Rejected: A love story-Chapter 18: Close the door next time

Nathan froze as Natasha stepped into the room.

"Natasha?" he said, trying to hide his surprise.

She smiled warmly, stepped forward and hugged Nathan passionately.

I stiffened, and Nathan pulled back almost immediately when he noticed my face.

"Mom, you should have told me she was coming," Nathan said, turning to his mother.

"I insisted, Nathan," she replied. "It’s been so long since we saw each other—we were still teenagers then."

Natasha’s eyes suddenly landed on me, her smile fell.

"Who’s she?" she asked.

"I’m his girlfriend," I chirped in before Nathan could answer. Her smile dropped completely, and I loved it.

Nathan noticed immediately and jumped in to smooth things over. "Mom you told me you were all landing tomorrow. I don’t want anything to ruin my girlfriend’s birthday. Please, no one should upset her," he said, his tone firm but calm.

His mother seemed excited to hear about me,

"It’s your birthday. Oh my goodness Nathan, you should have said something earlier. I didn’t bring a gift."

I smiled gently. "It’s okay, you don’t have to. Nathan has already spoiled me enough."

Nathan’s gaze softened, and he turned back to me. "Go take a shower, cupcake. I’ll join you upstairs in a few minutes."

I nodded, relieved. "Okay."

The family drama was overwhelming already.

Narrator’s Pov

As Fiona left to freshen up, Nathan’s mother clapped her hands softly, trying to lighten the mood. "Well, I’m so glad we finally met her! She’s... delightful."

Caleb smirked, leaning back on the couch. "Delightful, huh? That’s one way to put it."

Hannah rolled her eyes, whispering to Caleb, "You’re just jealous."

"Jealous? Me? Never," he said, pretending to pout.

Nathan, meanwhile, kept his eyes on Natasha, who seemed to be oddly quiet. Natasha had always been a sharp mouthed girl.

"You see, Nathan?" his mother said softly, a bit sheepish now. "I thought—maybe you weren’t really serious having a girlfriend. That’s why I... well, I brought Natasha along. She’s been your friend like forever."

"Mom, that’s exactly why you should have told me. Fiona might not be comfortable with it."

Caleb whistled under his breath. "Well, looks like the birthday girl already has two rivals in the room."

Hannah snorted. "You’re just noticing now?"

Natasha’s gaze finally returned to Nathan. "I insisted on coming, Nathan. It’s been years. But... You’re dating now? You were so strict about not dating anyone"

Nathan didn’t hesitate. "I fell inlove that’s what happened."

Natasha’s smile faded completely. The proud, confident woman who had come in with such certainty now seemed to shrink a little under Nathan’s firm words.

Nathan walked toward Fiona’s room when he didn’t see her. He knocked softly.

"Fiona? You there?" he asked but got no response.

He pushed the door open expecting to see her sitting there, but the room was empty. Then he heard the shower running. A small smile tugged at his lips.

He turned to leave, his hands tightening into fists at his sides, his mind wandering as he imagined her behind the door. He bit his lip without realizing it.

"Came to check me out again?" a playful voice said.

Nathan spun around. Fiona stepped out of the bathroom, her robe loosely wrapped, and her wet hair clinging to her neck.

"I... I knocked," he stammered, trying to sound innocent.

"Sure you did," she teased, tilting her head. "Did you really knock... or you just came to stare at me?"

He stepped closer, his hands casually brushing her arm. "Maybe I wanted to make sure my girlfriend is okay," he said, smirking.

"Your girlfriend, huh?" she shot back, quirking an eyebrow. "You make it sound so serious... I might start believing it."

Nathan laughed softly, leaning just slightly closer. "You’d better. Don’t forget, cupcake, we have a reputation to keep."

"Oh, is that what you’re doing now?" she teased, moving closer. "I thought you were just here to boss me around."

"Maybe I am," he said, his voice low, almost a whisper, his hand grazed her side. "But maybe I also want to kiss you—just a little. For show, of course."

Fiona bit her lip nervously. "Shut up...Leave already, i need to change "

He smirked, brushing a strand of wet hair from her face. "Are you begging? I think we’re already dangerously close."

She faked a laughed, wantung to tease him back, "Dangerous, huh? Maybe I like danger. Or maybe I should warn you... I bite."

Nathan leaned closer, their faces inches apart. "I’d risk it," he whispered. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

She pressed a little closer in return, their lips almost touching, Nathan’s hand trailed lightly, dangerously close to her skin.

"Uh... guys? Maybe close the door next time?" Caleb called, his eyes wide, completely oblivious to what he’d interrupted.

Nathan jumped back, flustered, hand raised. "Caleb! For god’s sake, Mind your business "

uined."

Caleb shrugged innocently. "Just saying... doors exist for a reason."

Nathan ran a hand over his face, exhaling sharply, while Fiona just stood there grinning.