Natalie, her cheeks flush with embarrassment, playfully tugged at a stray lock of hair.“Is my look that drastically different now?”
Elizabeth leaned in closer, her eyes wide with exaggerated shock.
is Natalie’s laughter bubbled up, her eyes dancing with mirth.”So,I’m virtually unrecognizable?” Ezlibaeth nodded.”I might’ve walked right past you on the street, thinking our dear Mr. Larson had moved on with a mysterious new beauty.If not for Frank’s heads-up about your’makeover’ I’d be in Mandy’s boat of assumptions!”
Suddenly,Mandy,as if drawn by some invisible force, gravitated towards Natalie. Silently, she took Natalie’s face into her appraisal, her scrutiny so intense that Natalie felt a tad uncomfortable. As Natalie inched away, Mandy released her and arched a curious brow.Alright, spill. Where’d you get the ‘magic’ done?”
Natalie blinked, genuinely baffled. “Magic? I’m not following…
Tilting her head playfully, Elizabeth nudged Natalie,whispering conspiratorially,”She thinks you’ve had a bit of a nip and tuck. Mandy’s probably plotting her own transformation.”
Natalie’s cheeks bloomed with color. “So, you think I’m prettier now?”
Disregarding Elizabeth’s teasing, Mandy, her chin resting thoughtfully on her hand, offered agenuine compliment. “Your changes, wherever you got them, are sublime. I mean it. Do tell, where did this metamorphosis happen?” Natalie, a bashful grin tugging at her lips, touched her face lightly and asked,”Is the new me truly an improvement?”
Mandy’s enthusiastic nod was almost comical. However,recalling that Natalie had once been a rival, her demeanor swiftly shifted. She smugly declared, “Before? Your features were decent. But let’s be real. Your facial structure was quite pedestrian. It lacked a certain charm.”
Brandon, ever protective of Natalie, bristled at Mandy’s audacity. He coldly interjected,”Miss Hamilton, kindly choose your words with more care.”
Mandy,remembering her earlier boldness,was momentarily cowed. She mumbled defensively,”I was just speaking my truth.”
Facing Mandy’s pointed observation, Natalie merely responded with an elegant shrug.Gently patting Brandon’s hand, she replied with a gentle chuckle,”I believe Miss Hamilton has a point, darling.
Brandon blinked, momentarily taken aback. With a hint of introspection, Natalie tenderly brushed her fingertips along her own cheek, musing,”Looking back at older photographs, I do see the contrast. My features now have a harmony that they may have lacked before.” Mandy, empowered by Natalie’s apparent agreement, thrust her chin up in a victorious tilt, proclaiming, See? Even your wife concurs. The glow-up is real.”
With an amused glint in his eyes, Brandon drew Natalie close,lightly pinching her cheek.To me,” he whispered tenderly,your beauty has always been timeless, unchanged by years or circumstances.”
Natalie’s cheeks turned a delightful shade of pink, her smile radiating pure warmth.
In the background,Elizabeth kept a subtle yet watchful eye on Mandy
Thanks to Frank, she already knew of Natalie’s amnesia. Concerned that Mandy’s unchecked words might unsettle Natalie, Elizabeth shot meaningful glances toward Brandon.
But alas, her frantic eye signals went unnoticed, as Brandon remained lost in the world of his tender exchanges with Natalie.
Draco, noticing Elizabeth’s blinking spree, queried in genuine concern, “Is something wrong with your eyes? Should I rush you to a medic Growing slightly exasperated bythe obliviousness around her, Elizabeth took matters into her own hands.Approaching Natalie, she introduced herself with a gracious smile”Hello, Natalie. I’m Elizabeth. Once a colleague, forever a friend. It’s heartening to have you back in Barnes!
Natalie’s face lit up,recognition sparking in her eyes.”Elizabeth!I’ve admired your masterpieces on W. Marks’ website. Your designs captivate me. I’d love to delve deeper into your creative process!”
Beaming,Eliabeth respondedd be delighted to share.”
As Elizabeth’s words tapered off, Mandy knit her brows in perplexity, quizzically stating,”Elizabeth, wasn’t Natalie a close friend of yours? Why the introduction? And Natalie, your reactions… they seem as if you’ve never met Elizabeth before?”
Mid-thought, a light bulb moment seemed to strike Mandy. Recalling Natalie’s slightly peculiar address to her earlier, her eyes widened in realization.”Could it be that you…”
Acknowledging the unsaid query, Natalie responded with a hint of melancholy, “I’m grappling with memory loss. The past is like a book with its pages torn out.”
