Chapter 213: Could it really erase the scar?
Nathaniel leaned back on his chair, his smile lingering. Hope and excitement shone in his eyes. "I can’t wait to launch it. Now, I really want to know how Mr. Gibson would react. He rejected my proposal and chose Zachary. Now, I am developing the system before them."
His chest swelled with pride. But the next minute, the smile disappeared from his face. "I’ll never let you win, Zachary."
The door knocked again, piercing his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened, and Ian entered. Nathaniel’s eyes turned cold the moment he saw him. "You’re finally back. I thought you wouldn’t..."
"Don’t say something so unlucky," Ian scowled. "I stopped at the hospital to see a dermatologist, one of the best in the city." He produced a small box and put it on the table. "This ointment. Apply this to your wound regularly, and then you will see a miracle happen. It’ll heal your wound without leaving a scar. Trust me."
Nathaniel glanced at the package, then at him, skeptical. He couldn’t believe Ian had delayed going to the hospital to bring this ointment. "You mean this can erase the scar like that!" He nodded to the box of the ointment.
"Yes," Ian said with confidence.
"Bullshit," Nathaniel muttered, waving dismissively. "This sounds like a scam. Take it away."
"Trust me," Ian insisted. "I won’t let you get cheated. Try this and watch the effect. If not for your own sake, do it for your wife. Every time she takes your hand, her eyes will go to the scar. Instead of joy, she will always feel sad, recalling how you got hurt. You definitely don’t want to see her sad, do you?"
Ian’s words forced Nathaniel to consider. He hesitantly looked at the box, wondering if this little thing could do the miracle. But when he looked up at him, his irritation flared. "You are not even married. How do you know how my wife feels?"
"I may not be married, but I know a woman’s emotions," Ian said with certainty.
"Oh, do you know?" Nathaniel scowled. "Instead of wasting your time on this, you should have done what really matters. Any update about Jaxon?"
Ian gave a curt nod. "You will get an update soon." He tapped on the ointment box. "Try this." He didn’t stay another minute longer and bolted out the door.
His expression turned serious the moment he stepped out into the corridor. He headed straight to his desk. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a voice recorder and looked at it. He had recorded his conversation with the thief.
Inside the office...
Nathaniel ground his teeth, muttering a curse under his breath. His gaze drifted back to the ointment, and his expression softened despite his irritation. Picking up the box, he turned it over in his hands, Ian’s words replaying in his mind.
"Could it really erase the scar?" he wondered.
Later that day...
Zara wrapped up for the day and came out of the office. She was stunned when she saw Nathaniel outside the gate, leaning on his car. Her legs paused at the unexpected sight.
’Is he here for me?’ The thought sent ripples of warmth and nervousness through her.
Nathaniel had never come to pick her up before. Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe he had some other business nearby. Still, her heart thudded faster as she approached him.
Nathaniel straightened, a grin spreading on his face. His smile made her smile.
"You came to pick me up?" Her heart thumped with anticipation. Yet the doubt lingered.
"Or else?" He raised an eyebrow in amusement. "I finished my work quickly and came here. Wait a moment." He opened the back door and pulled out a bouquet of colorful flowers. "This is for you."
Zara’s smile faltered a bit, surprise crossing her face. Nathaniel rarely gave her flowers, and when he did, they were always red roses, Nora’s favorite. Somehow, he brought colorful, assorted flowers this time.
She didn’t know why he chose different flowers this time. But the change felt welcoming.
She accepted the bouquet with a grin. Then her eyes landed on a cluster of daisies nestled among the blooms. The sight of her favorite vibrant daisies made her even happier. Pulling a daisy free, she inhaled deeply, the mild, fresh scent soothing her nerves.
Nathaniel watched her curiously. He had rarely seen her glow with such unguarded joy as if she had gotten something precious. His gaze lingered on the daisy in her hand.
A thought appeared in his mind. ’It’s not roses... It’s Daisy she loves.’
