Because It's You - English Version

¤ 9 - Why?

Nate walked down the street while enjoying the warm breeze on her face. Frida told her to go home early because Nate looked colorless than usual. It was actually just because Nate cried all night after she went to dinner with Julian and Sophie. She also threw up all her dinner and has not been able to eat anything to this day. Maybe Nate really wasn't feeling well.

Nate started to enter Gamla Stan that was filled with tourists on weekends. Actually, she didn't go there on purpose so she could see Julian, but she just liked walking. Marco didn't accompany her anymore because he's been on duty until late at night these days. It seemed like he was still annoyed with her.

Nate's steps took her to the cafe that Julian usually went to without her realising it. Because it had become a habit, Nate turned her head, and swept her gaze around the cafe. Even though she knew, Julian was definitely enjoying his date with Sophie at Skansen now.

Nate only came back to her senses after she bumped into someone in front of her.

"I'm sorry," said Nate quickly.

"Oh, I feel like I know you."

Nate looked up at a tall guy in a sleeveless t-shirt and blonde hair. She had never met this person, how could they possibly know each other? Was this a new way to get to know women on the street?

"I think you've got the wrong person," replied Nate. "Excuse me."

"Is your name Matilda by any chance?" asked the guy.

Nate frowned. This guy clearly knew her, but how could he? "Yes."

"Hi, I'm Harold." The guy stretched out his hand towards Nate. "I don't know if Julian ever told you about me or not, but I heard a lot of stories about you. Julian and I used to live in a flat next to each other in Norrmalm."

Nate greeted the guy named Harold while raising her eyebrows. Wow, another friend of Julian's who heard stories about her. Nate was curious whether Julian had told him that she had listened to Bee Gees songs since she was little.

"I happened to have an appointment with Julian at this cafe. Wanna come in with me?" asked Harold.

"No, thank you." Nate refused quickly.

"It's okay. You came here to meet him too, right?"

The next second Nate knew she had entered the cafe with Harold. He took her to the back of the cafe and then waved at several guys sitting at one of the tables.

"Wow, you brought a girl!" said one of them.

Then Nate saw Julian turn towards her. He was clearly taken by surprise to see Nate there. Nate stopped in her tracks because she was reluctant to join them.

"Please, have a seat," said Harold while pointing to an empty spot on one of the couches opposite Julian. Nate complied because she felt it would be rude to refuse.

"I'm just passing by." Nate muttered to Julian who kept staring at her.

"I ran into her outside earlier," said Harold while sitting on the armchair. He patted Julian's knee. "Why didn't you tell me that Matilda is here?"

"Matilda?" repeated the girl who was sitting next to Julian while glaring at him. The same girl Nate saw a few weeks ago.

"Can someone explain who this Matilda is?" asked the big man sitting next to Nate.

"Well, she's Julian's ex-wife." Harold answered. Nate could immediately feel all eyes on her.

"Everyone, this is Mat—Nate Powell. She came to Stockholm recently to work at Norrmalm," said Julian finally. He cleared his throat. "Nate, these are Harold, Rachel, Don, Felix..."