37. Clash
For five straight days, Natalia didn't leave the Zimmer estate. She spent time with Daniel, treating each moment like a miracle.
"Dad, how are you feeling? Does your head hurt?" She asked one time.
"Thankfully, no. I actually don't feel anything the moment I opened my eyes. Well, except that I was so thirsty." Daniel chuckled as his hands were tightly held by his daughter. He either lay or sit on the bed as his lower body is still having a hard time moving. Because of this, his children hired a therapist to improve his locomotor skills.
"That's good to hear dad. Please don't hesitate to inform us if you feel something. We missed you so much. Don't scare us like that." Natalia's eyes are pooling every now and then because of endless joy.
They talked about so many things until the sun sets. Jake joined them after he had arrived from the office.
"Ah. Son. Now that you're here. We can discuss about the future." Daniel said seriously looking at his two treasures.
Both Natalia and Jake glanced with each other. No one told their father about the matters of the outside world particularly about the company. They're not willing to disclose it to him yet.
"Alright. What future?" Jake slowly inquired as he sit on the other side of the bed opposite his sister.
"Grand babies kind of future." Daniel smiled with such warmth. Both of his children were taken aback. The room became soundless.
"You know my condition. I want to spend time with them as much as time permits. And of course, to see the two of you with your better halves. I wouldn't bother to ask you about the company anymore as I can sense a great resistance coming from you two. So, my request will only focus on you--my beloved children." The patriarch uttered sincerely and looked at them with eyes filled with hope.
"Of course, Dad. This wouldn't be a problem." Jake replied smiling and thinking of a certain woman. Daniel then turned his eyes at Natalia.
"....Yes, brother will definitely give you grand children..." The woman averted her eyes from her father.
"Natalia, I already know some of your experiences under those despicable people. You deserve someone who can love you and protect you for a lifetime. I wouldn't be at peace if I will leave this world without knowing that you don't have a loving husband by your side." Daniel expressed holding his daughter's hand.
"Oh Dad. Natalia would be happy to introduce to you Mr.----"
Natalia glared hard at her brother.
"....her MYSTERious guy friend..." Jake told Daniel almost choking. He remembered the night from five days ago. Natalia came home alighting from Alexander's car.
During the past two months, even though he shut the man off from Natalia's world, Alexander remained true to his intentions towards his sister. Jake knew that the man bought back Natalia's condo and was living there as part of his faithfulness towards her. The man completely ignored the duchess much to his expectation.
Alexander also didn't stop sending experts to their house to check upon their father. Those doctors said that once their dad recovered from being comatose, they can safely do a brain surgery and delicately removed the mass from it. Some of them also stated that it can extend one's life if the procedure will be successful. The news brought a new hope to the gloomy Estate.
With that, Jake lately realized and accepted that Alexander will be good for Natalia without the drama that comes along with him.
"Oh. You have a guy friend? When can I meet this man?" Daniel asked expectantly of Natalia.
"I...I..will have to know first if he will have the time. He's really a very busy person, dad." Natalia reasoned out and said in a final tone.
Daniel narrowed his eyes but didn't push the matter anymore. He just said that he'll be waiting for any good news from the both of them. Hopefully sooner, as he joked.
#######
Natalia drove her BMW car and halted at the front of the Zion Group building. She's been pondering all night if she will introduce Alexander to her father. And behold, her feet just willingly traveled to Alexander's empire.
Breathing out, she approached the reception area and to her surprise, they greeted her with much politeness and saw a hint of joy in their eyes. "Young miss."
Natalia, "...."
'They're very well trained.'
Unaware, all the employees know who she is and were thankful to her because the cold and aloof boss is always in good mood since the Zimmer princess, as per the news, already returned to the States. Now, all of the staffs know her value and were in awe as she entered the building.
A security man also accompanied her to an exclusive elevator which, according to the personnel, is the lift that their President is using. They didn't even asked her if she had an appointment with a different person inside the company or what's her purpose yet, they all assumed that she's there to meet Alexander? 'These people...'
Nonetheless, Natalia thanked them for their hospitality.
Alighting from the elevator and stepping to the top level, she composed herself. Natalia observed that the floor only contains three doors. The wooden door at the end of the hall is the biggest so she assumed that it's Alexander's office. There are few cubicles and partitions that were situated at the left side of the floor and were enclosed by glass walls, separating it from the corridors.
As Natalia walked ahead, she didn't notice that some of the employees' eyes were discreetly looking at her.
Marching gracefully, the woman, who's wearing a white chiffon v-neck long-sleeved blouse paired with light brown pencil skirt, reached the big door and right on time, Sergei showed up.
"Young miss." The assistant beamed at her.
"Hi Sergei. Is he inside?"
