Natalie Wheeler looked at him in shock. She couldn’t believe that such words would come out from his mouth. She didn’t understand why he would say that.
“I think you’ve misunderstood, Mr. Milton. Or perhaps I should apologize if I have done anything that had led you to think that way. I have never had any improper thoughts about you. I just wanted a seemingly challenging job,” Natalie said righteously.
Jasper Milton lifted her chin and rubbed her lips with his left thumb affectionately, “Only you would know whether you have thought about it or not. Since you have said so, then I will take your word for it. However, from now on, I will allow you to think about it.”
Natalie’s heart was thumping fast. She looked at Jasper, trying to read his facial expressions.
His words were not frivolous, and there was no single trace of desire in his eyes. On the contrary, there was anger in his black eyes.
Was he testing her?
“I have a boyfriend,” Natalie pushed his chest and said.
Jasper smirked, “It’s not unusual for you to have two men at a time, isn’t it?”
“What?” Natalie did not understand Jasper’s words.
“Nothing!” Jasper got up and sat back to his seat, staring at her with deep eyes.
Natalie was flustered by his gaze, “I’ll check if Allen has bought the stuff.”
She rushed over to open the door.
“As far as I know, Allen has a fiancee in France and he hasn’t broken up with her yet. You’re a fool,” Jasper said coldly.
Natalie stood where she was.
Allen was not very loyal, and she had already realized this upon her initial interaction with him.
That fiancee of his should be the fourth girlfriend whom Allen had told her about. They knew each other through their families.
However, when Natalie heard this, she felt neither sad nor upset, but instead, relieved.
If that was truly the case, then she and Allen were even.
“I know what I am doing, but I don’t think you know what you are doing!” Natalie said coldly. She opened the door, leaned against the wall outside, and lowered her head in a daze.
“Were you waiting for me?” Allen stood in front of her suddenly.
“Yeah,” Natalie answered. She took the plastic bag from his hand into the room.
Jasper was still sitting on the sofa. His back was arrogant and aloof, and his indifference made him seemed like he was unapproachable. His temperament was slightly cool.
Her heart inexplicably ached. She walked over and squatted down in front of Jasper. He then said, “You don’t have to help me bandage my wound. Your arm is injured too. I can do it by myself. You may leave now.”
“Do you want me to help you?” Allen asked politely.
Jasper said to Allen, “That’s not necessary. Please send my regards to Elena.”
Allen paused for a moment and said, “Have a good rest then.”
He held Natalie’s hand and left Jasper’s room.
Jasper threw the things that were bought by Natalie onto the ground nonchalantly.
He couldn’t expose her. He was afraid that she would run away if he did that. However, he couldn’t even hug or kiss her, and he even had to watch her leave with another man. It was such a terrible feeling.
Natalie followed Allen into the elevator.
Allen was quiet.
However, she was keenly aware that Elena was probably Allen’s fiancee.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. I’m not sure if I should say it or not,” Natalie said.
Allen looked at Natalie and said gently, “I was thinking about whether I should say or not as well. Ladies first then.”
“To tell you the truth, I shouldn’t be bringing this up if I want the plan to go smoothly. However, there are certain things that I would and would not do. Nevertheless, not only have I taken advantage of your kindness, but I have also inadvertently hurt the innocent Elena. So, Allen…”
“Elena is the person I told you before, who was introduced to me by my parents.
We were engaged, but we both think that we are not suitable for each other. However, since our marriage is related to our two families, so we have been dragging it on till now.
I will return to France to deal with this, and then I’ll come back and look for you. Give me a chance, I know I shouldn’t have lied to you. Perhaps, it’s my bad habit, I had deliberately ignored the fact that Elena is my fiancee.
I’m serious about you, and I’m not looking for a fling,” Allen interrupted Natalie and explained.
Natalie turned her face away and her mind was in a mess, “I am not blaming you, because I am not innocent as well. Allen, don’t be impulsive. Don’t be confused by the illusion in front of you. You should think carefully about what you want. There is a scar in my heart that may not be healed for the rest of my life.”
“My greatest asset is my patience.”
“What if it takes you a lifetime? I’m afraid that I am unable to fall in love anymore,” Natalie said worriedly.
She was afraid whenever others tried to sacrifice themselves for her. If she could not fall in love with Allen in her life, then Allen and Elena would miss their chance to be together. She would not be able to bear the guilt.
However, she was also worried the Allen would refuse to help her if she rejected him at that moment. Then, Eli would not be able to escape.
People were always trapped in contradictions that were inescapable. When that happened, they could only hesitate and explore the other means to run away. They didn’t know if what they had done was right, and whether the results would be good.
“I like when you said the word ‘lifetime’. If I can’t make you fall in love with me in a lifetime, at least my life will be meaningful every day.” Allen held her shoulder and pulled her into his warm arms. He said in a low voice, “Natalie, you’ve carried too much burden on your shoulders and you have overthought too much. You’re too afraid to owe others.”
Natalie lowered her eyes, and her long eyelashes covered the mist in her eyes.
That was because she had experienced too much. If time could be reversed, she would definitely not choose to be a burden.
The elevator doors opened once again with a ‘Ding’.
“When I was at the reception just now, I got myself another room. It’s already late and your arm is injured. I would offer to send you back, but you wouldn’t want me to. It’s not safe for you to drive alone. You can just stay here tonight. We will sleep in our own rooms, so you should be at ease,” Allen said softly. He opened the door for her, and the room card was inserted in the power supply slot.
Natalie did not refuse anymore, “Thank you.”
“I’ll go back to France tomorrow and sort out the matters with Elena. Will you accompany me back to France? My grandmother may want to see you,” Allen asked softly, without any confidence.
Natalie shook her head, “I have to help Eli succeed in this cooperation first so that she could take her child and travel to France.”
Allen smiled, “I envy her. You’ve sacrificed a lot for her.”
“That’s only because you don’t know what she has sacrificed for me. I was the root of everything. It would be good if everything could end with me too,” Natalie said guiltily.
“Baby,” Allen put his arm around Natalie’s waist, “You should be happier. You deserve to be happy. I feel sorry for you.”
Natalie smiled lightly and her eyebrows were curved. Although there was not a hint of smile in her eyes, she still looked ethereal, distant, and elusive, making others want to remember her current appearance forever.
“I’ll marry you,” Allen promised, adding, “as long as you agree.”
Before Natalie could respond, she heard the sound of the alarm ringing in the hotel.
She looked at Allen and asked worriedly, “Is that the fire alarm?”
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw Jasper coming up from the emergency exit…