Chapter 2

A year later....

Everything at work was going very smooth. Nathan doesn’t talk much to anyone, but he is very friendly towards me. Doesn’t smile much either but I haven’t felt uncomfortable. We have talked a bit about ourselves. Well I did most of it, but he did listen to it intently. We don’t talk much because whenever we do we somehow end up arguing.

My personal life was hell. I don’t even know why Michael and I were still living together. It’s been a year since we had sex. I am still a human, I have my needs, but I am suppressing them.

Spicing things up and dressing up pretty were just a few things I tried, but he ended up insulting me about my lack of experimentation sexually and also my weight which drowned my confidence to zero. After that I didn’t even try doing anything.

I made many friends in my new office but I talked to a girl, Emily Warner, the most. She is very friendly and most of all we do share similar interests. I told her about everything including the crush I used to or maybe I still do have on my boss. She said she cannot blame me because everyone has hots for that sexy beast.

I just nodded my head in agreement. As I walked out of the lift when my floor came. Mrs. Watson came running towards me. She had an extremely worried look on her face and many staff members had gathered around Mr. Lachlan’s office. Now this is really scaring me. I looked at Mrs. Watson for an explanation.

“Mr. Lachan- I mean our enterprise- I mean we-we” She kept on stuttering and was terribly scared.

“Mrs. Watson please tell me what happened?” I asked her in a serious tone. I really can’t stand this.

“We lost the European contract merger” She said and bowed her head.

Oh, No! No! No!

Nathan had worked his ass off for this contract. We sat for hours after the office hours discussing this contract. It was impossible that Nathan didn’t get it. He was the best they can consider. This contract was his and his grandfather’s dream. They wanted to expand their business to Europe, and this was their best shot.

I quickly composed myself and asked everyone to get back to work. I consoled Mrs. Watson and told her I’ll take care of the situation. Walking in the office without knocking, the first visible thing was glass shattered on the carpet and the entire office was a mess. I saw Nathan sitting in his chair with his hands rubbing his face. I felt so bad for him at that moment. He didn’t deserve this.

“Mr. Lachlan, are you feeling okay?” I asked in a soft voice. I wasn’t scared of him because he will never hurt anyone no matter what, but I was extremely worried.

He looked up and saw my face. He got up and started walking towards me. Nathan had removed his blazer. His white shirt was tucked out and a few buttons on top were open giving a very good view of his chest. The shirt didn’t help much to hide all muscles.

His words got me out of my trance.

“No, not at all. This sucks. The reason sucks. Who the fuck made these stupid rules?!” He was furious I could sense it. “What reason?” I asked in a confused tone.

“Mr. Luigi, He is very orthodox man, He believes only a family man can take over such responsibilities. And he said more shit like that but I didn’t listen. Can you fucking believe it?” He said and huffed like a baby.

Oh, god.

This is bad.

Everyone knew that Nathaniel Lachlan and marriage were like north and south. He didn’t believe in love. This was impossible.

“So this is actually a good thing for you right? You can marry any woman and then you wouldn’t lose the contract” I suggested and looked at him expectantly.

“I don’t want any clingy woman around me, you know that I am not going to risk my peace for a contract.” He said in an annoyed voice.

“Just think about it Nathaniel. This is not just any contract this is your dream” I said in a soft voice and for the first time in the year I looked him in his eyes properly and dared to say his name.

Oh no! I am in trouble now. Did I say something wrong?

“I’ll get a fresh coffee for you to get you thinking okay?” I said and instantly broke the eye contact. I felt him staring at my back till the time I left. As soon as I got out I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding. I made a quick coffee for him when Mrs. Watson approached me, I told her most of the things leaving out the marriage part because I thought that should be confidential. I lost the track of time talking to Mrs. Watson, making a fresh coffee and I headed towards Mr. Lachlan’s office.

“I am so sorry I los-” I looked around, the office was cleaned up properly and Mr. Lachlan straightened himself out. He heard me speak and got up from his place. He took quick strides towards me, my eyes went as wide as saucers.

“Elizabeth! I need a favour.”

He said in a deep and low voice. I felt a tug in my lower region. He said my name! I didn’t trust my voice, so I just nodded. He took my hand and made me sit on the chair. He leaned against his desk and looked at me intently. My breathing became ragged. My mind was fogging up. I never in my life thought Nathaniel will touch me.

