Let Me Stay The Night

“You’re back, Christina!” The surprise on Rayne’s face gave way immediately to delight.

They had not seen each other since Christina’s hurried departure.

“Yes, I am.” Christina replied with a smile. She dropped the purse slung on her shoulder, sat down, and gazed up at Rayne. “How’s the studio? Are there new orders?”

Christina felt a little guilty at the mention of that.

Because of her falling out with Nathaniel, she had left in a fit of anger and abandoned her obligations at the studio.

Upon introspection, she thought she was too rash.

“No. After you left, Mr. Hadley had me put out a notice that you have gone on holiday,” Rayne answered.

Christina nodded, silently lauding Nathaniel’s decision.

“Well, the vacation’s over. Tell everyone I’m back and ready to take orders,” Christina said as she turned on her laptop.

Rayne was overjoyed at those words. If Christina is ready to take orders, it means that she would not be leaving again anytime soon. “Of course. I’ll get it done.”

Rayne left excitedly to put out the word.

Christina began taking care of work that she had not managed to resolve before leaving. Before she knew it, it was already noon.

“What would you like for lunch, Christina?” Rayne asked, entering the room when she noticed Christinal was still immersed in her work. There was expectant glitter in her eyes.

Christina looked up and gave a start when she realized what time it was. “Sorry, Rayne. I can’t have lunch. with you today. I’m seeing Nathaniel.”

“All right. Don’t go overboard with the PDA” Pursing her lips, Rayne gave the other a knowing look.

“We’ll have lunch tomorrow,” Christina offered. She was feeling fantastic now that she had resolved the knot in her chest, always wearing a big smile wherever she went.

The young girls found their hopes of getting close to Nathaniel under the assumption of him being single. again dashed when they saw Christina’s reappearance at Nathaniel’s office.

you doing here, Christina?” Nathaniel set aside his

a workaholic. He will forget his meals

his wristwatch and found that it was indeed past lunch hour. “Let’s go. I

pursue further when she noticed how secretive Nathaniel was

arm in arm as though the

happiness that was hard to put into words.

across the city into a tiny

the restaurant was, Nathaniel led her into a tiny eatery serving aglio olio.

was bewildered.

Christina’s confused expression, Nathaniel led her directly to a table by the window.

olios, please.” Nathaniel ordered after they sat

shooting a glance at the two new customers at the

him. “I see you have brought your girlfriend today,” she

customer at a tiny establishment like hers

my wife,”

to have

with the owner. She scrutinized Nathaniel, her gaze twinkling with delight.

at me like

husband has changed into someone else,” Christina said, her chin

frowned with displeasure. “Who are you

else but Nathaniel would be

here? Surely a mighty CEO like you would feel out of

say he was

you enjoy eating this when you were in university?

had done a lot of thinking and

not

froze at

worked part-time to afford her tuition, and as a result, she did not have much money. She did enjoy aglio olio, which was