Natalia's body tensed suddenly, and she raised her hand, intending to push him away.
But Hamilton wouldn't let go for the life of him.
"Ms. Jenkins, have you been dating anyone abroad these past three years?"
Truth be told, he hadn't paid her much mind over these years, fearing he wouldn't be able to resist.
Resist the urge to find her, to see her. If he had given in, then all his plans would have been for naught.
He had learned of her through Scarlett, asking after her health, her mental state.
But he carefully avoided inquiring about her relationships.
He genuinely feared the day Scarlett might tell him, "Natalia's got a boyfriend now, she's happy, and they're planning to marry."
So, he never even dared to ask.
All he thought about was settling his affairs quickly and then taking Amora to find her.
If she had a boyfriend by then, he didn't mind playing the homewrecker.
If she were married, he didn't mind being the other man.
Yet, before that day came, she had reappeared in his world.
And it seemed, from the moment she appeared, all his plans lost their rhythm.
Natalia pushed him away with force.
"Hamilton, when you said we had no ties, didn't you ever consider I might date someone? Isn't it a bit late to ask now?"
Hamilton let out a bitter laugh.
His fingers still grazed Natalia's lips.
"Has anyone else kissed you besides me?"
"Yeah." Natalia replied with a smirk, "It's not like you had exclusive rights."
Hamilton's face darkened instantly.
Natalia stood up and walked towards the door.
"If you don't want to talk, then I'll leave."
Hamilton grabbed her wrist in a tight clasp.
"Has someone really kissed you?"
Natalia turned to look at him.
"Hamilton, I'm really not in the mood for this."
She tried to break free, but Hamilton held on, "Ms. Jenkins, forgot? Your lipstick is smeared."
He said, pulling her toward the desk and then lifting her onto it. He then took a lipstick out of the drawer.
His face was close, his breath hot against her cheek.
Natalia instinctively shifted to the side.
Hamilton held her chin, "Don't move."
Natalia stiffened.
"Hamilton, you—"
His gaze lingered on her lips with deep intensity.
"Just applying lipstick, Ms. Jenkins. Be good."
Natalia's fingers clenched the edge of the table as she felt him tracing her lips.
Her eyelashes trembled slightly, and eventually, she broke away from his grasp.
"I can do it myself."
Hamilton chuckled, then leaned in to lightly peck her ear.
"Natalia, once everything is settled, let me court you again. Keep this spot for me, okay?"
Natalia looked at him, wondering how men can be so detached from their children by nature.
She couldn't understand how he could flirt with her like this.
But she truly wasn't in the mood.
"No."
Natalia pushed him away and took the lipstick into the restroom.
But once inside, she looked at the lipstick in her hand.
Brand new, the brand and shade she favored three years ago.
She exhaled softly, touched up her makeup, and walked out.
Hamilton leaned against the desk, arms crossed, watching her.
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