Echoes Of a Forsaken Heart

The meeting had run for a full three hours.

Emerging from the translators‘ booth, Natalia was immediately greeted by Ryan.

“Told you you’d ace it. Mr. Collin sang your praises all morning.”

Natalia offered a modest smile. “Honestly, I was sweating bullets the whole time, worried something might go wrong.”

“You’ve just been out of the game too long, burying your talent.”

She looked down, smiling lightly. “It’s been too long, but at least I’m back in the saddle. It’s never too late to start.”

Ryan raised an eyebrow. “That’s true. With your skills, anytime is a good time to jump back in.”

They strolled side by side towards the exit.

Just as they reached the main hall’s entrance, the meeting attendees began to spill out.

Natalia politely edged to the side to make room but was suddenly stopped by a figure in front of her.

She looked up into a pair of piercing eyes.

Dawson! The minister of Foreign Affairs Department, someone Natalia had always admired from afar.

The man’s sharp, deep gaze unsettled her slightly.

Ryan, unfazed, made the introduction. “Mr. Dawson, this is Natalia, the one I’ve mentioned to you.”

Dawson regarded Natalia with a look that seemed to pierce through her as if seeing someone else. His eyes were filled with nostalgia. “Hello, Ms. Jenkins. If you’ll excuse my forwardness, do you, by any chance, know Liliana Spiegel?”

Natalia was taken aback. She shook her head. “I’m sorry, I don’t.“”

A flicker of disappointment crossed Dawson’s eyes, but he quickly recomposed himself. “I’ve heard about you from the morning briefs; they say you have a remarkable talent for languages?”

Natalia offered a humble smile. “I just enjoy it, that’s all.”

Dawson nodded, still gazing at her with a wistful look. “Perhaps you should come by the Foreign Affairs Department more often. We could use someone with your skills.”

After expressing her willingness, Dawson walked away, but not before turning back for one more glance at the young woman chatting animatedly with Ryan.

Her bright, lively eyes briefly reminded him of Liliana looking up at him in the same way years

ago.

He sighed softly and continued on his way.

Natalia furrowed her brow slightly.

“Do you know Liliana Spiegel?” she asked Ryan, now curious why Dawson would suddenly bring

her up.

Ryan hadn’t met Liliana, but he knew the story.

Liliana was the daughter of former Secretary Delia, and Dawson’s childhood sweetheart.

She disappeared nearly three decades ago, and before that, they were the talk of Boria City, expected by all to marry.

But on the eve of their wedding, Liliana vanished without a trace.

Natalia bit her lip, refraining from commenting on others‘ affairs yet feeling a sense of regret.

“How about we grab a bite to eat?” Ryan suddenly suggested.

Natalia smiled. “Maybe next time; I’ve got some things to take care of today.”

Ryan frowned. “Serious matters? Or are you avoiding me because I’ve confessed my feelings for you?”

Natalia rolled her eyes. “I really do have something to do. I need to check on my mother.”

She was due to meet the new bodyguard Hamilton had arranged, and she wouldn’t be at ease until she did.

Reluctantly, Ryan let the matter drop. “Alright, but next time it’s a date.”

“Deal.”

After parting with Ryan, she received a call from Scarlett. “Did you get back okay?”

“I returned yesterday, got sick right away, and Hamilton had to come to pick me up.“.

Scarlett gasped. “Holy smokes! That man actually went all that way for you? Natalia, is he getting serious about you?”

Natalia just laughed. “You’re reading too much into it.”

Nonetheless, she was also puzzled as to why Hamilton made the effort. He seemed indifferent, yet sometimes he showed intense concern. Maybe that was his way of making his women happy?

“Natalia, can you still make it to celebrate your birthday with me tomorrow, or do you have a date with your Mr. Hamilton?”

Natalia chuckled. “Tomorrow’s also Eveleen’s birthday, so he will be with her.”

“What if Hamilton suddenly has a change of heart?”

Natalia didn’t want to dwell on the topic and simply replied with a light laugh, “Can’t I just want to have dinner with you?”

“Aw, of course you can. See you tomorrow, Natalia?”

“Sure.”

After hanging up, Natalia hailed a taxi and headed to Tatiana’s hospital.

The bodyguards Hamilton had arranged were indeed top–notch. After briefing them on a few matters, she left.

There she was again, at the same bus stop as the day before. Casting a glance behind her and seeing nothing unusual, she boarded the bus.

But just as she settled into her seat, a man with a mask followed her on and sat right behind

her.

At first, Natalia didn’t pay much attention, but the feeling of being watched soon returned. She quickly reached into her bag for her phone and dialed Hamilton.

“Finished with the meeting?” His voice came through the phone, oddly comforting.

“Hamilton, could you pick me up?” she asked, her voice taut with urgency.

He chuckled, “Missing me already?”

Natalia’s lips were pressed tightly together. “Yes, I miss you.”

The line went quiet for a moment, the silence stretching out until Hamilton’s voice returned, rough with concern, “Where are you?”

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Her address followed, and Hamilton was quick to reply.

“Wait for me. I’ll be there soon.”

Hanging up, her fingers trembled. The presence behind her was palpable, but she dared not turn around.

Time seemed to stretch into an eternity, and then, out of nowhere, the stranger chuckled–a dry. raspy sound that sent shivers down Natalia’s spine. She sat bolt upright, her muscles tensing with unease.

Thankfully, at the next stop, the man stood and exited the bus without a backward glance.

Natalia, her curiosity piqued, turned to watch him leave and found herself locking eyes with him. There was something strangely familiar about his gaze, but for the life of her, she couldn’t

place where she had seen those eyes before.

The bus rumbled back to life and pulled away from the curb. In a sudden, chilling gesture, the man outside lifted his hand and mimed shooting a gun right at her.

Natalia’s heart skipped a beat, her grip on her phone faltering as it clattered to the floor.

Scrambling to pick it up, her hands shaking, she noticed a call coming in–Hamilton was on the line.

With a deep breath to steady her nerves, she answered.

“I’m here. Where are you?” Hamilton’s voice carried a hint of frostiness.

Natalia licked her dry lips and managed to reply, “I’ll be there soon.”

True to her word, the bus swiftly reached the next stop. Stepping off, Natalia spotted the sleek silhouette of the Rolls–Royce Cullinan parked nearby.

Hamilton swung the car door open and stepped out, his tall frame striding over to her.

“What’s wrong? You look terrible,” he observed, the concern barely hiding behind his stoic expression.

Natalia fought the urge to throw her arms around him for comfort and instead blurted out the words that had been haunting her since the bus ride. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Hamilton, someone’s following me.”