CHAPTER 501 JEALOUS OF HIMSELF.

“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, Iam,”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 Christina

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.

“What are you doing here, Christina?” Nathaniel set aside his work as soon as he saw her.

“Let's go for lunch. I'm starving.” Nathaniel is a workaholic.

He will forget his meals once he begins working.

Nathaniel glanced at his wristwatch and found that it was indeed past lunch hour.

“Let's go. I want to bring you to a special place.”

“All right.” Christina did not pursue further when she noticed how secretive Nathaniel was being.

Instead, she was excited.

The couple emerged from the office arm in arm as though the misunderstanding had never happened.

That made Christina feel a sense of happiness that was hard to put into words.

Nathaniel drove Christina halfway across the city into a tiny alley.

Just when Christina was wondering where the restaurant was, Nathaniel led her into a tiny eatery

serving aglio olio.

“Here?” Christina was bewildered.

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

“Hello. We would like two aglio olios, please,”

Nathaniel ordered after they sat down, sounding as if he had come here many times before.

“Coming right up,” the owner replied, shooting a glance at the two new customers at the same time.

Upon seeing Nathaniel's handsome appearance, she seemed to recognize him.

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

The patronage of an esteemed customer at a tiny establishment like hers was memorable.

“She's my wife,” Nathaniel explained.

“Oh, I see.” The owner did not expect the handsome man to have settled down.

She nodded, then headed to the kitchen.

Christina noticed Nathaniel's interaction with the owner.

She scrutinized Nathaniel, her gaze twinkling with delight.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Nathaniel asked, puzzled.

“I'm just checking if my husband has changed into someone else,” Christina said, her chin resting in

her hand.

Nathaniel frowned with displeasure.

“Who are you expecting then?” Well, he’s still Nathaniel.

Who else but Nathaniel would be jealous of himself, after all? “Why did you suddenly bring me here?

Surely a mighty CEO like you would feel out of place here,”

Christina asked, unable to contain herself.

She was expecting Nathaniel to say he was seeking novelty.

To her surprise, he said, “Didn't you enjoy eating this when you were in university? I found this place

two weeks ago and have tried it once.”

During Christina's absence, he had done a lot of thinking and uncovered a lot about Christina's past.

Christina's fondness for aglio olio had been an unexpected discovery.

Thus, he gave it a try.

Although he did not feel it was anything particularly special at the time, he was thankful that he

managed to stomach it.

Christina froze at those words.

She had worked part-time to afford her tuition, and as a result, she did not have much money.

She did enjoy aglio olio, which was satiating for not much money.

“T will try, accept, and enjoy whatever you like, Christina.” Nathaniel's dark eyes twinkled earnestly.

“Forget aglio olio. I prefer a buffet.”

Christina felt her heart swell with pleasure, but she was not going to make things difficult for him.

He's a CEO born with a silver spoon. I can't make him stoop for me.

While they were chatting, the owner appeared with two plates of piping hot pasta.

Christina felt a surge of gratitude when Nathaniel did not seem to mind the humble meal.

This time, she felt the changes he had gone through for her.

Instead of empty promises, he had taken steps to make them come true.

After their meal, the couple emerged from the shop.

They smelled heavily of food.

To dissipate the smell on their clothes, they opted for a stroll.

“My alma mater is right ahead. Let's go over for a look,” Christina suggested. Nathaniel nodded.

“All right.” Hand in hand, the couple drew many envious stares from other pedestrians.

“They closed off the road?” Suddenly, they found their path obstructed.

We have to take another way to get to the school. Christina lost interest.

“Let's head back.”

“Christina, Mr. Hadley.”

Just when the couple was about to turn around, a chubby man caught up to them. Content provided by .

Upon closer inspection, Christina recognized him as Francis’ assistant, Parker.

Having not seen him in such a long time, Christina felt a sense of foreboding at his sudden

reappearance.

“What is it?”

“Francis has something important to tell you,” Parker answered.

Worried that Christina would turn him down, he added, “It’s about your parents.”