Chapter 821 Natalie, What Is Our Relationship Now? 2
In the end, Clayton still drove her home.
Perhaps due to their changed state of mind, the atmosphere in the car was different.
It was subtle, an indescribable feeling that only those who have experienced it could understand.
The car stopped outside Natalie's villa.
Natalie was about to open the car door when she realized it was locked. She turned to look at Clayton.
Clayton looked at her quietly. "It's cold outside. I'll drive in... Haven isn't home, right? This way, you don't have to worry about me interacting with her too much and affecting her childhood."
His words were probing, testing the waters.
Natalie sighed. "You don't have to beat around the bush."
Clayton chuckled softly.
A rare moment of joy.
Natalie suddenly remembered that it wasn't just her; even Clayton hadn't genuinely smiled in a long time. He used to smile a lot.
Thinking about this, she found herself looking at him a bit longer.
The next second, her hand was caught and placed on his face.
The car was warm.
His handsome face was warm, carrying a purely masculine scent... Natalie wanted to pull away, but Clayton wouldn't let her.
He held her hand, pulling her closer until she fell into his arms.
His voice was huskier than ever. "If I don't beat around the bush, you'll never admit you like me... Natalie, has liking me become something you can't admit?"
He understood her so well, yet it made her feel embarrassed.
Natalie's eyes were slightly wet. She turned her head away and whispered, "I don't know what you're talking about!"
Clayton's voice grew even huskier. "Natalie, you know what I'm talking about. You just don't dare to admit it."
He didn't say anything more.
He just leaned down and kissed her on the tip of her nose.
In the quiet of the night, the car was dark but warm... In the end, Clayton drove in.
When Natalie was about to get out of the car, he gave her his coat and buttoned it up tightly. "Don't catch a cold!"
Natalie, treated so gently by him, couldn't muster any words of resistance.
"Clayton, our relationship hasn't changed at all!"
He still smiled gently. "I know, we have a physical relationship now!"
With that, he got out of the car, walked around to her side, and opened the door for her.
When Natalie got out, she looked up and met Clayton's eyes.
His eyes were deeper than the night.
Natalie went upstairs, and after a long time, she heard the sound of a car leaving.
She walked out onto the balcony.
She was still wearing Clayton's dark wool coat, long and warm... She watched the black sports car leave through the thin mist of the night.
The red taillights slowly moved away, out of the black gate.
Suddenly, the car stopped.
Clayton got out, leaning against the car door, looking in Natalie's direction.
They couldn't see each other's faces, but they knew the other was looking... Natalie's nose tingled, an indescribable feeling.
Even though they had feelings for each other, their relationship was like the thin mist of the night, elusive and distant... She had lost the courage to take a leap of faith.
Natalie took out her phone and called Clayton.
In the distance, Clayton bent down to get his phone from the car. His voice was husky and gentle. "Go inside! It's cold out."
Natalie murmured, "You don't have a coat."
Clayton's heart softened. He said, "I know! I'm heading back now. You get some rest."
Natalie watched him get back in the car and drive away.
That night, she dreamed again, dreaming of the days they lived in the apartment.
She checked her phone; it was just before 4 AM.
Clayton had sent her a message, a photo... He had made a handmade hammock for Haven, already set up on the apartment balcony.
Natalie looked at it quietly, her heart softening.
But she didn't reply to his message, nor did she tell him she wanted to get back together.
They continued like this, neither cold nor warm, neither close nor distant.
They almost never went on public dates or attended events together.
Most of their free time was spent at that apartment, eating and sleeping.
For a new couple, those things were frequent. Natalie and Clayton saw each other about every four or five days, but each time he clung to her for several rounds, as if to make up for the lost days.
After a few intense sessions, Natalie's slender body lay sweaty on Clayton's.
Her fingers gently traced his chest.
That time he fell into the sea had left many small scars. Clayton didn't say it, but she guessed he must have had multiple fractures.
Her voice was husky from their activities. "Does it still hurt?"
Clayton caught her hand, holding it in his palm.
After a while, he leaned down and kissed her. "It doesn't hurt anymore."
They held each other quietly.
Though neither spoke, it was different from before...
Outside the uncurtained floor-to-ceiling window, snowflakes were falling.
Natalie didn't want to move.
She whispered, "It's snowing! The Fireworks Festival is just a few days away!"
Clayton reached over to the nightstand and took out a velvet box, placing it in Natalie's hand.
She looked up at him, not moving.
Clayton opened it with one hand. Inside was a blue diamond ring from Azurea Empire, dazzling.
He said softly, "I got this at an auction a few days ago, 9.9 carats, meaning 'forever.' Try it on, see if you like it?"
Natalie extended her middle finger.
But the ring was clearly meant for the ring finger... As it slipped on, they both fell silent.
After a moment, Natalie curled her finger. "Better take it off. It doesn't fit."
But Clayton turned over, gently pressing her onto the bed.
Her hand with the ring fell onto the pillow, her hair brushing her face... making her skin look even more radiant than the diamond.
Clayton intertwined his fingers with hers.
