I Refuse to Be Your Second Choice novel Chapter 190

"Arianna."

Natalie looked up to see a clean-cut man with glasses approaching their table. He smiled warmly at Arianna.

"Steven Wright?" Arianna said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"

"My colleagues and I were doing some research nearby. I saw you and just wanted to come say hello."

Arianna scooted over in the booth. "You probably haven't eaten. Sit down and join us. I want to introduce you to my best friend, Natalie Watson."

She then turned to Natalie. "Natalie, this is my boyfriend, Steven Wright."

Steven looked at Natalie and offered a polite greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Watson."

Natalie smiled and extended her hand. "You too. Arianna and I are like sisters, so please, call me Natalie."

Arianna again urged Steven to sit, but he just smiled. "You two enjoy your lunch. I don't want to intrude. I've already taken care of the bill. I'll pick you up after work tonight."

With that, he turned and left.

Arianna started to call after him, flustered that he had paid when they had only known each other a short time, but he was already out the door.

"Is that the guy you were set up with?" Natalie asked.

"Yeah. What do you think of him?"

He seemed like a gentleman—thoughtful and considerate, knowing when to give them space. He was the kind of person who would be easy to get along with. And yet, Natalie couldn't shake the feeling that his sincerity didn't quite reach his eyes.

But she didn't want to bias her friend's opinion based on a fleeting impression. She smiled. "As long as you like him and he treats you well, that's all that matters."

The joint auction with The Thompson Group was being held in the grand ballroom of a five-star hotel. Long before it began, the hall was already buzzing with guests and members of the press.

This was Natalie's event to lead. As she was getting her makeup done backstage, Samuel Thompson came to see her.

"Mr. Thompson," she said, her eyes meeting his in the mirror. "Are you here to give me a last-minute pep talk? Worried I might mess up?" In a professional setting, she reverted to his formal title.

After Samuel left, Natalie stared intently at the information on the tablet, determined to focus. For now, she couldn't afford to wonder why Alexander Ramirez was here.

But the voices from the hallway drifted in.

"Mr. Ramirez is here with Ms. White! The reporters were just asking if he came to bid on the 'Baby's Breath' tiara for his fiancée."

"Of course he is. They're about to get engaged. It would be the perfect engagement gift…"

The voices faded as the speakers moved on. Natalie could no longer hear what they were saying.

She continued to stare at the tablet, but the words had started to blur.

A knock came at the door. It was Ava Thompson, there to inform her that it was time.

Natalie stood up, lifted her chin, and walked out onto the stage.