After seeing Sadie off, Natalie wasn’t in a hurry to head back. Bellas flight would land in an hour, so she might as well wait and pick her up.
Natalie sat in the car, absently scrolling through her phone. Every pp was filled with news about today’s art exhibition.
Sienna must’ve thought her solo art exhibition would be her big comeback. She never would’ve guessed it would ruin her
instead.
Meanwhile, Amanda’s identity had been exposed. Every major news outlet was splashing the story across their headlines.
This time, Natalie had won completely.
Before long, Benjamin called and insisted that the three of them go out that night to celebrate properly until they were good and drunk.
Natalie was in a great mood, and with Bella back in Dexia, there was no reason to refuse. Such nights, when she could truly let loose, didn’t come around often.
Right on time, Bella appeared at the airport’s automatic doors. She ripped off her sunglasses and immediately launched herself at Natalie with so much force that she almost toppled her over.
“You’re savage, Natalie. I can picture Sienna’s botoxed face twisted up when she realized Amanda was you. It must’ve been hideous.”
Natalie grabbed her suitcase and placed it in the trunk. “Yeah, it really was.”
Bella climbed into the car first, flipping open the convertible’s roof and draping her arm over the door. “That scheming bitch had it coming. If I’d been there, I would’ve held her down and made her sing ‘Loser,‘ since that’s all she is now.”
Natalie laughed as she started the engine. “Even if she did sing, I wouldn’t waste my time listening. Forget about her. She’s not worth ruining the mood. So, how long are you staying in Grendale this time?”
She slammed her foot on the gas, and the sports car lurched forward.
Bella let out a surprised gasp before answering, “I’m back for an academic exchange, so I’ll be here for about a year, give or take.
11
Resting her chin on her hand, she shot Natalie a smug smile. “Honestly, it’s mostly because you and Ben are both at Dexia, and I wanted to hang out with you two. So, when the opportunity came up, I just took it. So? Are you moved?”
“Want me to burst into tears for you?” Natalie quipped.
Bella straightened up, feigning disgust. “Yeah, no thanks.”
After returning from the airport to the city, Natalie drove straight to the nightclub Benjamin had reserved.
She wasn’t really into these kinds of places, but it wasn’t a bad spot for a night out once in a while.
Benjamin wanted to be right in the heart of the action, so he skipped the private rooms upstairs and went straight for the best VIP booth on the main floor. The prime spot offered a clear view of the lineup of muscular, testosterone–fueled guys on stage.
Natalie and Bella arrived to find Benjamin already there, having shown up a while ago. The second they walked in, he started waving at them like an overexcited puppy.
“A whole year apart, and Ben’s still such an attention hog,” Bella quipped.
“What can I say? That’s just how he’s wired. He’s never going to change,” Natalie teased.
They walked up to Benjamin.
Bella didn’t hold back. She punched him right in the chest. “Wow! Not bad, Mr. Zimmerman. Pretty sturdy, huh?”
Chapter 54
+25 BONUS
Benjamin staggered like he’d almost been sent flying, wincing. “Bella, could you at least try to act like a woman? Look at Natalie. She’s an absolute angel. And you? One look at you, and I want to call you ‘old hag.“”
Bella’s eyes nearly popped out of her head. She rolled up her sleeves, ready to throw down. “Oh, ‘old hag,‘ is it? Let me show you what a real old hag can do. Don’t you dare run; Benjamin! Stand still and take it like a man!”
And just like that, the chase was on.
Long accustomed to their nonsense, Natalie just sat down, poured herself a whiskey, and casually enjoyed the show as the ripped guys on stage put on their performance.
Meanwhile, across the nightclub, Jane noticed Natalie right away!
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Chapter 55