A pang of guilt pricked at his chest. All this time, he had assumed she preferred roses. But then he realized it was Nora who liked roses. Without ever asking, he had assumed her likes and dislikes mirrored Nora’s.
The thought unsettled him.
Zara raised her eyes at him. "Thank you for the flowers," she said. "I love them."
"And you love daisies the most," he speculated.
Zara’s heart thumped. She wondered if he had finally discovered what she liked. "How did you know?" she asked, curious.
Nathaniel grinned. He stepped toward her, closing the little distance between them. Wrapping an arm around her waist, he drew her to his chest. "I can see it – in your smile, the way your eyes shine. It tells me more than words."
’Is it that obvious?’ Zara bit her lower lip, heat spreading across her cheeks.
At that moment, something shifted in him. He didn’t want to guess anymore. He wanted to know her, truly know her – her likes, her dreams, her wishes.
"Tell me: what else do you like?" Nathaniel asked. "I want to know..."
Zara skipped a beat. ’Did he really mean that?’ Taken aback, she looked into his eyes.
"Your preferences? The food you like to eat, the places you want to visit. I want to give you everything you want. I promise I’ll fulfil all your desires."
Zara couldn’t stop her heart beating wildly. After what she had seen in the study that night, she had almost given up hope. She had convinced herself he would never let go of the past, never be able to get rid of Nora’s memories, and never look at her the way she wanted. With Nora in his heart, he would never want to get to know her, let alone promise her to fulfil her desires.
Yet now, hearing his promise to learn her desires and fulfill them, her certainty wavered. A flicker of fragile hope ignited in her chest.
’Is he ready to finally love me?’
Nathaniel’s playful whisper jolted her, "Don’t stare at me like that. You know what you do to me."
Zara looked away instantly and pushed him away, breaking free from his embrace. "Stop it. We are in front of my office." She quickly ducked into the passenger seat. She pretended to be annoyed but couldn’t stop the blush creeping up her face.
Nathaniel chuckled silently, rubbing the back of his head. He stepped into the car and took the wheel. He glanced at the bouquet in her hand. "I have a gift for you."
"Gift?" Zara’s eyes shot up at him as she wondered if he had arranged another expensive gift for her.
He reached into the backseat and pulled out a golden-wrapped box. His thumb brushed over the edge of the box before he handed it to her, a knowing glint in his eyes.
"What is it?" Curious, Zara was about to open it.
Nathaniel put his hand over hers and stopped her. "Not now. Open it when we reach home."
Zara stared at the box in her lap. The suspense made her chest tighten. ’What could it be?’ Her curiosity burned hotter.
She darted a skeptical look at him. "Why are you so secretive? I’m growing really curious now."
"Just hold back your curiosity for the time being." He looked at her with longing, his mind imagining wild things. In truth, he was just as restless—more eager than she could imagine—but he wanted to savor the moment. He needed to see the unguarded surprise in her eyes when the time finally came.
Facing the road again, he started the car. "Let’s not go home yet. How about we head somewhere first?"
Zara cocked her head, stunned. "Not home? Where are you taking me?"
"It’s still early. We can go out to dinner – only you and me." He glanced at her.
Zara smiled bashfully. "But Zane must be waiting for us at home. We should leave."
"Don’t worry about him. I sent him to the mansion. He might be having fun with his grandparents."
That left her with no excuse. If Zane wasn’t alone, she didn’t mind staying out a little longer. "Alright then. Let’s go."
Nathaniel started the engine. "Where do you want to eat? Any favorite restaurant?"
Her favorite?
The first thing that came to mind was spicy lobster. But Nathaniel couldn’t eat spicy food. On top of that, he was allergic to seafood. So she had always suppressed that cravings and only cooked what he liked to eat.
"I am not fussy," she said with a shrug. "Take me wherever you want to go."
"Are you sure?"
Zara nodded firmly. "I am..."
Nathaniel smirked. He had already heard Mrs. Jules mention once that Zara loved to eat lobsters. He would give her a surprise tonight.