Chapter 114 Natalie

Chapter 114 Natalie

Brielle's POV

I had decided to meet up with Natalie after I had asked Rick for her contact number. I wanted to speak to her about the situation with Tabitha. I arrived at the café a few minutes early, taking in the cozy atmosphere. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air, and the soft hum of conversation blended with the occasional clink of cups against saucers. The café wasn’t busy yet, so I chose a table near the window, hoping the natural light would offer some comfort as I waited for Natalie.

It was still hard to shake the conversation with Tabitha from my mind. I had never meant to threaten Tabitha’s territory, but it seemed like she was grasping at straws, desperate to maintain control over her world. The whole thing felt off, and I couldn't help but wonder if there was something else going on that she wasn’t sharing.

Natalie walked in just as the waitress dropped off my orange juice. She looked as sweet as ever, her gentle demeanor wrapped in a soft, cream-colored sweater, and her brown hair loosely pinned back. Her eyes searched the room until they landed on me, and she smiled warmly before making her way over.

“Hey,” She greeted me as she sat down. “I hope I’m not too late.”

“Not at all,” I said, returning her smile. “I’m just glad you could make it.”

She ordered some hot chocolate for herself, and as soon as the waitress walked away, I cut to the chase. “I wanted to talk to you about something, and I didn’t want to bring it up over the phone.” I leaned in closer.

Natalie’s eyes flickered with curiosity and concern. “Is everything okay?”

I sighed, taking a sip of my juice before launching into the story of what had happened with Tabitha. I laid it all out, the accusations, the tension, and how Tabitha had made me feel like I was somehow sabotaging her. Natalie’s face gradually shifted from surprise to disbelief as I spoke.

“She really said that?” She asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “She thinks you are trying to steal me?”

I nodded. “Yeah. I was shocked too. I didn’t expect her to react like that. I honestly think she’s projecting some other stuff onto the situation, but still… it wasn’t fair. You should be able to work with whoever you want to.”

Natalie shook her head, frowning as she stirred her hot chocolate absentmindedly. “That is crazy. I mean, if she wanted me to work for her, I would've but on my own terms as a freelancer. No one controls where I go from here. I get to make my own decisions.”

Her words brought a sense of relief I hadn’t realized I had been holding onto. She was clearly her own person, and she wasn’t going to let anyone, not even Tabitha, dictate her choices.

“I’m glad you feel that way,” I said, offering her a grateful smile. “Because I really want to work with you. I think we could do something amazing together, but I didn’t want to drag you into any drama. You don’t deserve that.”

She gave me a reassuring look. “I’m excited about working with you. I had been feeling for a while like I needed a change, and when you mentioned collaborating, it just felt… right, you know? It’s where my heart is.”

Hearing her say that made me feel even more confident in our potential partnership. I could introduce her to Mark too, and I'm sure he will want to see what she offers to the table too. There was something about her. Her creativity, her passion sparked something in me. She wasn’t just talented, she was someone who deeply cared about her work, and I wanted to foster that in whatever we built together.

We continued chatting, the conversation lightening up as we shared ideas for future projects. Natalie talked about some of her favorite graphic design trends, and I found myself getting excited just listening to her. Her eyes lit up when she explained the way she approached a design, how she played with colors and textures to evoke different emotions.

“Honestly, I have been working on this new style that I think would be perfect for your books,” she said, her excitement bubbling over. “It’s minimalist but still rich in detail. I think we could really create a distinct visual brand for your publishing company.”

“I love that,” I said, genuinely intrigued. “I have seen some of your work when I searched your professional profile online, and I think that style could be a game-changer for what I’m envisioning.”

Just then, Rick appeared at the entrance of the café. He spotted us and made his way over, his face lighting up when he saw Natalie.

“Hey, you two,” he said as he took a seat next to Natalie, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. “What did I miss?”

Natalie chuckled softly. “Brie was just filling me in on some… interesting developments.”

Rick raised an eyebrow, looking between us. “Oh? What kind of developments?”

I filled in on what had happened with Tabitha, giving him the condensed version of the conversation that had led to me quitting my job. His expression darkened as I spoke, and by the time I finished, he was visibly fuming.

“She did what?” His voice was tight with anger. “That’s so unlike her. I mean, I know she has been under a lot of stress, but to treat you like that? That is not okay.”

“I know,” I said, sighing. “I think there is more going on with her than she is letting on. But it still doesn’t excuse her behavior.”

Rick shook his head, looking frustrated. “I will talk to her. Maybe I can get her to see reason.”

As we talked, my phone chimed on the table. I glanced down to see a text from. It was Tabitha. My stomach twisted as I opened it, half-expecting more accusations.

Tabitha: I’m sorry for the way I treated you. I was out of line, and I let my emotions get the best of me.

I stared at the text for a moment, unsure how to feel. The apology seemed genuine, but there was something about it that didn’t sit right with me. Like she wasn’t really genuine enough, if I could say that. Maybe it was only me that felt that way.

“She apologized,” I said, showing the text to Rick and Natalie.

Rick frowned. “That is… something, I guess. But it still feels off, doesn’t it?”

“Yeah,” I agreed, happy that I wasn't feeling that alone. “It’s like she’s saying the words but not really addressing what is going on beneath the surface, as if forced.”

Natalie nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I think she’s struggling with something bigger. But that doesn’t mean you have to be her punching bag, Brie.”

I sent a quick reply to Tabitha, accepting her apology but keeping it brief. I didn’t want to engage too deeply until I knew what was really going on with her.

Me: Thank you for your apology. I appreciate it.

After sending the text, I set my phone aside and turned my attention back to the conversation. I didn’t want Tabitha’s issues to overshadow the progress Natalie and I were making. This was my future, and I couldn’t let anyone’s unresolved baggage hold me back.

“So, back to your designs,” I said, eager to shift the focus. “What else are you working on?”

Natalie’s face lit up again as she began talking about her recent projects, her passion evident in every word. She explained how she was trying to push the boundaries of traditional graphic design.

“I think what excites me most,” she said, her eyes sparkling, “Is the idea of creating something that really speaks to people. I want my designs to tell a story, just like your books do.”

Her enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself even more eager to collaborate with her. There was something magical about the way she described her work, like she wasn’t just creating visuals but entire worlds with her designs.

“I love that,” I said, nodding. “That is exactly what I’m looking for. Something that resonates on a deeper level.”

Rick smiled, clearly proud of Natalie’s passion. “She is brilliant, isn’t she?”

“She really is,” I agreed. “I can’t wait to see where we go with this.” I was excited.

As we continued to talk, the tension from earlier melted away. Despite everything with Tabitha, I knew that with Natalie by my side, as we will collaborate together, we could create something incredible. And no matter what obstacles came our way with our work and projects, I was determined to move forward. This was my chance to build something real, something that was mine, and I wasn’t going to let anyone stop me.