His name was Nathaniel

49

After breakfast, the casual comfort between them lingered as Nathaniel cleared the table and washed the dishes while Adaliya retreated to the guest room to get ready. Once the kitchen was spotless, Nathaniel made his way back to his office to take care of a few things. Sitting at his desk, he stared out the window at the breathtaking view of the city for a moment, letting out a deep breath. This weekend felt important, and he was hopeful that it could be a turning point for him and Adaliya.

Nathaniel picked up the phone and dialed his secretary. "Hi, Sophie," he greeted her when she picked up. "Just wanted to let you know that I'm taking the rest of the weekend off."

There was a brief pause on the other end. "Of course, Mr. Donovan. Should I reschedule your meetings for next week?"

"Yes, please. I'll be unreachable for the next few days."

After ending the call, Nathaniel barely had a moment to himself before his phone rang again. It was his grandfather, Victor Donovan, always keeping a close eye on his grandson's work. Nathaniel couldn't help but smile; his grandfather had a sixth sense for everything.

"Morning, Nathaniel," Victor's voice boomed through the phone. "Just heard you're taking the weekend off. Is everything alright?"

Nathaniel leaned back in his chair, rubbing the back of his neck. "Everything's fine, Grandfather. I... I have someone staying with me for the weekend. Adaliya. She flew in yesterday."

There was a pause, then a low chuckle from Victor. "Ah, so she's back in your life? That's good to hear. I assume this weekend is to see if things can be mended?"

Nathaniel's grip on the phone tightened slightly. "Yeah. I'm hoping it'll bring us closer, or at least clear the air. It's been a long time, and things haven't been easy between us."

Victor's voice softened. "I'm sure she'll see what a fine young man you've grown into. You're a Donovan, after all. Remember, Nathaniel, it's not just about your work and responsibilities. Sometimes, the heart takes priority."

There was a brief silence before Victor's voice grew mischievous. "And who knows? Maybe this weekend will lead to something bigger. I wouldn't mind seeing some great-grandchildren before I'm too old to spoil them."

Nathaniel froze, feeling his face flush. "Grandfather..." he stammered, caught completely off guard by the blunt remark. "I—I don't think we're anywhere near that yet."

Victor laughed heartily. "Relax, boy. I'm just teasing you. But don't be too shocked—if things go well, you never know what the future might hold. You're the only heir, and I want to see you happy, with a family of your own."

Nathaniel ran a hand through his hair, still feeling the weight of his grandfather's words. The thought of children, of building a future with Adaliya, made his heart race. Was that even something she would want? The possibility felt both distant and strangely within reach.

"I understand," Nathaniel finally said, his voice more serious. "But one step at a time. I'll keep you updated."

Victor chuckled again. "You do that. And Nathaniel—enjoy this weekend. Life isn't just about work."

After the call ended, Nathaniel sat there for a moment, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. He had to shake off the flustered feeling from his grandfather's comment before he could focus again. Still, the thought lingered in his mind: what if this weekend was the start of something bigger?

---

Meanwhile, in the guest room, Adaliya stood in front of the mirror, frustration creeping in. She had opened her suitcase and spread out half its contents on the bed, trying to decide what to wear for the day. The casual brunch clothes she had thrown on earlier wouldn't cut it now. Nathaniel always looked so put together, so polished, even when he was dressed down. She didn't want to look like she was trying too hard, but she wanted to feel confident and, maybe, catch his eye.

After a few minutes of contemplation, she chose a simple yet flattering dress that hugged her curves without being too revealing. She paired it with comfortable shoes, knowing they might be out exploring the city later. The idea of spending the day with Nathaniel made her stomach flutter, and she couldn't deny that she wanted to impress him—though she tried to remind herself not to overthink it.

Standing in front of the mirror, she glanced at her legs and sighed. Without hesitation, she pulled out a razor and quickly shaved as she took her shower, making sure everything was smooth. Then she did her makeup—nothing too dramatic, just enough to bring out her eyes and give her some color. She moisturised her now neatly styled box braids, making sure they fell perfectly over her shoulders.

As she finished up, Adaliya caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror. She looked... good. More than that, she felt good. Confident. Taking a deep breath, she reminded herself that this wasn't about impressing Nathaniel—okay, maybe it was a little—but she also wanted to feel like her best self. This weekend was important, and she wanted to be prepared for whatever might come next.

When she was finally ready, she stepped out of the guest room and made her way toward the living room, where she figured Nathaniel would be waiting.

A/N: greetings from Germany 🇩🇪, I just wanted to ask you guys how you're enjoying the story/plot so far and what you hope or expect to happen in the next chapters.

Also feel free to comment your thoughts and reactions to the chapters/ paragraphs as I really enjoy reading them haha.

Anyways that it from me so far. Enjoy reading🫶🏾