“You know how much this contract means to me and you know how hard I’ve worked for this.” I nodded and urged him to continue.

“So I want you to marry me.”

As soon as I heard him I chocked on my spit and started coughing. He offered water, I gulped it down and just stared at him. I knew he wasn’t joking because this was a very serious matter.

“You can get any girl you want, what would I get out of this? And I have a boyfriend. I’ve been with him for 8 years!” I exclaimed in a very loud voice.

Saying that I was freaking out would be an understatement. He looked visibly calm as if he knew he was going to convince me. Nathan can convince anyone. He knew, I knew it and probably Trump knew it too.

“I know you well. You are one of the few people I trust. I am not going to just marry any woman. I know you are perfect for this. I will help you complete your dream of being the head in advertisement and also help you complete your master’s then, give you a respectable position in my company. I know this is your dream Elizabeth. This is your only chance and you know it” I looked at him with wide eyes.

He remembered!

I always wanted to be head advertisement department. That’s why Emily and I became such good friends as she worked in the advertising department. As much as I loved my dream I can’t do this to Michael.

“No! I love Michael. I can’t do this!” Shaking my head vigorously to get the thought out of my mind. Michael will never do this to me. How can I?

“Elizabeth don’t give up your dreams for someone who doesn’t even care about you. If he was asked to choose between you and money, he would choose money. I know Mr. Hawthorne well.”

“No he won’t” I said trying to convince myself.

“How about this? I’ll make him an offer in front of you. Let’s see what he chooses.” I thought about it a bit. But I didn’t want to know as I guess at the bottom of my heart I knew what Michael would do.

Nathaniel crouched down near my chair and kept his hands on my thighs. All the air was knocked out my lungs. He tucked the free strand of my hair behind my ear and said,” If he wasn’t in the picture then will you agree?” I nodded my head fast. I knew it wasn’t going to happen. Michael will always be there in the picture. I thought again trying to reassure myself.

“Well, you asked for this.” Nathaniel smirked as if he just won. I looked at him in confusion. He stood up, walked towards his desk and dialed a number. He kept it on speaker so I heard it ring for a moment.

“Hello, Michael Hawthorne’s office.” I heard Michael’s voice on the other end. “Nathaniel Lachlan speaking. Listen Mr. Hawthorne, as I won’t repeat myself again. I am going to ask you a few questions and you will answer them without any questions. This will only stay between us. Understand?”

I heard Michael gulp and agree. Of course, he was nervous, he has always been scared of Nathaniel. But he never admitted it, because of his massive male pride which I know for a fact would cause his downfall.

“What is your relationship with Ms. Paige?” Nathan asked imperturbably and I looked at him in confusion. He held up his hand signaling me to wait.

“Sir I’ve been dating her for a while now.” Michael stated quickly without any hesitation.

A while? Really?

“See Michael, there is no easy way to say this. I want you to break up with her.” Nathan said it as if he was asking him the time. My jaw dropped and I looked at Nathan with disbelief.

“No-no sir I can’t” Michael’s voice faltered. He failed to maintain his voice.

“I will promote you with twice the amount of salary. Take it or leave it without any questions.” He was making a business transaction.

What was I expecting? I shook my head and told him that Michael loves me. I think I was trying to persuade myself. There was a pit forming in my stomach, feeling the need to go home and just lay in my bed.

There was a long pause before he said,” Alright Sir!”

Nathaniel couldn’t contain his smile anymore, “Very well, Mr. Hawthorne, the papers will reach you tomorrow, first thing in the morning.”

I felt my cheeks getting wet and that’s when I realized I was crying. Wasted 8 years of my life for him, and he gave me up within a minute without a thought.

I heard Nathan clear his throat as he knelt in front of me. He wiped my cheeks and said,” Move on, there are guys who would beg for just a look from you. Why waste your life with somebody who doesn’t deserve you? And for what it’s worth I think you are amazing.”

I looked up and all the feelings rushed back in my heart. There is The Nathaniel Lachlan, the man who doesn’t talk much but always says the right thing at the right time.

Suddenly he got up and buttoned up his suit, before stating, “We’ll discuss the terms tomorrow. Go home and rest.” He said with a smile and left the office grinning.