I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 16

"Did you prepare this lunch just for me? I can't believe you still remember what I like."

In the seating area of the CEO's office, Camila White was elegantly eating from the dishes spread across the coffee table, a blissful smile she couldn't contain on her face. Natalie recognized them clearly; they were the dishes she had just made.

It turned out Alexander wasn't just a picky eater. The few things he liked, he liked because Camila liked them.

"I thought your tastes might have changed after all those years abroad," Alexander said, his expression neutral, though his eyes were fixed on the food.

Suddenly, he caught a movement at the door. His gaze shifted.

Natalie stood there, holding the thermos. Her beautiful, expressive eyes took in the scene on the coffee table, a look of understanding and self-mockery passing through them.

At that moment, Camila also looked up and saw Natalie. "Natalie, what are you doing here?" she asked, surprised. Her tone implied that Natalie had no right to be there.

Alexander, leaning back casually against the sofa, showed no sign of guilt.

When Natalie was first learning to cook these dishes for him, she had accidentally cut her finger and gotten splattered with hot oil. He had been so worried back then that he had forbidden her from ever touching a stove again. But she had persisted and mastered them. He had boasted proudly to his friends, refusing to even let Bruce Ward have a taste.

He had probably forgotten all about that.

Natalie walked to the coffee table and placed the thermos down, her expression a mask of indifference. "I wasn't aware that Mrs. Ramirez needed to make an appointment to visit Mr. Ramirez's office."

Camila was taken aback. She noticed that the thermos matched the containers on the table and feigned surprise. "Did you make this for Alexander? I'm so sorry, I thought he had it specially prepared for me."

Natalie saw no apology in Camila's eyes, only a veiled delight—the delight of discovering that her tastes and Alexander's were still perfectly aligned.

"My cooking is mediocre, and I don't have the time. The housekeeper made all this. Ms. White, please, enjoy it. I have other things to attend to, so I won't disturb you."

Without another glance at Alexander, Natalie turned and walked out of the office.

-

"He gave the food you made to Camila White?" Arianna's voice exploded over the phone. "He did that on purpose!"

Natalie, wearing a Bluetooth headset, stared at an email from the visa center on her computer screen. There were a few more details to fill in. "Intentional or not, it doesn't matter."

"It was good," he added.

"Thanks for the compliment. Are you done? If so, please let go of my arm."

Her tone was cool and distant. Alexander seemed displeased by her attitude, his brow furrowing. "Your skills have improved, and so has your temper."

"Am I supposed to be a doormat?" Only a doormat would have no temper.

Natalie yanked her arm free and, without another word, walked out of the bedroom.

A phone started ringing in the room. Alexander turned. Natalie's phone was on the table. The caller ID showed an international number.

She had no relatives abroad. Who would be calling her internationally? Unless…

A specific person came to Alexander's mind. His face hardened as he swiped to answer.

"Natalie, I got the package. Your visa should be almost ready, right?"