Natalie''s lips curved into a smile as she picked up a shrimp Marcus had just peeled and held it to his lips. "Open your mouth."


    "I''m not eating. I peeled them for you."


    "Hmm?" The slight drop in her tone made Marcus immediatelyply and open his mouth.


    "That''s more like it." Natalie was instantly satisfied.


    "After dinner, let''s go watch a movie." She had looked up some dating guides online-eating, shopping, and watching a movie were the standard essentials for couples.


    They had already eaten, next was shopping, and then a movie to wrap up their date. Once they got back, she''d pack her bags and inform her family about her trip so they wouldn''t worry.


    Tomorrow morning, they would head straight to Amberton.


    Walter was initially supposed toe to Dithoria after finishing up the Langley Group matters, but since she was going back to investigate the truth behind the baby switch, she had told him to wait for her in Amberton instead.


    Thinking of Walter, Natalie couldn''t help but nce at Marcus.


    The first time Marcus had kissed her, it was because she had said she liked Walter and Tyler.


    They hadn''t even been in a rtionship back then, yet his jealousy was already that intense. If he saw Walter in Amberton, wouldn''t he drown in his own jealousy?


    "Why are you looking at me like that?" Marcus caught her gaze and smirked. "Is there something on my face?"


    "Yeah." Natalie nodded seriously. "Good looks."


    Marcus smirked. Lowering his gaze, he feigned indifference as he picked up another te of shrimp, put on gloves, and started peeling again.


    "Marcus, doesn''t your restaurant offer shrimp-peeling services?"


    "This is a Helianese restaurant, not a seafood joint. Of course not."


    "Well, you should start offering it." Natalie scooted closer, took the shrimp from his hands, and smiled. "I can''t bear to see your hands peeling shrimp."


    "I''m happy to peel them for you."


    "But I''m not happy about it." Natalie seriously studied his hands. His long well- defined fingers, his clean and fair skin. Every movement of his was elegant.


    "We have money. Why should we do things ourselves?"


    She pressed the call button in the private dining room. Within a moment, the restaurant manager entered.


    "Mr. Holden, Ms. Walker."


    "Bring in two servers to peel the shrimp," Natalie said with a smile. "Thank you."


    "Of course, Ms. Walker. Please wait a moment."


    The manager quickly left, and shortly after, two servers entered, washed their hands, put on gloves, and started peeling the shrimp.


    "See? This is better. Now we can eat and chat at the same time."


    Natalie returned to her seat and clinked sses with Marcus. Since she tended to lose control after drinking, she never drank alcohol when she was out. Instead, she stuck to juice. Marcus also refrained from drinking and clinked his juice ss with hers.


    They bothughed for no reason.


    "After dinner, let''s go see a movie."


    "When you were in Amberton, did you ever watch a movie with another man?" Marcus asked casually.


    "Yeah! I watched them with Walter and Tyler," Natalie deliberately teased. "They even bought me popcorn and soda. I watched a romance movie with Walter, and an action movie with Tyler."


    The smile on Marcus'' lips froze instantly.


    Natalie watched his reaction closely. The moment she saw his mood darken, she couldn''t help butugh. "I was lying. Are you jealous again, Marcus?"


    Sheughed even harder. "I was just teasing you. I never watched a movie with them, not even with Olivia."


    "I''m not jealous," Marcus replied calmly. "Do I seem like a petty man? I don''t care about your past. From now on, I just need to be the only one by your side." "Really?" Natalie clearly didn''t believe him.


    "Yes." Marcus took a sip of his juice. "Eat your food. Once we finish, I''ll take you to the movies."


    "Alright." Natalie stopped teasing him and focused on eating.


    During the meal, Marcus'' phone kept vibrating. Eventually, he picked it up and walked out. "Nat, I''m going to take a call. I''ll be right back."


    "Okay."


    After stepping out of the private room, Marcus returned the call. "Is it done?"


    "Yes, Mr. Holden. Tyler won''t be showing up anywhere publicly for a while." "When I arrive in Amberton, I don''t want to see Walter anywhere either." "Understood, Mr. Holden."


    Marcus hung up. Tyler or Walter-it didn''t matter. Once he was in Amberton with Natalie, neither of them would get the chance to see her.


    Just as he ended the call, Noah approached. "Mr. Holden, the movie theater has been reserved. The shopping route and stores forter have also been arranged. Enjoy your date with Ms. Walker."


    "Okay."


    Marcus stood by the window for a moment, scrolling through his photo album


    before finally heading back to the private room.


    After dinner, they left the restaurant.


    Marcus took Natalie to a bustling


    shopping street. They strolled slowly, and whenever Natalie saw


    something cute or interesting, she


    would pick it up, examine it, then put it back.


    Marcus said nothing at the time. But as soon as they left, someone immediately


    stepped in to purchase everything she had looked at.


    After a while, Natalie suggested they go to the cinema. Once the movie ended,


    she wanted to visit The Book Sanctum at Holden Residence.


    "Marcus, let''s watch the movie early so we can go to your family''s library afterward."


    "Alright." Marcus agreed without hesitation. The longer they stayed at the library, the more time he could spend with her.


    "What do you want to watch?"


    Natalie thought for a moment. "Let''s go with aedy."


    Life had far too many unhappy moments in between. Watching aedy would


    be a good way to lighten the mood.


    "Alright, let''s go."


    Marcus took her to the cinema, which had already been reserved. While Natalie selected a film, Marcus bought snacks.


    When she finished choosing, they entered the hall and sat down. Natalie


    immediately noticed something odd.


    "Why is there no one else here?"


    "I reserved the ce." Marcus casually handed her popcorn, soda, fries, and some beef jerky.


    "Thanks."


    "Isn''t reserving an entire cinema hall a bit wasteful?" Natalie frowned. She really


    thought it was unnecessary.


    "Alright, next time I won''t have Noah


    reserve it Marcus said smoothly


    "Nat, this is our first movie date. cherish it. If I do anything wrong, tell me so I can improve next time, okay?"


    "Okay."


    Natalie picked up a fry and stuffed it into his mouth. "Try this."


    "Thanks, Nat." Marcus smiled, in a great mood as he started watching the movie.


    Halfway through, he couldn''t help but hold Natalie''s hand. "Nat, I''m the first


    boyfriend to take you to a movie, right?"


    "Yes, yes," Natalie replied absentmindedly. "You''re also my first for many other things."


    Now, Marcus waspletely satisfied.