Arya.
The scent of freshly baked pastries filled my senses as I pushed open the door to Natalie's busy bakery. The warm aroma wrapped around me, instantly transporting me back to countless memories of shared laughter and heartfelt conversations. I scanned the crowded space, my eyes searching for the familiar figure of my friend amidst the sea of bustling activity.
"Arya!"
I turned at the sound of my name, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips as Natalie's voice echoed through the room. She made her way towards me, her steps quick and purposeful. Before I could react, she threw her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace.
"You're here," she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine excitement as she held me close.
"Yes, I am," I replied, returning her hug with equal fervor. "But you really shouldn't be screaming like a banshee in your own bakery."
Natalie pulled away. "Says who? I'm the boss here, remember?"
I chuckled at her defiant tone. "Of course, you are," I conceded.
"Come on," she urged, her hand slipping into mine as she began to lead me towards her office. "We have so much to catch up on."
I followed her willingly, allowing myself to be swept along by her infectious energy. Natalie effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone around her. Despite the chaos of the bakery, she seemed to navigate through it all with grace and confidence.
"Fin," she called out to one of her staff as we reached her office door, "bring some wine and pastries up for us. And don't forget the wine glasses!"
I laughed at her bossy demeanor, shaking my head in amusement as I followed her into the cozy sanctuary of her office.
"You're really something else," I remarked, taking a seat across from her as she settled behind her desk.
Natalie grinned. "You bet I am."
As I looked around the familiar surroundings of her office, a wave of nostalgia washed over me. It felt good to be back in her presence, to feel the warmth of her friendship. The last time I was here, Lauren had happened.
"So," Natalie began, breaking my thoughts, "how have you been? And is Tyler still keeping you prisoner in that mansion of his?"
The mention of Tyler brought a smile to my lips, his image flashing in my mind.
"No, he's not keeping me prisoner," I replied. "I actually went on a date with him."
Natalie raised an eyebrow, her eyes widening in astonishment. "You went on a date with Tyler?" she exclaimed. "That's a first. The old Tyler never had time for dates."
"Really?" I replied, a hint of amusement and pride coloring my words.
"Yup, he was one hell of a workaholic" Natalie replied, chuckling. "So, how did it go?"
It was a question I had been expecting, yet one that still managed to catch me off guard. How could I possibly put into words the whirlwind of emotions I had felt that evening?
"It was... amazing," I replied. "He got me this really beautiful dress, and we went to this private rooftop restaurant overlooking the city. It was like something out of a fairy tale." The memories flooded back with a sudden intensity, each moment etched in my mind like a photograph.
Natalie's eyes sparkled with excitement. "I'm so happy for you, Arya," she exclaimed. "You deserve all the happiness in the world."
"Thank you, Natalie." I smiled as I felt a surge of gratitude wash over me, a silent acknowledgment of the bond that had always existed between us. In Natalie's presence, I felt seen, understood, valued – a rare gift in a world filled with superficiality and pretense.
"Nate told me that the spies spotted you running from a hospital," she began, her voice tentative. The mention of Ethan sent a slight wave of anger through my body.
I sighed softly, my gaze dropping to the floor as I struggled to find the right words.
"It was a painful experience," I finally admitted. "Ethan... he tried to kill my baby so he could be with me."
"How are you doing?" she asked, her voice trembling with concern as she placed her hands above mine.
Before I could reply, her sudden exclamation caught me off guard. "Baby?" she exclaimed, her eyes widening in disbelief. "Arya, are you... pregnant?"
I smiled at her reaction, a rush of warmth flooding my chest. "Yes, Natalie," I replied, my voice tinged with amusement. "I'm pregnant."
Natalie's excitement bubbled over, her laughter filling the room as she enveloped me in another hug.
"Oh my god, Arya!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with infectious joy. "You're going to be a mother!"
The warmth of her embrace washed over me like a gentle wave, soothing the ache in my heart and replacing it with happiness.
"I didn't mean to tell you like this," I laughed. Natalie simply shook her head, her eyes sparkling with tears of happiness.
"It doesn't matter," she insisted. "What matters is that you and the baby are safe and healthy."
I felt a surge of gratitude for her unwavering support.
As the staff brought in wine and pastries, I felt a sense of relief wash over me. I was actually going to be a mother soon. I smiled ruefully at the thought.
Natalie opened the bottle of wine, screaming with happiness as she poured wine into two wine glasses. "A toast," she said as she raised her glass, and gave me mine. "To more beautiful news like this, Arya."
"Enough about the baby talk," I joked as I reached for a pastry. Natalie chuckled, her laughter filling the air with warmth and joy.
"Alright, alright," she conceded. "But just know that I'm here for you, Arya."
"So," I began, eager to shift the focus away from myself, "what did I miss while I was away?"
She replied, "Lauren happened. She moved into Tyler's house while you were gone and even tried to seduce him."
The blood drained from my face as Natalie's words sunk in, a cold dread settling in the pit of my stomach.
Lauren, in Tyler's house? The very idea seemed surreal, like something out of a bad dream.
"What?!" I exclaimed, my voice rising in shock and disbelief as I stood up from my seat abruptly.
"Shit!" Natalie cursed, her hand flying to her mouth as if she had said something she shouldn't have. The tension in the room was palpable, thick enough to suffocate.
My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all. Tyler, and Lauren, under the same roof? After everything that she did? Especially with the fact that they had history?
"Why the hell would Tyler let her stay at the house?" I seethed.
But even as the question left my lips, a nagging doubt gnawed at the back of my mind. Tyler wouldn't do something like that, would he?
Natalie's expression softened, her eyes filled with sympathy as she reached out to place a comforting hand on my arm. "Arya, honestly, nothing happened," she said. "I really had no idea he hasn't told you."
"So you wouldn't tell me otherwise?" I asked. "Really?"
"Calm down, Arya. Let me explain," she pleaded, sensing my anger.
"Don't tell me to calm down," I threw at her. "I will find out from him. And if nothing happened, why am I hearing it from you instead of Tyler?"
"Arya!" Natalie yelled as I stormed out of her office.
Tyler had some explaining to do. And it better be good because I was not going to let him off the hook that easily.