Chapter 7: Now, Down To Business

Nadine Black's POV:

I turned around and stood on the curb next to the vehicle, where Andrew placed his hand on my back. Mathis had just walked around to this side of the parked vehicle and left it there next to the curb. Andrew was doing his duty, and that was to guard me from any and all threats. It's not that Mathis was a threat or anything, but he did walk around the back of a blacked-out vehicle, so that in itself made it hard to see who he was.

I turned to look at where my father was standing by the double doors when I called out to him, saying, "Greetings, father."

I walked away from the curb, Mathis and Andrew following me as they trailed me right up to my father. He was standing there with his four bodyguards, two on each side, as was his way. Then, he reached out, taking my hands in his, before he leaned down so I could greet him in the usual manner he wanted. I kissed each of his cheeks before he turned around, wrapping my hand around the underside of his arm as we headed inside.

As we turned toward the door, two of his bodyguards went in first, followed by his other two guards. Last but not least, Mathis and Andrew trailed behind us, making sure to get the door. I looked down, making sure my attire was appropriate, as my father always wanted me dressed for such an occasion. However, I wasn't given the opportunity to go home and change first.

"I do hope you're pleased with the reasoning why I asked you to be here with me on this notorious and rather splendid evening," my father, Germaine, said when we entered the curtained-off section to the VIP area where he always sat when he came here. "It's definitely going to be a treat for me. And one for you that you're not likely to forget."

I took a quick glance around and saw that Mathis and Andrew were standing a short distance away as my father made his way to his usual table. When we reached the table, only my father's guards were allowed to be around it. Any and all other guards had to stay back at a minimum distance. He trusted no one, even though Mathis and Andrew worked for him, even though they trailed me all day and every day.

As far as I knew, my father hired Mathis and Andrew to be my babysitters. So, there was no need for them to stand and guard me all that close in my father's presence. Shockingly, my father pulled out my chair and wanted me to take a seat first before he sat in his chair. That was different, I thought to myself as I looked back at my father when he headed to his seat.

For the moment, I looked over at Andrew and Mathis and thought, if I could, I didn't need a babysitter. People were scared enough of my father as it was that they wouldn't dare try anything against me. If he would allow me to, I would drive myself around, but he would never go for anything like that. That's when I returned to face him and asked my next question.

"Don't outdo yourself, Father," I said as he took his seat across from me on the other side of the table. But this time, one of his guards pulled out his chair for him. Once he was seated, I added, "It is good to see you. I am sorry, however. I did not have a chance to change before we arrived."

When I said that, I glared at Andrew, who refused to look at me when I made that comment. Seeing where I was looking, my father looked at Andrew and then turned to look back at me.

"Nonsense, my dear, you look splendid," he called out as he looked over at Andrew standing there across the room. "Don't you worry about that, Nadine. They were merely doing as they were instructed to do, and by that, meaning to bring you here without any delay. That is their job: to protect you and do as they are instructed to do. You, on the other hand, I have grand news for you."

Just then, a waiter walked up and stood a short distance from the table as he waited to be called upon before he was actually allowed to approach closer. My father turned to look at him as soon as he approached us. Seeing him standing there, he looked at the young man and waved at him, giving him the 'okay' to approach.

Knowing my father, Germaine, I could tell he was not all that pleased with the timing of the waiter coming up to us, but he dismissed it all the same. I knew there was something else he wanted to tell me, but he never missed a meal. So, in order to get on with his point, he would have his order taken before he made him leave and come back. That was my father's best decision, so he could get on with what he wanted to tell me.

"Greetings, Mr. Black," the waiter said as he reached into his apron and pulled out a small pad of paper and something to write with. "Will you have your usual this fine evening, Sire?"

"Yes, that will be fine, and my daughter will have her strawberry water with lemon to start," Germaine said as he looked at me from across the table.

I pressed my lips together, knowing that even though I had not spent all that much time with my father, he still knew what I would have ordered first. He also considered himself to be a proper gentleman, so he would never look at the hired help directly. On top of that, they also knew better than to look him directly in the eye.

I have heard of several others who ended up in a bad way, if you catch my drift. Just from making that simple mistake. Once the waiter had finished writing what he needed to, he bowed toward my father, making sure to keep his eyes clear of my father before he turned to walk off toward a dark door in the corner.

"Now, back to business," my father, Germaine, told me sharply. "I wanted you to know that you will attend a ceremony tomorrow. Where you will take Damian by the hand in holy matrimony. Then, he will finally make you...”