Nothing Better (Than You) - English Vers.

¤ Chapter 8

What are you doing? I'm watching a football game on television.

Nate held back her smile as she glanced at Julian who was occupied with his phone in front of her. What should she tell Keith? She would surprise him if she said that she was chilling in a cafe with her husband, right?

Just chilling over a cup of coffee.

Nate put her phone on the table. She'd been texting with Keith more and more lately. At first, Nate only sent messages to him when the internet connection at the workplace was down. However, they continued to exhange messages outside of working hours, even though their conversation was only about their activities after work.

"Ah, my phone's battery ran out. Can I borrow your phone? I have to send an e-mail," asked Julian.

Nate watched Julian took her phone on the table. What if Keith replied to her message when her phone was in Julian's hands? Nate watched Julian warily. Luckily, there was no reply from Keith until Julian returned her phone, even when they got home.

Nate laid on the bed with her phone under her pillow. Julian was asleep, while she kept checking her phone nervously.

Why hasn't Keith replied to her? Did he feel that Nate's message didn't need a reply? Or did he find her boring? Or did he actually reply, then Julian found out, and deleted it in secret? No, Julian wasn't that kind of man. He wouldn't open any messages or answer any calls without Nate's permission.

Nate had just closed her eyes when her phone suddenly vibrated. She quickly pulled it out so the vibration wouldn't wake Julian. Her smile widened when she saw that it was a message from Keith.

Sorry I just replied to your message. I was too engrossed to the football game, then I went out with some of my acquaintances. I was also afraid to disrupt your time with your lover. Are you asleep?

Nate raised her eyebrows. Was Keith trying to dig up information about her lover by mentioning to that? Nate chose not to respond to that part.

I haven't. I thought you were tired of chatting with me.

Nate held her phone so Julian wouldn't hear the vibration. Keith replied to her few seconds later.

Of course not. I would love to meet and talk to you in a person.

Nate's heart leaped just by Keith's words. No, she couldn't let Julian read a message like this. What if he finds it when he borrows her phone again one day? So Nate left the next day and told Julian that she wanted to buy something at the supermarket. She actually bought a new disposable phone number. But she was confused afterwards about how to tell Keith. How could she say that she bought a new number to text with him?

Hi, Keith, this is Nate. This is my personal number. I use the number you saved only for work and new acquaintances. So, if you need something from me, just contact me here, OK?

Nate put her mobile phone away, hoping Keith didn't realise what she meant. Moments later, her mobile phone vibrated.

Okay, Nate. Glad you no longer think of me as a new acquaintance J

Nate smiled. She just realised something while on her way home. Why should she worry that Julian would read Keith's message—even if it's not on purpose? Wasn't Keith just an oasis in the workplace? As a refreshment when she was tired from work? And as a consolation for her when she was dejected by Julian? Then a feeling of guilt creeped over her. Wasn't this the same as lying to her husband? Should she throw away the number she just bought?

However, by the time Nate's bike had almost reached their house, she saw Julian on the phone on the porch. She was sure he saw her before he immediately turned back into the house. Nate gripped the handlebar. She decided to keep the number no matter what.