CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: ZANE THORNE COMPROMISED LAST TIME, NATALIE VAUGHN TAKES A STEP BACK THIS TIME

Zane Thorne sat down opposite Natalie Vaughn, watching her casually wipe the table with a tissue, raising an eyebrow, amusement in his eyes.

Finally, he believed that Natalie Vaughn was once a school bully.

Natalie rolled up her sleeves, crossing her arms to support her chin.

"Go on, what do you want?"

The sunset fell, the orange-red glow tinting Natalie’s hair and clothes.

Earlier, she found the wind too strong and had tied up her hair carelessly, the wisps by her forehead adding a touch of charm. A floral shirt, a pair of jeans, she exuded the beauty of a 90s Hong Kong magazine model.

Zane looked up at her, surprised at how versatile Natalie truly was. No matter what she wore, she seemed to find a way to blend in effortlessly.

Sweet, capable, beautiful, dashing, and lazy, as she was now.

"What are your requirements for the wedding?"

At these words, Natalie was momentarily stunned. She looked at Zane, only to see the man’s calm expression, yet the light of the sunset couldn’t cover the depth in his eyes.

Natalie sat up straight, her hand supporting her chin, pondering for a moment.

Their marriage had always been a concern for their parents; neither of them had cared about any of the details. Not to mention the families hadn’t met, and no date had been set, so how could they start planning a wedding?

Yet Zane had chosen this moment to specifically ask her out, to ask such a question.

She couldn’t help but suspect Zane had ulterior motives.

Natalie smirked slightly, just as the ordered milk was brought up. She didn’t rush to answer Zane’s question; instead, she sipped it bit by bit, organizing her thoughts, and only when she finished did she speak.

"What girl wouldn’t want a grand wedding?"

As she said this, Natalie kept staring at Zane, and upon seeing his furrowed brow, she understood.

So, Zane approaching her couldn’t be for anything good.

"Just kidding, go ahead and tell me why you sought me out, or else I won’t be able to eat this meal properly."

Zane looked deeply at Natalie, seeing the transparency on her face, he felt a twinge of guilt.

He had to admit, Natalie was a very smart woman.

"If possible, I hope to delay the wedding for now."

Upon hearing this, Natalie wasn’t too surprised. She even thought it might be that they wouldn’t hold a wedding at all.

She didn’t necessarily have to have a wedding. To be honest, she felt the wedding was a form of irony. A so-called wedding was just an alternative business occasion.

Natalie nodded readily.

"Alright, but I need you to give me a reason."

Zane remained silent.

Natalie tapped her fingers on the tabletop, each tap heavier and faster than the last.

She still didn’t get an answer from Zane.

Natalie sneered.

"Mr. Thorne, you should know your request is excessive, yet I agreed, but isn’t it just as difficult to give a reason?"

Upon hearing this, Zane looked up at her.

Natalie didn’t show him a pleasant face.

She was like this, when in a good mood, she could jokingly call Zane uncle or handsome. But now, Zane was a bit too much, so she wasn’t in the mood to please him.

He was just an interesting man, no need to compromise her feelings.

"You came to me, probably hoping that at the dinner table tomorrow, it would be best if I raised the topic. Let me guess, your reason is what? Oh, I haven’t graduated yet, and it’s the same to wait until I graduate, isn’t it?"

Natalie was too clever; she immediately guessed all of Zane’s thoughts.

The wind blew again, fluttering past.

Zane could clearly see the indifference in Natalie’s eyes.

Indeed, this matter was his fault, deserving of criticism.

He had wanted to say it himself, but considering it might strain the relationship between the families and embarrass the girl, he decided to come to Natalie today. He had indeed thought about having Natalie say it and then holding the wedding after her graduation.

Even he felt quite incapable regarding this matter.

"Natalie."

Zane’s voice was somewhat hoarse.

"This is my incompetence. I don’t want to hold the wedding now, and as for the reason, I can’t tell you."

Because even he wasn’t sure whether it was guilt or fear.

Though he hadn’t been smoking, his voice sounded as if it had been swept by wind and sand. His eyes were as deep as ever, but this time Natalie saw a bit of heaviness in them. He hid it well, but it was so intense that she still noticed.

Natalie’s fingers moved slightly, tucking the hair blown loose by the wind behind her ear.

She hadn’t expected the first time Zane called her name would be under these circumstances; his voice was as sexy as he was. Natalie was reluctant to admit that her heart trembled at these simple two words.

What secret is Zane hiding? What burden does he bear?

This exceptionally talented individual, who unexpectedly retired five years ago, giving up the racing he loved with his life, but why?

Who exactly is that person in Altara Hospital?

Natalie sighed a long breath, suppressing her numerous doubts.

Because she discovered that each question raised would further pique her interest in Zane.

The eldest Vaughn girl always valued her own feelings, and this was the first time she felt soft and conflicted.

Because Zane, a person who should be wanton and arrogant, admitted he was incapable.

Natalie thought for a moment about what situation would make her say she was incompetent, yet found she couldn’t imagine it at all.

She was such a proud person; how could she say she was incompetent?

Natalie lowered her eyes, her fingers unconsciously tapping the table surface. She was very clear that such a proud person denying himself so might not be due to a simple matter.

"Will you be able to tell me in the future?"

Natalie retreated half a step.

That day at the bar, Zane compromised once to her, so this time she stepped back half a step.

Zane didn’t give a definitive answer, but Natalie saw the shift in his eyes.

"Alright, whether you’ll tell me also depends on my abilities, doesn’t it?"

Natalie suddenly called the owner over.

"Bring a case of beer."

The owner looked at Natalie, then at Zane, and only when Zane nodded did he take out the beer.

Natalie grabbed a beer, opened it quickly against the table edge without an opener.

Zane watched her movements, his heart stirring with an inexplicable agitation, instinctively wanting to smoke. But after taking it out, he just left it on the table.

Natalie took a sip; she hadn’t had beer in years, so the taste was a bit hard to get used to initially.

She said.

"Zane, one day I will make you willingly tell me about your past."

She took another sip of beer.

"Tomorrow at the dinner table, I can mention this matter, but you have to agree to one thing for me."

The eldest Vaughn girl never shortchanges herself and is skilled at negotiating.

Zane, quick as lightning, restrained Natalie’s hand from pouring more beer.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Natalie smirked, rotated the beer bottle, and poured it into the glass in front of Zane.

"Take me to your racing club; I want to sit in your co-driver seat."

Natalie looked straight into Zane’s eyes.

She knew Zane hadn’t touched racing in many years, and also knew he hadn’t competed in many years, not even in a simple friendly match.

Yet she insisted on being the one to break Zane’s taboo.