Chapter nine

Nathan’s POV

I drowned myself in work to stop thinking about what I witnessed, but no amount of work could take my mind off the scene I saw yesterday.

What Margot’s best friend did with the guy I beat not long ago. There was no way it could be a mistake. It was the same man that I had met near the club when he tried to force Margot to go with him. My anger got the best out of me that night, but what else could I do when he tried to hurt the woman who had been dear to me for so long, even if she had no idea about that?

I saw him only for a brief moment, but I could tell I had done some serious damage. That gave me a wicked sense of satisfaction at first, but now I was questioning myself.

I may have misinterpreted the whole situation. Maybe Margot did not need my intervention. Those thoughts kept popping up in my mind while I tried to focus on my work.

Since I saw Nicole with that guy, I doubted my last actions. Not to mention that they entered Margot’s company. Could they know each other? It was quite possible, which made me feel like a fool. I tried to be the knight in shiny armour but ended up as a jester.

Not to mention that now Margot hated me wholeheartedly. She has never been warm toward me, especially after the whole mess with that jerk, Sam, but now it was even worse.

I was not proud of myself after that infamous night. I could have handled it better, but I knew she would not listen to anything I could say back then. Why would she? In her eyes, I was some kind of a villain, even if I had no idea why.

My phone rang, almost making me jump.

“ Mr Blackwood, a lady is asking for a meeting, “ I heard my assistant’s voice.

“ Who is it?” I asked, slightly annoyed by this interruption. I had no memory of any meeting planned for today.

“ Her name is Margot Roberts.”

My lips parted. “ Are you sure?” I asked with hesitation.

“ Yes, Mr Blackwood, I wrote her name down. Do you want me to tell her that you are busy?”

“ No, send her in,” I replied, putting my phone down. My hands shook, so I returned to work, waiting for Margot. Why was she here? I thought she would not want to see me after yesterday.

My doors opened, but I kept my head low, pretending to be busy with my project.

I finally found the courage to look at her and stood up, whipping off my hands. “ Margot, what brings you in?” I asked as if it was natural for us to meet.

Then I noticed the rage written all over her face. Seconds later, Margot slapped me. I did not see that coming.

“ That brings me in,” she almost spat on the floor. I could tell she was furious.

" That was not smart," I gave her a cold stare. I did not deserve this, for sure.

" I do not give a sh*it about that. You have ruined my life. Tell me, do you feel proud of yourself? Margot’s voice broke down at the end.

I had no idea what she was talking to me. I massaged my jaw, thinking intensely of what could make her so mad, but I could not come up with any reasonable explanation.

" I will give you exactly one opportunity to explain why you did what you did."

Margot raised her brow, glaring at me.

" Was I not clear enough? Then, let me be clear. You told Sam about what happened that night, didn't you? You could not stop yourself?"

What?? I had no desire to talk to this jerk. No matter what I said during that night, I would not use it against Margot.

" I did not. I gave you my word."

" Your word is worth less than dust on this floor. I knew you came there that day to expose me."

Those words stung. Was she thinking so lowly of me?

" I wasn't there on purpose. It was a coincidence.

"Coincidence? Please, spare me those lies." Margot smirked, and I felt something stirring inside of me. She knew s*it about me and had no right to judge me. " Don’t call me a liar."

" Fine. I will say you have a serious problem maintaining the truth."

I gritted my teeth. I was wrong about her. " You are no better than them. I was blind and could not see it. That night was a mistake."

" You reckon?" Margot asked sarcastically.

If she could not show me any respect, I owed her nothing.

" Now, when I think about it, maybe I should not step in and save you back then."

" Save me? I do not need saving- especially from you."

This could be true.

" I can see that now. Maybe, after all, you did want to go out with that guy? It seemed like you knew each other since you shared the same circle of friends."

For the first time since Margot came here, I saw something like hesitation in her eyes.

“ What guy?” She asked slowly. “ What friend’s circle?”

I offered her a puzzled look. Was this some sick game, and I was the only one who did not know the rules?

I returned to my desk to compose myself.

“ The one that pulled you out of the club, I guess,” I replied, taking a deep breath.

“ You are the only man I remember from that night.” Margot balled her fists. Was she going to attack me again? This time, it would not be that easy.

“ I am sure your friend Nicole can refresh your memory. All you have to do is ask her.” If she was going to play with me, I could do the same.

“ What Nicole has to do with that?” Margot looked at me questioningly.

“ Well, I saw her with this man yesterday before they entered your company. I am sure she can enlighten you,” I said, watching her with cool indifference. Maybe I was wrong about this woman for all these years. Perhaps I saw more in her than it was.

“ Great story,” Margot smirked, and I shook my head. This conversation was pointless. I was the bad guy here, and nothing would change it.

“ You can ask here and find out,” I suggested, shrugging my arms. I was done. “ Now, if you forgive me, I need to go back to my work.”

My chest tightened. For years, I had feelings for this woman but kept my distance to respect her relationship, but now I felt like all those years were just a waste of time.

Margot looked at me, knitting her brows.

“ You destroyed my relationship, and now you want to part me with my best friend. What is wrong with you?”

I shrugged my arms, tired of this conversation. “ You can think what you want; I am not going to stop you from it.” She was right. What was wrong with me?

“ Sc*ew you,” Margot hissed before storming off my office.

I did not spare her a second glance.