Chapter 815 Natalie, Let's Start Over 2
The door closed softly behind them.
Natalie didn't get a word in before Clayton leaned down and kissed her.
Her shawl slipped off her shoulders, draping over the couch like a cloud.
He gently laid her down on it, her hair contrasting beautifully against the dark patterns, making her skin look even more delicate.
Clayton held her neck, kissing her deeply. With one hand, he started unbuttoning her shirt.
Natalie grabbed his arm, her voice breathy, "Clayton... this is too fast."
Clayton paused, looking down at her. "Too fast? Natalie, we've known each other for over ten years."
They had been married for a long time, but they had never truly been together. Natalie had always been reluctant.
Clayton had been persistent. It's probably a talent every man has, knowing that a woman only truly softens when she lets him in, when she really wants to be with him.
As time passed, Natalie's fingers tangled in his hair, her body softening under his touch. Their desire for each other was palpable.
Just then, Clayton's phone rang in his pocket. He didn't want to stop, his hands exploring her body, his desire overwhelming... but the ringtone persisted.
Natalie regained some composure, pushing against his shoulder, "The phone! It might be something important from work!"
Clayton's eyes darkened with frustration. He propped himself up on one arm, grabbing his phone with the other.
Seeing the caller ID, he frowned. Natalie looked up at his expression, gently touching his face, her voice soft, "What's wrong?"
Clayton didn't answer. He silenced the phone, "Nothing! Let's continue."
But Natalie had a guess about who was calling. It was probably Gina.
The desire that had been building up quickly cooled. She no longer felt like continuing.
She slowly sat up, leaning against the back of the couch, and after a moment, she said, "Clayton, I don't mean to interfere with your social life, but I can't accept you being in contact with a girl who likes you and is pursuing you."
"I know her father saved you, but Clayton, you should be able to distinguish between gratitude and feelings."
She paused and added, "Sometimes, you can only choose one."
If he chose Gina now, even if they didn't end up together, they couldn't be friends. At least if they were honest, there wouldn't be any issues when they met in the future.
But if they were together and he still had lingering ties with Gina, Natalie didn't think she could forgive him.
Clayton turned over, sitting beside her. He no longer felt like making love either.
He pulled a cigarette from his pocket, lighting it and taking a drag. He spoke softly, "Gina is very ill. She doesn't have much time left, maybe a year or two. So, I indulge her a bit."
He apologized to her, "I'm sorry."
Natalie was surprised, but she remained rational. She didn't kindly suggest that Clayton take care of Gina because love is inherently selfish.
If a choice had to be made... it should be Clayton's decision.
Natalie straightened her clothes and stood up. Clayton grabbed her wrist, speaking in a low voice, "I don't have feelings for her!"
Natalie smiled faintly, "I believe you."
But they were both adults now. She also believed that Clayton had many obligations and a soft heart.
Gina was young, beautiful, and adored him. It was understandable for a man to be soft-hearted.
She spoke softly, "Clayton, you should handle your matters first."
Clayton still held her hand. At that moment, his phone rang again. This time, it was Gina's father, Randy Wells, calling.
Clayton answered the call. He didn't leave the room, but he walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window. His silhouette was tall and perfect.
Natalie watched him quietly for a while, then got up and left, giving him space.
As she closed the door behind her, she thought, it wasn't that she had matured, but that she could no longer love someone as passionately and unreservedly as she did when she was young.
Love really could fade.
Clayton spoke on the phone for about five minutes. Gina's condition had worsened, and Randy hoped Clayton would visit.
Out of both duty and emotion, Clayton felt he should go.
Clayton hung up the phone and turned around. Natalie was no longer on the couch, only her shawl remained.
Clayton walked over and gently touched the shawl. It still held the warmth of their moment, but it felt lonely.
He found Natalie in the bedroom's sitting area, the curtains drawn, the room dimly lit.
She was leaning on the couch, reading a novel. As he got closer, he saw it was "Paradise Lost."
Clayton sat beside her, gently stroking her long hair.
Natalie's eyes remained on the book, her voice low, "You're going, aren't you?"
Clayton didn't deny it. He had to be honest with Natalie about this. He carefully chose his words, "Because of her father, I have to go. Natalie... can you understand?"
Natalie stared at the book, but she wasn't reading a single word. She heard Clayton ask if she could understand, but how could she?
No woman could understand. No woman who still loved him could understand. How could any woman want her man to go to another woman, no matter the reason?
After a long while, Natalie gently closed the book.
She looked at Clayton, softly requesting, "Haven and I can go with you. You can introduce me to Gina's father as your wife."
Clayton's eyes deepened. He didn't say yes or no, but Natalie understood the answer.
It wasn't convenient. It wouldn't be convenient for Clayton if she and Haven went, and it wouldn't be convenient for Gina to express her feelings to Clayton.
Suddenly, Natalie found it all very absurd, but she remained calm.
She didn't have a big fight with Clayton, nor did she mention breaking up.
She just smiled faintly, her tone even gentle, "It must be urgent over there. Since you're going, you should pack your things. If no one can take care of Max, you can leave it with me."
Clayton looked at her. Natalie was different now, mature and composed, but not like he remembered.
His voice was hoarse, "I'll only be gone a few days. I'll be back soon."
Natalie said, "I know." She stood up, helping him button his shirt, finally looking into his eyes, "Clayton, safe travels."
A few minutes later, Natalie stood on the balcony, watching Clayton get into his car.
He rolled down the window, looking up at her. Natalie gave him a gentle smile.
Clayton would never know what she feared most. It wasn't him falling for someone else; it was the news of his death.
Having gone through such pain, she could now smile and watch him leave, even if it was to be with another woman.
Clayton didn't know that when he boarded the plane, Natalie went to the airport.
She watched the flight take off with her own eyes. She stayed up for over ten hours, just to know he landed safely.
When Clayton landed, the first message he sent was to let her know he was safe.
[I'm here!]
Natalie looked at the message, her fingers tracing the words for a long time.
Haven came over, swinging her legs, asking about Clayton. In Haven's heart, Clayton was her daddy.
Natalie patiently told her that Clayton had gone away and would be back in a few days. When he returned, he would make her a new rocking horse.
Haven was very happy.
One day, two days, five days...
After the fifth day, Clayton stopped sending messages, only occasionally calling to say he couldn't come back yet.
Natalie didn't ask why; she just told him to take care of himself.
A month later, Natalie realized he might not be coming back.
Not that he wouldn't return to Seattle, but that he wouldn't come back to her, and he wouldn't be able to make Haven that rocking horse.
She looked at the dog Clayton had left behind, wondering what to do with it. The Labrador lay on the floor, its eyes following her. Natalie gently patted its head.
Clayton's secretary often came by, asking Natalie to sign some documents, saying it was Clayton's request. Natalie handled it for him.
But she no longer waited for Clayton. She started a new life, began socializing, attending parties, making new friends. She even attended Clara's wedding.
At the wedding, she saw Grant and his fiancée. They looked well-matched.
His fiancée seemed to know who she was, her gaze lingering on Natalie for too long. Natalie faced it calmly.
She didn't stay long, only about half an hour before she decided to leave.
Before leaving, she went to the restroom.
When she came out, she found Grant leaning against the door, seemingly waiting for her.
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