Echoes of a Forsaken Heart (Natalia and Hamilton)

Hamilton's Adam's apple bobbed slightly before he broke the silence. "Met her at the airport."

After saying that, he turned Natalia around and quickly added, "Natalia, there's nothing between her and me. You have to believe me. I came here today just for you. I had no idea she would show up at the airport." Natalia's lips were pressed tightly together, trying to suppress the heaviness in her heart.

It took her a moment to ask, "How did she know you were coming to Ylandia?"

Hamilton's expression darkened, "I'm not sure yet, but I'll find out. Please, don't be upset, okay?"

After a brief pause, he continued, "She hugged me today, and I pushed her away right then. Natalia, I can have someone check the airport's surveillance footage if you want."

Natalia looked at Hamilton, biting her lip.

She knew she should trust Hamilton.

But it felt like something was gnawing at her heart.

Eveleen was a knot in her heart that she could never seem to untie.

That beam of moonlight was like a ditch lying between her and Hamilton.

She was trying hard to cross it, wanted to cross it.

But just when she thought she had, it appeared again.

"I'll have someone keep an eye on her, she'll never appear in front of me again, okay?"

Natalia glanced at him, "Can you really control her? The moment she attempts anything drastic, you'll drop everything."

Hamilton held Natalia's waist, "Do you really distrust me that much?"

Natalia didn't say anything more, her phone was buzzing relentlessly. The folks from the Foreign Affairs Department were urging her nonstop.

She gathered her emotions and walked outside.

Hamilton followed, his gaze slightly heavy.

When they arrived at the bar, it was buzzing with activity.

Seeing Natalia, everyone cheered.

"Natalia! You're late, three shots as a penalty!"

"Exactly! Three shots."

Natalia smiled as she made her way over.

Ryan saw Natalia and asked, "What would you like to drink? I'll get it for you. Ignore them, you don't have to drink."

Before Natalia could respond, the crowd started to tease!

"Mr. Holzer seems a bit too obvious, don't you think?"

During their time working and living together, it was somewhat apparent to them that Ryan had a thing for Natalia.

So, when young people gather, teasing is inevitable.

However, as soon as they finished, they saw Hamilton following close behind Natalia.

Someone awkwardly asked, "Natalia, who is this? Introduce us, will you?"

Natalia glanced sideways at Hamilton, "A friend."

Hamilton's gaze turned icy as he naturally placed his hand on Natalia's waist.

"Natalia's soon-to-be boyfriend. I appreciate everyone's care for Natalia during this time."

This possessive gesture made everyone widen their eyes in surprise.

So, he's the soon-to-be boyfriend?

Everyone looked from Natalia to Hamilton, then glanced at Ryan.

The crowd relished the drama unfolding before them.

Ryan chuckled from the side, "Mr. Fowler is here too?"

Hamilton responded with a cold smile, his eyes chilling as they landed on Ryan.

"Why, is this place off-limits to me?"

The moment they spoke, the tension was palpable, exciting the onlookers.

Natalia's phone suddenly rang. It was Scarlett, probably worried about her seeing those photos and feeling upset.

Holding her phone, Natalia walked to the restroom.

Hamilton followed closely.

Natalia turned to look at him without a word and entered the restroom before answering the call.

"Natalia, are you okay?"

Scarlett's voice carried a hint of nervousness.

Natalia chuckled, "I'm fine, don't worry. Why are you calling at this hour? It must be late where you are."

"I'm on duty. I was worried you'd be upset. You weren't answering your phone, and I was concerned." "I'm really okay."

After a brief chat with Scarlett, who seemed reassured that Natalia was fine, they ended the call.

Emerging from the restroom, Hamilton pulled her aside.

"Just a friend?"

Natalia shot him a look, "What else do you want?" Hamilton, frustrated, gripped her waist tightly. "Natalia, you still have something of mine with you!"

Natalia stiffened and glared at this shameless man.

Hamilton just smiled, "Would you do this with just a friend?"

Natalia scoffed, "We were colleagues before, weren't we? So, it's okay for colleagues but not friends?"

Hamilton was left speechless, internally cursing himself for his past actions.

He knew Natalia was still angry.

The issue with Eveleen wasn't something she could get over quickly.

But at least, he thought, he had made it to her side today.

Natalia ignored him after that.

Back at the bar, she ordered a Long Island Iced Tea and sipped it quietly.

Delilah, sitting nearby, observed their interaction clearly.

They had definitely argued, probably over Eveleen.

She hadn't expected Eveleen to still be of some use.

Looking at Natalia and then at Ryan, a smile flickered in Delilah's eyes.

"Ms. Jenkins, let me toast to you. I appreciate your cooperation this time."

She paused, then added, "Also, about the other day, sorry for interrupting you and Mr. Holzer."

Her remark made the crowd go silent.

Bringing up such a topic in front of someone's potential boyfriend was not the best move.

Yet, Delilah appeared oblivious, "What? Why is everyone looking at me?"

The crowd laughed along, but Natalia simply sipped her Long Island Iced Tea, ignoring Delilah completely.

Delilah seemed to resign herself to being the less interesting one in the conversation and turned her attention to Hamilton.

"When did you get here, Hamilton? Why didn't you give me a heads-up?"

Hamilton let out a derisive snort, "Why should I? Are we an item or something?"

A smirk played on Delilah's lips, "Come on, Hamilton. You know Westley's going to ask. I just didn't want to be caught off guard. If you don't want to share, fine. I won't ask again." Hamilton's expression darkened further.

Natalia, nursing her iced tea, felt a bitter taste in her mouth.

She downed the rest of her drink and immediately ordered another, and then another.

"Trying to drown your sorrows?"

Hamilton grabbed her hand and pulled her into an embrace.

""What's going on with you and Ryan?"

Natalia glanced at him, "Ryan and I have never been anything but colleagues. You and your jealousy of him shadowing me is tighter than you keeping tabs on Eveleen." Hamilton's mouth twitched, suddenly feeling a bit guilty.

He'd hoped to divert her attention with this, but it backfired spectacularly.

The room's attention shifted as some began to play a game.

Rolling dice for high or low.

The loser answers a question from the winner or does something the winner requests. Fail to answer or do, and you drink three shots.

Delilah glanced their way, "Natalia, wanna join?"

Natalia had zero interest.

But it seemed someone was keen on dragging her into the spotlight.

The first round, Delilah won, and her opponent was none other than Ryan.

Delilah eyed Ryan, "Mr. Holzer, may I ask you something?"

Ryan chuckled, "Go ahead, Delilah."

With a look between Ryan and Natalia, Delilah posed her question.

"Mr. Holzer, do you have feelings for Natalia?"