He was very gentle, and Natalie could see it in his eyes... Every time he wanted to make love, he had that look.
She was a bit surprised.
They had just done it twice, and he... wanted more?
She couldn't resist. He was already holding her, deeply connected with her.
Clayton in bed was different from what she imagined.
Very quiet.
When he was in a good mood, he was playful. When he was in a bad mood, he would wear her out...
Natalie often found herself exhausted under him, sometimes feeling like they were having an affair.
Outside the floor-to-ceiling window, the snow was falling heavily.
Inside, it was warm and spring-like.
Clayton pressed against her, his nose lightly brushing hers, his voice husky. "I have to fly abroad tomorrow."
Natalie snapped out of her passion.
Her eyes were still glazed with desire. She raised her hand to gently touch his thin face, hesitating before asking, "Are you going to see her?"
Clayton knew that if he was going to see Gina, he would probably be kicked out of bed right now.
He kissed her shoulder, whispering, "No, I'm going to see my parents."
Natalie didn't respond.
Clayton thought for a moment, then said softly, "Why don't you and Haven come with me?"
Natalie turned her head away.
She looked at the sparkling ring on her finger, feeling conflicted... It was too fast.
She and Clayton had been on and off. How could she explain this to his parents? Besides, she hadn't forgiven him yet...
She wanted to wait, but she didn't want to ruin the moment. She gently wrapped her arms around his neck and said softly, "Maybe next time. When it gets warmer, we'll go."
Clayton gazed at her, his eyes deep.
After a moment, he propped himself up with one hand, holding her neck with the other, kissing her passionately.
Under the covers, it was even more intense.
The snow fell harder.
A few days before the Fireworks Festival, Clayton flew abroad.
He asked Natalie to bring Haven to see him off. He thought she wouldn't agree, but to his surprise, she did.
Haven wore a pretty wool coat with soft little shoes, a knit hat, and a thick scarf, only her big eyes showing.
Clayton got out of the car and picked up Haven, kissing her.
Haven hadn't seen him in a long time and was very happy, hugging Clayton and calling him "Mr. Percy".
Clayton turned to look at Natalie.
His voice was very low. "I really want to hear her call me Dad."
Natalie smiled faintly.
Clayton didn't push her. He held Haven with one hand and took a small box from his pocket with the other.
Inside was a small gold locket, delicately crafted with tiny diamonds.
He put it on Haven.
Little girls love shiny things, and she was delighted, kissing him on the cheek.
Clayton put Haven in the car.
The black stretch Lincoln was spacious inside, and Haven sat on Clayton's lap, refusing to get down.
Knowing Clayton was leaving by plane, Haven was unhappy for a long time.
Natalie sat across from him, gazing out the window.
"What are you thinking about?" Clayton asked her.
Natalie turned to look at him, her voice soft. "I'm thinking about when you'll come back."
Clayton didn't respond, but his heart felt incredibly tender.
At the airport, after getting his ticket and passing through security, he suddenly turned around and hugged Natalie and Haven together.
He spoke gently, "I'll be back three or four days after the Fireworks Festival! Natalie... I'll be back soon."
Natalie didn't say anything.
After a long pause, she said, "Alright, it's getting late. You should board."
Clayton picked up Haven again, kissed her, and reluctantly left.
Natalie stayed with Haven, watching the plane take off.
She only turned away when the plane became a tiny dot in the gray sky, then took Haven's hand and walked back.
On the way back, gentle snowflakes began to fall from the sky, soft and delicate.
Natalie looked out the car window, lost in thought for so long that Haven cupped her face and curiously asked, "Mommy, what are you thinking about?"
Natalie smiled slightly. She was wondering if Clayton would come back on time this time.
Natalie took Haven to The Devereux Mansion.
This year, Gavin's company was busy, so he couldn't return to Copenhagen... so Andrew and Chloe were spending the Fireworks Festival in Seattle.
The two kids at home were very happy.
In the gentle snowfall, Natalie carried Haven into the hall.
Andrew saw her come in and gently brushed the snow off her, smiling and shaking his head.
"It's already lively enough, and now with another little one, the three kids will tear the house apart!"
Chloe glanced at him. "At your age, your hearing must be declining too! Why do you care how noisy the kids are?"
Andrew complained to Natalie, "Your mom thinks I'm annoying!"
He added, "Chloe, don't you know if my hearing is declining?"
Chloe retorted, "You're getting old and shameless."
Andrew pulled Natalie to sit down, humming. "If I cared about dignity, the house wouldn't be this lively. Natalie, don't you think? Your mom is getting old and shy now... I don't know who was chasing me all over the world back then."
Chloe responded, "You were irresistible!"
Natalie found it amusing and didn't join their banter.
Just then, Gavin came downstairs.
He had been in meetings all night and had only slept for three hours. He still had to go to the company... Andrew said his mind was only on making money.
Gavin picked up Haven and kissed her. "The company is so big! I have to work, Dad. Do you think I don't want to relax a bit?"
He noticed the small gold locket around Haven's neck.
