Chapter 16

Natalie's heart skipped a beat at Taylor, who wore a smirk on his handsome face. Steadying herself, she apologized, "Sorry." After that, she stumbled out of the room. He stared at her when she left. Her citrus perfume, mixed with the scent of alcohol, lingered. It was surprisingly pleasant. … Bethany popped out when Natalie reached the end of the corridor. She grabbed Natalie by the arm. "Did you get the video?" "No." "Who else is in there?" Feeling dizzy, Natalie replied carelessly, "I didn't take a good look at them." Smelling the alcohol on Natalie, Bethany questioned, "Did you drink?" Natalie glanced at Bethany before saying, "Ms. Powel, you claim that your husband has been cheating on you for a while. Don't you have any proof of that?" Bethany looked hesitant. Natalie added, "How many times has he physically assaulted you? Have you lodged any police report?" "He… He committed marital rape. It's really hard to gather evidence for that. I didn't make any police report." Natalie, feeling increasingly sick by the second, grunted and said, "I'm leaving now. Let's meet again tomorrow. I'll get more details from you then." … Natalie returned to Huston Villa in a cab. Once she got home, she rushed to the bathroom and puked in the toilet. The horrible feeling finally subsided, but she still felt dizzy. Standing by the sink, she washed her face and stared at her flushed cheeks and messy hair in the reflection. Suddenly, her features morphed into Taylor's aloof and good-looking face. She reached out to touch the mirror while mumbling, "Taylor Jones, why are you here?" She closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, his face was nowhere to be seen. She smiled wryly, thinking, "Oh, Natalie Lopez, haven't you seen him for who he is after two years? You've never had a spot in his heart. "Now that Bethany's getting a divorce, it won't take him long before he marries the love of his life. Who knows? Maybe he'll divorce me in less than a year." Still, she chased away those thoughts and stumbled out of the bathroom. She found him smoking nonchalantly on the couch. Thinking it was an illusion, she shook her head hard and fixed a vacant stare on him. He returned the look, noting the blush on her cheeks. He snickered. "Why did you show up at Nine Bar in a staff uniform?" She shook her head. "N-No reason." He suddenly made a dash for her. Grabbing her by the wrist, he yanked her toward him. The move caught her by surprise. Her forehead collided with his chest before bouncing away. Upon looking up, she met his stern gaze. He asked, "Are you seriously tailing me?" "Tailing?" Drunk, her tone sounded slurred and soft. She chuckled. "When have I ever done that to you in our two years of marriage?" The explanation did not provide him with relief. Instead, he grew frustrated. She went on in her drunk state, "I went to the bar for work. One of my clients claimed that her husband was… cheating on her. She wanted me to record a video for evidence." Taylor forcefully lifted her chin. "When did you start offering private detective services as a lawyer?" She blinked. "That client is a bitch. She made me sneak in to record a video, and you forced me to drink all that disgusting alcohol after you caught me red-handed. I vomited just now. I feel so sick in the stomach." Toward the end, she sounded pitiful and victimized. Holding his waist, she settled in his embrace and mumbled, "Tay…"