Chapter 32 Appear In Three Seconds
Christina held her breath and glanced around, mentally preparing herself for Nathaniel to appear. Her heart raced as she began counting. “One… two…” Her eyes scanned the empty entrances again, and just as she was about to get to “three,” she heard the soft thud of footsteps.
Before she could even finish counting, Nathaniel walked into view, wearing his usual composed yet slightly mischievous expression. He strolled toward her with his usual calmness, his presence both comforting and commanding.
“Three,” Christina said, unable to keep the playful grin from forming on her face. “You made it, but I’m not sure if I’ll admit I miss you just yet.”
Nathaniel smirked, clearly pleased with himself. “Oh, come on. You know you can’t resist me.”
Christina rolled her eyes but couldn’t stop herself from laughing softly. “You’ve got quite the ego, you know that?”
“It’s just confidence. There’s a difference.” Nathaniel’s tone was teasing, and there was a glint of warmth in his eyes as he reached out to gently take her arm, guiding her toward the exit. “Let’s go. I’ll take you out to celebrate. You’ve earned it.”
Her heart fluttered at the thought of spending time with him, but she quickly masked the feeling with a more serious expression. “It’s not over yet, Nathaniel. I still have a lot to prove.”
Nathaniel looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “You’ve already proven more than most could in a lifetime. Don’t sell yourself short, Christina.”
She met his gaze, her mind briefly wandering to the events of the day—the competition, the scandal, and how everything had fallen into place, despite the odds. The tension she had felt earlier had started to dissipate, replaced with a growing sense of accomplishment.
“Thank you,” she said softly. “For everything.”
Nathaniel’s gaze softened. “You did it on your own. I’m just here to support you.” His voice had a sincerity that made her heart swell with gratitude.
For a moment, there was a peaceful silence between them as they walked out of the building. Despite everything that had happened, the chaos, the accusations, and the triumphs, Christina felt a quiet certainty in her heart—this was just the beginning.