I sat across from Nathan but couldn't stop staring at his office. I had never been in one before but this one was too fancy for a normal girl like me. Nathan opened the flask and the aroma immediately filled the air. He gave me a surprised look.
"Emily said it was your favourite, so I made it.... Well with a little help"
He suddenly looked up. "You cooked...for me?" He asked as if not believing it.
"You did the same for me yesterday remember, besides the only reason you skipped breakfast was because of him".
He seemed a little bewildered. "Eat and tell me what you think" I said excited to know if I did well.
He took the fork and took a bite.
"Well...?" I asked
"It's good"
"Just good"? I asked expecting more than that.
"It's delicious" he said with a smile .
"Have you eaten?"
I blinked, not expecting it.
"Uh… yeah. A little. Before coming."
He raised one brow like he didn't believe me.
"How little is little?"
"I'm fine," I said quickly, hoping he wouldn't push it.
As usual he did push it.
He slid the plate toward me.
"Eat."
I shook my head.
"It's yours."
He nudged it more.
"You cooked for me, it's only fair you eat."
"I said I'm fine."
My stomach betrayed me with a small growl like it hated me.
He heard it!! Of course he did.
He stared at me, slow and deliberate, then tore a piece of chicken, held the fork up right in front of my mouth.
My eyes widened.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes," he said, completely unbothered, "open."
"I'm not a toddler."
He didn't move the fork away, he just waited, his eyes fixed on me like he was challenging me to refuse.
My stomach betrayed me again and I leaned forward silently and took a bite.
He smirked "Good girl," he murmured without thinking.
My brain shut down for three seconds, I looked away pretending it didn't affect me. We ended up sharing the food passing it back and forth like couples. Our fingers would brush sometimes and my heart did gymnastics the whole time.
Just then a soft knock on the door and whoever it was opened without waiting for an answer. She walked in elegantly, she was tall and obviously pretty, she wore red lipstick and her expensive perfume filled the office.
Her eyes landed on Nathan first, then on me, then it darted to the food on the table.
"Oh… I didn't know you had company," she said, smiling at Nathan like I was invisible. Nathan's straightened his posture immediately.
"Miss Carter," he said as his voice suddenly turned formal. "Do you need something?"
She walked closer to him, placing a hand lightly on his shoulder like they had something going on. Nathan seemed tense but didn't remove her hand.
"I heard your family will be in town next week," she said with a sweet voice as her eyes locked on him . "I was hoping we could finalize the event arrangement together... like old times."
It was clear she was flirting with him and he didn't say a word. I waited for a while but no one said anything to acknowledge me. My patience ran out immediately.
I dropped the fork gently, cleared my throat loud enough. She blinked like she just noticed me for the first time.
"And… you are?"
I smiled faked a sweet smile. "Oh hi miss Carter, I thought I was invisible but never mind. You know it'll be more professional if you just keep your hands to yourself. I do get jealous."
Her eyes widened like she wasn't doing anything wrong. "Who are you"?
"His girlfriend".
She looked at Nathan for confirmation like I wasn't credible enough to speak for myself.
"Nathan?" she questioned.
I stared at her, this woman has no shame.
"Were you blind when you walked in or what?"
Her face dropped immediately, she was clearly offended but speechless.
Nathan stood up immediately, stepping between us slightly.
"Fiona— that's enough," he said.
Oh, now he's on her side?
Miss Carter folded her arms smugly,
Nathan looked at me again with a soft look.
"I don't want drama in my office," he added with a calm voice calm probably trying to ease the tension. Well, except it sounded like he was defending her.
I stood up quietly. "I guess I'll leave then," I said, not looking at either of them.
"Would you like me to pack up or leave it also"
Nathan looked at me helpless.
I faked a smile when he didn't answer and turned around leaving.
"Fiona— wait,"
I didn't turn, i just walked out before my eyes could betray me and show everything I felt.
I made my way to the elevator biting my lips. You're his fake fiancée, Fiona.
Fake!! Get a grip.
Just as the elevator door opened, I felt a hand grip me and I accidentally landed on his chest. I quickly withdrew to avoid unnecessary attention.
"You walked out on me," he said softly.
"You told me it was enough," I replied.
"I wasn't defending her," he said.
"You didn't defend me either," I shot back.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair.
"She's the event manager. My family trusts her. I don't need drama before they even arrive."
I scoffed. "Then maybe hire a statue for a fiancée — someone that just sits and smiles."
"I'm sorry if I offended you... it won't happen again". He said but saw I wasn't buying it.
"I chose you," he said slowly. "Remember that. Out of a million women who would do anything for this spot."
"And she's one of them?" I said subconsciously.
His jaw tightened. "She was… someone I knew before."
"So there was something," I muttered.
"It ended," he replied shortly. "She doesn't matter."
"You matter more. Right now, you're my fiancée. Fake or not."
My chest did something stupid, like flip and melted at the same time. Nathan stepped even closer, lowering his voice and causing people to stare.
"But if you storm out every time you get jealous, we won't survive my mother, talkless of my entire family."
I swallowed. "Jealous? In your dreams".
He looked at me as if amused but didn't say anything.
"Come back inside with me"
I looked away, unsure. "And if she touches you again?"
His lips curved teasingly. "Then you can pull me away."
I blinked, confused. "Pull you?"
"Yes," he smirked. "Be possessive, if you're acting you have to be convincing "
He extended his hand slowly like a scene from a drama movie.
"Cupcake."
I hesitated —my pride fighting with the warm stupid feeling inside me, then I placed my hand in his.
Miss Carter was still there, pretending to check her phone like she didn't care.
But the way her eyes widened when she saw our intertwined hands... priceless. I smiled sweetly.
"I have to get back to the meeting cupcake, we'll leave as soon as we're done" He said sweetly and I smiled back.
I leaned my head slightly on his shoulder dramatic enough to look natural.
"Oh Nathan," I said softly, loud enough for her to hear, "I'm missing you already"
Nathan looked at her then at me.
" It won't be long cupcake". He said and turned to Miss Carter or whatever.
" Excuse me for a bit, we can discuss later" he said politely and she nodded as he walked out. She gave me a dead stare
"Something wrong miss carter"? I asked sarcastically, she just walked out.
For once it felt good to not let people override me, my stepmother and Catherine always walked over me. Looking back now I wished I had talked more