Chapter 363

“When we were in college, you mentioned aspiring to be a celebrity agent or a reporter. Is your new job related to those fields?” Skylar guessed.

Natalie was surprised by Skylar’s accurate and quick guess. “I stayed home after graduation and never worked, so my resumes were all rejected. I never even got an interview. But luckily, my idol offered me a job!”

“Your idol?”

“Austin Powell. He heard I was looking for work and said he needed an assistant. His previous assistant had other plans, so there was an opening,” Natalie explained.

She’d been hesitant to accept Austin’s offer. Her family disapproved of her working, claiming it was exhausting and that Jeremy could support her. She also worried about Jeremy’s reaction.

Her anxieties intensified, and a doctor’s visit revealed the seriousness of her unease. She needed a change. So she accepted Austin’s offer. The chance to see her idol perform up close was incredibly exciting.

Skylar supported Natalie’s decision, especially after seeing her enthusiasm.

“I’m so glad you got a job! Congratulations!”

Natalie beamed. “I’m thrilled to see Austin every day! He’s such a gentleman.”

Skylar joked, “If you weren’t married, I’d congratulate you on getting the best chance to pursue Austin.”

Natalie’s smile faltered, but she quickly recovered. “My feelings for Austin are purely those of a fan. That won’t change! It’s different from my feelings for Jeremy. I’ve loved Jeremy since childhood. I just… I don’t know if he still feels the same.”

As soon as she spoke, she realized she’d revealed more than she intended.

Skylar looked at Natalie. “Is something going on between you and Mr. Hughes?”

Skylar's suppressed doubts resurfaced. The “Mr. Hughes” she’d overheard at the hot springs reappeared in her mind. Was that Jeremy?

Natalie, not usually emotionally sensitive, was clearly uneasy. Something was wrong.

“I don’t know what’s happening. He’s been so busy; he hasn’t been home much this past month. Even when he is home, he just sleeps and goes back to work. We haven’t had a proper conversation.

“Especially in the last ten days, he barely speaks to me or video calls. Maybe I’m being too sensitive. I feel like he doesn’t like or care about me as much anymore. That feeling has been especially strong recently.”

Natalie poured out her worries.

“Maybe it’s because I’m always at home. I’m bored and overthinking things. He’s just too busy.”

Skylar reflected, “It’s easy for a woman to worry and doubt herself when her whole world revolves around one man.”

She asked, “Have you tried going to his company to see him?”

“Yes, but he’s often traveling on business or entertaining clients. Going to find him would only add to his burden,” Natalie sighed.

Spotting a restaurant, she changed the subject. “Let’s forget this. Look, a Wiscadian restaurant! Jeremy used to bring me here. Let’s go there instead of the buffet.”

Skylar, understanding the fickleness of women, readily agreed. “Okay, let’s go!”