Gavin looked at it for a few seconds, then turned to Natalie, asking slowly, "Are you and Clayton back together?"
Natalie was about to deny it because she and Clayton didn't have an official status.
But Gavin wasn't someone who would believe her words.
Moreover, at that moment, the sound of a car came from the yard.
Andrew asked the housekeeper to check, and the housekeeper returned, smiling. "Mr. Percy sent Fireworks Festival gifts, everything you could need."
Gavin put Haven down, and said softly, "Go play with your brother and sister."
Haven immediately ran off.
Once Haven was gone, Gavin sneered. "You dare accept any gift?"
The housekeeper didn't dare to speak.
At that moment, Molly hurried downstairs. She knew Gavin's temper best and bit her lip, pulling his arm and whispering, "Natalie finally came back, don't talk like that!"
Andrew also said, "Your temper is getting more like your uncle's."
Gavin didn't care about that.
He said to Natalie, "I don't oppose you being together! But last time he disappeared for over a month, and now he's going abroad again. Do you know who he's seeing abroad? This kind of on-and-off relationship shouldn't exist!"
"I know what you're thinking, just solving personal needs for each other. Since you've been married before, you probably don't feel any burden, but Natalie, if you're just playing around with him, I don't oppose it. But... he's Clayton!"
Molly begged him to stop.
Gavin was straightforward.
He looked at Natalie and said softly, "Actually, it's simple. If you can get over Gina, then wait... wait until she's no longer around. If you and Clayton can still be together then, you can really live a good life."
"But now everything is ambiguous. If he really cared, he wouldn't go abroad at this time. He wouldn't let this kind of frustrating thing happen again. If he wants to be with you, can't his parents come here? Why does Clayton have to go?"
After he finished, he let out a heavy sigh.
He added, "Of course, you can take a big gamble! Clayton has been with you for many years, and it's worth gambling on him once. But I... I just want you to take fewer detours."
After all, Natalie wasn't young anymore.
After all, Natalie was his only sister.
She had already suffered too much in love.
Natalie was moved by his words. She spoke softly, "Gavin, I know."
Gavin put on his thin wool coat.
He walked up to her and gently patted her shoulder. "You're grown up now, make your own decisions! No matter what, I'm here for you!"
With that, he was about to leave for the company.
Andrew asked, "Not having breakfast?"
Gavin's voice came from the hallway. "Molly secretly made two eggs for me, I ate them in the bedroom."
Molly was silent.
The atmosphere became quite subtle.
Andrew asked Chloe, "When will you secretly make two eggs for me?"
Chloe handed him a glass of milk to shut him up.
At that moment, she noticed the diamond ring on Natalie's finger. The blue diamond from Azurea Empire was beautiful.
Chloe held up her hand, looking at it for a long time... She silently thought that Natalie was indeed not young anymore, just as Gavin had said.
Natalie whispered, "Mom, I've tried! If it's not him, it won't be anyone else! If he lets me down, I can accept it."
Accepting Clayton meant accepting Gina's existence, which was an embarrassment Natalie couldn't speak of.
Gavin had hit the nail on the head.
But what could she do?
Randy had saved Clayton. If Gina really needed him, Clayton would still have to go.
And she couldn't stop him.
After speaking, her eyes were wet, feeling somewhat aggrieved.
In the end, it was Andrew who spoke, lovingly saying to Molly, "Molly, when Gavin comes back tonight, talk to him!"
Molly, who always listened to him, nodded. "Don't worry, Dad, I'll talk to him."
Late at night, Clayton sent a message saying he had landed and was at his parents' place, along with a photo.
Natalie looked at the photo under the covers. She didn't reply, afraid he would think she cared too much...
At the same time, she felt she cared too much, to the point where it didn't feel like herself.
After a long time, Clayton, not receiving a reply, seemed to know she was waiting. He called her directly.
His voice was light and gentle. "Natalie, it's snowing here too."
Natalie said, "Okay."
She heard him say, "Next year at this time, we'll bring Haven here to ski... She'll be very happy."
She replied, "She will," her voice slightly hoarse.
Clayton knew she must have cried, maybe because Gavin had said something to her.
He also knew she was under pressure being with him... With the Devereux family's conditions, she didn't need to be with him. She came back because she loved him.
This was the first time Clayton felt Natalie's unreserved love.
Like a moth to a flame, with no way out.
He had once envied Grant, but he had already gotten what he envied.
Now he regretted coming abroad... but he had to. His father's leg was broken and needed his care for a few days.
Clayton's voice was also hoarse. He stood in the gentle snow, softly comforting her.
"Natalie, don't cry."
"I'm not crying."
Clayton was silent for a while, then said something in a low voice. It took Natalie a moment to realize he had said... "I love you."
She didn't respond, so he continued, "These days, I absolutely didn't mean to just solve physical needs. Natalie, I love you. I want you to be my wife... just like before."
Since he had fallen for her, for many years, he hadn't been with anyone else.
Loving someone meant being willing to stay pure for her.
Clayton hadn't known this before, but now he did.
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