Rejected: A love story-Chapter 22: Falling for Nathan

Nathan’s mom smiled knowingly. "Oh dear... It’s so obvious you two are in love." Nathan and I exchanged a glance, our smiles a bit forced. "Of course we’re in love, Mom," Nathan said, his eyes locking onto mine. "Fiona is an amazing woman."

My heart skipped a beat as he spoke, my feelings for him growing stronger by the minute. I was falling, hard.

Natasha’s voice cut into our moment. "Where did you two meet?"

I blinked, having missed her question. "What?" I asked, feeling a bit flustered.

"I said, where did you two meet?" she repeated, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Nathan and I chimed in together, "At a restaurant." Our eyes met again, and I quickly looked away, my cheeks warming.

"We bumped into each other, and my coffee spilled on his shirt," I explained, trying to sound casual. "He was so pissed off, but I looked up at him, and... what do you know? Love at first sight."

Nathan chuckled, his voice low and smooth. "Yeah, but I’m certain she fell first."

I smiled, genuinely this time. "Well, he’s a handsome man. Not like I had a choice."

I joked and the others laughed, but Natasha’s expression remained cool. Caleb teased, "The Nathan I know would’ve yelled. He’s always so pissed off, with that arrogant face."

Nathan just shook his head, his gaze drifting back to me. I felt a flutter in my chest, my heart racing.

Fiona, get a grip, I told myself. We’re just pretending.

But as I looked at Nathan, I wasn’t so sure anymore.

" Fiona we all know my brother is clearly inlove with you now, he kept looking at the door when you weren’t down yet. But please save some room for me in his heart, I’m his first love" She said gently and Nathan cupped her little face.

"You’ll always be my little girl no matter how grown you are. He drew us to his side

" And you two will always be the most important ladies in my life".

His mom faked a cough making everyone laughed. "And you too mom" he added and she smiled.

"You’re gradually forgetting your mother now... it isn’t fair you know" She pouted.

"It’s not my fault, Hannah is gradually stealing your place" He teased and Hannah smiled happily hugging him even more.

"So Natasha, aren’t you in any relationship"? Caleb suddenly ask and for a sec she looked embarrassed.

"Caleb"! His mother scolded him. "How’s that your business"

"What? I just wanted to ask, I mean Nathan has taken that step already".

Natasha faked a smile. "It’s ok Mrs Keith, I’m sure Caleb is just curious. Well Caleb, it’s true that I’m not seeing anyone yet. Though my father is receiving proposals from lots of high social men but I haven’t fallen inlove with anyone yet".

"I thought you and Nathan dated back in Orlandia, did you two really breakup? You two seemed so inlove"? Hannah said.

"Hannah, not you too" her mom scolded and Nathan cast a deadly look at her. I felt nervous all of a sudden. Nathan and Natasha once dated? Could this dinner get any complicated.

"Yes Hannah, you’re right.

She suddenly locked eyes with Nathan who seem to look away. Was he still affected by her?

"We dated but at that time, I wanted to focus on my studies although Nathan begged me to rethink it because he was madly inlove with me but I declined I wish I did rethink it then".

"And that’s all in the past" Nathan added as if defensive. His expression wasn’t that happy one anymore and it was clear he was still affected by her

Narrator’s Pov

Duncan stayed in his office at home, he was staring at no one in particular. His family was falling apart and he couldn’t do nothing. He simply insisted on not having a child with Valerie because he didn’t want Fiona to feel like she was replacing him. He had thought Catherine and her would get along since they were the same age. Has he failed a father? What would his wife think of him? That he had failed to take care of their daughter? That she preferred and trusted a complete stranger over him.

Just then a knock came on the door.

"Honey, I brought dinner"

Duncan sighed, this wasn’t the kind of life he signed up for. His daughter was the only thing that mattered right now.

"I’m not hungry" He replied not even casting a look at the door.

"Honey, what’s going on with you? Ever since Fiona left you’ve pushed us aside. Are we not important to you anymore" ?

He sighed unlocking the door.

"You know that’s not true. I just need a moment to myself".

"Am I not your wife Duncan? Aren’t we suppose to share things together and figure out a way together"? She entered the room, walking past him and dropping the food on the table.

"Do you even love me anymore? Maybe I and Catherine should just leave" She folded her arms under her breast fussing.

Duncan approached her and hugged her.

"Why would you say that? You know I’ll always love you"

Valerie seem to melt into him.

"Then stop pushing me aside".

Catherine entered the study hurried.

"Dad! Dad!! I passed"! She screamed excitedly giving him her result.

Duncan face lit up seeing how excited she was. 𝕗𝐫𝚎𝗲𝘄𝐞𝕓𝐧𝕠𝘃𝕖𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝚖

"Oh wow, only two B’s"

"Yes daddy" She smiled excitedly.

"We should celebrate" he said excited too, Valerie was grinning from ear to ear. This was what she had always wished for just her, Duncan and her daughter.

"Dad, I really want to go to a concert" Catherine said excitedly.

"A concert"?

"Yes daddy, the Apex are hosting a concert in LA next week and tickets are almost sold out. My friends are going".

Duncan looked unsure. "How much is a ticket"?

"$200 daddy" She was squeaking with excitement.

"If we were all going that would be $600 minus plane ticket, it’s expensive".

Catherine gave Valerie a pleading face and she nodded.

"Honey, let her go with her friends. We can stay behind and enjoy a private time to ourselves. Catherine is a grown woman already"

And just like that Duncan nodded, and that is the power of a woman.

"Alright then".

"Yeyy, thank you daddy" She Squealed excitedly like a child who got a candy.