6

Days ago…

"Marry? You can't be serious, Grandpa!" Nathan shouted, astonished and angry.

The old man looked at him reproachfully, raising a wrinkled hand for him to be quiet.

Nathan did so reluctantly, not daring to disrespect him, but what he'd just said had driven him mad. He couldn't conceive of a worse proposal for his life as a confirmed bachelor.

"I am completely serious, boy," he said coldly, with a slight smile. "At your age, I already had your father. The partners are wondering if with your libertine lifestyle, you are capable of becoming the president of Strong Industries and my heir."

"But..."

"You will marry, or I will strip you of your position as CEO of my company, as well as disinherit you completely," threatened the old man, striking the desk. "You will do as I say, it's my money."

"Money that I have helped you multiply in the years I've been running the company," Nathan retorted, running a hand through his hair in frustration. "I don't even have a girlfriend or any interest in starting a damn family."

"Watch your words, boy," his grandfather threatened.

"Fine, you can take away everything I helped you build with so much effort..."

"You can choose whichever woman you want, but she must be a lady," the old man interrupted as if Nathan hadn't spoken. "It will only be a fake marriage, find one of those women you frequent and make a contract. It's not difficult, is it?"

"The difficult part is putting up with your arrogance, dear Grandpa," Nathan thought, gritting his teeth.

"Alright, I'll find a girl who meets your requirements," he said irritably, looking him in the eye. "How long will the damn agreement last?"

"A one-year agreement is enough," the old man said, satisfied. "If you decide to have a child, I wouldn't oppose it."

"Don't even dream of it, you're asking for too much already," he snapped harshly, standing up angrily to leave.

That memory was gnawing at Nathan's mind; he couldn't believe he had to get married to ascend in the company and not lose everything.

Never before had he felt so cornered.

"You have to be mine, Suzanne. You have to accept my proposal, I will make sure of it myself," he thought determinedly, preparing for a new day.

…

Suzanne was extremely nervous.

Seeing her boss and vividly remembering his words and what his touch on her skin had made her feel, she realized that it had all been real and that Nathan was waiting for her response.

"This will be awkward, I'm sure," she told herself, feeling a knot in her stomach.

"Miss Peyton, I need you to call Mr. Jules for the 2 pm appointment," her boss announced in his usual cold tone, which made her flinch slightly.

So different from his demeanor the previous night, with those eyes full of ferocity that made her legs tremble like a pair of jellies...

"Did you hear me, Miss?" demanded that voice, this time with an irritated tone. "Stop standing like a statue in the middle of the hallway and do your job."

Suzanne refrained from rolling her eyes. Why was he so ridiculously impatient? And so bipolar.

She hurried to do what he asked, remembering the concern on her father's face when she arrived home so late. She had told him that she had been promoted to assistant and that was why she had so many responsibilities.

The news had made him happy, though she didn't mention anything about his illness or the expensive treatment he needed. Suzanne, however, remembered and a huge knot formed in her throat.

"He deserves a second chance, I can't lose him too... but at what cost?"

The girl went to the fourth floor to make copies of some documents that, according to Nathan, were very important, so he had asked her to be very careful.

She made the copies meticulously and on her way back to the office, she ran into Lucius.

He was a very handsome and friendly twenty-two-year-old guy she had met on her second day of work. She was in a hurry and accidentally bumped into him, causing the folders he was holding to fall to the floor.

"Hi, Suzie. How are you?"

"Fine, and you?" he said, a bit cheerful to see her again.

"I can't complain. Tell me, how's it going in your new position as the chief's assistant?" he smiled.

"Well," she said somewhat unenthusiastically.

"Are you sure?" he asked, doubtful.

"Yes, it's just that Mr. Strong is a bit..."

"A bit what?" said a voice behind them, one she knew perfectly well.

She turned and there he was, looking at her challengingly.

"A bit... um..." she said nervously.

"Leave it at that, I care little about what you think of me," he said coldly, noticing the familiarity between the two. "I remind you both that I pay you to work, not to waste time gossiping. And you, Miss Peyton, I was waiting for you. What happened with what I asked you to do?"

"Everything is ready."

"Then follow me. I hope this doesn't happen again," he said to both before starting to walk.

When they finally arrived at the office, they found a woman who, upon seeing Nathan, threw herself into his arms effusively.

Suzanne felt her face harden a bit, unable to understand why the woman's voice provoked such disgust in her.

Valery had been one of Nathan's former lovers, but not just any lover; she was an elegant, refined, and very materialistic woman. It was obvious from a mile away that she was wealthy and conceited, a true rich girl.

"Nathan! Long time no see!" said the woman with a wide smile.

"Valery, it's been a while. Where have you been? Please, have a seat," he said most courteously.

"Ha, and he treats me like dirt," Suzanne thought, watching the scene with a frown.

"You know, I was in France, then Los Angeles. I just stopped by to say hello, darling," she said coquettishly.

"It's good to see you. Can I offer you something to drink?"

"Coffee is fine," said the redhead.

"Miss Peyton, bring a coffee for Valery," Nathan ordered.

She put the papers on the desk and went to get the coffee, suppressing the urge to sigh.

"Now, besides being his assistant, I have to be his servant too," she thought, annoyed.