Wife by Day, Boss by Night

Robert, Jackson, another roommate Natalie couldn't recall, and Brian shared a dorm room. Natalie had joined them for a meal once, and it was the first time Jackson and the unnamed roommate had met her. Brian had playfully mussed Natalie's hair and introduced her with a grin. "Guys, this is my sister, Natalie."

"Why doesn't your sister have the same last name as you?" Jackson had curiously asked at the time.

"Even if she's adopted, you still wouldn't stand a chance, so lay off," Robert had jokingly interjected to smooth things over.

It wasn't unusual among college friends to be ignorant of each other's family backgrounds, except for Robert and Brian, who had been close since childhood. The rest didn't pry. Jackson had caught the hint and didn't press further, preserving a bit of dignity for Natalie, so she remembered him.

As the crowd in the cafeteria grew, Natalie quietly ate her breakfast without speaking. After finishing half the oatmeal and two fried eggs, she turned to Brian. "I'm going to get my costume ready. I've got to head back to the set for filming soon."

"I'll give you a ride back," Jackson interrupted smoothly.

Natalie looked puzzled.

"I teach at Heartland College. It's on the way. Didn't Brian tell you?" Jackson raised an eyebrow, slightly perplexed.

"The day you went off to shoot with Lundy, all the male teachers went nuts. They kept talking about this new, pretty, actress they hadn't seen before. And when I looked, wasn't that Brian's little lady friend?" Jackson said with a smirk, teasing her.

Jackson always spoke his mind, which caused Natalie's cheeks to flush with embarrassment.

Brian's expression soured instantly, and he tossed a muffin at Jackson, frowning, "Can't keep your mouth shut, huh?"

Jackson was concerned that if he took one more appreciative look at Natalie, Brian might literally claw his eyes out.

"I'll go pack my stuff then," Natalie said as she stood up.

"I'll come with you," offered Brian.

"No need. It's just a short walk," Natalie replied, grabbing her phone and walking off.

Brian watched Natalie disappear around the corner, and when he looked back, Jackson was eyeing him intently.

Most of their close friends didn't know who Natalie's parents were, assuming she

was a

relative of Brian's. Only Jackson was privy to the truth.

"Are you serious about her? Are you planning to marry her?" Jackson asked.

"What do you think?" Brian replied indifferently.

Jackson nodded thoughtfully. "Madelyn seemed a bit off yesterday."

Brian had brought Natalie along precisely to quash any hopes Madelyn might still harbor. Whatever Madelyn was plotting, he didn't care to delve into.

His failure to expose Madelyn's lie about Natalie kidnapping Nate was a gesture of giving her face.

Responsibility and affection were two entirely different matters.

After Nate took another tumble down

the stairs and Madelyn

way she did, Brian'sted the

heart went cold.

He wouldn't soften toward Madelyn

again.

Having packed her things, Natalie stepped out just in time to bump into Madelyn.

The silence around them was heavy, with only the two there.

Natalie and Madelyn locked eyes momentarily, and then, without a word, Natalie turned to walk toward the cafeteria.

"Natalie," Madelyn suddenly called from behind, "I need to talk to you."

"I don't want to talk to you," Natalie replied coldly.

Madelyn quickly caught up and blocked Natalie's path.

The pebbled path was wide enough for two, and Natalie had nowhere to go as Madelyn blocked the way. To the left was a pond, and to the right, the soft, muddy track from the recent rain.

"Don't you find it embarrassing being here? Isn't your status awkward?" Madelyn's voice was soft but piercing as she stared at Natalie, "Have you come here as a mistress?” Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.