Chapter 562 No Clowning for Me
Mr. Windsor, notoriously short-tempered, but he didn't show an ounce of irritation. Instead, he stayed right by Miss Watson's side, even going as far as to offer to carry her bag—which she promptly rejected with distaste.
Yep, even after being snubbed, Mr. Windsor kept his cool.
The photographer was starting to suspect either he was the one with issues or the whole world had gone mad.
Why did this divorced couple seem to have unexpected relationship?
"One of the ten spots you must photograph, a hot spot for couples looking to make their mark on social media.
The photo opportunity was a heart-shaped floral frame, set against the most beautiful part of Enchanted River. Couples standing within could snap a photo that looked straight out of a movie poster.
The path leading to the frame was lined with padlocks engraved with messages from lovers from all over the country, even the whole world.
When Natalie and Oliver arrived, they were greeted by a line of couples stretching over a dozen meters long, all drawn by the spot's fame. The area was buzzing with tourists.
The cameraman discreetly switched from the bulky professional camera to a compact handheld one as he followed Natalie and Oliver.
Oliver managed a mild-mannered facade until that moment, but then his composure slipped.
The previous photo spots had been deserted, and he had managed to endure, but this—this was too much.
"This is where we're taking the picture?" Oliver gestured to the massive frame, looking at the couples forming hearts inside as if he were witnessing something absurd.
Mr. Windsor's stern face said, "I'm not here to play the jester."
Oliver already disliked taking photos. He could tolerate it barely when it was just him and Natalie, but making a show of it in front of a crowd, with everyone watching, was he here to amuse them like a clown?
"You don't want to?" Natalie's face, aloof the whole trip, suddenly beamed with mischief. "Too bad, we're doing it!"
“I can't help but find joy in your discomfort!”
Oliver clenched his teeth at Natalie's schadenfreude.
He had a strong urge to take her to bed and teach her a lesson.
"Mr. Windsor, remember, grandma's watching," Natalie chirped cheerfully. "You've come this far; you need to follow the rules."
Oliver sneered, "Rules apply when it suits me."
Just then, a small tour group approached, led by their guide.
"Take a look, folks," the guide began. "This spot is a famous local attraction for couples, hailed as a lovers' haven. Legend has it that a princess met her warrior husband here after years of his battles abroad. This site is therefore imbued with blessings, offering the promise of lifelong companionship to couples who take photos here..."
Oliver eyed the so-called love-lock frame with disdain. He'd bet it cost less than a hundred bucks to make.
"Mr. Windsor, could you possibly stow that royal sneer of yours?" Natalie didn't need to guess what Oliver was internally mocking. "People come here to relax. Don't be such a killjoy, ruining the vibe for others."
"Aren't you usually all about precision?" Oliver found Natalie's stance contradictory.
"One needs both sustenance and poetry in life. Why else do so many people enjoy scripted reality shows, knowing they're not real?"
Just a little something to add excitement to life.
"Poetry?" Oliver's unseen eyebrow arched in skepticism.
The girl standing behind Natalie and Oliver stifled a laugh. "I'm sorry," she apologized to Natalie. "Your boyfriend is hilarious!"
Natalie had half a mind to sew the insufferable, clueless man's lips shut.
The girl's own boyfriend added, "I just said the blessing thing was silly. How would a photo ensure a lifetime together?"
Despite his words, he obediently queued up with his girlfriend.
"Do you really think you stand a chance?" the girl playfully chastised him. "Look at that guy; even with sunglasses, you can tell he's a hunk, and his outfit from head to toe could buy ten of you and me. He's got room to complain, okay?"
Still, Natalie couldn't help but steal a glance at Oliver. His Gucci sunglasses perched on a regal nose, revealing only his sharp jawline and sensuous lips. He stood emotionless, radiating an air of cool detachment that was hard to miss.
"See how good he's got it, yet he still humors beliefs for the future. What's your excuse?" she teased her boyfriend.
The boyfriend quickly nodded in agreement, his concession appearing impressively practiced.
The girl was immediately appeased, and the couple resumed chatting happily.
Oliver gave him a curious look.
Why did the boy so readily capitulate to her views despite clearly disagreeing?
Incomprehensible.
"Shall we ask someone for help?"
"Excuse me, could you take a photo for us?" Natalie asked the girl standing behind them in the queue.
"Sure."
The girl took Natalie's smartphone and watched as Natalie removed her sunglasses, staring in awe with widening eyes.
"What's wrong?" Natalie inquired.
"Nothing... it's just... you're so beautiful," the girl stuttered, unable to look away.
"Thank you, and you're quite pretty too, especially those dimples," Natalie said with a smile.
As Natalie and Oliver stepped onto the little wooden bridge leading to the picture frame, the girl's boyfriend, whose mouth hadn't moved until now, stood in a daze.
Had she not been mistaken, that was indeed... Natalie?
The requisite pose for the photo required both of them to make a heart with their hands.
Oliver, not bothering to take off his sunglasses, was still wondering if he had lost his mind for coming up because of the tour guide's mention of growing old together.
It would've been more credible to light a lamp at a church.
"Mr. Windsor, your heart shape is off. There... just like that. Hold still," Natalie said as she adjusted the shape of Oliver's hand and positioned it in front of his chest.
"This is the dumbest thing I've ever done," Oliver grumbled, letting Natalie manhandle him into position. He exuded a cool aloofness, oblivious to the mischievous twinkle in Natalie's eye.
"It's not dumb; it looks good," Natalie thought to herself. 'Soon you'll realize there's something really dumb.'
"Get ready!" the girl called from a few meters away.
Natalie gave an "OK" sign.
"One—Two—Three!"
Natalie was ready to jump out of the frame on "two"!
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