The Unexpected Heir

Chapter 4: The Dinner With The Boss

❤ Nathalie’s POV ❤

I froze in place as I saw Don Miguel. I also got momentarily distracted as the tall nurse smiled at me. Aside from being tall, he's quite handsome too. His smile distracted me because of the dimple on his left cheek.

Don Miguel: "Have you settled into your room yet?"

Nathalie: "Yes, sir. Thank you for the accommodation."

Don Miguel: "I'm glad you like it. If you need anything, please tell Naomi. She'll take care of it for you.

I nodded and smiled as I said "Thank you, sir."

Don Mogue: "By the way, this is Marco Mangahas. He's one of the nurses who takes care of me. Marco, this is Nathalie. She's the lady I've been telling you about."

I shyly looked at Marco as he said "It's a pleasure to meet you, Nathalie."

Nathalie: "Uhm, thank you."

I felt myself blushing. Thankfully, Don Miguel interjected and said "Why don't you join us? It's a nice day out. I like to sit here by the pool every now and then when I want to get some fresh air."

Nathalie: "Uhm, I wouldn't want to intrude."

Don Miguel: "Oh, you're not intruding. Come sit next to me and tell me more about school. You said you were a sophomore, right?"

I took a seat in the lounge chair next to Don Miguel's. Marco kept standing, which worked best for me, because his face was out of my line of sight.

Nathalie: "Yes, sir."

Marco: "Where are you studying?"

My heart beat faster when I heard Marco's deep voice. His voice is quite attractive too.

Nathalie: "Uhm, UP Manila."

UP stands for University of the Philippines, and it's considered one of the top Universities in the country. The Manila campus specializes in Medical Courses, including Nursing and Medicine.

Marco: "Wow, you must be really smart. I went to the University of Santo Tomas."

Nathalie: "Thank you. UST's nursing program is one of the best. You're the smart one."

Don Miguel: "Marco is quite smart. He was one of the top notchers when he passed the nursing board exam. I had to steal him away from the hospital he was working at to get him to work for me."

Marco: "I didn't even take the UP entrance exam because I was scared I wouldn't pass."

Don Miguel: "Well, I make it a point to surround myself with smart people."

Naomi arrived at that moment carrying a tray with pastries and juice. Don Miguel looked at Marco and said "I think I'll take a nap for now. Can you help me to my room, Marco? Nathalie, please have some pastries and stay by the pool. You can swim if you want to."

Nathalie: "T-thank you."

In a few minutes, I was alone in the pool. I decided to lie in the lounge chair as I looked at the pool. I was startled when I heard Marco's deep voice say "Hi, can I join you?"

I froze for a bit and said "Uhm, sure."

Marco took a seat next to me and said "So, welcome to the mansion. You're going to love working here. Don Miguel is a very kind and generous man."

Nathalie: "Uhm, that's good to know. How long have you been working for him?"

Marco: "Two years. I used to be a one-man team. Now, there are two other full-time and three part-time nurses on the team."

Nathalie: "Uhm, if I could ask, why does Don Miguel need a lot of nurses and a caretaker?"

Marco: "Oh, you don't know?"

Nathalie: "Know what?"

Marco: "Don Miguel has pancreatic cancer. He needs round-the-clock care."

Nathalie: "Oh. I didn't know that. Aside from the wheelchair, he seems really strong."

Marco: "Well, he's had days when he's struggling."

Nathalie: "Oh."

Marco: "Yeah."

Nathalie: "Uhm, doesn't he have a family?"

Marco: "He was married once, and he has a son, but I heard that they are not on good terms. He lives abroad and they haven't talked in years."

Nathalie: "So, he doesn't know that his father is sick?"

Marco: "Probably not."

I felt sad for Don Miguel. When my mother got sick, I didn't want to leave her side. I wonder what happened that made his son stay away from him.

Marco: "So, you're a UP student."

Nathalie: "Yeah."

For the next few days, Marco and I have become friends, and he has become sort of my mentor in nursing. The other nurses were pretty nice as well, but I felt most comfortable with Marco.

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That night, Don Miguel invited me to have dinner with him. I put on one of my best dresses because I wanted to make a good impression. Don Miguel is one of the wealthiest and most prominent businessmen in the country, and I’m sure he’s used to having dinner with famous and powerful people. How could I compare to them?

When I arrived at the dining table, Don Miguel was already there. He smiled when he saw me and said “Nathalie, come take a seat. I’ve been waiting for you.”

Nathalie: “Oh. I’m sorry for making you wait.”

Don Miguel: “Don’t worry, you didn’t make me wait. You’re right on time.”

I took a seat and bowed my head. I don’t feel comfortable making eye contact with Don Miguel. When he said “You look beautiful today,” I glanced at him for a second and said, “Thank you, sir.”

Don Miguel: “Please, don’t call me sir. Call me Miguel.”

Nathalie: “Uhm, it wouldn’t feel right.”

Don Miguel: “Okay, call me whatever you’re comfortable with.”

I glanced at Don Miguel and smiled. His face is really pleasant and he makes me feel more comfortable the longer we talk.

We started eating, and Don Miguel offered me to try every dish on the table and even described each of them. I enjoyed each dish, and it was the first time for me to try most of the dishes on the table.

When we were done eating, Don Miguel invited me to join him at the lounge where he had the helpers bring us some coffee, tea, and desserts. I didn’t want to drink coffee for I might have a hard time getting to sleep, so I opted for a cup of tea with some milk and honey.

When we were alone, Don Miguel asked “So, how do you like your room?”

Nathalie: “It’s amazing. Thank you. It’s a little big for me, though.”

Don Miguel: “It’s actually one of the smaller rooms in the mansion if you can believe it. The nurses have their own rooms too, in case they wanted to stay for the night.”

Nathalie: “Uhm, I hope you don’t mind me asking. You already have round-the-clock nurses, why did you need a caretaker?”

Don Miguel: “Well, the nurses are here for my medical needs. You’re here as my companion. I get lonely sometimes, and I need the company.”

I got nervous and was not able to respond. What kind of company was Don Miguel expecting?

He must have noticed my reaction and eventually chuckled before saying “I’m sorry. Let me rephrase that. I rarely get out of the house anymore. I am the President and CEO of the biggest corporation in the country, and even in Asia. and the truth is, I don’t want people to see me in my weakened state.”

I looked at Don Miguel and listened intently. I could somehow understand what he was saying.

Don Miguel: “I’ve never liked technology, and I don’t like watching TV or films. I love reading books, but my eyes are not clear enough for me to read anymore. So you would be mainly reading books to me.”

Nathalie: “Oh. I can do that.”

Don Miguel: “That’s great.”

Don Miguel took a sip from his tea and said “I would love to stay and chat some more, but I’m tired. Would you mind calling my nurse for me? Thank you.”

I called Don Miguel’s nurse and we said goodnight as he wheeled him upstairs to his room.