Whisper Destiny

Chapter 11

 
  ~ 3rd Party POV ~
 
  "What do you think about Nicholas, hun?" Emmette asked Noel as they settled down in their hotel bedroom.
 
  He had been pondering it since dinner, but kept his thoughts to himself when he saw how happy their daughter seemed. Yet, as a father, he couldn't ignore the unsettled feeling gnawing at him about that young man. Over the years, since taking over Grayson's Industry, Emmette had met countless people. His experiences had sharpened his ability to assess others, often discerning their intentions from a single conversation.
 
  He had trained himself to protect his family and their business, always remaining vigilant. The industry wasn't just filled with friends and associates but also enemies. This reality made him extra cautious with anyone trying to get close to him or his loved ones. There was something about Nicholas that set off alarms in his mind—a certain opportunism in the way he spoke and carried himself. Emmette couldn't shake the feeling that Nicholas was using their daughter as a stepping stone to success.
 
  "You're thinking hard, Emmette. Care to share with me?" Noel asked in response, instead of answering his question. She wanted to know what was on her husband's mind before sharing her own thoughts. She, too, had her own reservations about Nicholas.
 
  "You know, as a father, I'm very happy when our daughter finds the love of her life. Seeing her so happy makes me happy too," Emmette began, turning to look at his wife.
 
  "But..." He paused, searching for the right words to convey his concerns.
 
  "But you think Nicholas isn't the one for her, do you?" Noel gently helped him express his thoughts.
 
  Emmette let out a heavy sigh. "Yes, hun. Maybe I'm being too strict, being too protective over Natasha, and not giving him enough chance to prove himself. But his ambitious nature makes me wary of his intentions with Natasha."
 
  "Do you think I'm just overreacting?" Emmette asked, seeking his wife's perspective.
 
  Noel smiled at her husband, "You are not overreacting," she assured him, caressing his face.
 
  This was the best part of her relationship with Emmette. They could share their thoughts freely, without judgment. Even when they disagreed, they always tried to find a middle ground and reach a win-win solution.
 
  Throughout their marriage, Emmette had always included her in major decisions. This action deepened her love for him.
 
   "Tonight... during dinner..." Noel began, her voice trailing off as she carefully chose her words. Emmette waited patiently, knowing how delicately she handled difficult conversations.
 
  "I noticed something in his behavior towards our daughter that unsettled me. Maybe it's a mother's instinct, but I can't shake the feeling," Noel confessed.
 
  She looked into her husband's eyes, seeking reassurance. Emmette nodded, encouraging her to continue.
 
  "I saw how Nicholas tried to control Nat—what she should eat, how he commented when she was extra friendly with the waiter. And he seemed uncomfortable with Chase's presence during dinner, as if he wished Chase was not there" Noel explained.
 
  Emmette absorbed the information, rewinding the evening in his mind and relating it to Noel's observations. There was a ring of truth in her words.
 
  "And did you notice," Noel continued, turning her gaze to the ceiling, "when I asked Chase about Nicholas while we were waiting for them to arrive, he didn't say much, almost reluctant to share anything. It's odd because we know how close Chase is with Nat, and how he loves to spill everything about her boyfriends. It seemed like they aren't on good terms, like he's trying not to spill something he shouldn't share."
 
  Emmette pondered this, piecing together the subtle signs. There was something off about Nicholas, something that made both of them uneasy.
 
  He just let it pass for now, but he was already planning to dig deeper into Nicholas. Emmette knew he couldn't ignore these concerns, especially when it came to his daughter's happiness and well-being. For now, he would bide his time, observe, and gather more information before making any moves. But one thing was certain: he would get to the bottom of who Nicholas really was and what his true intentions were with Natasha.
 
  ******
 
  The morning after, Natasha had breakfast with her parents, and they spent some quality time together. They avoided talking about Nicholas, choosing instead to focus on their family.
 
  Natasha took her parents on a stroll through the city, where they enjoyed themselves and each other's company. Although they noticed reporters snapping pictures, they ignored the attention, savoring the rare moments of togetherness.
 
  Emmette and Noel will continue their holidays to Bali and before they separated, they had another dinner with Nicholas and Natasha. This time, their reservations about Nicholas became even clearer. His behavior and attitude confirmed their worst fears, but they decided to let it slide for now.
 
  Emmette planned to gather all the evidence before confronting Natasha. He knew he needed a solid case to present to his daughter, knowing how hard-headed she could be.
 
  A few weeks later, after everything was settled, Natasha and Emmette headed back home. They were looking forward to starting their new journey together.
 
  Little did they know, Emmette was quietly determined to uncover the truth about Nicholas. He had called in his private investigator to set his plan in motion.
 
  As the investigation progressed, Emmette's worst fears were confirmed. Nicholas's true nature was even more troubling than they had suspected. It turned out that Nicholas had been planning this for two years. The revelation left Emmette speechless. Now, he had to handle the matter with extreme care.
 
  He knew Natasha wouldn't believe his claims without solid proof.
 
  Despite Emmette's reservations about Nicholas, Natasha remained unaware of his true nature. She was insistent that Nicholas join Grayson Industry, seeing him as a promising addition to the company.
 
  Emmette needed to act quickly, before it was too late.