##### Chapter 3 : Unexpected call

Natalie's POV

“I felt restless all day, my head throbbing with a dull ache. As I mechanically chopped the vegetables, my mind wandered, unable to focus. The sound of the knife hitting the table seemed to echo through my thoughts, a harsh reminder of the discomfort I couldn’t shake.

My gaze drifted to the window, lost in the memory of a stranger who had taken my first kiss without hesitation or apology. The pain of that moment still lingered, a bitter reminder of a violation that left me feeling empty and unsure.”

“I snapped into action, lifting the lid off the pot of potato porridge. The aroma burst forth, enveloping the ceiling and captivating my senses. I inhaled deeply, savoring the scent and anticipating the taste.

‘Nat, come on! It’s past lunchtime!’ My mom’s voice cut in, her tone laced with a reminder of my notoriously slow cooking pace that always seemed to leave her and our taste buds hanging. ‘Mom, please, just a little longer…’ I trailed off, searching for an excuse to justify the delay.”

“I knew I had to think fast or risk facing hunger-induced grumpiness from my mom. ‘I’m adding a special ingredient, Mom,’ I said, trying to sound convincing. ‘It’ll be worth the wait, I promise!’

My mom raised an eyebrow but didn’t press the issue. I could tell she was intrigued, though. I quickly added a dash of paprika and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley to the porridge, stirring it in with a flourish.

As I ladled the steaming hot porridge into bowls, the aroma filled the room, and my mom’s expression softened. ‘Okay, okay,’ she said with a smile. ‘I think it might be worth the wait after all.’

“The ceramic plate clattered in protest as I swept my hand through it playfully, reaching for my favorite flowering deep-bowled plate. Just then, the kitchen landline vibrated loudly, making me turn swiftly, still clutching the plate in my fist.

‘Who is it?’ I muttered softly, a wave of annoyance washing over me as I continued to set the table, my mind preoccupied with the meal preparation.”

“I didn’t bother to answer the phone, assuming it was just a telemarketer or the wrong number. But the persistent ringing eventually got the better of me. I carefully placed the plate on the counter and made my way to the phone, wiping my hands on a towel before picking up the receiver.

‘Hello?’ I said it curtly, expecting to hear a robotic voice on the other end. But instead, a warm, familiar voice spoke up. ‘Hey, Nat! How’s it going?’

“My heart skipped a beat as I recognized the voice. ‘Gabriella?’ I called out loudly, attracting my mom’s attention. ‘Natalie, focus and serve the food!’ my mom admonished, her voice laced with amusement. ‘I don’t know if you’re lost in thoughts of Gabriella, but your lunch is getting cold!’

I raised an eyebrow, shooting my mom a playful glare as I tiptoed away from the table, holding the phone close to my ear. ‘Why in the fuckin world did you call me on the kitchen landline?’ I whispered urgently to Gabriella, my tone laced with a hint of excitement and a dash of annoyance.”

“My girl’s using slang on me now, ‘baby girl’?” Gabriella’s voice was laced with excitement, but mine hitched in my throat as I realized what I might have just said. “Wait, did I just…?” I trailed off, my hands gesturing as if to demonstrate my uncertainty, even though she couldn’t see me. “Did I just say something inappropriate to you?” I asked, my voice laced with confusion and a hint of embarrassment.

Her laughter echoed through the phone, putting me at ease. “No, Nat, you’re good! I knew what you meant. But I have to say, it’s cute to hear you trying to speak my language.” I chuckled, feeling a bit relieved. “Hey, I’m trying to stay current, okay? I don’t want to be a dinosaur.”

We both laughed, and the tension dissipated. We chatted for a bit longer, catching up on each other’s lives. As we wrapped up the call, Gabriella mentioned something that made my heart skip a beat.

“Hey, Nat? I’m thinking of coming over to your place later. I have something important to talk to you about.”

“No, don’t come over!” I exclaimed teasingly. “Mom won’t appreciate a naughty visitor like you causing trouble in her house anytime soon!” I poured myself a glass of water and pulled out a kitchen stool, resting my head on the counter as I gazed down at the floor.

“What’s going on, Gabriella?” I asked, my tone softening. “You’re starting to worry me.”

Gabriella sighed, her breath audible through the phone. “I need to talk to you about something, Nat. Something important.”

Her tone was laced with a hint of vulnerability, making me feel tense and pressured to know the reason behind her sudden seriousness. “What is it, Gabby? You’re scaring me,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

The line went silent for a moment, and I could sense Gabriella’s hesitation. “I’ll tell you when I see you, Nat. Just please, don’t say no. This is important.”

I hesitated, feeling a sense of trepidation. What could Gabriella possibly want to talk about that was so serious? But her pleading tone won me over. “Okay, fine. Come over. But you’re going to have to deal with my mom’s nosiness.”

Here's a revised version of your text with some minor adjustments for clarity and flow:

“Gabi, wait!” I called out before she could hang up. “What’s going on? Why the secrecy? And, ow, my ears! No need to scream; I’m already on the phone with you!”

Gabriella laughed, her tone lightening. “Sorry about that, Nat! I got a bit carried away. And, okay, fine… I’ll give you a hint.

I waited for Gabriella’s response, and suddenly, I heard a male tone in the background. My eyes widened in surprise. “Who’s there with you?” I asked softly.

There was a pause, and then she dropped a bombshell. “The guy who stole your first kiss wants to meet up with you.”