Nathan's pov
Nathan had no reason to be distracted.
The contract on his desk was worth millions. The investors waiting downstairs had flown in specifically for him. Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
And yet—
Bella's face refused to leave his mind.
The memory annoyed him.
He had told himself the night meant nothing. That whatever pull he felt was an illusion created by circumstance and vulnerability. Yet days later, he still found himself recalling the way she looked when she wasn't guarded—quiet, unsure, painfully sincere.
"Sir."
Nathan's assistant stood at the doorway, tablet in hand.
"The Chinese investors have arrived. They're waiting in the VIP suite in Forest restaurant."
Nathan closed the folder with a sharp motion. "Let's get this over with."
The drive to the restaurant passed in silence. Nathan reviewed numbers, projections, logistics—but every pause in conversation was filled with her.
He didn't like it.
The meeting lasted longer than expected. Discussions dragged, egos clashed, concessions were made. By the time Nathan stood and shook hands, his patience was thin.
"Dinner will be prepared, sir," the restaurant manager said politely outside the VIP room.
"No," Nathan replied. "I'm leaving."
He stepped into the corridor.
And stopped.
Bella stepped out of the opposite VIP room at the exact same moment.
For half a second, the world narrowed.
She looked surprised—eyes widening, lips parting as if she hadn't expected to see him either.
"Nathan," she said softly.
His pulse jumped before he could stop it.
Behind her, a man followed—tall,flashy, entirely too familiar with the space around her.
Nathan's gaze hardened.
Before he could speak, the man slid an arm around Bella's shoulders.
Possessive.
Casual.
Intimate.
Something dark twisted in Nathan's chest.
Bella stiffened immediately.
Nathan didn't wait.
"That was quick," he said coolly, his voice cutting through the corridor.
his eyes locked on Bella. "I see you're busy."
"This isn't what it looks like," Bella said quickly, stepping forward.
Nathan took a step back.
"I just finished a meeting," he said flatly. "I don't have time for misunderstandings."
"Then let me explain," she pleaded.
Dylan's arm tightened slightly around her.
That was the final mistake.
Nathan's jaw clenched. "Enjoy your evening."
He turned and walked away.
"Nathan!" Bella called after him.
He didn't stop.
Didn't look back.
He entered the elevator and pressed the button with more force than necessary. The doors slid shut just as her voice echoed faintly down the hall.
The silence inside the elevator was unbearable.
He told himself it didn't matter.
He told himself she was nothing to him.
And yet—
By the time he reached his car, his hands were clenched into fists.
He replayed the scene on the drive back.
Her surprise. Her voice. The way she had tried to pull away.
And the way he hadn't given her the chance.And then he turned and saw her running to his car, his clenched fist loosen slightly till he saw Aaron coming out too and following her. His gaze hardened once more
"Drive"!. He ordered Oliver. Not caring about the woman running to meet him.
When he finally called her later, she was crying.
That sound had gone straight through him.
That was why he had ended up at her house.
Not because he owed her an explanation.
But because the look on her face when she'd said his name—
Had followed him all night. And now he couldn't stop himself from coming to see her.
And now looking at the woman telling him, she was crying because of him made him feel something he shouldn't be feeling.