RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

ChapterFour

Richard's POV:

It had been a crazy week. From the news of Natalie's father's death in a plane crash to the arrival of a stepmom and stepsister who she never even knew she had to the shocking realization that her father had signed over everything to this new family, forcing her to slump into penury, coupled with my own obligations, I was stressed.

Sitting in my office, now, after three gruelling meetings, I was fagged out but my mind couldn't stop roaming.

I knew that, at that moment, I was supposed to be with Natalie, right now. Sure, she was holed up in Amaya's crib and recovering, and I could always get her a new job and even pay the rent for her at a new place - until we would get married and she'd move in with me - but I knew that she needed my presence more than any material gifts I could give her.

My thoughts were soon interrupted by a knock on my door. It was my secretary:

“Mr Temple, Sasha Grey from Haymarket is here to see you.”

“Let her in,” I said. Then I adjusted my tie and readied my face to meet Sasha.

“Hello, there, soon-to-be married man!” Sasha said as soon as she stepped in.

I forced a smile and gestured towards the seat across my desk. Normally, I wouldn't be so cold but not only was I stressed, I was also not in the mood for Sasha, who had been trying to seduce me for the past three years, despite knowing I was with Natalie, her coursemate from college.

“Why so cold, Richard? That is no way to treat a guest,” she quipped as she took her seat.

“Well, you're no guest, are you? Infact, you're here so often that one would think we were actually doing something together. What is it you want, this time?” I shot back, impatiently.

“What I always want, Richard. Haymarket Incorporated has no need to do business with you, at least not right now, so my presence here is for personal reasons.”

She said ‘personal’ with a whorish look in her eyes. I knew it. This was what she always did.

“Don't you have any business to conclude at this moment? Aren't you whiling away your precious time by coming here to take another shot at me?” I said with contempt. Sasha was a pretty woman, and on top of that, she was thick and had made her money by herself. A classy and independent woman. But she seemed to fail to understand that I would never want her.

“I'm the CEO of Haymarket Incorporated, Richard, I can literally do whatever I want,” she replied with a half smile on her face.

“A business doesn't grow that way, Sasha,” I said, “You need to be there 24/7.”

Hearing me say this, she threw her head back and laughed. When she composed herself, she said:

“You're telling me how a business is run? Richard, you know I know nearly all there is to know about business and my $60 million network speaks for itself. The one you need to be teaching about business is that sorry fiance of yours, Natalie.”

I took a moment before responding. It was always about Natalie with Sasha. I knew she wasn't yet aware of Natalie's plight and I made sure to be careful not to mention it because, knowing Sasha, she'd never pass up an opportunity to slate Natalie.

“You know, I never really asked you, Sasha, why do you hate her so much? She's never done anything to you, and you're not struggling in any way. There's nothing she has that you can't get, so what's this hate about?”

“Can't you see? She has the one thing I've always wanted, and she's the one stopping me from getting it: You! And I honestly can't understand why you chose and continue to choose her over me. She's a privileged b***h who had everything handed to her by a rich daddy, while I had to work my butt off for every penny I have! I'm the better choice, here!”

At this point, I looked at my watch and got up out of my seat. Then I walked slowly towards Sasha, who was still seated, before saying:

“The only b***h I see is the one in front of me.. And, now, listen.. The next time you come in here with anything other than business to discuss, I will have you thrown out.”

“Richard, you're bluffing, you wouldn't-”

I put a hand over her mouth, sealing it, before saying, “I most certainly would.”

And with that, I walked out and headed straight for the elevator. However, as I got to my car in the garage, I began to feel woozy.

***

Natalie's POV:

“.. And, then, you work the dough into little, round mounds..”

“Just like this?” I asked, holding in my hand what looked like a failed scientific experiment, rather than a bun.

Since I had been crying and walking morosely around the house, Amaya had decided to engage me in something that would, at least, take my mind off my woes, until I'd be able to get back onto my feet. She'd suggested cooking, but was surprised when I told her I didn't know how to do anything but reheat food. And so she'd decided to teach me, starting with basic baking. I'd done nothing but waste flour, sugar and butter and although Amaya had done a good job of hiding her frustrations, I knew I was a terrible cook who had no place in a kitchen, any kitchen.

As she sighed with exhaustion after trying and failing to teach me, for the ten thousandth time, how to make dough into a simple ball before frying, I realized that, all my life, I hadn't learned to be useful in the kitchen, thinking there'd always be a maid or chef around. Now that daddy's money was gone, I was exposed for what I truly was: a spoiled rich kid.

I put down the dough and lowered myself onto the kitchen floor, staring into the distance and wondering what I would do.

“I'm useless, Amaya,” I said, tears welling up in my eyes. I'd cried so much in the past few days, to the point where my eyes were now almost permanently swollen, that I was surprised that I even had any tears left.

“Don't say that, Natalie.. You're not. Sure, you may not be the best cook, but it doesn't take away from the fact that you're an amazing person,” Amaya said, reassuringly.

“Doesn't it? I mean, look at me, I can't roll dough into a simple ball.. I was simply being protected by my father's wealth and now that it's gone, I don't even know who I am anymore,” I said, with the first tear now escaping my left eye and I knew that it was only a matter of time before the floodgates would be opened.

Amaya looked at me, with pain and concern in her eyes, and she was about to say something when my phone, which was on the kitchen table, rang out. God, please, let it be Richard.. I missed him sorely.

Wiping my eyes and standing to my feet, I grabbed the phone. It was from an unknown number. Strange.

“Hello?”

“Hello there, am I onto Natalie Johnson?”

“Y-yes.. Who's this, please?”

“Well, I'm Doctor Wordsworth from Piston Hospital.. We got your number from a patient who was brought in as an accident victim. He kept muttering this number and your name, so we decided to call. We'd all appreciate it if you'd come over here..”

“W-what? W-w-who is the patient?”

God please, God please, God please. Not Richard. Not Richard!

“Richard Temple, miss..”

No!!!