A gasp escaped Mandy,her mouth forming a perfect O.Elizabeth swiftly placed a comforting hand on Mandy’s arm,whispering,”Handle with care.Natalie’s emotional state is fragile right now.” Reading the room and understanding the gravity,Mandy smoothly pivoted the conversation.”Alright, let’s put the past aside. Given the circumstances,I’ll excuse your lapse
Natalie,unaffected by Mandy’s slight,responded graciously, “I’ve come to understand you’re quite the force to reckon with in the fashion industry,Miss Hamilton.
With a blend of pride and playfulness,Mandy tilted her chin up and retorted,”Indeed! While you’re at it, any design-related queries should come straight to me. After all, compared to my experience and prowess, Elizabeth is but a fledgling assistant designer.”
Not one to be outdone,Elizabeth shot back,her voice tinged with annoyance,”Mark my words, I’ll soon stand on my own in the design realm. Why the hubris, Mandy?”
Sensing a brewing storm,Natalie deftly stepped in, steering the conversation back to neutral territory. She smiled warmly at Mandy, saying,”Miss Hamilton, I’ve been keeping up with global fashion showcases of late. You’re clearly making waves. I’m genuinely enamored with your artistry and eagerly await a design dialogue with you.”
Mandy, not accustomed to such affable acknowledgment from Natalie, was momentarily lost for words.Her usual bravado melting away, she stammered,”Do you truly feel that way?’
With a serene smile, Natalie affirmed,”Your creations drew me in.
Chastened by Natalie’s grace, Mandy felt a touch of remorse for her earlier posturing.
Clearing her throat, she offered, “Your sentiments are heartfelt. My schedule is open. Seek me out whenever you wish for a tete-a-tete on design.”
“Humph!” Elizabeth snorted dismissively. However, Mandy refrained from any further debate, displaying an unexpectedly softer side towards Natalie.
Time meandered as the trio exchanged pleasantries,eventually settling into the plush embrace of a sofa. With a tender touch, Brandon played with Natalie’s silken strands, inquiring, “Aren’t you keen on resuming your tour of the dresses outside?”
Brushing away thoughts of the dresses Natalie gleamed. “I’d rather spend this time reconnecting with faces from my past.”
She then cast an intrigued glance at the quiet gentleman, donned in a chic casual suit.”And who might this be?”
Brandon’s eyes frosted over when they landed on Draco. The last thing he wanted was to
introduce this potential contender for Natalie’s affection. Tight-lipped and clearly agitated,he remained silent.
Mandy, wide-eyed in astonishment, remarked,”You don’t even remember him?”
Wearing an apologetic smile, Natalie admitted,”The past feels like a blank canvas to me. Is this gentleman someone of significance in my life?” With dark humor glinting in his eyes, Brandon responded with a scoff,”Hardly. He’s practically a passerby.”
Feeling the atmosphere grow dense with tension,Elizabeth, ever the peacemaker, leaned close to whisper in Natalie’s ear, “That’s none other than the mastermind behind W Marks Studio, Mr. Draco Wesley. You must’ve come across his acclaimed work on the W Marks official portal.”
Picking up the thread, Mandy chimed in, “Mr. Wesley’s name is the buzz of the design world, yet he’s the epitome of discretion. The Internet hardly captures his essence in photographs. It’s entirely plausible for you to not recognize him.”
As Draco’s name wafted through the air, Natalie’s frame quivered, her eyes blazing with an illuminating astonishment.
The serenity that once painted her visage now wore a touch of reverence. She hesitated for a fleeting moment before extending a tentative wave and uttering, “Mr. Wesley, I’ve been utterly captivated by your designs on W Marks official site.They’re nothing short of brilliant!” But before Draco could summon a reply, Brandon’s eyes darted a frosty warning in his direction. With a glacial tone, he remarked,”Draco, even think of capitalizing on Natalie’s memory lapse to win her over,and you’ll regret it.”
Natalie’s cheeks flushed a delicate rose as she playfully jabbed Brandon’s chest.”What on earth are you implying?”
Wearing a sly grin that bore a hint of mischief, Brandon ensnared Natalie’s hand, quipping,”Merely fortifying my defenses before battle.”
Pulling away, Natalie’s eyes glinted with mild irritation. “Continue on this tangent, and you’ll find yourself conversing with the wind.”
Attempting to dissolve the mounting tension, she turned towards Draco, her demeanor apologetic.I’m genuinely sorry,Mr.Wesley.My husband’s joke was in poor taste. I hope you won’t hold it against him.”
From the ebb and flow of the prior dialogue, Draco deduced Natalie’s blank memory slate.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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