Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
Natalie quickly hid her round silver connector into her pocket when she heard Ross’s footsteps getting closer “It’s late, why are you still up?” he asked while covering a yawn.
She shook her head casually “Nothing, a friend of mine had a question about fiduciary law.”
“At two in the morning?’ Ross asked, his eyes could barely keep open.
“She lives in the States.” Walking back to him, she let her hand slip around his waist with ease.
“But aren’t the laws different over there?” he asked with good reason.
Natalie was digging the hole deeper “Well…laws are laws…she just needed an opinion that’s all.”
He nodded as if the answer was finally good enough “Get some rest, you have a long meeting tomorrow.” Ross waited for her to lie down next to him as he placed the covers over her body with care “Night.” He was about to kiss her lips when she turned her head and he hit her cheek instead.
“Good night.” She said quickly before he had a chance to try another one.
The following morning, Natalie woke up earlier as she snuck out of the room with Ross still deep asleep. She dressed in a pinstripe suit, Aaron’s favorite one on her. When she reached the building, expecting it to be near empty. She discovered Aaron inside the meeting room preparing the card files for the other lawyers that would be joining them “You’re early.” She commented from behind when he didn’t notice her.
Ahron turned with a slow nod “I just thought I help out. They’re big clients. If they join the firm, we will be the most powerful one of all.” He knew it was her dream and goal to make her family’s practice the best in Hong Kong.
She shrugged nonchalantly “If they don’t, it’s okay too.”
“Why?” he wondered out loud.
“Because I have Ross. He told me if this doesn’t work, he’ll close down his office and join ours…” she hesitated to finish the offer.
“But you have to marry him.” Ahron guessed. Natalie nodded “You know it’s not the reason to do it.” Again she nodded “Then why?”
She lowered her eyes so that he could not see the pain inside of it “Because my dad would be happy. I promised him on his death bed that I would turn this practice into the most powerful of all. It was a dream he could never accomplish, it’s the least I could do for him.”
“Forget your dad!” Ahron cried angrily “He’s dead. He wouldn’t know what you have given up for the past five years for this practice.” Feeling heated, he stepped close enough to smell the intoxicating fragrance of Obsession. Her favorite and it had grown to be his favorite.
She finally made eye contact, a smile appeared in her eyes “I know you are right.” A hand slip up and grazed his face as he closed it. The electrifying current swam straight to his heart, it was aching for her “Let’s just move away together. Where no one will know us…Greenland…I hear that is one of the few places that still have grass.”
The round earnest eyes were tempting but he knew it was wrong, he was married. Shaking his head “No…we can’t. Zoey…”
“She’ll understand.” Natalie tried. Her head rested onto his chest and he fought the urge to wrap his arms around her.
Instead he pushed her away at arms length “No…I made a promise to be with her. She’s my wife. As much as I regret the marriage, I cannot break it. She needs me.”
“I need you!” she shook her head at him “Please…take me away.”
He was saved by the receptionist as she announced through the intercom “Miss Lou, there is a gentleman by the name of Kevin Chu here to see you.”
“Let him in.” Natalie replied. She moved aside when the elder lawyer entered, greeting him with a handshake and smile she pointed to an empty seat “I hope you will be pleased by today’s meeting.”
“I do not have high hopes.” The man replied curtly.
Natalie and Ahron exchanged glances, he rolled his eyes which made her smile “Would you like some coffee?” Ahron offered.
The man waved a hand without answering Ahron. Natalie waved for him to come over “You are not the secretary, you don’t have to serve them.” She whispered.
“I don’t mind.” He smiled and walked out of the room to fix a pot of coffee. Natalie watched him with a content smile.
She didn’t notice Ross walking towards her until he was close enough to touch her “What’s with the goofy grin? You missed me didn’t you?” wrapping an arm around her waist he pushed her closer.
Natalie smiled while trying to conceal her blushing face “Don’t…it’s the office.”
“So what? You own this place.” He reminded her.
As the other lawyers filed inside, she was more rushed to urge Ross away “We can have lunch later.”
He shook his head with a pouty lip “Can’t. I have a meeting with some new clients. But I dropped by because I wanted to give you this.” He brought out a silver squared case. It was the ring, she had left it on the side of her bed purposely “I know you are still thinking about it…but look at it. Maybe it will help you make up your mind.”
She nodded reluctantly as his face reached down to kiss her. Natalie turned her head and was met with Ahron standing there with a self rolling cart. Coffee pots and cups were sitting inside the container to be kept warm “You know me and public affection.” She said quietly.
Ross enjoyed her shyness as he eventually gave up “Okay. See you tonight.” He turned to leave.
Ahron moved the cart with a push of a button as it made it’s way into the conference room “Let’s see it.” He nodded to the ring box.
