Whisper Destiny

Chapter 80

~ Natasha ~

I took a moment to glance around the coffee house. It was bustling with life, the hum of conversations blending with the occasional clatter of cups and saucers. Couples leaned in close on intimate dates, while others appeared to be deep in business discussions. The air felt warm, yet distant, like I was merely an observer in a room full of stories I wasn't part of.

It had been a long time since I last set foot in the Grand Grayson Hotel. Too long, and for reasons I'd rather not revisit.

The deal with Ives Martel was straightforward. Since all the negotiations had already been handled by Catherine, it took mere minutes to finalize. After signing the change of ownership contract, the transaction was complete.

"Congratulations, Mrs Grayson. The whole building is officially yours. It was a pleasure doing business with both of you," Ives said, his tone warm as he extended a hand.

"Likewise," I replied with a polite smile, shaking his hand.

As I gathered my things, Ives reached into his jacket pocket and produced a small black envelope, extending it toward me with a faint smile.

"And Mrs. Ortiz asked me personally to give this to you," he said.

I blinked, caught off guard, my brow furrowing. If Catherine had time to leave this with him, why didn't she just sign the contract herself?

"Thank you," I murmured, accepting the envelope. Ives offered a polite nod before excusing himself, leaving me alone with my thoughts.

Curiosity got the better of me. I carefully slid open the envelope, revealing a card embossed with the Ortiz & Co logo. I immediately recognized Catherine's cursive handwriting, neat and deliberate.

My dearest Natasha,

Congratulations! You now officially own the house you've been gushing over for months. A surprise that's not much of a surprise anymore, is it?

But I've prepared something special for you—a real surprise this time.

Please head to The Royal Penthouse Suite. Your next gift is waiting for you there.

Sincerely,
Catherine

The message was simple, yet it carried a weight that unsettled me. I ran my thumb along the edge of the card. On another day, I might have been giddy with excitement, but now, all I felt was an ache—a hollow longing that refused to be ignored. As much as I appreciated her gesture, what I truly wanted was something far simpler: for her to want me by her side at every step, to share in her triumphs and struggles. To feel like I wasn't just a fleeting thought, but an inseparable part of her world.

Still, my curiosity lingered.

A quick visit wouldn't hurt, I reasoned. I'd see whatever surprise she had prepared and then head back to the office. Catherine never did anything without a reason, and deep down, I knew I couldn't resist uncovering what she was keeping from me all this time.

When I reached the door of Penthouse Suite, my pulse quickened. Standing in front of it, I hesitated for a moment before pressing the doorbell.

The sound echoed faintly, and after a few seconds, the door swung open. My breath caught.

"Josephine?" I blurted, her name tumbling out in a higher pitch than I intended.

"Bonjour, Natasha," she said with a smirk, her French accent smooth and sharp as ever. "Nice to see you again. Took you long enough to get here."