The Strange Breakfast
1241 Words
Natalie's POV
I felt awkward as soon as I entered the dining room with Daniel. Everyone's gaze was fixed on us. Anxiety surged within me, but I managed to quell the overwhelming feeling and broke the silence by greeting everyone as we approached the table. "Good morning, everybody!" I said.
"Good morning, honey," Grandma replied with a tender smile on her face.
"Daniel, this is my family. Everyone, this is Daniel, our new neighbor," I mumbled, feeling my cheeks burning with embarrassment. I wished they wouldn't notice. It was hard to explain why he was here so early in the morning.
"Hi, Daniel. I'm Tobi. Nice to meet you! Please sit and have breakfast with us," Aunt Tobi said cheerfully.
"No, no. Daniel is in a hurry! We were just doing some morning exercises together. He is already late. He has to go to work!" I said in panic, afraid that if he stayed, he would mention something about the marriage.
My grandma interrupted me and said, "Don't be rude, Natalie. Ten minutes won't make him late, isn't that right, Raf?"
I stared at Rafael, who was sipping his coffee and scrolling through his phone. I had avoided looking at him since I walked in. I couldn't meet his gaze. Whenever I remember what I did last night, I feel embarrassed.
He replied in an indifferent tone, not bothering to look at us, "We don't want to disturb him, Grandma!"
Did he think that I slept with Daniel? But why should I worry about what he'll think? I should be happy that he was careless, but I wasn't.
"I guess work can wait. The food seems delicious. Gosh, I lost a lot of energy last night," Daniel said, winking at me. I froze. The burning red invaded my face. I'd smash his teeth, bastard.
Thereafter, Daniel sat on the chair opposite Rafael. If looks could kill, Raf killed him with his looks.
I cleared my throat and sat beside Daniel silently. Even though I lost my appetite, I put some food on my plate and began to take some small bites, hoping this situation would end quickly.
“I sent the servant to wake you up, and she told me you didn't sleep here last night!" Grandma said, my throat shrunk, and I started coughing violently.
Daniel mumbled before I could react and said, "Natalie slept with me!"
I felt a surge of panic as Daniel's words hung in the air. My cheeks burned with embarrassment, and I could feel everyone's eyes on me in shock. My mind raced, searching for a way to respond.
‘Natalie slept with me!’ Daniel's words echoed through the room, leaving me speechless and stunned.
What on earth!!?
My eyes widened and my heart pounded in my chest as I searched for words, but none came. I blinked several times.
Grandma's eyes widened in shock, and Aunt Tobi gasped audibly. Rafael's expression darkened, his jaw clenched in anger.
I opened my mouth to protest, to deny Daniel's claim, but the words caught in my throat from shock. What could I possibly say to salvage and clarify this situation?
The silence stretched on, heavy and suffocating, as I struggled to find my voice amidst the chaos.
"Daniel!!" I snapped in horror after I regained my composure. How could he spat such a lia!!?
When I yelled at him, he realized what he had done. He smiled apologetically, corrected himself and explained, "Sorry, I mean she slept in my house. Pardon me, my English isn't perfect."
Relief washed over me, mingled with a hint of annoyance at Daniel's careless choice of words. Despite the tension in the room, his attempt to rectify the situation offered a small glimmer of hope.
But my relief didn't last long when his gorgeous smile widened, and he added, “Actually, I don't sleep with marr…”
I closed Daniel's mouth with the tissue, pretending to wipe his mouth, and said, “There was chocolate in the corner of your mouth!”
"Yeah, it tasted so good, just like you do," Daniel said, and I turned dark red.
The bastard was harassing me! I’d deal with him later. I had to make him leave now.
I stood and said earnestly, “Daniel, I'm really sorry, but you have to leave. I'm late for work! Let me walk you to the door.”
But before we could leave, Rafael said in a cold tone, “Natalie, I need you in my study now!” Then he threw his tissue on the table and walked out of the room.
The arrogant man didn't even say please or wait for my reply!
I stared at Daniel. I couldn't let him stay here alone with Grandma and Aunt Tobi. I couldn't trust what he might say.
As if he was reading my mind, he mumbled with his French accent, “Don't worry about me, beautiful, I'm here eating my breakfast with those two gorgeous ladies.”
I clenched my fists. The bastard made me beg him to come with me, yet now he was reluctant to leave. Didn't he just tell me he had to go to work?
That hooligan made everybody think that I slept with him.
I stood before Rafael's study room, hesitant to knock on the door. Taking a deep breath, I lightly tapped twice and then opened the door.
He was immersed in writing on his laptop and didn't raise his head when I entered, yet he said, "Have a seat.”
I gathered my composure, suppressing a shiver. I didn't want to tremble like I always did when I was alone with him!
"As you know, it is still six months before the divorce," he suddenly said, and I blinked. It was the first time he mentioned the situation between us since the day we signed the contract.
I nodded. It seemed like this was the only thing I was good at lately.
He raised his face when he didn't hear my voice. Stupidly, I realized he didn't see my reaction.
"Yes, I know," I said softly, trying to keep my voice steady.
He stared into my eyes, his gaze cold and distant, leaving me perplexed as to why.
He got off his chair and walked towards me, his eyes never leaving mine. He then sat on the chair before me, appearing relaxed as he settled into his seat.
"Is he your boyfriend?" He repeated the same question from last night, knocking his fingers on the edge of the chair.
So, he thought that I slept with Daniel! I had to tell the truth and clarify things. I knew he was talking about Daniel, but I didn't know what the relationship between our divorce and Daniel is though!?
I started, "No, I just met him last night, but he..."
"And your boyfriend, wouldn't he refuse?" He interrupted me.
"Wouldn’t he be angry? Didn't he feel jealous at all?" He added, leaning forward, and glaring at my face.
"Does he think I had a one night stand with Daniel?" I frowned in panic and hurriedly added, "No, I…”
I was about to say 'no I don't have a boyfriend at all and I lied last night' but he cut me off and caught my chin tight, looking straight into my eyes with anger shining in his gaze.
I put my hands on his hand and stammered hesitantly, "Rafael, you're hurting me!"
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