An Affair With The Ceo (Natasha and Jared) novel Chapter 348

Chapter 348

Chapter 348

Just then, the waiter brought over the dishes they’d ordered.

All the plates were bright red, spicy, and full of that mouthwatering aroma.

Nicolas listened to Natasha’s words and didn’t pick up his fork for a long time.

He kept staring at the dishes in front of him, his expression stiffening a bit.

He hadn’t expected Natasha to ask him out just for Jared.

And on top of that, she wanted his help picking out a gift for Jared.

“What, you don’t know either?” Seeing Nicolas still not answering, Natasha spoke up again, sounding puzzled.

Nicolas snapped back to reality.

He cleared his throat, trying to cover up his awkwardness.

“No, I know. There’s a mall nearby. After we finish eating, I’ll go with you to pick something out,” he said.

Natasha’s face brightened instantly. “That’s really so kind of you, thank you!”

After finishing their meal, they headed to the nearby mall.

“So, what do you want to get him?” Nicolas asked.

Natasha shook her head. “That’s exactly why I’m asking you. I have no idea.”

Nicolas gave her a sly smile. “Why not make yourself the gift?”

Natasha’s cheeks instantly turned red.

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Nicolas’s lips curled into a playful smirk. “Just kidding, don’t take it to heart! I know Jared’s a fan of a certain brand of lighters. The store’s just up ahead.”

“Okay, thanks!” Natasha said, her voice bright with gratitude.

They quickly headed over to the lighter boutique.

Following Nicolas’s suggestion, Natasha picked out a lighter.

Since it was a gift for Jared, it was naturally quite pricey.

But remembering the jewelry Jared had gifted her, Natasha figured it was only fair.

She bit the bullet and paid without hesitation.

After buying the lighter, Natasha was about to say goodbye to Nicolas.

Unexpectedly, Nicolas suggested, “There’s a new international clothing section on the eighth floor. Want to go check it out together?”

Natasha couldn’t say no.

Shed just asked Nicolas to help her pick out a gift for Jared.

11:48 Sat, Jul 11

Chapter 348

“Where did you get this photo?” Jared demanded, his expression darkening as he glared at Derek.

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Derek quickly explained, “I just found out Joelle had someone send it to me. She has always had it out for Natasha, so I doubt it’s real-

He was trying to put in a good word for Natasha.

Jared cut him off, his voice icy. “Get someone to the mall and find out what’s really going on!”

Derek blinked in surprise, then nodded quickly. “On it!”

By the time Nicolas and Natasha left the mall, it was already getting late.

Nicolas volunteered to drive Natasha home, and Natasha didn’t refuse.

Once they were in the car, Nicolas asked, “Where to?”

Natasha was just about to give him Dorothy’s address when her phone buzzed with a new message.

It was from Jared. [Come over tonight. I want to see you.]

Natasha had promised Jared they’d hook up twice a week.

So far, they’d only done it once, and there was still one more time left this week.

So, she couldn’t really say no tonight.

[Okay!] she replied.

Then she looked up at Nicolas and said, “Please take me to Jared’s villa.”

A flicker of disappointment flashed across Nicolas’s eyes.

“Are you two living together now?” he asked.

Natasha shook her head right away. “Not yet!”

Nicolas’s shattered heart finally ached a little less.

‘If they aren’t living together, their relationship can’t be that deep yet. That means I’ve still got a chance, Nicolas thought.

Once Jared confirmed the photo was genuine, he headed back to his villa early.

He was restless, unable to concentrate at all.

He opened the liquor cabinet and grabbed a bottle of whiskey.

He looked visibly annoyed.

He didn’t even bother with a glass, just took a long, hard swig straight from the bottle.

The icy liquid burned down his throat and settled in his stomach.

He figured the whiskey would help take the edge off, maybe settle his nerves a bit.

11:48 Sat, Jul 11

Chapter 348

But it turned out to be useless.

Instead of calming him down, the restlessness inside just got worse. He was even more unsettled than before.

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Jared picked up his phone for what felt like the hundredth time, only to find Natasha still hadn’t sent him a single message.

Jared couldn’t help fume, I’d clearly warned her before not to get too close to Nicolas.

‘It was bad enough that she didn’t listen, but now she is even shopping with Nicolas without so much as a word to me, her own boyfriend.

After much hesitation, Jared finally grabbed his phone and texted Natasha.

He demanded she come over tonight and explain herself.

Natasha just shot back a quick “Okay.”

For the next several dozen minutes, Jared spent all his time just waiting.

He paced back and forth in the villa’s grand hall, frustration simmering with every step, until he heard the engine of a sports car revving outside on the villa’s private drive.

At this time of night, nobody else would show up here.

It must be Nicolas sending Natasha back, Jared thought.

He immediately got up and headed straight for the floor-to-ceiling windows in the hall, anxiously gazing outside.

Two headlight beams came into view, accompanied by the roar of an engine.

Nicolas eased the car to a stop.

After parking the sports car, he turned to look at Natasha. “I had a great time hanging out and shopping with you today.”

Natasha smiled. “Same here! I never knew you had such good fashion sense!”

Nicolas took the chance to say, “If you ever get bored and Jared’s too busy for you, just call me. I’ll be there in a heartbeat!”

Natasha paused, a little flustered. “I appreciate it, but I wouldn’t want to bother you.”

‘Nicolas isn’t anyone special to me,’ Natasha thought. ‘I only bothered him for his advice because I needed to pick out a gift for Jared. This shouldn’t happen again.”

Nicolas didn’t seem to notice the hint of rejection in her words.

“No worries, you don’t need to stand on ceremony with me,” he said, grinning.

“Okay, thanks!” Natasha just replied politely.

She pointed ahead. “I’m here!”

11:48 Sat, Jul 11

Chapter 349

Chapter 349

Natasha pushed open the car door and stepped out.

Nicolas got out from the other side.

“Thank you so much for today. Would you like to come in for a cup of coffee?” Natasha asked politely.

After all, Nicolas had helped her pick out a gift for Jared and even went shopping with her.

He was also Jared’s childhood friend and her ex-brother-in-law.

Since they all knew each other so well, she figured it was only natural to invite him in for a while.

“Is Jared home right now?” Nicolas asked.

Natasha glanced at the villa, finding none of the lights lit.

“He probably hasn’t come back yet,” she guessed.

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Nicolas chuckled. “Then I won’t come in. Just send me your address later, and I’ll have someone deliver the clothes we bought today straight to your place.”

Natasha nodded gratefully. “Thank you!”

She felt Nicolas was really looking out for her.

After all, if Jared found out she’d gone shopping and even bought clothes with Nicolas, he’d probably get jealous and overthink it again.

“You’re welcome! Honestly, getting to hang out with you today was a real honor.” Nicolas said, flashing a playful smile.

His flawless, handsome features looked even more mesmerizing under the night sky.

Natasha never denied that he was an incredibly attractive man.

But given their complicated relationship, she knew she should keep her distance from him in the future.

She bowed her head slightly to him.

“I’ll head in now. Drive safe,” she said.

“Thanks for the concern. Goodnight!” Nicolas replied.

He waved, watching her go.

Only after Natasha walked into the villa did he look away.

Then he got back into his sports car, started the engine, and drove off.

Natasha walked into the villa and saw that the place was completely dark.

She assumed Jared hadn’t come back yet.

Just as she was about to turn on the lights, a figure flashed by the sofa.

11:48 Sat, Jul 11