Whisper Destiny

Chapter 62

~ Natasha ~

We finally decided to explore the South of France, wrapping up our little adventure in Monaco before flying home. I wasn't opposed to the idea—I've never been to this part of France, which I believe the view will be breathtaking—but, honestly, my real goal is to figure out what's going on with her. This road trip feels like a bonus, a scenic backdrop to unveil the real mystery: Catherine Ortiz.

We've agreed to keep things low-key, no spotlight, no flashy car. Catherine rented a modest Hyundai Tucson for the road trip, a far cry from the luxury she's used to.

Only Louisa and Astrid know about the trip. Louisa promised to handle everything else, whispering to me before we left, "Just take care of her, Nat. I trust you." I give her a reassuring smile.

Before we hit the road, Catherine insisted on a quick stop at a local café. As she steps back into the car, she hands me a bagel and a cup of coffee.

"Here, eat something. You didn't have a proper breakfast this morning," she says, her voice gentle but firm.

I can't help but smile, wide and genuine. This is the side of her I like—attentive, caring. "Thank you," I say, the words more loaded than they should be.

Taking a sip of the coffee, I'm surprised by the familiar taste. "Hmm," I murmur, glancing at her. "Did you ask them to customize the order to my liking, Vale?"

"Vale?" She glances over, eyebrow arched in curiosity.

"We agreed to leave everything behind, didn't we?" I say, smirking. "For obvious reasons, I can't exactly call you Catherine or Cate. We don't want to attract unnecessary attention, do we? And I definitely don't want to call you by another woman's name." I pause, watching her reaction, letting the moment stretch between us, delicate and charged. "Besides," I add, my voice softening, "I like your middle name."

She huffs a small laugh. "Then what should I call you? Elena?"

"Up to you," I say with a casual shrug, taking another sip of my coffee, letting the heat of it ground me in this strange moment of ease. "And don't overthink it. Leave that part of yourself behind, too. I meant it!"

She chuckles softly at my remarks, but I catch the fleeting uncertainty in her eyes, the way her fingers tap against the steering wheel, like she's trying to hold on to something. I can tell this new dynamic—this playful, carefree version of us—feels strange to her. We're not used to it, she definitely not used to it but I'm determined to make her let loose, to relax for once, at least for this trip.

I take a big bite of the bagel, the taste bursting in my mouth. "Oh my god. This is so good," I exclaim, half groaning in delight. From the corner of my eye, I catch her smile—small, but real. The kind of smile that makes something inside me light up.

Spontaneously, I shove the bagel toward her, holding it up. "You've got to try this. It's taste like heaven."

She hesitates, her fingers lingering on the steering wheel as she looks at it like it's an offering she's unsure she can accept. For a moment, I wonder if she'll refuse. "Come on, Vale," I urge. "Just a bite."

She studies me, then the bagel, as if weighing something in her mind. Finally, she leans in and takes a delicate bite, her posture still measured, still composed. But the moment she tastes it, her eyes flicker with a small spark of approval.

"Told you," I say with a triumphant grin. We end up sharing the breakfast together. And I can feel Catherine slowly to become comfortable.

The scenery for the entire road trip had been nothing short of breathtaking. The sky a vast expanse of blue, and the crisp air carried the faint scent of pine. The weather was perfect—not too hot, just the right balance of warmth with a gentle breeze that swept through the open windows. I gazed out, mesmerized by the shifting landscapes, wishing I could freeze these moments forever. "I wish I'd brought my camera," I murmured softly, almost to myself. "This view is worth capturing."