Natanie groped her way out to the vast open space and closed her eyes, willing the soft breeze to blow her sadness away.
She got teary and allowed the evening air send cold shivers down her spine, making her feel some sense of relief. 
Everything about Fred, irks her soul and taunts her body. She might not know what she really feels for him but she's sure they're not compatible. She frowned.
“Hey.” An unfamiliar voice said behind her and she turned to look who it was. Then she battled with her breathing for stability. The new judge.
“Hey.” She said to him.
“You seem to be always out here.” He remarked.
Natanie looked away from him. “Always?” 
“I observed.” He said simply.
“Were you spying on me?” She now focused on him. He didn't want her to have the wrong idea about him.
“I wouldn't call that spying, you know.” He said and reached for the steel varender that demarcates the Dance Palace from the vast fields.
Natanie was tempted to ask what it was but decided against it. 
He stood so close to her and his proximity made her uncomfortable. 
“So, you wanna talk about it?” He asked softly.
“Talk about what?” She stared quizzically at him.
“The sad face?” He blurted.
“There's nothing to talk about. Besides, even if there is _ not with a stranger.” She said.
“A stranger? I thought we were way past that when you smiled back at me.” He smiled.
She mentally kicked herself for having done that earlier, so she tried to move past the awkwardness.
“Well, I wasn't smiling back at you.” She blurted and he chuckled.
“You weren't?” 
Natanie ignored him.
“Then who wouldn't be captivated with such a beautiful smile.” He said and she immediately felt a huge lump form in her throat. 
He's such a sweet talker! She thought.
Natanie stared at him strangely and doubtedly and he already knows that feeling. 
He shook his head. “Don't get me wrong there, it's not my intention to make you uncomfortable.”
She nodded in partial understanding. “I get it.” She mumbled as her gaze rested on his long and beautiful fingers. She imagined them patting her spine gently in quick and subtle embrace.
She shook the thought away and redirected her gaze. 
“By the way, I'm David Harris and I don't bite. So feel free to talk if you want to.” He said to her.
She didn't like how uncomfortable he made her feel. So she decided to leave.
“Don't worry about me, I don't intend to and I gotta go now.” She made to walk away from him. 
“Didn't catch your name _” He said still with a smile on his face.
She turned to face him. “Natanie Duncan. But my friends call me Naty.”
“Does that mean we're friends now?” He pressed but she just looked away from him and walked away to go home.
When Natanie got home, she headed straight to her room. She took off her jacket and left with her sleeveless and trousers, she decided to sit at her balcony. 
She exhaled, allowing the cool breeze touch her. With in a relationship with Fred made it toxic for her to experience love, and despite her yearning for independence, she craves for a compatible soul.
“Hey.” Fredrick said from behind her biting his lower lip.
“Hi.” She responded without looking at him. “Didn't hear you knock.” She added and turned to look at him.
“Ugh _ the door was open and I thought there was no need for that.” He said nonchalantly. 
“You still could have knocked.” She looked away from him.
He scoffed. “Are you still mad at me?” 
“Sort of.” She muttered.
He sighed and approached her. “Natanie, it's not my intent to make you feel burdened about you my genuine concern for you. But if you feel that way, I'm sorry.” He said calmly. Then she turned to face him.
“I was only trying to show you how much I love and cherish you but if that offends you, I'm still sorry.” He added. 
“Look Fred, I'm not offended. I'm just a little mad at the way you insist on things that are totally unnecessary. You do things secretly without letting me in on it and I don't bug you but you get annoyingly obsessive and impulsive over my affairs, it doesn't feel nice at all.” Natanie raised her voice at the last part.
Fredrick just kept looking at her like she'd preached a sermon.
She sighed as he took her hand. “I'm sorry.” He said softly as strange guilt clouded her head.
“Forgive me for raising my voice like that.” She said slowly.
“No Natanie, I'm glad you were able to speak your mind. So there's nothing to forgive you for, it's all my fault. You're right, I'm sorry.” Fredrick muttered as he pulled her into a hug.
“I'm sorry.” He said again.
Fredrick always had that comforting embrace that Natanie couldn't resist. Then again, she wills herself to believe that what she feels for him is definitely love. 
No matter the uncertainty, she hopes to sort out her desires once and for all and not be confused about them again.
She sighed when he rubbed her back gently. Then she held unto his arms as if holding it for much longer could help her discern her feelings.
Fredrick on the other hand, held Natanie like he'd had recovered what he had lost. His deal with Natanie's mother looked promising and it won't be long until he makes her his, because he solely believes that he cannot live without her.