Upon her departure from the hotel, Natalie's initial stop was the hospital, where she dutifully settled her outstanding medical bills.
Subsequently, she made her way back to a humble abode nestled behind the grandeur of the Cullen Villa.
This modest dwelling was Natalie's sanctuary, its every corner shrouded in an eternal chill and dimness, courtesy of the opulent façade of the Cullen Villa that obstructed the sun's warm rays.
Her father, Stanley Teeger, had once served as a chauffeur for Osborn Cullen, while her mother, Rosalie Teeger, was employed as a housemaid by the Cullen family. Following Stanley's untimely demise, Natalie and Rosalie found themselves relegated to the confines of the dilapidated cottage.
"Natalie!" Renee, the housekeeper, admonished her with a stern tone as she passed the villa. "Where have you been gallivanting off to at this hour? Get in here and start cooking!"
Within the walls of the Cullen Vil la, Natalie was merely a lowly maid, subject to the whims and fancies of its inhabitants.
Heeding Renee's command, Natalie made her way towards the kitchen.
Renee scrutinized her clean visage, her brows furrowing in disapproval. "Why aren't you wearing your mask? Are you deliberately trying to provoke Ms. Cullen?"
Natalie bore an uncanny resemblance to Alice, a fact that had prompted Alice to impose a rule: Natalie was required to don a mask whenever she was within the Cullen Villa, or else she risked a harsh slap to the face.
Without hesitation, Natalie reached into her pocket, retrieving a mask and securing it over her face. It shrouded half of her features, leaving only her luminous eyes exposed.
Renee shot her a final reproachful glare, then watched as Natalie immersed herself in her work before finally departing.
At that precise moment, a luxurious sedan pulled up outside the gates of the Cullen Villa.
The man who emerged was impeccably dressed in a sleek, slate-gray bespoke suit. An extravagant lapel pin adorning his chest sparkled under the sunlight. His posture was flawless, his features striking, and his aura, captivating.
Renee had barely stepped out of the kitchen when she spotted the man. She hastily approached him, a warm welcome on her lips. "Mr. Howard, welcome."
The esteemed guest was none other than Adrian Howard, a scion of the most illustrious and affluent family in Vachilit, boasting a net worth of a hundred billion dollars.
As Renee ushered Adrian inside, she barked orders at the staff. "Summon Mr. and Ms. Cullen immediately. And have the kitchen prepare coffee!"
Adrian settled onto a sofa in the Cullen Villa's living room, crossing his legs with an air of nonchalance. His mere presence seemed to amplify the room's tension, his charisma palpable to everyone present.
Natalie approached with a tray of coffee, bowing slightly as she placed it on the coffee table.
When she chanced to glance up at Adrian's face, she froze. It was him! The memory of their passionate kiss from the previous night washed over her like a tidal wave, leaving her body tingling with a raw, lingering ache.
His deep, raspy whisper echoed in her ears, "I'll take responsibility for you."
Caught off guard, her hands trembled, causing her to spill some of the coffee. Instinctively, she tried to prevent the spill with her hand, wincing as the hot liquid seared her palm. Despite her efforts, a few drops splattered onto Adrian's trousers.
Adrian's eyes narrowed slightly, a chilly glint flashing through them as he turned his gaze to the clumsy maid. She stood there, her head bowed, clad in a thick face mask, a white shirt, and denim jeans, her figure slight and fragile.
Despite her humble status, something about her struck him as oddly familiar.
"Natalie, what is wrong with you?" Renee's sharp reprimand sliced through the air. She quickly turned to Adrian, apologizing profusely. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Howard. She's new and still learning. I assure you, she will be dealt with."
Adrian's piercing gaze remained fixed on Natalie, causing the spots on her neck and collarbone, where he had left his mark, to flare up with a burning sensation.
She kept her head lowered, her slender shoulders trembling slightly, the pain from the coffee burn on her palm momentarily forgotten.
Adrian remained silent, his gaze on Natalie inscrutable.
Renee, ever the diplomat, swiftly intervened. "Natalie, apologize to Mr. Howard now!"
"Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Howard," Natalie murmured, her voice barely audible.
With her head still bowed, she hastily grabbed a tissue and bent down to dab at the stains on his trousers.
Once she had finished cleaning up, Natalie heaved a sigh of relief, preparing to make her exit.
However, as she moved, Adrian caught a whiff of a familiar cherry blossom scent, identical to the fragrance that had clung to Alice the previous night.
Adrian's eyes narrowed. "Wait right there!"