Chapter 17 Heartbeat
"Watch out, Mr. Cross!"
Sam yelled as he jumped into the gunfight, teaming up with Nathaniel to push back the attackers hiding in the shadows.
Bullets hammered down on their cover, shattering into pieces.
It was then that Victoria finally grasped the gravity of the situation. This was no drill. It was a real assassination attempt!
A chilling fear shot through her, turning her pale as a ghost, her body trembling uncontrollably.
As the attackers missed their target and revealed their position, the gunfire ceased abruptly.
Silence fell over the scene.
Nathaniel didn't pursue, instead gently tapping Victoria's cheek, "What's the matter, scared out of your wits?"
"Mr. Cross..." her voice quivering, "Who were those people?"
"No idea," Nathaniel replied nonchalantly, "Just another day in Seaglow City. Plenty want me six feet under."
She gazed at Nathaniel, a man seemingly born in the midst of danger and death, threats a routine part of his life.
"Let's call it a night," Nathaniel shrugged, "Give me your phone."
Perplexed, Victoria handed it over.
"I've been swamped lately, might not be in touch," Nathaniel typed on the phone, "If you need me, call this number."
Victoria was taken aback.
This number meant that she was no longer just a "canary at his beck and call"; she could now reach out to Nathaniel herself.
"Will this number reach you?"
"Absolutely," Nathaniel, rarely smiling, appeared softer even with the scar on his brow.
As they parted ways, Nathaniel handed Victoria a lady's handgun.
On the way home, Sam mentioned, "Miss Chase, Mr. Cross had this customized for you, knowing you wanted to learn shooting."
Victoria's heart skipped a beat.
For a while after that, Nathaniel vanished from Victoria's life.
Victoria kept herself busy and content.
She bought a car for transportation, repurchased the piano she had sold earlier, and dedicated two hours every morning to practicing piano.
With the monthly allowance of five hundred thousand dollars from Nathaniel, she had the means to do more.
She decided to open a piano studio, focusing on teaching children and performing herself.
Realizing she couldn't manage everything alone, she reached out to Monica Dickson, her childhood friend with whom she used to dress up as princesses and play piano together.
In a downtown café, Monica's eyes welled up as soon as she saw Victoria.
"Victoria! You finally remembered me? It's been six months! No calls, no WhatsApp replies. I thought you were kidnapped for ransom!"
Monica's voice choked with emotion as she hugged Victoria tightly.
Feeling guilty, Victoria hugged her back, "I'm sorry, Monica."
"How have you been?" Monica asked, looking her over, "You've lost weight."
"You probably heard about my family... going bankrupt," Victoria explained.
Monica took her hand, "Bankruptcy happens, no big deal! As long as you're here! Can a little bankruptcy ruin our friendship?"
In those six months, Victoria had experienced the ups and downs of relationships, and Monica's words warmed her heart.
After catching up, they got down to business.
Victoria shared her plan with Monica, "Monica, I want to open a piano studio. Can you help me come up with a name?"
"Sure thing! Let's call it 'Heart of the Piano'! Let's do this together!"
The studio preparations were demanding but rewarding. Victoria invested her all, from choosing a location to decorating and selecting pianos.
In her spare time, she would drive to the shooting club in the suburbs.
She had grown more skilled with the lady's silver handgun.
From initial fear to her current composure, every time she loaded a bullet with a click, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
Life seemed to be on the upswing, but the only thing bothering her was her father, David.
With his entrepreneurial project not taking off, he had plenty of free time, disappearing all day.
"Dad, what have you been up to lately?" she couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing much... just playing poker with the guys, killing time," David avoided her gaze.
Victoria sensed his odd behavior but with the studio on her mind, she didn't push further.
At night, Victoria lay in bed, her finger hovering over that familiar number.
It had been almost a month since she had spoken to Nathaniel.
For some reason, she dialed the number, almost compelled by some unseen force.
"Hello?"
The phone was picked up after one ring.
A deep, hoarse voice answered.
It was Nathaniel.
Victoria's heart skipped a beat, her breath caught.
She had expected it to be Sam or an assistant, so why did Nathaniel give her his private number?
"Mr. Cross?"
Victoria cautiously spoke.
There was a moment of silence, then a low chuckle, "Missed me, huh?"
"Can I miss you?"
"You're not very subtle."
Blushing, Victoria bit her lip, "Then I miss you... Mr. Cross, I don't want to disturb you, I'll hang up."
"Don't you dare!" Nathaniel's tone turned cold.
Victoria hesitated but stayed on the line.
Unexpectedly, he asked, "Really miss me?"
His words made Victoria drop her guard. If she didn't want him, why call? There was no reason.
"I really do," she closed her eyes, her voice softening, revealing a hint of vulnerability she hadn't noticed before.
That confession sparked desire on the other end of the line.
Nathaniel's voice dropped, turning husky and dangerous, "Where do you miss me?"
That tone brought back memories of nights entwined with him, flooding Victoria's mind.
"Not saying?"
"In my... in my heart, I miss you."
Nathaniel chuckled, teasing like a cat with a mouse, "You really don't know, I'll have to teach you."
"Undo the strap of your nightgown," he ordered.
Victoria shivered but followed his instructions. The fabric slid off, the cool air caressing her skin.
"Place your hand on your chest, gently knead," his breath grew heavier, "Yes, right there. Pretend it's my hand on you."
"Mmm..." a soft moan escaped her lips.
"Is it turning you on?" his voice rough, "Tell me, what does it feel like?"
"It's ticklish."
"Now, move your hand down. Yes, go touch yourself." The sound of him unzipping followed by heavy breathing.
Embarrassed, Victoria closed her legs, but her body had already responded.
"Is it wet?" Nathaniel's voice carried a satisfied chuckle and undisguised desire. "Are you waiting for me to fill it with my rough cock?"
"Mr. Cross..." she murmured helplessly.
"Good girl," he breathed heavily, as if next to her, "Now, put your fingers inside and start moving. Imagine I'm on top of you, like last time, fucking you until you cry... Hurry, let me hear you."
His commanding voice, filled with desire, shattered Victoria's rationality.
In a moment of intense pleasure, she reached climax.
On the other end, Nathaniel let out a satisfied groan.
"Wait for my call," he said before hanging up abruptly.
Victoria lay in bed, her body hot, but her heart empty.