Escape the Billionaire's Grasp

Chapter 61--Warmth in a Snowy Night

Natalie sent Sebastian a New Year's greeting text but received no reply. A moment later, her phone rang. She walked to a quiet corner to answer:

"Hello?"

There was silence on the other end.

"Hello? Anyone there?"

A deep voice came through: "Come outside."

"What?" Natalie was momentarily confused.

A soft chuckle came from the phone. "I'm outside the restaurant."

Natalie snapped to attention, her eyes widening in surprise. "You're in Eastgate?!"

"Mm-hmm."

"I'll be right out." Natalie hung up and rushed outside.

Sebastian was leaning against his car, wearing a black coat. Hearing hurried footsteps, he looked up. Natalie jogged up to him, breathlessly asking, "What are you doing here?" Her cheeks were flushed from running. Sebastian's gaze lingered on her lips for a moment, his Adam's apple bobbing.

"Has my father been causing you trouble?" Natalie asked urgently.

For him to drive from Avalance to Eastgate during the New Year holiday, it must be something important. And that was the only thing Natalie could think of.

Sebastian gave a vague "Mm."

"What did he want? Money again? You didn't give him any, did you?!"

Sebastian glanced around, noticing a nearby convenience store. He walked towards it, with Natalie following. His gaze fell on the fireworks displayed at the entrance. "Let's buy some fireworks," he said.

"What for?"

"Isn't it New Year's? Don't people set off fireworks?"

Natalie was taken aback. She loved fireworks. Growing up, her family couldn't afford such fleeting luxuries. So, as an adult, she would buy loads of fireworks every New Year. At the stroke of midnight, she'd light them up, watching them soar and burst alongside everyone else's.

"Oh! Right, I almost forgot!"

Sebastian paid and loaded two boxes of fireworks into the car.

The car was warm inside, and Natalie sighed contentedly as she got in. She checked her phone—11:20 PM. Snow began to fall outside the window. Natalie excitedly pressed her face against the glass, exclaiming, "It's snowing!"

Sebastian chuckled softly. "In Avalance, snow would be a rarity."

He drove to a small hill on the outskirts of town and parked. Natalie checked the time again—11:50 PM. Sebastian unloaded the fireworks and was about to light them when Natalie stopped him. "Wait, it's not New Year yet. Seven more minutes!"

"You're quite punctual now, aren't you?"

"Let's wait a bit. We should set them off right at New Year's, or the wishes won't come true."

Sebastian noticed snowflakes in her hair. "Let's wait in the car, then."

"No, we need to light them exactly at midnight. There are only three minutes left. We might not make it in time if we go back to the car."

Sebastian shook his head, resigned. The hilltop offered a great view, but the wind and snow were harsh. Natalie had her hands tucked into her pockets, her face nearly buried in her scarf. Sebastian pulled up the hood of her down jacket and placed it over her head.

She checked her phone again—11:59 PM. Her eyes sparkled. "Thirty seconds left." She stared at her phone, counting down: "10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, quick, light it!"