Chapter 586
I walked out after my shower and saw Nathan sitting in the living room, video chatting with someone. I instantly pulled my foot back and stayed upstairs, not wanting to get in the way. From the way he was talking, it sounded like he was on the phone with his mom. Nathan sounded pretty chill, almost distant.
After the video call, Nathan went upstairs. I’d slept in his master bedroom last night, but tonight I got the guest room ready and just slept there instead. My door was closed tight, and the night was so quiet I could hear his footsteps coming up the stairs.
They stopped right outside my door, and my breath caught. Luckily, after just a couple of seconds, his footsteps faded away as he headed toward the master bedroom. I wasn’t worried Nathan would cross any lines. What really scared me was that the tension in the air might make me lose my self-control. That night, I ended up having a damn steamy dream I can’t even talk about. In the dream, I couldn’t even tell who the guy was supposed to be. We were in some cramped little room, shadows flickering overhead…
When I woke up the next morning, I was so embarrassed I wanted to bury myself. Why did I have a dream like that? Was I just that pent up? I was losing my mind.
I rushed downstairs to make breakfast for Nathan. Turns out Nathan was already up, busy in the kitchen. I hurried in, and Nathan turned to me with a smile. “Morning! Up early, huh?”
“Let me handle this,” I said, taking the bread from his hands. “You go pack your clothes. We’re only staying for two days, so don’t bring too much.”
Nathan didn’t argue and went upstairs to pack. I pulled out my phone and called Jared to tell him about my trip back home. He sounded a little pissed. “Just the three of you?”
“You’re not seriously thinking of coming, are you?” I asked, feeling a bit nervous.
“I’ve got other plans, so I can’t make it. I’ll have the driver drop Yvonne off with you. And take the bodyguards with you this time–no more accidents,” Jared said firmly.
I let the bodyguards go home for the New Year while I was at the hospital taking care of Nathan. I agreed to Jared’s suggestion and told Nathan about it. He just shrugged, looking totally unbothered. “It’s Mr. Holcomb’s call. Whatever you think is best.”
After breakfast, I went home to pack a few things. By the time we set out, it was already past nine. The driver dropped Yvonne off at my place, her cute little backpack bouncing on her shoulders. Two female bodyguards arrived in their own car to meet up with us. After weaving through the city, our van merged onto the highway.
Yvonne kept munching on snacks, offering me one and then Nathan another. Having a kid around meant there was no chance of a quiet moment.
“Mom, can you sing?” Yvonne asked, clearly bored and looking for something to do.
I shook my head. “Not really, and I don’t sound very good.”
Yvonne immediately turned to Nathan, who was sitting in the front. “Nathan, can you sing?”
Nathan chuckled. “Nope, but I can play some kids‘ songs on my phone.”
“Alright,” Yvonne said, leaning against me with a contented smile.
Nathan hooked his phone up to the car speakers and put on a Chinese kids‘ song called “Froggy Hop.” The cheerful tune and adorable lyrics echoed through the whole car.
By the time we rolled into my parents‘ little county town, night had already fallen. They’d gone all out and whipped up a feast for us–every dish looked amazing. Back before I got married, Jared bought my folks a villa right in the heart of town. The place came with a big yard, and my parents kept it looking perfect. Life was easy and carefree for them.
At dinner, my dad had set out plenty of drinks. Nathan couldn’t have any since he was still on meds, but my dad was so enthusiastic that Nathan had to raise a glass of watered-down wine just to be polite. I quickly snatched the glass from him and said to my dad, “Dad, he really can’t drink right now. Don’t make him.”
Already a little tipsy, my dad gave me and Nathan a teasing look and grinned, “No drinking? What, you two trying for a baby or something?”