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8

Suzanne felt very tired. She could barely sleep and, with a heavy heart, got out of bed to start her day.

When she arrived at the company, she greeted the security guard and took the elevator. She entered the office and was surprised to see Nathan there so early.

"Good morning," she said somewhat sternly.

"Good morning, Miss Peyton. You're punctual," he said with a smile, which she found strange.

Ignoring his comment, she sat silently at her desk. After organizing her things, she went out to buy his coffee.

Her boss was absent all day, and she was glad about it; she didn't feel like dealing with his words. The clock struck twelve, and she left almost running, as she was starving.

Lately, she hadn't been eating well. The day before, she hadn't eaten anything, especially after what had happened, but today she felt very hungry.

Entering the restaurant, she sat at a secluded table in the back and took the menu in her hands to analyze the options.

"A grilled steak for the lady," she heard a waiter say, placing a plate on the table along with a glass of wine and a salad.

She frowned and looked at him.

"Excuse me, but I didn't order this."

"The gentleman over there sent it," he said, walking away.

She looked ahead and saw her boss walking towards her. Nathan reached her table and sat in a chair across from her without waiting for an invitation.

"I see you've decided to have lunch, Miss Peyton. I took the liberty of choosing for you," he said, smiling.

"But what a bipolar man," she thought.

"You shouldn't have taken such liberties," she said, frowning.

"Consider it an apology," he said somewhat awkwardly.

He had felt a bit bad about the way he had treated her the previous day, so he wanted to make it up to her.

"Do you usually do this with all your employees?"

"No, not all of them are as beautiful as you," he said, staring at her intently.

On another occasion, she wouldn't have accepted the food, but she was starving and would soon have to go back to work.

She started eating, and indeed, Nathan had not been wrong; the food was exquisite. He watched her every move intently, which made her nervous.

"You have beautiful lips. I can only imagine what you could do with that lovely mouth," he said in a seductive tone.

She choked upon hearing his words, causing Nathan to break into a wide smile.

"Miss, what could you have thought to blush so much?"

She felt like she might explode from embarrassment at any moment. She heard him let out a laugh, and the sound was so beautiful that she had to look up, astonished.

She found herself gazing at the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. She didn't know if minutes or hours had passed; she just knew she couldn't take her eyes off those lips.

"Did you like the food?" he asked, pleased by her looks.

"Yes, I should get back to work now," she said, grabbing her purse to stand up.

"There's no need for you to go back; go home."

Hearing those words terrified her.

"But why are you firing me? I've done all my tasks," she said, scared.

He smiled charmingly.

"Who said I'm firing you?"

"Aren't you?"

"No. I'm asking you to go home and rest. Tonight, I have a dinner meeting with some important clients, and I need you there. My driver will take you and pick you up.”

"I appreciate it, but I'd rather take a taxi," she said, and he frowned but eventually agreed.

He accompanied her to the taxi, and when she turned to say goodbye, he couldn't help but step closer and cup her face in his hands to steal a juicy kiss.

Suzanne was stunned at first, but then she reacted and quickly moved away from Nathan, giving him a loud slap without even thinking.

"Jerk!" she snapped, feeling her cheeks burn.

"Suzanne..."

"I know what you're after, Mr. Strong," she quickly wiped her mouth. "I already told you no..."

"I don't accept no for an answer," Nathan said seriously, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. "I'm going to make you accept my proposal, I won't give up, Suzanne."

“What a stubborn head,” she thought, irritated by his audacity.

"See you later, boss," she emphasized the last word and looked at him seriously.

Nathan had to suppress a smile; his assistant's hands were trembling, so he knew she wasn't as immune to him as she wanted to appear.

Hours later, they arrived at the restaurant. Nathan held her by the waist, and she didn't protest, knowing that if he weren't holding her, she would have fallen with such high heels.

"I hope you behave appropriately tonight," he said, glancing at her.

"I will."

"I don't want any mistakes."

"You won't have any."

"I hope so."

"I already told you there won't be any mistakes," she began to get irritated.

"I'm not so sure about that," he admitted, sighing.

She looked at him angrily, trying to contain her anger, but her voice still sounded disdainful.

"Then why did you bring me?"

"Because you're my employee and I need you here."

She sighed, raising her chin. She had already decided that she would look for another job, and as soon as she found one, she would tell her stupid boss to go to hell.

Introductions were made, and Suzanne noticed that among the group of men there was a young man around twenty years old who hadn't taken his eyes off her since she arrived.

Nathan started talking business with those men while she listened very attentively. Occasionally, she glanced at him; he was an intelligent and shrewd businessman.

"Well, gentlemen, we have a deal," said Mr. George, a gray-haired man in an elegant navy blue suit.

"You know, it's surprising how a young man like you has managed to create an entire empire and remain at the top of the market," said Joseph, the father of the young man named John. "My son is here for that, to learn the business."

"It's all about the timing of investment," Nathan murmured.

He was a brilliant man, and everyone knew it. He had managed to expand the company that had fallen into his hands when his father died, leading the market at the young age of twenty-five.

"Tell me something, Nathan. Is this beautiful lady your girlfriend?" Joseph inquired.

"That's right," he affirmed, and Suzanne shifted uncomfortably in her chair.

“Why the hell did he say that?” she thought angrily.

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