes trembled, despite it was all angry words, but at that time she said it very calmly.
"Why would I wait for you..."
"Luke, who are you to me?"