Manipulated?

"Who is there?" I asked as I placed my hand on the door handle

"It's me. Open up" I knew who it was the second I heard the voice.

His gruffy voice that once captivated me now only sent nasty chills my way.

What was he doing here?

I opened the door halfway and blocked the space. I couldn't let him into my house, not after the last time.

"What are you doing here, Marcus?" I asked looking him straight in the eye

"Are you really dating the CEO of that company you always talked about?" Curiosity filled his voice

"Yes and I don't see how it's any of your business" 

"It is my business, if my girl is going out with some guy, I need to know" 

"I am not your girl. Can you leave? I have somewhere I need to be" 

He licked his lips and took a step towards me 

"Wouldn't you invite me in?"

I tightened my grip on the door 

"No. You're not welcome here. Not anymore"

His gaze deepened and he took a step forward towards the door. I knew that if he tried to get in on his own, I would stand no chance against him.

His eyes moved over my body 

"You never got all dressed up for me"

My breathing hitched as I attempted to establish eye contact 

"Leave. Now" I said gritting my teeth 

"Come on, baby, let's just talk," his hand reached for mine, attempting to draw me closer. But before he could, Mr. Lockhart appeared out of nowhere, swiftly moving behind him and yanking him away from me.

"What the hell?" Marcus cursed, his anger flaring as he tried to strike Mr. Lockhart. However, Mr. Lockhart skillfully caught his hand and delivered a powerful punch right to Marcus's face.

"This isn't over," Marcus warned, clutching his bleeding nose, before finally retreating from the scene.

A shocked expression flooded my features as I looked at him, Skully or Mr. Lockhart. It made sense that he was strong, he was skully after all. 

Pushing all thoughts of what just happened from my mind. 

"Let me grab my purse" I said and racer into my house 

*****

"So who was that guy?" Mr Lockhart asked as we drove to the party

"Just someone" I replied. I couldn't tell him about my personal life. There was no need. 

His eyebrow furrowed together to form a frown 

"I almost got hit by the guy don't you think I deserve to know who he is"

"I don't think you do"

"Tell me who he is" he demanded in a raised voice 

"You haven't changed one bit" I accidentally said out loud but surprisingly I didn't regret saying it. 

"What does that mean?" He asked glancing at me through the side of his eyes

You know what? It was time to say what was on my mind. I couldn't continue to hold it in for fear of losing my job 

"Did you think I wouldn't find out that you're skully? You made most of my childhood a living nightmare and now you're doing it again, manipulating me into doing this fake relationship with you"

He has a look that said he was sorry for his actions but it disappeared as soon as it came and his cold emotionless face returned 

"I manipulated you?"he asked with a raised eyebrow

"Of course you did" I stated 

He stopped the car in an instant and then turned to me. Giving me his full attention. 

"Okay. Let's end it now, and I want to see the sum of one million dollars on my desk first thing tomorrow morning"

I folded my arms and glared at him 

"You know I can't afford it"

"Then quit your yapping and roll with it" he stated as if he was talking to a teenager

"Fine" I conceded and sank into the comfort of his car seat as he started the car again. 

"We have to show them that we're in a happy relationship, so smile" he commanded as he opened the door for me, the courtesy was just for show. Inside he was just an annoying man 

I immediately put on my best fake smile and accepted his hand. He helped me out of the car and our arms linked together as we walked into the party.

From the door we were getting greeted by lots of people that I had only read about. Maybe this wasn't such a bad idea. Slowly the fake smile on my lips turned to a real one.

"Nathan" someone yelled and suddenly, a very beautiful woman who looked a few years older than me, came rushing towards us. 

He released his hand from mine to give him space to hug the beautiful lady..

I stared at my arm that now felt lonely without his company

"Is this the lucky lady?" The beautiful woman asked staring at me with a smile

"Yes, Allison, I'd like you to meet Nora, the lady behind my smile"

His words made me feel like I wanted to throw up but instead of gagging, I faked a smile and joined my hand with his once again "oh Nathan stop. You'll make me blush" I just realized that was the first time I called him by his real name. It was weird.

"It's nice to meet you, Nora. I'm Allison, Nathan's ex" 

"You're his ex?"I asked slowly

"Don't worry about it, we're cool, it was a mutual breakup, we decided we're better off as friends" Allison explained 

"Oh" I said with a slow nod

"Mind if I borrow him for a minute?" She asked with her contagious smile. 

So my fake boyfriends ex girlfriend wanted to talk to him alone and was asking for my permission 

"Sure" I replied with a smile and watched them walk further into the room.

I searched for an empty corner to stand at and immediately went there. 

Finally being alone, I brought out my phone to check my messages. There were a lot of texts from the group chat I shared with Stacey and James.

They were both going out of control in the group chat over the fact that I was now dating someone. 

I quickly texted them telling them that I would explain everything to them. 

I dropped my phone back into my pocket and searched for any sign of my fake boyfriend. I'm not the jealous type, especially when it comes to a fake boyfriend, but exes being friends is never a good idea

I grabbed a plate of crispy fried calamari from a waiter and munched on it as I looked for my so-called boyfriend. 

I finally found him, sitting with Allison, sharing a drink and laughing at whatever Allison was saying. I didn't even know he knew how to laugh. 

I wasn't jealous, how could I be? He w

as my boss and worse, he was skully but why did I feel strange?

I suddenly felt a hand on my shoulder

"Excuse me…"