Justin tilted his brows the moment he caught sight of Natalie. He was seemingly astounded to see her there.

Seconds later, he regained his usual composure and nodded slightly at Natalie with a courteous smile. After that, he lowered his head to remind Joyce, who was taking a pair of slippers for him, “Joyce, your friend is here.”

“Huh?” The latter rose to her feet in bafflement. “My friend? Where?”

“Joyce,” Natalie called out to her in an instant.

Dumbfounded, Joyce momentarily stiffened before she turned around. She gaped at Natalie for quite a while before she could eventually utter a word. “Nat, why are you here?”

Wearing a look of a surprise amid jubilance, she moved toward Natalie at once. “Why didn't you notify me earlier that you'll be coming?”

Natalie grabbed her hand and responded mischievously, “I was thinking of giving you a surprise!”

Joyce giggled. “Undeniably, I'm on cloud nine now. But I've to admit that I was stunned a while ago too. What makes you think of coming here all of a sudden? You have never mentioned that you would come, have you?”

“Well, I can't avoid deciding on last-minute trips at times,” Natalie replied casually.

“Yeah! I agree

She asked curiously, “Nat, when did you reach here? Are you here alone? Isn't Mr. Thompson

catching up with your mom. Shane is occupied with work and unable to come with me,” Natalie

this round? The two kids are not here?” Joyce asked

to let them stay in

agreement. “You're right. After all,

Seconds later, she put down the clothes in

walked away, Natalie's smile

behind Joyce, pretending that she did not know him. “Oh yeah!

Justin unwittingly. Smiling sheepishly, she pointed at the latter. “Ah! Nat, let me introduce him to you. He's Justin Sutter, my best childhood playmate in

her chin as she enunciated deliberately and teased, “Oh, I see! He's your childhood

years. If Justin didn't come to

so, there was sheer affection in his

later, he retracted his gaze from her before stretching out his hand toward Natalie to greet her formally, “Mrs. Thompson, nice to meet you.

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