hapter 3
X
Early the next morning. Natalie was up and about, whipping up breakfast to help Shawn with his hangover. She figured some porridge would be just the thing to case his stomach.
Shawn strolled in, wearing a white tracksuit, looking as casual as college kid. He scowled as he entered the dining room.
You’re up! Time to chow down, she greeted, all bright and bubby
He took a seat, and Natalie noticed he was a bit grumpy, his usu morning demeanor. As he dug into his porridge, she kept quiet, just enjoying her meal across from him.
The porridge Natalie cooked was smooth and creamy. After polishing off a bowl, Shawn felt worlds better; his stomach had been queasy from the night’s drinking, but now it was finally settling
Just then he received a text from Tracy: [Shawn, I can’t believe you’re married. Are you kidding me? IT be waiting for you at the airport.]
Shawn glanced at his phone and put it aside, letting it be. He noticed a friend request on WhatsApp from Tracy. He hadn’t accepted it yet, but was thrown when she sent a message. Three years ago, after she moved overseas, he’d deleted all her contact info to help him get over her.
Then there was another text: [Shawn, I had my reasons back then I never stopped thinking about you. I’ll be at the airport, and if you don’t show, I’m not budging.I
Annoyance welled up in Shawn. “I’m not going to Grandpa’s for dinner today. I’ll explain to him later. I’ve got something to handle, he told Natalie.
“Okay, take care of what you need to, she responded softly.
He looked at Natalie, who had been by his side for almost three years. Over that time, she’d shed her youthful clumsiness. She wasn’t the scrawny country girl anymore but had grown into a self–assured young woman, looking much healthier.
There was no denying that Natalie was a fantastic wife–attentive to his needs without being overbearing. She always seemed serene, like she had no temper at all.
She got along swimmingly with his family and won over his childhood friends with her charm. In bed, they were a perfect match; it was intoxicating, like a sweet addiction that made him feel out of control.
He wasn’t sure how to define his feelings for Natalie. Maybe it was just the comfort of knowing someone was always there. waiting for him to come home.
Tracy had been his first love. They’d dated in college, where she was the star dancer, and he was the finance whiz. Shawn was usually distant with girls; even though many tried to get his attention, he kept his distance, often leaving them in tears.
Their relationship started with Tracy chasing him. She wore him down with her persistence until he finally gave in. Once they were together, things were good.
Even though Shawn was usually cold and quiet, Tracy always pulled him out to have fun–dancing around or chatting about her day, while he listened intently.
He’d planned to propose after graduation, gathering a few childhood friends for a big surprise. But then Tracy dropped a
bomb.
1/3
Pucket Broker–track di
Wed,
Chapter 3
[Shawn, I’m sorry. I got a chance to study in Pakin. I can’t walk into marriage right after graduation. I want to chase my dreams. Can you wait for me for three years?] This message was Shawn got back then.
Π
Shawn didn’t respond, but he kept waiting. He couldn’t let go. Three years later, Tracy still hadn’t returned. She’d become the lead dancer in her troupe, choosing her dreams over him once again. They never officially broke up; they just stopped talking completely.
That night, Shawn didn’t come home. Natalie sensed something was off when he left early in the morning. Worried he might be in trouble, she called him, but he didn’t pick up. Instead, she called his assistant Eric Lewis. As soon as the call got through, she asked. “Eric, is Shawn with you?”
“Mrs. Guzman, Mr. Guzman isn’t with me today. There’s no work scheduled. Is everything okay?”
“Okay, no big deal then. Thanks, goodbye.”
“No problem, Mrs. Guzman. Goodbye.”
After hanging up. Natalie felt uneasy in her stomach and quickly drank a glass of water to settle it.
She spent the night tossing and turning, and early the next morning, she found out Shawn still hadn’t come home. She went into the kitchen to make breakfast, preparing some porridge and frying an egg. She turned on the TV, where the entertainment headlines were rolling.
The anchor said. “With renowned dancer Tracy back in the country, Evercrest Group’s president was spotted at the airport, raising speculations of a romantic reunion.”
Natalie dropped her fork on the table, a cold shiver running down her spine.
Natalie grasped the situation. It was Tracy, Shawn’s one that got away, the reason he bailed on dinner with Henry last night. They were probably together all night.
Natalie didn’t want to go there. She mindlessly finished her bowl of porridge, left it in the kitchen without a wash, and collapsed onto the sofa, deep in thought.
Maybe it was time to move on. But she felt so tough. She placed ber hands on her belly, whispering, “Baby, we might have to leave Daddy soon. Mommy can’t tell Daddy about you yet, but I promise to love you with all my heart, more than enough for both of us.”
–
All day, Natalie barely touched any food, just waiting for Shawn to come home. For the first time in years, she hoped he’d be early–but she was scared that the first thing out of his mouth would be about splitting up.
She didn’t want to think if he was with Tracy. The answer was obvious; he did go to the airport to get her. They must be together. The reality stung her.
When Shawn finally came home in the evening, the house was dead silent. Natalie wasn’t at the door to greet him like always, and there was no dinner waiting on the table.
The quiet was eerie. He thought Natalie might be upstairs, so he headed for the staircase but saw her dozing on the sofa.
At the sound of him moving, Natalie slowly woke up and looked up to see Shawn standing by the sofa. She paused for at moment, and then sat up, unsure how long he’d been there. “You’re back?” she asked, surprised he was home tonight, with all the gossip going around.
“Where else would I be?” Shawn replied, his voice low and irritated. Clearly, he wasn’t a fan of her question.
2/3
19:17 Wed, Jan 29
Chapter 3
“That’s not what I meant. I thought you had other plans, she mumbled, looking down. Her voice got quieter, almost a whisper. She didn’t want to bring up the fact that he was with his old flame, all over the news. She couldn’t just say that to
him
“Have you eaten?” Natalie asked as she remembered he had a delicate stomach, she felt bad for forgetting about dinner.
Lover
“No.” Shawn’s response was short and flat as he walked over to the dining table and sat down.
Seeing him moody and upset about something she didn’t get, Natalie sighed, “Then I’ll just whip up some noodles.”
“Whatever,” he replied.
19:1
Wed, Jan 29 u
