Chapter 9
Chapter 9
Natalie hopped in a taxi and headed to the Guzman manor. The butler let her know that Henry was catching some Z’s upstairs, and Mary was up to her elbows in dinner prep, Natalie made a beeline for the kitchen to lend a hand, grabbing some veggies to wash.
Mary glanced up, a little flustered. “Mrs. Guzman, you really dont need to pitch in You always dive right into the kitchen work when you visit. It’s making me feel kinda had.”
Natalie grinned. “No sweat. Mary. I’m actually having a blast,” she said, scrubbing away at the veggies.
Mary had been with the Guzmans for ages, Ever since Shawn tied the knot with Natalie, the house had a cozier vibe. After the sad plane crash that took Shawn’s parents, Henry and Shawn had leaned on each other. It warmed Mary’s heart to see the house filled with cheer again, thanks to Natalie.
Once the veggies were shipshape, Mary shooed Natalie away, not letting her do another thing. With no argument left. Natalic exited the kitchen.
As she stepped into the living room, the butler appeared, guiding Henry down the stairs.
“Nat. you made it! Shawn’s on another work jaunt, right?” Henry beamed when he spotted her.
Yep. Grandpa. He’s away for a week, so I thought I’d swing by and see you before I head my hometown, she replied
“Splendid! Anything you need? I can get someone to fetch it for you.”
Thanks, Grandpa. I’ve got everything I need today. Shawn set up a ride for me to head back tomorrow morning.”
“Alright. That boy knows how to look after you.”
That made Natalie’s cheeks go rosy. “I’ll hang out for dinner, ther I’ll bounce. My stuff’s still at the villa, and the driver’s picking me up in the am.”
“OK, just enjoy your meal and get home early, will you? I fret about you out and about after the sun sets,” he said, worry etched on his face.
“Sure thing. Grandpa,” Natalie said, smiling
The next day. Natalie was on the move back to her hometown.
Her driver was Gale Lopez, Shawn’s usual guy. He was a man of few words, a former soldier. He kept the conversation short but took care of everything for the trip.
During the ride, Lee checked if she wanted to hit a rest stop. But with the light traffic and no holidays around, Natalie opted to keep rolling. They made great time and reached the village by the afternoon.
Since the car couldn’t go all the way, she told Cale to park at the village entrance. Just as she was about to ask for a hand, Tommy from the village rolled up on his trike. He was all smiles and offered to lug her stuff from Shawn’s fancy car to his
Natalie told Gale to head out first. She decided to ride with Tommy in his rickshaw to the village. She’d give Gale a ring when she was ready to bounce, and with that, Gale took off.
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Chapter 9
Natalie told Tommy to drop the supplies at the village chief, Clifford’s place to share with everyone. She pulled out her suitcase from the big bundle and grabbed her stuff, and then made tracks to her old home where she lived with her grandpa.
Next up, she visited her great–aunt Dora, who lived solo. Dora’s kids were all city folks, so Dora often lent a hand cleaning up Natalie’s tiny abode. Natalie always slipped Dora a bit of cash each visit, just to show her thanks.
At first, Dora wouldn’t take it. But one time, Natalie left some money under a pillow. Dora found it and returned it the next time Natalie came. But Natalie and she’d stop coming back if Doja didn’t take the cash, and that was when Dora gave in.
When Natalie showed up. Dora rushed to welcome her and told her to take a load off.
“Dora, no fussing over me. Just chill. I brought you some munchies and fruits: I’ll just leave them and then I’m off to see. Grandpa
“Okay, okay! Go on, your grandpa will be tickled pink to hear youve got a good family. He’ll rest easy. Scoot, you’ve got daylight!”
““Got it, see you later, Dora,”
Outside Dora’s, Natalie left her suitcase by the door and hiked straight to the mountain to visit her grandpa. After a ten- minute stroll, she reached his grave. She thought about coming back tomorrow to tidy up. Standing there, she started chatting with her grandpa
“Grandpa. I came to see you. I’m here by myself this time and will stick around for a bit. I can pop by every day, just like in our little courtyard. Shawn’s swamped with work. He said he’ll join me next time. Grandpa, guess what? I’m going to be a mom! I haven’t told Shawn yet, you’re the first to know. I wonder if Shawn will be into kids. I’m planning to spill the beans when he’s back from this trip. He’s going to make a great dad. Grandpa, for the baby, I want to be brave. You’ve got my back. right? I’ll come by tomorrow.”
Seeing it was getting late, Natalie decided to head back. When she got home, she found her suitcase circled by fresh veggies and eggs, plus a chunk of meat. She knew the village chief was spreading the wealth, and everyone had chipped in with food.
Natalie brought her suitcase and the villagers‘ presents inside. After making the bed, she whipped up dinner. The veggies were homegrown, pesticide–free, and naturally sweet.
After dinner, Natalie dragged a chair outside and sat down. The cool fall air was a breath of fresh air, and the night sky was dark, lit by bright moonlight. The countryside was as peaceful as could be, with folks settling in early; the only sounds were the occasional dog barking. She wrapped herself in a blanket, took a deep breath, and soaked in the fresh air.
She reminisced about the days when her grandpa was still around. From day one, he was her only family. Villagers often joked she was like a foundling granddaughter, but he treated her like kin. He always put her first to give her the best he could. In her heart, he was her real grandpa–the only person she felt truly connected to. And now, with Henry, Shawn, and their baby on the way, Natalie felt incredibly lucky and happy.
Thinking of Shawn made her a bit blue. She checked her phone but no new messages. She didn’t want to bug him with texts Earlier, she’d asked Gale where Shawn’d gone on his business trip. Gale said Daharam, a place she’d only heard of but knew was wild.
Feeling drowsy, Natalie stood up, grabbed her chair, and went inside. Since getting pregnant, she’d been super tired.
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