Bab 10: Smile gentle or not
Nathan blinked rapidly, his mouth going dry.
"That... that is impossible." He was completely lost for words. Then a realization dawned on him.
"Could it be..." He thought and gritted his teeth.
Scarlett quickly reached for her purse.
"Here, use this instead." She said, handing her card to the waitress with a gentle smile.
"Scarlett, no—" Nathan wanted to protest, his voice was strained.
"Don't." She reached across the table, taking his hand.
"Let me do this." She requested with pleading eyes.
"I can't let you—" He was saying but Scarlett interrupted him.
"You can, and you will." Her thumb traced circles on his palm as she spoke.
"I have been waiting, you know?" She added.
"Waiting for what?" Nathan asked, feeling confused.
"For a moment to be there for you. The way you are always there for me. The way you stepped in that day at my home. The way you help me reorganize the entire shelves even though your arms were hurting." Scarlett said, adding the last part with a chuckle.
Nathan huffed in disbelief.
"That is different—" He started.
"It's not. Don't read too much into this, okay? Sometimes it is nice to be the one doing the helping." She assured him, squeezing his hand lovingly.
Nathan swallowed hard and clenched his jaws as he watched the waitress handed over Scarlett's card after clearing their bill and left.
"This is my father's doing. I know it is." He muttered.
"Nathan..." Scarlett said softly.
"No, I know it is. First the threats, now this." His fingers tightened around hers as he maintained firmly.
"Take it easy. He is still your father, no matter what." Scarlett said softly.
"Some father!" He muttered, but when she squeezed his hand again, he managed a small smile.
"Let's get out of here? We can take a walk, clear your head." She suggested.
"I would like that." Nathan agreed and Scarlett smiled at him. It was a reassuring smile that she would always beside him.
~~~~~~~~~~
The following morning, Nathan arrived at his father's penthouse, and stood outside his father's study, hand hovering over the doorknob when he heard Caroline's angry voice cutting through from the room.
"How dare you! How could you do this to me, Richard?" Caroline yelled.
Nathan's hand dropped to his side as he listened.
"What is that about? What has Dad done again? He is always doing something to make everybody around him feel hurt..." Nathan thought to himself and sighed.
"All these years! I knew about the other women, Richard. I'm not stupid! I saw the signs, the late nights, the secret calls." Caroline's voice rang out again, but this time it was breaking slightly.
"Caroline—" Richard's voice was low, almost pleading.
"Don't you dare call my name!" She snapped at him and the sound of something shattering followed her words.
Then for a split second, there was silence. Nathan stood still, wondering what was going on and he heard Caroline's voice again.
"I dealt with it all. I kept quiet! I ran around protecting this family's image while you focused on your precious political career!" The woman's voice was sullen.
"It wasn't like that—" Richard started but got interrupted.
"Then what was it like? Tell me, Richard! Because I have been the one holding everything together! The company's image, the family's reputation, everything! And this is how you repay me?" She yelled again.
"Nothing to say, right? Of course not. You never do." Caroline's voice was laced with contempt.
Then the door flew open, and Caroline stormed out. Her blazing eyes met Nathan's for a brief moment.
"H-- hi..." Nathan muttered unsure of how to approach her.
Her lips parted as if to speak, but she just shook her head and brushed past him.
"What has this man done this time?"
Nathan stood frozen, trying to process what he had heard.
Before he could step inside the room, Richard emerged, and Nathan instantly noticed that his usually clean, perfect appearance was slightly disheveled.
"Nathan—" his father started, but the sound of the elevator cut him off.
The doors slid open, revealing a sophisticated woman possibly in her late forties.
Behind the woman, stood a young man who couldn't have been older than Nathan. The man looked so relaxed as if he was in his home.
"Who are they?" Nathan couldn't help his curiosity and glanced at his father who was just standing helplessly.
"Richard." The woman said in greeting and there was a hint of disdain in her voice.
Then, she turned to Nathan and spoke up with an exaggerated bright smile.
"And you! Finally!"
She extended her hand to him for a handshake.
"You must be Nathan. How wonderful to meet you in person." She said.
Nathan stared at her hand.
"I'm sorry, but who are you?" He asked curtly.
"Oh, where are my manners?" She laughed, the sound seemed rehearsed.
"Those messages you have been ignoring and blocking? That was me trying to reach out. I am Isabella." She informed him.
Nathan squinted his eyes as realization dawned on him.
"The mysterious number I blocked last month..." He mumbled.
"Isabella—" Richard stepped forward, but she held up a hand.
"No, Richard. Since your son chose to ignore the subtle approach, we are doing this my way." She interrupted Richard smoothly and her smile turned sharp as she gestured to the young man beside her.
"Nathan, I believe it is time for proper introductions."
The young man finally looked up, and Nathan's guts told him he wasn't going to like what was about to be disclosed.
"You see, Nathan, you are no longer Richard West's only son and the heir. Meet Alex—my son. Your father's son." Isabella dropped the bombshell, with a smile that looked like a grimace.
"What?" Nathan blurted out, his eyes widening in shock.
A knowing smirk made its way onto Alex's face as if he had been expecting that reaction from Nathan-- as if it pleased him that he was rudely shocked.
"Hello, brother." Alex said softly, and Nathan's world shattered into a thousand pieces.
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