‘s POV
+25 BONUS
Nate’s call came out of the blue. I stared at my phone screen, his name glowing insistently, my finger hovering over the accept
button.
I consider not answering.
Why was he calling now, after weeks of silence? After leaving without a word?
I swiped to answer, my heart already racing. “Nate?”
“Mia.” His voice was low but tense. “Are you alone? Can you talk?”
Something in his voice makes me feel weird. I glanced around my apartment, quiet except for the gentle snores of Gas sleeping at my feet. Mom had gone out for her morning walk, a new routine she’d adopted since the doctor cleared her for more activity.
“Yes, I’m alone. What’s going on?”
“Are you okay?”he said.
Am I okay?
Well, so is that why he called? To ask if I’m okay.
It feels like he’s holding back.
“I’m okay, Nate. Did something happen?” I asked.
He was silent for a long time, and I even thought he was going to hang up.
“I need you to listen carefully.” He took a breath,
as if steeling himself.
“What do you mean, Nate? You are scaring me.”
“I can’t explain everything over the phone. But Mia, please listen to me. Go to Paris, like we discussed before.”
I was confused by Nate’s unexpected words. “Nate, didn’t Bernard tell you? I’m going to Paris in six months. If that’s what you’re talking about?”
His voice was serious. “Is it because Kyle won’t let you leave early?
I’m even more confused. What does this have to do with Kyle? Nate’s been acting really strange today.
“No, of course not. I want to deliver in my own home, not in a strange city.“I said.
“I’m sorry.” He did sound genuinely regretful. “I know this is sudden. But trust me, Mia. You should consider leaving early, the sooner the better. You are in danger.”
I closed my eyes, trying to process the urgency in his tone, the implications of his words. Nate had always been steady. If I hadn’t heard his voice, I wouldn’t have even thought he would say those words.
“I appreciate your concern, Nate. It’s true, Taylor, my stepsister was released on bail, and I don’t know what she’ll do. But I can’t let that discourage me.”
He said nothing. I could tell Nate was hesitant, but I had no idea what he was hesitating about.
“Why can’t you tell me what’s happening?” I pressed.
“It’s better if you don’t know all the details right now.” His voice was strained, as if each word was an effort.
Nate’s erratic behavior has already made me a little angry. Nate has always helped me a lot, but today he is really annoying.
Chapter 163 Upsetting catts
+25 BONUS
“Nate, I can’t just leave. “I said, “I understand that you care about me, but I really need to hang up now.”
“Mia…“You can even hear the pain in his voice.
Suddenly, I flashed back to that house in Paris, the beautiful, empty home he’d built for Carol. The sadness in his eyes when he spoke about her. The way his whole being seeined to quiet whenever she came up, as if he was living with a pain he could never quite voice.
“You can’t ask me to do this and not tell me why, Nate.” I said finally.
He was silent for a long moment, the line crackling with palpable tension. “I can’t protect you all the time, Mia. Things are only going to get more dangerous, I can tell you that,” he said at last.
Nate seems to have too many secrets. Secrets make people heavy and hard for others to get close to.
“I’m sorry, Nate. I don’t know what’s going on. But I’ll protect myself. Thanks for your concern.” I didn’t want to press any further, as it seemed he really didn’t want to talk about it.
Nate didn’t continue, and we chose to hang up.
I thought that was going to be the most upsetting call this morning. Apparently, God didn’t think so.
Taylor’s media campaign came and my name splashed across gossip sites again
I knew this because My phone buzzes again with an incoming call. Unknown number.
“Hello?”
“Ms. Mitchell?” A woman’s voice, professional, unfamiliar. “This is Sandra Levine from the New York Times. I was hoping to get your comment on the allegations that have surfaced regarding your relationship with Kyle Richards and your role at Mitchell -Stone Holdings.”
My stomach drops. The New York Times. This isn’t just tabloid gossip anymore. This is mainstream media.
“I have no comment at this time,” I say, my voice surprisingly steady. “Please do not call this number again.”
I hang up before she can respond, then immediately power off my phone.
This is escalating faster than I thought possible. Taylor’s PR team must be working overtime. Clearly now I am the gold–digging employee seducing the CEO.
