Chapter 27 Daniel’s Identity
Natalie’s POV With steady steps, placing my hand on Daniel’s arm, I walked by his side. When we entered the hall, I saw a lot of familiar faces glaring at us while we were walking. He whispered in my ear, “You are already starting to get the attention you need, beautiful.”
I noticed that the place became quieter and everyone was staring at us with curiosity.
“This is making me nervous!” I replied.
A young beautiful woman stood before us smiling, approached her hand towards Daniel and mumbled with clear excitement in her voice, “Mr. Morris. It’s a pleasure seeing you here in the country”
An icy male voice came from behind upheld her, “Yes, Mr. Morris. You didn’t introduce yourself well that morning!”Text © by N0ve/lDrama.Org.
Once I heard his voice, I trembled. I looked in the direction of the sound immediately. He was handsome like sin. My eyes met Rafael’s cold, distant gaze.
I felt like I was going to fall on the ground. My feet can’t carry me. This was the first time we met after our night together.
He raised an eyebrow and asked me in disdain, “Is this the friend you were with?”
I tried to regain my composure. I was literally shaking. But before I could say anything, Daniel held me to his chest, supporting me from falling. Then he said, “Yes, we have been together. There was a family gathering party for my family and Natalie was one of the honored guests.”
Then he lifted my hand and placed a soft kiss on the shining ring. He stared into Rafael’s eyes defiantly and added, “We have a happy announcement to make later”. He returned his gaze to me, staring intermittently into my eyes, he completed, “As for now, please excuse us, we intend to enjoy the event!”
Then, he placed his hand on my waist and guided me to somewhere far from Rafael.
I never thought that Daniel could act so powerful as that. He surprised me. He took two glasses of drinks from the waiter and handed one of them to me.
“Cheers!” with a smile, he whispered behind my ear.
“You scare me!” I said, taking the glass from his hand.
He laughed, “Why, beautiful?”
“Are you really Mr. Morris, our company’s number one competitor?” I asked in astonishment.
“With his fat and flesh!” he simply said.
I placed both my hands on my mouth in disbelief, “Oh, God!!! I’m really sorry Mr. Morris. I didn’t know. I got you into my dirty game!”
He whispered, “Your man glaring at us, give him the impression that you were seeking, girl.”
I was about to look back at Rafael, but he held my chin and said, “Don’t! Just ignore him!”
“So, Mr. Morris! That’s why we got that attention once we got out of the car? It was because of you!” I teased him, trying to focus on something else rather than Rafael.
He laughed, “First thing, don’t call me Mr. Morris again. I’m just Daniel. Second thing, their attention wasn’t on me personally, but their curiosity to know the identity of the beautiful woman who was with me!”
I blushed. I cleared my throat and asked, “So, have you officially moved here?”
He shaked his head, “Not literally, I can’t live away from France for long, but I’m staying for a while for now”
The anniversary events were interesting. There were many segments based on presentations of the company’s huge projects and achievements over the decades.
Rafael didn’t come near Daniel and I. I noticed him busy with the guests all the time. It was obvious he didn’t even have time to breathe.
All the company employees were staring at me curiously. Consumed by curiosity about my relationship with Mr. Morris.
Light taps on the mic made everyone in the hall look towards the podium where Rafael was now standing. Debbie was standing right behind him.
She was stunning like always.
“Hello everyone. Me and all the Merrin family are grateful for your presence at the Eighty-sixth anniversary event of establishing the Merrin Group”, he said calmly.
Rafael delivered his speech about Merrin’s companies’ achievements with pride, causing everyone to applaud warmly when the speech ended.
Journalists’ cameras were flying from everywhere, racing to take the best picture of the monster tycoon of global trade.
Finally, he glared at me. My heart raced as if I was eager for his attention. He was neglecting me all the time.
We stared at each other as if there was no one in the hall except us. He said while his gaze still examining my face, “Natalie, the backstage soldier. I want to take this opportunity, and thank you for your continued efforts in all the difficult tasks entrusted to you”
I blushed. I didn’t expect that from him. He added, “On this occasion, I announce your promotion to the position of Deputy Executive Director.”
I gasped. This was a huge step. I was not an experienced employee. I have been working at Merrin companies since I graduated. That was only a year and a half ago!
All eyes turned to me. I know they were as shocked by this decision as I was.
He gestured at me and said, “Come!”
I was numb to this sudden announcement that we had never discussed before. So, I was about to go to him, but Daniel held my hand, preventing me from going.
He whispered behind my ear while his shiny gaze with a challenge was on Rafael, “Don’t fall into his trap, he is trying to buy you!”
I stared at Rafael and noticed his sudden gloomy expression.
When Daniel noticed my hesitation, he held my hand and said, “Let me join you on the stage, let’s implement our plan now.”
My heart beat hard inside my chest. This was the decisive moment. Thank god Daniel was with me. I didn’t think he had such a strong, leadership personality.
We got on the stage. Rafael shook my hand and said, “Congratulations!”
He squeezed my hand tightly, his squeezing hurt me. But I did not show it. The cameras were filming every movement.
Daniel grabbed me by the shoulder and extended his hand to Rafael, “Congratulations, Mr. Merrin. The anniversary was amazing and successful.”
Debbie stood next to Rafael and wrapped her hand around his arm.
I let out a deep breath and stood before the mic. Telling my gratitude to the Merrin family, who raised me, made me emotional. I glanced at Daniel and avoided Rafael’s gaze.
“It’s time,” Daniel said with a movement of his mouth without a sound coming out.”
I nodded in agreement.
He came beside me and tapped on the mice, said jokingly, “One, two, three. Do you guys hear me?”
The sound of laughter echoed through the hall, making me relax a little.
He cleared his throat and said, “Oh then you hear me!”
He looked at me and said, “This is a happy occasion for dear Natalie. She had been promoted to a great position! But there is other good news for tonight.”
He stared into my eyes and said, “I am officially announcing my engagement to the beautiful Miss Natalie.”
He announced that and accompanied his words by placing a kiss on the diamond engagement ring that adorned my finger”