Chapter 22: Who is this?

NATALIE'S P.O.V

Taylor Jones. I looked him up on social media, he was in college already and from the little I know, it was NYU and he was almost done. I was happy talking to him, I was even happier seeing him, it had been so long since after senior year. I tossed my phone on the bed with my head facing the ceiling. I was thinking about him. He used to be very good at basketball back then, and I loved to watch and cheer for him. He was the best actually. I took my phone and dialed Abby's number.


"Hey" she responded over the phone. I told her everything about Taylor. I told her that I met him and that I looked him up. I sounded happy talking about Taylor, I didn't even notice it one bit.


"Shut up.You still have a crush on that guy?" 

"I don't know, I'm just happy I saw him, that's all" I defended myself.

"Well, I don't know, he's so good looking" 

"Nat, you are getting married to Maverick, don't forget that"  Abby reminded me but so what if I was getting married. I don't love Maverick Santiago, neither do I want to marry him. I wouldn't even want to date him. 


"So?" I asked. "I don't even know know him, I also don't love him"


"Talking about that man, I saw the news in the morning though, how did you feel about it?" She asked

"Well, I'm fine. I guess I'll be caught up with the public life thing in the end. Besides I am going to marry him" I said, and puffed out air "Gosh! I hate him" 

"Sorry about that. Try not to die please" Abby pleaded. I pray not to die.


"I've got to go, Abby, I have a call from an unknown user"

"Okay, please don't die yet, love you" Abby said before I hung up the call. I looked at the caller ID for a second and didn't seem to know who it was, so I swiped across the screen to answer the call.

"Natalie on the line, good day" I said boldly yet very calmly. "Who's on the line?" I asked further. I totally didn't know who it was but I hoped it wasn't that annoying Maverick. I just wonder what he wanted to say when he called earlier. Did he call me to know if I was affected by the media news or did he actually cared to know if I was okay? For all I don't know, he could have been the one to put up that article. Rich people could do anything they wanted. I just wonder why me? What gain did he get posting that article? He had all the money in the world. I wonder what marrying me will do for him.

"Well, you have some boldness," the feminine voice said. Who is this? The voice didn't sound familiar in any way. And for the records, I do not have many friends. 

"Emmm, who are you please?" I asked with every bit of politeness I had in me. I didn't know how to be rude to people for the first time, it wasn't my thing to be like that. I genuinely waited for her response.

"How old are you?" She asked.

Why the hell will I answer that? First, she was being rude for not answering my question and then, secondly, responding with yet another question. If it was someone I knew, I would have become so upset and yell, but at this point, I tried to keep my sanity at bay. 

"Who's this again?" 

"You should stop asking me questions and answer mine, okay?" She said, more like a command. 

Was she serious? At least she should let me know who she was and why she called. "At least let me know who you are, it's rude, don't you think?" I explained.


"Well, I see you are being a tough young woman. Then I'll just go straight to the point and make a very clear point too" she stopped. I don't know if she was waiting for my response or if she was just trying my patience. Then she began again "there's only one rule and instruction for you sweetie, do not fall in love with Maverick for your own good and safety too, just make sure that every dealing is formal as possible" 

I was going to laugh, but I decided to not embark on that journey. She's asking me not to fall in love with a man I hate? A man I'd love to see due. Was she his lover? If he had someone, he would have just called off the wedding, why put us all into confusion and stress? I felt for the woman, because what kind of a man won't fight for his love? At the same time I was angry, but I didn't know why.

"Are you his lover or something? I…"


"It's none of your business, just do as I say, to save yourself, sweetheart, don't try my patience"


"You don't have to worry about…-" then she hung up before I could even finish. She should have just spoken to her boyfriend to call off the damn wedding, not calling me from the blues and giving orders as though we were friends or she was my superior. Tsk! I stood from bed and walked out of the room to the kitchen, I was hungry. My mother was out, Andrew was out also.


******

I was watching a movie in the sitting room when my phone began to ring again beside me. I peeped the phone and it was an unknown caller. Not again! Why is she still calling me? I do not have anything to do with Maverick. I ignored the call and continued on the television but it began to ring again two seconds later. Tsk! I took the phone and answered the call. 

"Natalie on the line" I spoke politely against my will. I would yell at her. I loved to vent my anger anytime I was upset, it gave me some freedom of the mind.

"Where are you?" A masculine voice said. Wait! Maverick, why is still calling me? And what's with the seriousness?

"I'm home. But why are you still calling me? I asked you not to call me till we are married. I'm hanging up now" I said.


"Do not hang up my call" he was rude when he spoke. I stayed on the line and listened.

"You'll possibly hear from your mother soon, so prepare your mind," he said "now I can hang up" 

"Wait, what do you mean?" I was too late, he hung up already. What was he talking about? I didn't understand what was happening to me, from the lady that called to Maverick's call. Maybe he finally called off the wedding. At least thank God he was back to his senses. He should go to his lover. I puffed and smiled.


******
"Hey" he responded when he picked up the call. His voice was deep and amazing to the ear. I could drift to sleep, to the heavens just hearing him talk over and over. 

"Hi, it's Natalie," I said.

"Oh! Yeah, how are you?" He asked. He was polite and kind enough to ask me that. I can't remember the last time someone asked me that.

"I'm very fine, just thought I should call at least, so you can have my number" I said, smiling from ear to ear.

"Oh, okay. I'll keep in touch, '' Taylor said. I know he will, especially now that Maverick had called off the wedding. I will finally get to tell Taylor how I've felt about him. 


"Well…….I…..wi…-" I stammered searching for the most suitable words to use.


"Can I call you back?".

 Yes please call me back.

" Yes, it's fine," I said before he hung up. I kept smiling to myself wondering what it would be like dating Taylor. While in my wonder my phone began to ring. Who was it again? A frown appeared on my face. Tsk! Then I looked at the screen.