Having no idea what Draco really meant, Derek just answered, “Wow! I had no idea that we’ve met before. It was an honor, sir.”
With a smile at the corners of his mouth, Draco said, “In fact, it’s not unexpected that you’ve become so well- known this year. You have it in you, Mr. Ramsey; but, since you are now at W Marks Studio, I’d appreciate it if you could leave my employee alone. No one gets to lay a finger on Natalie or any other of my employees so long as they work here!”
Derek’s expression turned cold. He could tell that Draco was trying to warn him.
“Natalie is a wonderful designer and she will become an independent designer one day,” he said with a casual smile.
“It seems to me that Mr. Ramsey, you did not come to talk about cooperating with me. That means that you need to leave!” Draco’s eyes blazed with an unmistakable hardness.
Derek also didn’t want to be anywhere close to him. While getting up to go, he accidentally knocked off the papers that were on the table.
Derek instinctively bent to pick them up, but when he saw the last two papers, his jaw dropped.
There was no doubt in his mind that the woman in the drawings was Natalie!
Draco responded, “I’ll handle that, Mr. Ramsey. It’s all right.” It was too late, though. Derek had seen the drawings!
With a look of surprise on his face, Derek turned to look at Draco and remarked, “So the talk is true? You and Natalie seem to be quite good at hiding staff. It nearly went past my eyes!”
“Please, Mr. Ramsey, I’d like to have them back. I’ve already dispelled the rumors. Natalie is only my employee.” Draco stood up and said, wanting to take back the paintings.
Derek, though, avoided him deftly. “You are so hypocritical,” he muttered, his eyes narrowing.
Draco looked gloomy and protested, “It was simply some sketches that meant nothing; I only drew them casually since I had some time to spare.”
Derek didn’t give him back the drawings. He proceeded to irritate Draco, saying, “You are now a prominent designer. I’m sure you are constantly busy. You got some time to spare, huh? You must be smitten with Natalie.”
“Give them back to me!” Draco was eager to have the drawings back.
He was still a little frail because he had recently recovered from a nasty illness. The moment he made a move, he started coughing.
Because Natalie and Tasha were afraid that Draco and Derek would have a disagreement, they waited outside. When Natalie heard the disturbance, she was compelled to enter. “What is going on in here, Derek?”
Derek lifted the papers so that Natalie could see the woman’s face.
When she saw the lady depicted in the drawings, she could not help but be astonished. Well, wonders were never-ending! There was no mistaking that the woman in the drawings was her! 2
Not wanting to continue getting on his nerve, Derek returned the papers to Draco and asked him, “Don’t you even have the courage to admit that you have feelings for someone?”
Draco didn’t seem to have an answer to that.
Derek made a U-turn and walked away. He said mockingly as he brushed by Natalie on the way out, “I guess you have seen clearly who the woman in the drawings is. Natalie, you have amazing charm that has drawn not only me but also someone else in this room.” He continued, sounding unhappy, “Brandon was simply lucky to have met you before I did!” I
Natalie was too startled to speak. Her thoughts were jumbled.
After Derek left, Natalie, Tasha and Draco were the only ones left in the office.
After what had just happened, the atmosphere in the office was extremely tense and awkward.
Natalie didn’t know what to say. She was still stunned that she was the woman in Draco’s drawings.
Draco silently collected the papers scatter on the ground one by one.
“Mr. Wesley, let me help you.” Tasha thoughtfully helped Draco pack up the papers as if nothing had happened. “It’s okay. You and Natalie should go.” Draco was expressionless. He glanced at Natalie and continued collecting the papers.
Tasha nodded and walked Natalie out.
Tasha took Natalie to the tea room and heaved a sigh of relief. “Finally! I almost couldn’t breathe in there!” She looked over at Natalie and asked nervously, “Are you still in shock? Hmm?”
But Natalie had actually calmed down while they were collecting the scattered papers.
“I was too embarrassed just now to say anything in front of Mr. Wesley,” she sighed.
“Don’t you realize? I don’t think Mr. Wesley has a simple crush on you. I think he’s liked you for a long time now.” Tasha covered her mouth with her hand and smiled. She thought it was kind of sweet.
Hearing Tasha’s words, Natalie ran over in her mind again everything that had happened between her and Draco. But she was still a bit confused. When had Draco started having feelings for her?
Maybe it was when they went to Milan Fashion Week. They had had a lot of fun together. Draco had even taken her to the museum she’d wanted to see. Or maybe it was since she came to work at W Marks. Draco had been a huge help to her when Rosa had tried to frame her.
“What are you thinking about?” Tasha shook her hand in front of Natalie’s face, trying to get her attention.
Natalie shook her head with a smile. Suddenly, it all became clear. Draco had been giving her special treatment for a while now.
“Don’t overthink things. You have to confirm the design of Estella’s dresses today. She just texted me,” Tasha reminded her.
“Yes.” Natalie then remembered that she hadn’t finished her work yet. She had to regain her focus.
Soon it became dusk, and only a few people remained in the office.
Natalie couldn’t help but look over at Draco’s office. She was nervous and wanted to leave before Draco did, but she was worried it might be awkward if they bumped into each other when getting off work.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t you be going home already? You can do the rest tomorrow. Go home and relax.” Tasha helped Natalie up.
When they passed by Draco’s office, Natalie strode past the door as quickly as she could. On her way downstairs, Natalie stumbled and nearly fell, but Tasha was able to grab her in time before she could hurt herself.
Tasha was startled. “We didn’t bump into Mr. Wesley. Why are you so nervous, Natalie? You almost fell!”
New Book: Beginning with a Daring Encounter
Celsie was tired of being labeled as an introvert, workaholic, and dull virgin by her friends. Determined to prove them wrong, she made a bet that she would do something daring on her 25th birthday. Now that the day had arrived, it was time to fulfill her promise. On her daring to-do list, there was one task: a one-night stand with someone.
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