Looking at him, Natasha smiled. “Hello.”
“You're absolutely gorgeous, Natasha. You're the most beautiful person I have ever seen in my life,” Mike praised.
“You're good at flattery, too.”
At this moment, Kenneth spoke. “This is Mike, and I've known him for a long time. This here is Luke, and this is—” When it was Alexia's turn, Kenneth paused for a while before apologizing politely, “I'm sorry. I can't seem to remember your name.”
Alexia's gaze, which was on Natasha initially, now turned to Kenneth. When he said he had forgotten her name, a trace of awkwardness and dejectedness appeared on Alexia's face.
How could he forget?
Instantly, the atmosphere turned awkward. Noticing the change, Dave walked over and said, “Ahem. Let me do the introductions. She's Alexia, a member of DX Group and someone who joined after Kenneth left.”
At his introduction, Natasha nodded and turned to Alexia. “Hello, Alexia,” she said with a smile.
Returning to her senses, Alexia looked at Natasha and quickly regained her composure. Without missing a beat, she smiled at Natasha and greeted her back, “Hi, Ms. Watson.”
Suddenly, Mike cut in, “Alexia, you can call her Natasha.”
At that, Alexia's gaze swept over Kenneth before she said, “He's your boss, not mine. Don't tell me what to do.”
“Didn't you say Boss saved you before?”
“Yes, so he's my savior,” Alexia answered.
“Your savior?” Natasha looked at her.
This time, Alexia stared straight at Natasha and nodded confidently. “That's right. Because he saved me, I could join DX Group. He gave me my life.”
At her last statement, Natasha chuckled. “Little miss, your parents gave you your life, not him.”
Panic flashed across Alexia's eyes, but she declared confidently, “I'm not little anymore. I'm a big girl now, an adult!”
Noting her persistence, Natasha felt she was desperately trying to prove something.
Nevertheless, she took a step back. “Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.”
“My parents died when I was young. But that day, he saved me and gave me a new lease on life, so I owe my life to him,” Alexia said, staring at Natasha.
A faint smile hung on Natasha's lips as she listened, but her expression gave nothing away.
Again, everyone next to them watched on in discomfort.
Mike even tugged on Alexia's shirt. “Alexia, please stop.”
Begrudgingly, Alexia pursed her lips and went silent.
Then, Natasha turned her head to look at Kenneth and drawled, “Your words reminded me of something. When I was young, Kenneth saved my life too. Without him, I wouldn't be sitting here today.”
“Natasha, are you childhood sweethearts with Boss?” Mike couldn't help but ask.
“Kind of,” Natasha replied.
“T-Then? What happened next?” Mike prompted.
“Oh, I married him,” Natasha said with a laugh.
At that answer, his eyes widened. “That's it? It's that simple”
“Simple?” Kenneth's lips curled upward in an exasperated smile. “What more do you want? She's the one I wanted to take as my wife since I was a child.” As he said that, he turned his gaze toward Natasha. “For the sake of marrying you, I gave my all in saving you back then.”
Natasha stared back at him with a warm smile on her lips.
At Kenneth's confession, Mike's eyes lit up. “Is this what they call 'nothing ventured, nothing gained'? Boss, it looks like you've always been so hard on yourself.”
“Well, as they say, 'no pain, no gain.' I'm willing to place everything on the line for her,” Kenneth said.
Luke, who was sitting next to them, chimed in, “I never thought you were such a romantic, Boss. Natasha, you're a blessed woman!”
“He should be counting his lucky stars to have met me since someone as outstanding as me is hard to come by,” Natasha retorted.
Kenneth agreed with her. “That's right. I couldn't find a woman like her even if I wanted to. That's why I'm grateful to have met her. I'll be sticking to her side forever.”
Natasha raised an eyebrow upon hearing his words.
As their conversation continued, Alexia felt like him saving her was nothing compared to their past together.
Her two hands, hanging by her sides, gradually tightened into fists.
At that moment, Mike teased, “I never expected to be forced to listen to how Boss professes his love to his lady and be all sappy before a wedding banquet is even held.”
“That is so true!” Luke concurred.
Listening to their mock complaints, Kenneth said, “A wedding banquet? All right, your request is duly received. When we get back and have our wedding ceremony, I'll invite all of you.”
Mike's eyes widened in surprise. “Boss, you haven't held a wedding ceremony yet?”
“No, not yet.”
“T-T-Then, you'll be inviting all of us?”
“Of course.” Kenneth nodded. “Everyone will be invited.”
“Really?” Mike and Luke grew excited at the response, but the feeling soon turned to worry. “Boss, are you sure? If everyone went, would there be enough space to fit so many people?” Luke asked.
Kenneth chuckled. “Hm? Are you afraid that I can't afford it?”
Mike spoke. “Luke, what nonsense are you spouting? Can you imagine being filthy rich? Do you know the feeling of being invincible and all-powerful? This man is the epitome of money and power. Even though he's left DX Group, he's someone at the top of the corporate world. He would have enough power to control everyone in the city, let alone you and me.”
As Luke listened, his gaze toward Kenneth gradually turned into anticipation and excitement.
“Boss... Can we, really?” Luke asked tentatively.
Kenneth smiled. “Make sure to arrive on time. That's all you need to do.”
That single request spoke volumes.
Relieved, Luke nodded. “Absolutely!”
Suddenly, Dave fake coughed and looked at them. “So, you don't need my permission, is that it?”
After he pointed it out, Luke and Mike were stunned for a moment before saying, “Eh? Aren't you going too, Dave?”
“Says who? Besides, even if I'm going, that doesn't mean that all of you are able to attend,” Dave said matter-of-factly.
Slowly, Mike's and Luke's excitement died down.
Just as they thought all hope was lost, Dave rekindled their hopes. “Unless...”
“What is it?” Luke asked immediately.
“Unless you persuade him to rejoin DX Group and let him be the boss, I won't let you go,” Dave said.
“Dave! That is impossible!” Luke exclaimed.
Dave grinned. “That's your business now, not mine.”
Mike and Luke exchanged hesitant glances before honing in on Natasha. “Natasha, please tell me you have some way to help us.”
“Uh...”
“You must have a way, Natasha! Pretty please?”
As Natasha listened to the two of them, she could only smile helplessly.
Meanwhile, Alexia stood stiffly at the side. She felt as though she was in another world, separated from the rest of the group.
Lifting her head, she stared fixedly at Kenneth. Even though he saved me and was the only light in my life, why are our treatments different? Just... why?
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