Whisper Destiny

Chapter 40

~ Catherine ~

I silently ate my breakfast while looking at my tablet, trying to settle as much work as possible before stepping into the office. Opposite me, Natasha also had her breakfast in silence, scrolling through her phone. Despite sharing the same space, we seemed to be in our own worlds.

Three months had passed since our trip to France, and we'd fallen into a new routine. The only time Natasha and I spent together in a day was during breakfast, which I made sure she never skipped. For me, breakfast was the most important meal of the day. At first, Natasha will go straight to the office, and I would pack her breakfast, sending someone to deliver it to her. But after a few weeks, she began joining me, in our home.

After breakfast, we parted ways and headed to our respective offices, each immersed in our own schedules. We seldom saw each other in the evenings unless I managed to come home early. More often than not, Natasha had already dined elsewhere by the time she returned, while I lost myself in the endless pile of work at the office.

Every alternate weekend, Noel and Emmette usually will invite us for a family dinner. 'Family' — sound so alien to me but bring the warm to my heart.

Since France, we had barely had a proper conversation. I had kept my promise to give her the space she needed, though it was also a convenient excuse to avoid the turmoil of my own emotions. Despite the physical distance, the magnetic pull I felt toward her had not waned. Every glance in her direction reignited the desire to be close to her, to kiss her, to have her completely which is so foreign to me. Hence, the distance was a necessary shield, a way to protect both of us from the intensity of my feelings. I convinced myself it was for the best.

"Danny..." Natasha's voice sliced through the silence, a rare occurrence during our breakfast routine. I looked up from my tablet to find her eyes already fixed on me, an unreadable expression on her face. I raised an eyebrow, signaling her to continue.

"I plan to hook up with someone, tonight. His name's Daniel... Daniel Hemsley." Her tone was matter-of-fact, devoid of emotion.

I nodded, understood on her message. Without hesitation, I reached for my phone and sent a quick message to my private investigator, instructing a thorough background check on this person. Over the past three months, Natasha had been hooked up with several people and I never questioned her further. I always respect her boundaries and privacy.

When I received the information about this new person, I responded with a simple "okay," to Natasha as usual. Every single time, each new name Natasha mentioned brought a sharp pang to my heart, but I always ignored it. That's what I was good at—shoving my emotions into a dark corner and locking them away.

Each time Natasha planned on her 'hook-up' sessions, I would stay overnight at the office, burying myself in work to avoid the tormenting thoughts of her with someone else. The sterile light of my office and the soft rustle of fabric became my refuge, a desperate attempt to drown out unfamiliar feeling that started to gnaw at me. I threw myself into  my comfort zone which my sketches of shoes or clothes and often pushing my team to work overtime as well. I knew it was selfish, but it was the only way to maintain my sanity for now.

I finished my coffee and gathered my things to start the day. As I stood up to place my cup in the sink, I heard Natasha mutter, "What the hell?" Her voice carried a mix of confusion and frustration, but I didn't comment. I glanced at her one more time before heading out, my heart racing. She looked stunning today in a light blue button-up shirt paired with a flowing white skirt, Her hair cascaded in soft, natural waves around her shoulders, catching the light in a way that accentuated its rich colour. She always looked beautiful, but today there was something extra captivating about her.