Whisper Destiny

Chapter 33

~ Catherine ~

When we landed at Le Bourget Airport, we were escorted directly to the France D'Larc Hotel. My usual serene journey to France was decidedly absent today. We had just been informed by our security team that a swarm of reporters and paparazzi was awaiting us in front of the hotel.

"I believe your wedding news has sparked interest from reporters all around the world. The team has been discreet about your schedule, but it seems the reporters and paparazzi have truly outdone themselves with their investigation skills this time." Louisa commented, her eyes glued to her phone, monitoring the unfolding chaos.

"We've doubled the security personnel at the hotel and arranged for additional barriers to keep the press at bay," she continued, her tone calm but serious. "The entrances will be closely monitored, and we've set up a private elevator to take us directly to our floor without having to navigate through the lobby. The team is also coordinating with local law enforcement to ensure there's no breach of privacy or safety. We'll have a decoy car ready to divert attention if necessary, and bodyguards will form a protective ring around you both as soon as we step out of the car."

Personally, I had no issue dealing with reporters and paparazzi, but I have a concern for Natasha. I glanced at her sitting beside me. She seemed uninterested in the updates we received, instead, she was lost in taking photos of the cityscape from her camera. It was the camera I had given her for Christmas gift, and the sight of it in her hands brought a smile to my face.

Deciding to go with the flow and not fret too much about the situation, I returned to reviewing the proposal and emails on my tablet.

As we approached the hotel, I could see the chaos created by the media outside. I turned to Natasha to give her a heads-up on the situation.

"Hey, the reporters and paparazzi might be a bit overwhelming. Just stay close to me, the team will ensure everything's okay." Natasha nodded without looking at me, her focus still on her camera.

The car stopped at the hotel entrance, and we were immediately ambushed by reporters and paparazzi. This was more chaotic than I had anticipated. Taking a deep breath, I asked Natasha, "Are you ready?" She simply replied with a quiet "yep."

Opening the car door, the security team expertly moved to create a buffer between us and the media. Instinctively, I grabbed Natasha's hand with one hand while placing the other securely on her waist, keeping her close as we walked into the hotel. Camera flashes erupted around us, and a cacophony of questions was hurled in our direction.

Once inside the private sanctuary of our hotel room, I released Natasha's hand and stepped away, fully aware that she wasn't fond of close physical proximity to me.

"Wow, this is havoc!" Louisa half-screamed, her eyes wide with excitement. "Natasha and you being together has really brought media attention to another level."

I didn't comment on that, instead just thanking her with a nod.

"Tonight, I'll leave you both to your own... private activities," Louisa said, her voice dripping with playful mischief. "And tomorrow morning, I'll pick you up, Cate, for our meeting with Pierre. Nat, your meeting with the board members isn't until the afternoon, so you have some extra time to rest. Just don't wear Cate out too much tonight; she needs her beauty sleep," she added with a suggestive wink.

Oh gosh, this is so embarrassing, I will kill Louisa. I glanced at Natasha and noticed a faint blush creeping onto her face. Despite her tough exterior, I had come to know that she had a shy side, something I found endearing and intriguing.

"And, I just got both of you the same room to avoid suspicion from outsiders. But not to worry, this penthouse has double rooms. You'll just need to argue over who gets the master bedroom or perhaps you could just share the room. The view is spectacular! Okay, have a good night, you both. See you tomorrow." With a mischievous grin, Louisa left us alone.

I cleared my throat awkwardly. "Sorry about her. She has no filter."

"It's okay, Chase is exactly like her," Natasha replied, then added with a sly smile, "The master bedroom is mine, no argument!" She walked away, leaving me standing in the living room, slightly stunned.

"Well, I think I can adjust to this new arrangement between me and Natasha," I muttered to myself, moving toward the other room.

Alone in my room, my thoughts drift back to our wedding day. I recall the moment Natasha walked down the aisle in her exquisite white gown, a vision of grace and beauty that stole my breath away. As she approached the altar, her eyes locked with mine, stirring something deep within me.

As she drew closer, my heart quickened its pace. I couldn't tear my gaze away from her, every step she took echoing like a heartbeat in my chest. The air crackled with an electric tension, and everything else faded into the background. In that moment, it felt as if there were only her and me in the world we had created together.

When our lips first touched, it was as if time stood still. A rush of desire swept through me, unsettling and yet exhilarating. I tried to dismiss the intensity of my feelings, but they persisted, especially during our first dance. Holding her close, I felt the magnetic pull between us grow stronger. Every moment with her intensified my longing to bridge the distance, to taste her lips again, to lose myself completely in her embrace. It was a sensation I had never experienced before, and it left me feeling disoriented, unsure of how to navigate this newfound intensity.

I sighed heavily, the weight of unfamiliar emotions pressing upon me. Keeping my emotional walls intact seemed hard now. Natasha's reserved demeanor when we were alone was perhaps a blessing in disguise—it provided a necessary distance between us, a buffer against the intensity of our connection. Despite my yearning, I knew pushing her away was the safer choice for us both.

As exhaustion finally overtook me, I drifted into sleep. Yet, even in my dreams, I couldn't escape the vivid image of Natasha's soft lips against mine, a tantalizing fantasy that seemed to haunt me unknowingly, pulling me into unfamiliar territory I wasn't yet ready to embrace.