“No…” she began but he looked at her with firm eyes and she eventually opened it. Still she refused to look at it.
“Two carat, pink diamond. Rare…just like you.” Ahron slipped by her and into the room as he took the end seat.
Natalie entered the room and stood at the end table as she began the conference. She was nervous until she made eye contact with Ahron. His smile eased her worries and nerves as she grew more confident to go on. Without his presence, the meeting would not go as well. But even then, the lawyers decided unanimously that it was not beneficial that they join Lou & Associates, LLP. After they left, Ahron returned to the conference room. Natalie was not disappointed but she knew what would be the outcome “I’ve decided.”
He knew exactly what she was talking about “Are you sure?”
“It’s either that or we elope.” She was still hopeful that he would change his mind.
The offer was too enticing “I want to…”
“But…” she knew there was a but. There was always one.
“I can’t do that to her.” He concluded.
She nodded “I understand…” putting on a smile, she decided to change the subject “How about dinner?”
“Sure.” He nodded.
The two chose a restaurant furthest from the people they knew. They wanted to be alone and away from the public eye. The restaurant was made for courting, candle light dinner and red wine. She was staring at him with lingering smiles “You are so handsome.”
He tilted his head to the side “The red wine talking.”
“No.” she denied “I only say that I feel.” Her eyes wandered to the dance floor “Let’s dance. We never got to go to any dances.”
Ahron laughed as he let her yank him from his seat “That’s because you rejected all the ones I asked you to.”
“No, I didn’t. I was not into the school dance scene so I would always make an excuse. It wasn’t you.” She placed her hands gently over his neck while they swayed to a soft musical ballad that played in through the tube speakers. They didn't care that they were the only two weirdos dancing.
His hand rested on her small waist while he rolled his eyes teasingly “Oh please, you didn’t like me and were so scared that I would get the wrong idea. I knew it.” He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Okay, you got me.” She laughed. Natalie couldn’t tear her eyes way from his “I wish I would have felt this way back then.”
He agreed with a short nod “It wasn’t meant to be.”
Resting her head against his chest as they swayed to the music, she murmured “This is nice. If only we can do this more often.”
Ahron smiled down as he grazed his lips over her forehead “We can. I promise you, we’ll do this at least once a month regardless of any distractions.” She understood he was talking about their significant others. The two danced away into the night until they realized it was getting later.
He entered his home in complete darkness “Lights.” He commanded and the tunnel light bulbs turned on. Ahron found Zoey asleep on the couch, her body twisted into a ball. The weather was colder in higher altitude. He didn’t need to worry because he was a God. A God, he was the God of Rain, Ahron. It was as if his mind had been blinded from that very truth the whole day. Who had been playing with his mind?
Zoey stirred until she was in another comfortable position. He could smell the sweet aroma of exotic dishes that she hand conjured up while he was having dinner with Natalie. She was a great wife, but why had he not seen this before? Entering the kitchen, he saw the dishes in silver trays ready to be heated. He opened the cover and saw that she had made his favorite, chicken steamed in tomato sauce with baby potatoes baked not fried. Using his hands, he picked up the food and noticed it was still warm.
Popping a piece of potato in his mouth, he chewed away. Bland and too dry. The chicken was overcooked and crumbled in his mouth instead of melting. Slow tears escaped his eyes as he eventually finished the entire dish. She had cooked it from her heart and he knew Zoey never cooked. She ordered food. He recalled a conversation they had about her lazy attempt to cook. She argued that it was too hard, no one cooks anymore. But she had learned from the letters that he wrote to Natalie that she was a great cook. Making everything from scratch.
Ahron cleaned his hands and walked towards the living room to find that she had yet to move from her position. He reached both hands under her neck and knees as he picked her up. She was too exhausted to wake, oblivious that he was taking her back to his room. Placing her down on the bed, she curled comfortably under the blanket. He stared at her petite face, the breathing was hypnotic but it reminded him that she was there.
He did not touch her, only slept next to her. Thinking that she was asleep, he didn’t realize that she had been awake. Zoey’s eyes opened and silent tears escaped her eyes. It was the first time he was lying next to her since they got married. An hour later, he felt movement from his bed. His eyes snapped open and saw Zoey quietly getting up “Where are you going?” he sat upright.
“I’m not use to sleeping on the same bed with you.” She replied. It was too dark to see the teasing smile on her face.
“Please…I want you here.” He said earnestly.
Zoey giggled, “I’m just teasing. I’m thirsty.” He nodded while she walked out to the kitchen. Her lips curled into a smile when she saw that he had eaten the dish she cooked. She knew it was awful tasting and it only made her heart flutter to know that he didn’t mind. Maybe there was hope for them yet. She wasn’t sure what caused the change of heart but prayed that it would not end.