9: Don't Keep Rubbing Against Men
1262 Words
After the earlier incident, the department gathering quickly wrapped up. Colleagues began filtering out in small groups, and when Natalie’s phone vibrated, she saw it was an unknown number. Fearing it might be a client, she quickly answered.
“Hello.”
But all she heard on the other end was a woman's sharp scream and eerie, cackling laughter, as if from a horror movie, followed by a burst of static. "Be careful on your way home."
The voice was distorted, and she couldn’t make out any identifiable features.
Natalie’s expression didn’t change as she hung up, but inside, her heart sank. Ryan—that crazy bastard.
After a few drinks, the group of colleagues waited for taxis. While standing on the street corner, Natalie couldn’t stop wondering—what exactly did Ryan want from her?
At this point, there was no way she would apologize and go back to him. Her biggest mistake had been not having any connections or power to back her up.
“That’s Ethan’s car.”
Someone in the group muttered, and everyone’s gaze immediately turned to the street.
A black Bentley flashed its headlights, blinding them briefly before it sped past.
It felt like a reminder—everything she had said earlier in the VIP room was all just an act.
Michelle’s mocking laughter reached her ears from behind. No doubt, Curtis was probably looking just as miserable.
Lauren, confused, asked, “What’s so funny?”
Michelle, having endured a night of embarrassment, couldn’t let this moment slip by. She smirked, “What’s so funny? I’m just laughing at someone who says they’re connected to Mr. Sterling. People here trying to climb onto Ethan’s ladder don’t realize how many women are ahead of them, lining up to get to him. Does Mr. Sterling even know who she is?”
Just as Lauren opened her mouth to retort, a car pulled up in front of them, and the man in the passenger seat rolled down the window—it was Seth, Ethan’s assistant.
Michelle instantly fell silent.
Curtis, on the other hand, was quick on his feet and rushed forward. “Seth, long time no see.”
Seth waved him off and turned to Natalie. “Miss Carter, if you have any business inquiries, feel free to contact the number on this card.”
Natalie blinked, taken aback, then quickly recovered. “Seth, could I arrange to meet with Mr. Sterling to thank him in person?”
Seth nodded slightly. “I’ll ask Mr. Sterling.”
With that, Natalie relaxed a bit. “Take care, Seth.”
As the luxury vehicles drove away, her colleagues fell silent. Lauren rolled her eyes and muttered, “What a clown,” glancing at Michelle’s now pale face.
Natalie held the card in her hand, the name only being Seth’s personal number. But at least it was a step from Ethan, an invitation of sorts.
Michelle, embarrassed and unwilling to stay, rushed off, and Lauren stayed by her side to see her off. Only then did it turn to Natalie.
“You drove yourself, right? Just call a designated driver, and we’ll talk tomorrow at work.”
Natalie closed the car door for Lauren. “Don’t worry about me. Take care of yourself.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t sleep until I’m home. See you!” Lauren waved and drove off.
Natalie stood there for a moment before deciding to call a designated driver. But when she opened the car door, something felt off.
The bag of meal replacement bread that had been sitting in the passenger seat was now sealed. Lauren had eaten a piece on the way here, but the seal was closed, and there were odd squeaking noises from inside.
Natalie’s skin crawled. She grabbed the bag and locked the car door before walking away.
She was about to hail a cab to the police station when she heard footsteps behind her, growing louder. Natalie forced herself to stay calm, assuming it was just someone passing by.
But her instincts screamed at her to be careful.
She broke into a run.
Her footsteps echoed through the empty parking lot, frantic and disordered. Just when she thought she had managed to escape, a pair of headlights flashed, and someone grabbed her from behind, pulling her into an embrace.
“Let go! Let go of me!”
“Where are you running to?” Ethan’s cold voice rang out.
Natalie froze.
She lifted her head, her eyes meeting his, his features hard to read in the harsh light. His jawline was sharp, and his lips were set in a thin line. His glasses reflected the light, and Natalie’s panic-stricken gaze met his steady one.
“What’s going on?” Ethan’s brow furrowed as he asked in a low voice.
Natalie didn’t even care about him blocking her earlier. Her voice trembled as she spoke, “Someone was following me.”
Ethan glanced over her shoulder, eyeing the two men who had passed by. “They’re just passersby. You’re overreacting.”
Natalie turned around and saw the two men clearly, realizing they were indeed just people on their way somewhere. But her nerves didn’t relax.
“Someone tampered with my car.” She clenched the bag tightly in her hand and handed it to him.
Ethan took the bag, opened it, and inside was a barely alive rat. No wonder there had been a foul smell earlier.
Ethan clenched his jaw, irritated, and threw the bag to the bodyguard who had followed them.
“Check her car and call the police.”
“Yes, sir.”
Natalie’s hands were gripping her phone so tightly her fingers turned white.
“Get in the car.” Ethan opened the door.
Natalie didn’t move.
Ethan narrowed his eyes. “What’s this? Another rejection? Do as you please.”
He turned to leave, but she grabbed the hem of his coat, her eyes filled with uncertainty.
“I can’t move.”
“Huh?”
“My legs… they’re weak.”
Ethan paused, then let out a soft laugh.
“You’ve got guts, but you’re quick to lose your nerve. Do you know what happens when you provoke a rabid dog and keep at it?” He scolded her, but then, without warning, he picked her up, lifting her effortlessly into his arms.
Natalie, who was already light-headed from running, didn’t even try to resist.
Once inside the car, Ethan didn’t put her down. She ended up sitting on his lap.
She tried to shift away, but the moment she moved, his sharp gaze was on her.
“Miss Carter, don’t rub up against a man for no reason.”
Natalie was speechless.
“Mr. Sterling, weren’t you leaving just now?”
Ethan raised an eyebrow. “You really care about where I’m going?”
“….”
“Earlier at the street corner, someone said the Bentley that passed by was your car.”
She could hardly keep track of all the cars he owned.
“I’ve been right here.” Ethan said softly.
Natalie nodded, “Thanks for today.”
Ethan suddenly lost interest in the conversation. His tone turned cold again. “I didn’t stop here for you. No need to mention it.”
He was just annoyed, sitting there mindlessly. He definitely hadn’t waited for her.
Natalie wasn’t sure what to say, the car now filled with awkward silence.
The driver glanced at them several times in the rearview mirror before clearing his throat.
“Mr. Sterling, should I take you home?”
- Writer
