chapter 4
1324 Words
Natalie Lancaster walked out of the conference room with a huge smile on her face.
She had just signed a multimillion-dollar endorsement contract with Weston Beverages, one of the biggest beverage companies in America.
For the next two years, Natalie would be the face of their newest premium sparkling drink, appearing in television commercials, billboards, magazines, and social media campaigns across the country.
Her manager, Daniel, followed behind her with a folder in his hand.
“Congratulations, Natalie. You just made another fortune."
Natalie laughed.
“Another fortune? Don't make it sound like I'm already a billionaire.”
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
“You're Natalie Lancaster. At this point, I wouldn't be surprised.”
She laughed again as she looked down at the signed contract in her hand.
The deal was worth millions.
She had worked hard for her career, and seeing another major brand choose her made her feel proud.
She wasn't just famous because of her family anymore. She had built a name for herself.
Her phone started ringing.
Claire.
Natalie answered immediately.
“Guess what?”
Claire laughed on the other end.
“You're calling me with that voice, so something good happened.”
“I just signed a huge ambassador deal with Weston Beverages.”
There was a short pause.
Then Claire screamed.
“Natalie!”
Natalie pulled the phone away from her ear, laughing.
“I know!”
“How much?”
“Millions.”
“Oh my God. You're impossible.”
“You're just jealous.”
“Of course I am. You're my rich best friend.”
Natalie laughed.
“Tell Eve to come over tonight. We're celebrating.”
“I'll tell her.”
“And Claire?”
“Yes?”
“Don't make plans.”
“Why?”
“Because you're leaving my house wasted.”
Claire laughed.
“I love the sound of that.”
Natalie ended the call and immediately felt her excitement grow.
She couldn't wait to celebrate.
By the time she got home, Eve and Claire were already on their way.
Natalie changed into a comfortable outfit and headed downstairs just as the doorbell rang.
“Finally!” she exclaimed when she opened the door.
Eve walked in first, carrying a gift bag.
“Congratulations, superstar.”
Natalie hugged her.
“Thank you!”
Claire came in behind her with a bottle of champagne.
“I brought something for the millionaire.”
Natalie took it from her.
“You mean multimillionaire.”
They all burst out laughing.
The celebration lasted for hours.
They ate, drank, took pictures, played music, and talked about everything from Natalie's new campaign to her wedding.
Eve looked at Natalie and shook her head.
“Your life changed so quickly. You're married, you just got a hundred million dollars, and now you've signed another multimillion-dollar contract.”
Natalie smiled proudly.
“I know. Everything is finally going perfectly.”
Claire lifted her glass.
“To Natalie.”
“To Natalie,” Eve repeated.
Natalie raised her glass.
“To us.”
They clinked their glasses together.
Later in the evening, Eve checked her phone.
“I should go.”
Natalie frowned.
“Already?”
“I have somewhere to be tomorrow morning.”
Eve hugged her.
“Congratulations again.”
“Thank you.”
After Eve left, Natalie returned to the living room and found Claire sitting comfortably on the couch.
Claire was already tipsy.
Natalie laughed when she saw her.
“You're not going anywhere.”
Claire looked at her innocently.
“I can go home.”
“No, you can't.”
“Why?”
“Because you've been drinking.”
“I can call a driver.”
“No.”
Claire laughed.
“Natalie, you're married now. I don't want to stay here and disturb you and Lucas.”
Natalie rolled her eyes.
“Claire, this house has more rooms than we know what to do with.”
Claire smiled.
“Are you sure?”
“I'm completely sure. You're sleeping here tonight.”
“Okay.”
“Good.”
Claire leaned back against the couch.
“You really are spoiled.”
Natalie laughed.
“You've known that since we were children.”
A few hours later, the front door opened.
Lucas had finally returned from work.
Natalie immediately got up and walked toward him.
“Baby!”
Lucas smiled as she approached.
He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her.
“How was your day?”
Natalie looked at him excitedly.
“You won't believe what happened.”
Lucas smiled.
“Tell me.”
“I signed the Weston Beverages contract.”
His face lit up.
“The ambassador deal?”
“Yes!”
“That’s amazing, baby.”
He hugged her again.
“I knew you were going to get it.”
Natalie smiled against his chest.
“My mother called earlier too. She was so excited for me.”
Lucas kissed her forehead.
“I'm proud of you.”
Claire watched them from the couch and smiled.
Lucas finally noticed her.
“Claire?”
Claire raised her glass.
“Don't mind me. I'm staying the night.”
Lucas laughed.
“Looks like you celebrated a little too hard.”
Claire pointed at Natalie.
“Your wife forced me to stay.”
Natalie laughed.
“She was about to leave while she could barely walk straight.”
Lucas shook his head.
“Then you should've let her go with a driver.”
Claire smiled.
“See? Your husband agrees with me.”
Natalie looked at Lucas.
“I told her there are plenty of rooms.”
“She's welcome to stay,” Lucas said.
Claire smiled.
“Thank you.”
A little later, Natalie's phone rang again.
It was her mother.
Natalie answered with a smile.
“Mom.”
“Congratulations, sweetheart.”
“Thank you.”
“I heard about the contract. Your father and I are so proud of you.”
Natalie's smile widened.
“I'm really happy, Mom.”
“You deserve it.”
They talked for several minutes before Natalie finally ended the call.
She turned toward Lucas.
“My parents are so proud of me.”
“They should be.”
Lucas took her hand.
“You're doing great.”
Natalie smiled.
She had everything she could have asked for.
A successful career.
A loving family.
A husband she trusted.
Friends she loved.
And more money than she could spend.
That night, Natalie and Lucas eventually went upstairs.
They changed and got into bed.
Natalie rested her head against his shoulder.
“Today was perfect.”
Lucas looked at her.
“You deserve perfect days.”
She smiled.
“I hope every day stays like this.”
Lucas kissed her forehead.
“It will.”
Natalie closed her eyes.
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
Within minutes, Natalie fell asleep.
The house became quiet.
Much later, Natalie suddenly opened her eyes.
She reached across the bed.
Lucas wasn't there.
She blinked sleepily and looked around the room.
A few moments later, the bedroom door opened.
Lucas walked inside.
Natalie pushed herself up slightly.
“Where have you been?”
Lucas looked at her.
“I just went downstairs.”
“Why?”
“I don't know. I felt like something was strange, so I went to check if everything was okay.”
Natalie frowned sleepily.
“Everything is okay.”
“I know.”
Lucas walked toward the door again.
“I just wanted to get some water too.”
Natalie stared at him.
“Water?”
“Yes.”
“Since when do you drink water in the middle of the night?”
Lucas chuckled.
“I've always liked drinking water at night.”
Natalie gave him a sleepy look.
“I've never noticed.”
“Well, now you have.”
She smiled faintly.
“Come here quickly.”
“I will.”
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD