Reborn From Oblivion

Nathalie's heart sank as she let go of Nina's hand and sprinted toward the backyard.

The usually quiet garden was aglow with lights tonight. The path, lined with reeds and slate sculptures, was strewn with petals-evidence of a once-pristine flower path leading to an arched greenhouse at the end. But now, the greenhouse was torn open, riddled with large holes, as the servants worked to dismantle it. Nathalie approached and told the servants, "You can all leave now."

She moved to the arched entrance of the greenhouse, pushed it open, and was hit by a strong whiff of alcohol.

Nathan sat on the ground, his coat tossed aside, clad in a white silk pajama set that clung to him in a way that was both alluring and vulnerable. Leaning against the flower wall, he held a nearly empty bottle of vodka. His cheeks were flushed, and his eyes were half- closed, clearly drunk.

Nathalie walked over and knelt in front of him.

Nathan was too far gone to notice her presence. He took another swig from the bottle.

"Nathan, the greenhouse is beautiful, the flower path so romantic," Nathalie said softly.

Nathan struggled to focus his eyes on her. "Why didn't you wait for me to come back?" she asked.

With a sleepy smile, Nathan said, "Am I dreaming? Why are you here?"

He reached out to touch her face. "Weren't you going to see him? I thought you weren't coming back tonight."

"No, that's not it. You wouldn't come back. I was dreaming, dreaming of you." He nuzzled into her like a pet cat, whispering, "Don't leave me."

Nathalie wrapped her arms around his neck. "Why are you so wasted?"

She couldn't grasp how someone so confident could be so insecure when it came to her.

"Nathan, what will it take for you to trust me?" she sighed, holding his head gently.

"Why would you think I wouldn't come back?" Nathalie was baffled.

"I did go to see Cameron, but it wasn't by choice. I promise, I'll never have anything to do with him again. It's just you and me now, Nathan."

Nathan lifted his head, his eyes hazy but intense as he looked at Nathalie. "Maybe I'm not as good as him, but I love you more. Please don't sneak off to see him again, okay?"

His eyes were deep, filled with emotion.

Suddenly, Nathalie leaned down and kissed him.

Nathan was taken aback.

He was like a startled puppet, and as Nathalie's kiss deepened, his tense face softened, and a joyful smile spread across it.

He murmured as he pulled her closer.

When the servants came in to

clearnoveldrama

the debris, they found the two of them wrapped around each other

like flames, quickly retreating in

shock. vel

"Leave it, leave it. Let's get out of here."

But fate had other ideas, and the greenhouse started to tremble.

Nathalie looked up in alarm at the

beams above, and just as one was about fo fall, Nathan threw himself over her, taking the hit himself.

BUMS

"Ouch," Nathan cried out, and Nathalie's heart-wrenching sobs followed.

"Nathan, are you okay?"

The servants rushed in.

They managed to stabilize the teetering greenhouse.

Dominick immediately called for an ambulance, and soon it arrived to take the injured Nathan away.

It was a night of high drama.

At the hospital, Nathalie, at Lizzy's urging, underwent a full check-up. As soon as she was free, she dashed to Nathan's hospital room.