Reborn From Oblivion

Nathalie was feeling pretty uneasy about being alone in a room with a stranger, especially at night.

The guy seemed to pick up on her vibe. "What's up? Scared I might just gobble you up?" he teased with a smirk.

Nathalie glanced at his legs and replied, "I'm not worried about you eating me. I'm more concerned about Nathan, my partner, worrying about me. I texted him earlier, and he hasn't replied. He's probably stuck in this nasty weather too, and it might've messed with the cell service."

The man finished his meal, set his fork down with a touch of elegance, and wiped his hands with a napkin. “Don't stress. The weather's rough, but it'll clear up soon," he said calmly.

"How can you be so sure?" Nathalie asked, curiosity piqued.

"I checked the weather forecast," he replied.

"If forecasts were that reliable, we wouldn't be caught off guard by stuff like this," she countered.

“Want to make a bet?” he suggested, a playful challenge in his tone.

"What kind of bet?" Nathalie inquired, intrigued.

"If the rain stops before dawn, I win," he declared.

Nathalie peered through the downpour. "And what's the wager?" she asked.

"You'll have to do one thing for me, no questions asked..." he proposed.

Nathalie was immediately on guard. "I'm not doing anything illegal."

The man paused, considering her words. "Neither am I.”

Nathalie clutched her chest, still wary. "I'm not selling my body or soul either."

The man chuckled. "Deal."

Feeling a bit more at ease, Nathalie agreed. "Alright, it's a bet."

Just then, her phone chimed again. Fishing it out of her purse, she saw the caller

ID and was taken aback. "Why is Ashley calling me?"

Nathalie answered, and Ashley's voice burst through the line, full of accusation. "Nathalie, where on earth are you right now?"

Nathalie, baffled, replied, "I'm at the Sunflower Lounge. What's up?"

Ashley's voice rose sharply. "I knew

it! You're with my fiancé. Nanet

why

do you always have to meddle with the guys I like?"

Nathalie's face flushed with embarrassment. She stammered, "Ashley, you've got it all wrong. First off, I didn't know he was your fiancé. Plus, I'm with Nathan now. I'm not interested in anyone else. I just wanted to thank him for his help. After this, we're back to being strangers."

Ashley's tone softened slightly. "Really?"

"Absolutely," Nathalie assured her.

"Swear it!" Ashley insisted.

Nathalie raised her hand to swear, but the man leaned over and said, "Let me take the phone."

Reluctantly, Nathalie handed it over.

His voice turned cold. "Ashley, do you even realize what you're doing?"

"Brother, I..." Ashley faltered.

"If you mess with my personal life again, you're out for good," he warned.

"I'm sorry," Ashley mumbled.

He ended the call and handed the phone back to Nathalie.

Feeling a twinge of guilt, Nathalie said, "She cares about you; that's why she's jealous."noveldrama

"It's not like that between us," he clarified.

"You're not a couple?" Nathalie asked, confused.

"Not exactly," he responded.

Nathalie was puzzled. "Then why does she call you her fiancé?”

"Unless something changes, we're set to marry," he said.

Nathalie was taken aback. "So it's a business deal?"

"Pretty much," he admitted.

With a newfound understanding, Nathalie asked, "To be marrying into the Stewart family, your family must be pretty high up in the Capital's social ladder. Which one is it?"