CEO's Runaway Mate and Her Cubs

After chatting with the four women, Lara realised that her idea of high society was just a product of her mother's prejudices. They weren't snobs; they wouldn't judge every her mistake - not more than any other person. And they were fun to talk with.

She had forgotten how nice it was to have friends. To chat about light things, unrelated to surviving. Her old-time friends had forgotten about her when the news of her pregnancy had spread in Sheton.

She hadn't gone out with friends for a coffee in so long that she would feel awkward doing it. Yet, talking with those women made her nostalgic.

She almost felt guilty for thinking they were too close to Nate. Almost.

At least, they were after her and not him. That thought made them tolerable enough to start a conversation, and she had started liking them when they started to understand each other better.

Towards the end of the event, she realised she hadn't spent much time with Nate. Their purpose was to date, but here they were: each talking with someone different.

Nate was talking business. She could see it from the way his solemn expression was following every word. How he would consider what to say for a moment before opening his mouth.

«Oh, sorry,» Nate said, noticing she was by his side at the exact moment she stepped closer. «We got ourselves lost in the topic.»

«It's okay,» Lara sighed. «You're charming when you're so serious.»

«We should go, though. We won't talk much with each other if we stay here.»

«Sure.»

She followed him to Mary Dixon and greeted the host.

«A beautiful party, seriously,» Lara said. «I will visit the gallery soon.»

«Of course,» Mary said. «I'll be waiting.»

They got out and took a deep breath.

«It's not that scaring,» Lara said. «People can be nice, I guess.»

«No one will be directly rude to you. If they do, you can just tell me. I will come and save you.»

«Oh, thanks!» she voiced. «I'll do that, definitely.»

Her words made Nate happier than ever. She was relying on him! If he knew a ring could change their relationship so much, he would have...

No, he wouldn't have done anything differently. Asking her earlier had the risk of being rejected.

«Let's go have dinner,» he said.

«Of course. I'm starving. I was so busy chatting that I forgot to eat all those delicacies... What a waste,» she chuckled, holding Nate's arm.

The two walked into the night, headed to a nearby restaurant.

«There's a place where they put chocolate into everything,» Nate replied. «Even in salty dishes. It's not far from here, we could go by foot.»

«Oh, awesome! Even though I'm sure the twins would enjoy that place more than me.»

«We'll bring back some cake.»n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

«Definitely.»

«Also, will you visit Mary's gallery?» Nate inquired, trying to get some clue about what Lara thought of the paintings.

He was fascinated by the moon painting, but he couldn't just say he wanted it in the living room. He just wanted to find out whether the artist was human.

If it was a werewolf, he got in and out of his territory without anyone noticing, if not even worse: he lived in Norwich.

«Of course, I promised,» Lara said.

«Choose a good painting, okay?»

«Hmm? You won't come with me?»

«No, I'm a busy CEO. And your eye is better, so...»

«I don't know how much those paintings cost, though,» Lara said. «I've never bought something like that.»

«You'll manage just fine. I mean, you can just say a higher price and it will be fine. I don't want people to think I'm poor,» Nate said.

«Do you really think people would doubt?»

«If you have problems spending money, they will think we're hiding the fact we're in trouble. They then inquire even more about everything, pricking their nose where they shouldn't. It's easier to act like a spoiled girlfriend, believe me.»

«Oh, now that you say it like this... I'll be careful,» she said, nodding her head.

Somehow, she didn't look too convinced but couldn't say it out loud. And she couldn't risk hurting his reputation!

«I will choose a nice painting,» Lara said. «Don't worry!»

He opened the door for her, for they had reached the restaurant.

«A table for two,» he said to the waiter welcoming them.

They sat at the table and chatted about the party, exchanging opinions and telling their impressions.

«I've heard that my mother talks about me,» Lara sighed, at some point. «She hasn't said anything much, but I'm worried. What if she does something stupid just because you don't want to listen to her requests?»

«I also heard your parents are working with some relevant people. Your father's company is building something, just small buildings, but... Well, I was surprised because they must have started recently. I don't think we should worry, though. If they don't do any damage to you, they'll continue their job.»

«I have a bad feeling about this,» she murmured. «I don't think my mother will resist the temptation to come to have a chat if we meet at a public event. She wouldn't be able to stay there and let people wonder why she doesn't talk with me. The shame would kill her, wouldn't it?»

«Feel free to act as you want,» Nate said. «If you want to ignore her or walk away, if she comes to you, just do it. You don't need to worry about public opinion because you're in the right. And you have your back covered, in this case.»

«She knows... She thinks she knows my biggest secret, Nate.»

«You don't have big secrets,» he pointed out.

«No, but... My mother thinks I aborted and didn't tell you about it. She'll use it to her advantage.»

«Let her do it. Let her tell the world that she was unhappy with you and me,» he said. «That she couldn't accept that her daughter was dating Nathaniel Woods.»

He smiled, telling with his smirk that he already had a plan that would backfire Gracelyn Clayton's attacks.