Not twins novel (Natasha and Kenneth)
Chapter 697

Chapter 697

Kenneth stared at the man before him. "You should've brought this matter up to me earlier!"

"Well, you should've anticipated that things would come to this," Dave replied, prompting Kenneth to glower at him.

Knowing that he was indeed in the wrong, Dave sighed and continued, "I'm sure you can also tell that what Alexia feels for you is more than pure gratitude. I did give it a lot of thought before making my decision. That's how I realized the only way for her to get over you is by letting her repay your kindness. Otherwise, it's just a matter of time before she gets carried away by her emotions."

Kenneth couldn't help but furrow his brows as he listened intently.

"Don't worry. I'll take responsibility for it when the time comes," Dave reassured.

"You'd better not go back on your word."

"Oh, relax. I won't pass the buck to you!" Dave replied before being hit by a sudden realization. "Wait a minute... Are you this worried because a certain someone has lost her temper?"

"Lost her temper?" Kenneth muttered, the exasperation in his voice palpable. "How I wish that were the case."

"What do you mean?"

"Even now, she still doesn't see this as a big deal," Kenneth sputtered, clearly unhappy and vexed.

"Really?" Dave asked. "Aren't women naturally more sensitive and paranoid about these matters? There's no way they'd tolerate them."

"Ha. That may be so, but she's a rare specimen who refuses to play by the book!"

Dave, who had had similar experiences, shot Kenneth a wary look. "In the past, my partner would've turned green with envy if I got close to anyone of the opposite sex. Even if they didn't feel that way, they'd still pretend to be jealous and angry. Otherwise, it'd seem like they didn't care at all..."

Upon hearing that, the latter quickly turned around. "Now that you've said that, I feel much more at ease."

"Why is that?"

"I suppose Nat is different from everyone else, so we can't compare her to others. That's all the reassurance I need, isn't it?" Kenneth quipped, nodding confidently to himself before walking away.

Dave eyed the man in puzzlement. "Where are you going?"

"It's time to eat."

Despite being struck speechless, Dave couldn't help but chuckle at Kenneth.

Well, I must admit Kenneth has a point. After all, how can Natasha be compared to other people?

With that thought in mind, Dave put his smile away and left.

Meanwhile, at the dinner table, Natasha was scrolling through her phone while eating.

When Kenneth walked up and sat opposite her, she lifted her head to meet his gaze. "Done chatting so soon?”

"Yes," Kenneth said with a nod.

With that, Natasha continued eating, her eyes occasionally darting to her phone.

Kenneth, however, couldn't stop scrutinizing the woman before her. Hmm... From what I can tell, Natasha isn't putting on an act. She just isn't angry at all.

The next second, he pretended to clear his throat, and it wasn't long before his cough caught Natasha's attention.

"What's wrong? Do you have a sore throat?"

Kenneth merely looked at her and nodded.

Without further ado, Natasha handed her cup of water to him. "Here, drink up. It'd help to soothe your throat!"

After inspecting the cup and the lipstick stain left behind, Kenneth lifted it to his mouth and drank from the same spot.

Of course, his actions didn't go unnoticed by Natasha.

Even though there was nothing special about drinking from someone else's cup, it was impressive how Kenneth could still make it seem like an intimate and titillating act.

Natasha smiled and said nothing more.

After putting the cup down, Kenneth gave a satisfied nod. "Ah, that was good. My throat does feel better now."

Grinning from ear to ear, Natasha uttered, "Drink more, then."

Just then, Kenneth leaned forward and clutched her hand. "You must let me know if it bothers you, Nat!"

"Speaking of that, I haven't felt any pain in the past few days. There haven't been any signs of the poison taking effect, either. In fact, I think the durations between attacks are getting longer."

"That's not what I meant..."

"What is it, then?"

Kenneth stared into Natasha's eyes and let out a heavy sigh. "It's nothing. I'm overthinking things."

"Are you talking about Alexia?" the latter asked.

Kenneth nodded.

"I can sense what she's feeling for you, and it's not as simple as wanting to repay her gratitude."

For a moment, Kenneth was dumbstruck. "Is that so?"

"That's what my intuition's telling me."

"Do you really not mind at all?" Kenneth asked.

After a few moments of contemplation, Natasha looked back up at Kenneth. "How do you think they saw the diamond ring today?"

Kenneth stilled for a split second. "Did you do that on purpose?"

"Yes!" Natasha replied, nodding and looking as calm as a millpond.

Naturally, that filled Kenneth with excitement and joy. "Why, though?"

"I have to let the girl know not to become too emotionally invested in this relationship," Natasha said matter-of-factly as she sipped her coffee. "She has to understand that she won't get anything in return."

Upon hearing that, Kenneth furrowed his brows. "Why does it sound like you're trying to be considerate of her feelings?"

"Of course I am. After all, she's still young. Shouldn't we help her in any way we can?"

Words eluded Kenneth.

Why do I feel like I'm just a tool in this situation?

"Nat, don't you think you've missed the point?" he asked as he gazed at Natasha, hoping she'd say what was on his mind.

"Kenneth, do you still remember how old I was when I married you?"

Having realized what Natasha was getting at, Kenneth instantly froze.

"Back then, I was about the same age as Alexia, and I remember being hopelessly infatuated with you," Natasha added.

"Does that mean you're sympathizing with her?"

"No, I wouldn't call it sympathy... I just saw my younger self in her. We're both women, so why should I make things difficult for her?"

"Nat, why do your words make me feel like you might ditch me at any moment?" Kenneth muttered, his forehead creased with concern.

Natasha suddenly burst out laughing. "Yes, yes. That's why you'd better prepare yourself for the worst. As you know, I'm a very vindictive person. Since you've abandoned me before, it's only a matter of time before I repay that favor."

"Have you thought about how you'd ditch me, then?"

"Hmm... I guess I'll have to do it when you're off your guard," Natasha teased as she raised her brows.

To her surprise, Kenneth grabbed her hands. "You won't get that chance! Even if it happens, I'll go to the ends of the world to replace you. I'll cling to you so tightly that you won't be able to shake me off!"

"Really?"

"Yes, and that's not all. I have plenty of shameless tactics to deploy!" Kenneth cheekily warned.

Natasha glanced at how Kenneth was holding her hands and smiled, albeit with a hint of helplessness in her eyes.

Well, I sure hope everything is as he says.