9

Suzanne wanted to protest, but she knew she shouldn't, as she couldn't embarrass Nathan, and if she did, he would be angry with her.

"You're a lucky man; she's quite a beautiful lady. Shall we order dinner?"

"I agree with you," said John.

Mr. Joseph fixed his gaze on Suzanne.

"Tell me something, miss, what do you think about our country's economy in these recent days?"

Nathan looked at her attentively, wondering what the girl could know about that topic, as she hadn't even finished her studies. But he was surprised to see how confidently and with extensive knowledge she responded.

Joseph focused on the conversation with her, asking several questions, which she answered easily, as she was always up-to-date on the world economy, a topic she truly loved.

"Well, I see that besides being beautiful, you're very intelligent, Miss Peyton," Mr. Munich, another of the companions at the table, flattered her.

Nathan looked at her and smiled, then gave her a tender kiss on the cheek, which made her tense up a bit, but she smiled to keep up appearances.

Dinner arrived, and everyone started eating, but suddenly she felt a hand resting on her thigh. She discreetly removed it, but she felt the hand return, this time below her dress and moving up to her intimate parts.

She didn't let it progress and again removed it, feeling uncomfortable and scared.

She looked at Nathan, but he was deeply engaged in conversation with his partners. Then she looked at John, and he gave her a mischievous smile.

"I must leave here," she thought with a lump in her throat.

"Excuse me, I... I must go to the... restroom," she said very nervously and stuttering uncontrollably.

"Is everything okay, miss?" Munich asked.

"Don't worry, everything is fine," she barely managed to reply, and she ran out of there.

But there was someone who realized she had just told a big lie: Nathan.

He noticed Suzanne was too nervous when she left the table. He didn't like her expression at all.

He wanted to overlook it, thinking maybe it was just his imagination, but ten minutes passed, and she still hadn't returned.

"Excuse me, gentlemen, I'll go see if Suzanne is okay," he said, standing up.

"Of course, Nathan," Munich said.

"It's for the best; I noticed she was acting a bit strange," Joseph added.

He headed to the ladies' restroom, and upon entering, he spotted Suzanne standing in front of the sink.

She looked scared and nervous.

"Are you okay?" he inquired, and she turned completely upon hearing that voice, facing Nathan.

"I'm not going back there," she said firmly.

"What do you mean you're not? You have to. Remember, they think you're my girlfriend."

"Why did you say that? You know it's a lie."

"It's none of your business," he snapped seriously, not liking being questioned.

"Of course, it is. You can't just go around telling lies like that," she looked at him, annoyed.

"I do what I want, babe. I'm Nathan Strong."

Suzanne looked at him, furious. That man was arrogant, conceited, and full of himself.

The truth was, he had said she was his girlfriend because he knew his guests well and wouldn't hesitate to start courting her. She was very beautiful, and he had already decided that no one but him would touch her.

"I won't go back there," she repeated, not wanting that guy to touch her again.

"Just thinking about it makes me shudder with disgust," she swallowed hard, feeling overwhelmed.

"Look, you're really getting on my nerves with your spoiled brat attitude. Now walk, Suzanne," he said angrily.

He had many virtues, but patience definitely wasn't one of them. He grabbed her arm, but she shook off his grip and stepped back.

"No."

"You'll go back whether you want to or not."

"I won't, I won't go back," she said, this time on the verge of tears.

"But why, damn it!" he exploded at last, with that cold and intimidating tone.

Suzanne swallowed hard, looking away uncomfortably.

"Because that guy John is a creep."

A silence fell over the place.

"What did he do?!" he demanded, furious at the mere thought of someone daring to touch her.

She hesitated for a moment, but then decided to speak.

"That guy put his hand under my dress," she said hesitantly, but then fell silent. "I don't want him to do it again," she finished, very embarrassed.

"What the hell are you saying! Why didn't you tell me about this?" He was about to lose his composure, but her state held him back.

"I was so nervous, I didn't know what to do," she bit her lip, and Nathan wished he could kiss away that distressed expression from her face.

He was calmer now, although she hadn't exactly told him what happened, he imagined it.

"You didn't do anything wrong, that jerk was the one who crossed the line with you," he growled, clenching his jaw tightly.

"You said if I made any mistakes, you'd fire me, and I really need this job," she said, and burst into tears.

He hugged her, trying to comfort her, while she let out all the frustration and fear she felt. After a few minutes, he pulled away from her.

He observed her for a moment that felt too short; she seemed so vulnerable that he couldn't help but embrace her again.

"That won't happen again," he wiped her tears gently. "We'll go back there, and you'll sit in my place. After I sign a few documents, we'll leave."

She nodded, and he handed her a handkerchief to wipe away the makeup that had run with her tears.

"Finally, you're back," George said.

"Is the lady okay?" the brazen John said.

"She's fine," Nathan said sharply.

Suzanne avoided looking at him and they took their seats as agreed. He signed the papers, and finally, the deal was closed.

"Nathan, it's been a pleasure doing business with you," Munich said.

"The pleasure has been all mine, gentlemen," he shook their hands. "Now, I'm leaving, but before I go, I must tell you, Mr. Joseph, that next time your son dares to overstep with my girl, I won't be held responsible for what might happen. Tonight was an exception out of respect for you."

"What?!" The man was practically in shock, flushing with fury.

"And you, you damn pervert... you better keep your hands to yourself, or I'll cut them off if you touch my girlfriend again," Nathan said icily, looking at the guy named John, who had turned as white as a sheet of paper.

He looked at the boy with anger, as did everyone else present, but especially his father, who started scolding him as Nathan took Suzanne by the waist, leaving that place.