"Mr. Gates has an on-going meeting at the board room but, you can wait inside his office." Sergei replied and unlocked the President's door. The smart door lock was newly installed to prevent another unwanted guest.
Sergei thought that today will be an extra good day to all of them. He must excellently serve the young miss no matter what.
As Natalia stepped inside, her face was full of admiration. Alexander's office was huge. No. Enormous. It's neat and very manly same with his room back at the penthouse.
"Young miss. Is there anything you want?" Sergei asked as he scanned the fridge of his boss and poured out water for Natalia.
The woman just shook her head and was satisfied at the clear drink. "Thank you. I'm okay with this."
"Alright. If you have any preference, you can tell me. My door is always opened across Mr. Gates'. Also, you can indulge yourself with all the edible and consumable things in here (fridge). And here's the passcode of Sir's office." Sergei told her and casually gave her a small piece of paper containing the security codes.
Natalia, "...."
--------------
At the lobby of Zion Group of Companies
"I need to talk to Alexander." A woman firmly ordered. The security personnel was alarmed and approached the reception area.
"You. Take me to your boss."
"Ma'am, do you have an appointment with the President?" The receptionist slowly asked.
"Did you forget who I am? I'm a duchess and Alexander's fiancée. I don't need an appointment." The duchess snarled at the person. Some of the staffs heard the statement but sneered at their minds. With that kind of attitude, who will let her reached the President's office, no matter who she said she is. The last time they let her in, they were heavily reprimanded by Sergei.
The receptionist called the assistant and told him about the lady. The duchess didn't waste any time and abruptly marched towards the elevator.
"Madam, wait. You cannot just enter here without purpose..." The security personnel informed the woman and held her arms to stop her.
"Get your hands off me! You dared touch a royalty? I will remember your face. Once, Alexander and I get married, the first thing I would do is to fire all of you. Away with me!" The duchess uttered in irritation and entered the lift leaving the staffs appalled.
"Where is he?" The duchess suddenly appeared and questioned Sergei.
"He's not here, your grace. You can go back at another day." Sergei calmly replied but slightly frowning.
"Lies." As the duchess was saying this, Alexander walked out from the board room. She saw the man and hugged him changing her tone to a sweet one. "I miss you."
Alexander detached himself with the lady with a slight force.
"I don't." He simply replied and opened his door blocking the woman to enter.
"But Alexander..." The duchess was persistent and lunged forward making herself entered the office as her body was pressed against Alexander.
Sergei was shocked but the door already closed.
Inside the office, Alexander scanned the room and quickly separated himself with the duchess. 'Where is she?'
"Alexander. Why are you doing this to us? Don't distance yourself please. Our baby needs you." The duchess pleaded but the man ignored her and stood behind his table to check some emails.
"Oh really?" Another woman's voice spoke just outside the bathroom door. She then, elegantly walked towards Alexander and kissed him on the cheeks.
The man instinctively put his free arm around the woman's waist and looked at her lovingly. Alexander missed her. He let Natalia be with her family these five freaking whole days and he won't be having that anymore.
"How....You....you scheming biss!" The duchess cussed at Natalia not caring about ethics anymore. She cannot believe her eyes as the shameless woman flirt with her fiancé.
"You know, for a royalty, your ways are very...disgraceful. Such a waste of space." Natalia faced the lady while still being held by Alexander. She smirked at the duchess which made the royalty twist her face.
"Get away from my fiance." Duchess Ruth warned. Natalia laughed at the statement. She gently distanced herself from Alexander and went towards the other lady.
"Stop with the deceptions already. I know who the real father is..." Natalia whispered to the royalty and gave her a document. The woman's eyes dilated as she read the paper.
"I.....I...."
"Let me help you with that... 'I...will end the engagement...and return the ring to its rightful owner.' There you go." Natalia smiled at the woman sweetly and patted the woman's cheeks.
Duchess Ruth couldn't move a muscle. She thought that she has Alexander within her grasp. She refused to give in. "No. That's fabricated! Don't believe her Alexander." She uttered with a pleading tone and look at the man.
Natalia shook her head helplessly and turned to Alexander.
"Babe, would you do the honor of calling the Institution to provide royal physicians for our duchess here. It seems she needs a full body check up as she is pale nowadays."
"No!" The duchess shouted. If her pregnancy outside the bound of marriage will be revealed to the palace physicians, it will greatly implicate her family's reputation.
Alexander, who was watching quietly, looked at Natalia with admiration and confidently dialed a random number.
"NOOoooo! Wait!" The duchess shut her eyes and unwillingly surrendered the ring. She contemplated for a while and hesitantly exited the office. '
'Devon...you scoundrel..you'll pay for this!'