chapter 12

"Bee, I -"

"Plese, Nathan. For one last time. Please don't say no." Brooke stopped him from speaking. At that very moment, she couldn't take no for an answer. This would be her very last request to him. As she will be gone the next day. Never to return.

Nathan looked at her innocent eyes. For some reason, she looked more beautiful than usual to him. Even though it is a dim light that illuminated the room.

Nathan reluctantly agreed.

Not a moment too soon, the two were lost in each other's world. They kissed gently and passionately like never before.

Nathan felt this is the best intimate moment he has had with Brooke. They have been intimate occasionally, but today, it felt completely different. It is the best so far.

Even though he was her first and so was she. But this time around, it felt better than their first time together.

Moaning and groaning filled the room as they went on. Their hands went to places as if they couldn't get enough of each other.

They were at it for a while and Nathan came eventually. While he was still on top of Brooke, he looked into her eyes. There was something that he could identify in her eyes. As if she has something to reveal to him or she is still hurt by what happened.

'Of course she is still hurt by the divorce.' He thought inwardly.

Nathan rolled over and laid on his side, facing Brooke. To his surprise, he saw tears rolling down from her eyes. At that moment, he knew there was something wrong. He just hopes she is willing to share.

"Bee, is there something wrong?" He had to ask anyway.

Brooke sniffled and then shook her head. She wiped the tears away but more tears followed. "Nothing. Nothing at all, Nathan. I am fine." She confirmed.

With a small smile, she closed her eyes and continued to sniff her tears away.

At that moment, Nathan didn't know what to do. One thing he was sure about, is that he is the root of her sadness.

"Are you still awake?" He asked, when he noticed her sniffs had reduced.

"Hmm." Was the only response he got from Brooke.

Nathan faced the pop of their bedroom and he began to speak.

"I am sorry you had to go through this because of me. This was not how I imagined my life to be. Maybe if we had met in a different circumstance, the outcome might favor us both."

"But unfortunately, I feel suffocated in this relationship. Maybe because I was forced into it."

Nathan was quiet for a moment before he continued. "And there is nothing going on between Keren and I. Maybe I had that idea at first, but it all changed later on. I can't even say why. But I just felt I couldn't. Maybe all I need now is to be on my own and find my own path. Without anyone dictating to me -"

He turned to her to see if she was still listening. Unfortunately, she looked very relaxed. It showed she had slept. Nathan wondered how much of what he said she heard before she dozed off.

"Goodnight, Bee." He said.

He laid next to her and watched her beautiful face features, until he dozed off as well.

***

The next morning, Nathan woke up to the ruffle and movement of someone in the closet. He knew who it was and waited for her to come out.

Soon, Brooke appeared in one of her dresses that she left behind which Nathan bought for her.

"Let me get changed and I will drop you at home." Nathan offered, while getting off of the bed.

"That won't be necessary. I have to go now. My parents are waiting." Brooke said, without facing Nathan.

She zipped up her dress. And it went well with her figure. Nathan couldn't take his eyes off of her. 'Any man would be glad to have her. She is absolutely gorgeous.'

"Then I will ask the driver to take you." Nathan insisted. He was about to reach for his phone to call his driver when Brooke spoke again.

"That won't be necessary either. I can easily get a cap and I will be on my way." Brooke said. She put on her shoes.

When she was done, she stood straight and looked at Nathan for the first time that morning. Her eyes still held the same look she gave him last night. He knows something is up with her but she doesn't want to tell him what.

"Thank you again for signing those papers. I will send you the alimony as agreed." Nathan said.

"I told you. I don't need it, remember." Brooke said. "All I want is for you to be happy. Seems Keren will be able to do that."

"I also saw your letter. You mentioned that you sent me a text message. I never received any." Nathan explained.

The mention of Keren and how Nathan did not even try to deny it hurt her a little. "Don't worry about that. It is not important." Brooke waved him off.

"Goodbye, Nathan. I wish you and Keren all the best. I hope she will be able to make you happy in ways that I couldn't." Brooke said before heading out. She didn't wait for Nathan's response as she hurried out of the house.

The way she said goodbye gave him a sense that it is something that will last for a while. Although he has plans to visit her in their home once in a while. After all, they are going to be running into each other on one or two occasions in the city.

"Wait... Bee, wait please." Nathan tried to stop her but she continued with her steps. He went to put on some clothes to follow her. Maybe he can convince her to let his driver take her home. But before he could change and go after her, she was gone already.

He wasn't going to stop there. There is something he wanted to find out from her.

He called his driver so that they could go after her. But then, his phone began to ring before he got into the car. It is a number that he doesn't have on his phone.

Nathan answered that call.

"Hello, is this Mr Nathan Leo?" The man on the other end of the line asked.

"Yes. Speaking." Nathan responded with a creased brow. He doesn't have the number and doesn't recognise the voice.

"I am calling from Sydney hospital. We have a patient here with the name Miss Keren Williams. She was attacked by some thugs last night. She gave your number, saying you are the only family she has. I hope you can come to the hospital soon." The lady explained.

"What!" Nathan rubbed his face in frustration. Which one is he going to choose?

To go after Brooke and get his questions answered?

Or to go to Keren in the hospital, whom he was the reason she was out last night?