Unsure of what to expect, I jumped onto Nathan’s bed. It wasn’t the first time for me to lie down on his silky sheets, but the previous time, it had happened in a moment of passion. Nathan’s expectations of me seemed different this time. He appeared vulnerable and in dire need of emotional support.
When I lay flat on his bed, Nathan’s arm touched my stomach. “Look at me, Amelia,” he spoke. His voice was a low command. I turned to my side to face him. His intense gaze gave me butterflies in my stomach. I wasn’t sure whether he was about to kiss me, confess his love, or whisper his sorrows to me. “What do you feel about me?”
“Uh, I am afraid I don’t fully understand your question,” I replied.
Nathan drew closer, closing the distance between our bodies. The lower part of our torsos touched, and so did our legs. He quickly entangled his legs with mine. “What is the first thing that comes into mind when you look at me? It’s a simple question.”
I averted my gaze. Nathan appeared extremely sad, yet he wanted me to say good or naughty things to him. Or did he want something else? Dammit, Nathan made me feel so trapped each time he opened his mouth. Since I knew him at least well enough to know he wouldn’t let me go until I answered him, I opened my mouth to say something.
“Honestly, every time I look at your face, I feel a surge of multiple emotions. Don’t get me wrong. I feel attracted to you now, but there is also fear, uncertainty, and some expectations. The latter emotions are stronger than the attraction, which can make me feel troubled,” I answered honestly.
“Is it because I get angry at you?” Nathan’s soft voice was like a gentle breeze. His sudden kindness was hard to digest. Had his father left him and his mother for another woman? His behavior would make sense if that were what had happened.
“Yes,” I replied, not missing a golden chance to voice my fears and anxieties. Frank had certain expectations from me, too. I decided to bring that up later when Nathan would be grateful for my support in his emotional moments.
“Tell me what you want to change about me?” Nathan asked with the sweetest smile. Were my ears hearing correctly? It didn’t seem like the Nathan I had known a few days ago. Had a demon possessed him? A possession makes people act differently. Since he was already full of wickedness, a demon would positively affect his body and personality.
“You are asking me? I thought you were the kind of person who sees himself as utter perfection,” I said, unable to hide my shock.
Nathan grinned at my response. “If I were so perfect, such things wouldn’t be happening to me now, would they?”
That was my chance to indirectly ask him about his argument with his father. “What is happening to you other than your illness? Is there something you would like to share with me?”
“I would if you told me the truth about what you were doing in Dad’s office.” Nathan put forward a deal as usual. He couldn’t let go of the little things, and his suspiciousness multiplied to a thousand in matters related to me.
“Frank dragged me there. He wanted to snitch on the other employees to Mr. Sinclair by putting an anonymous letter on his desk. He took me as a safety precaution.” I gave Nathan the half-truth.
Nathan touched my cheek with the faintest pressure. “I am sorry for being rude to you there. As my fiancé, you deserve much better treatment. I will be more mindful of that from now on.” I immediately pushed his hand away and sat up. His thoughtful words had begun to scare the hell out of me. If he didn’t say something mean to me in the next few minutes, I would lose my mind or fully believe in my possession theory. “What’s the matter?” He asked, sitting next to me. Again, his fingers caressed my shoulders romantically like he was enamored with me.
“Nathan, your caring words are hard to swallow,” I confessed. “I can’t help but wonder if it has something to do with the fight with your father. Is it?” I dared to ask.
Nathan settled his head back on his pillow and sighed. “So, it's obvious something is bothering me. Everyone demonizes me so much that they think I am incapable of doing something good. It isn’t true. Ask me anything, and I will give it to you.”
He was not coming slow with the surprises. I couldn’t choose between pestering him for his sudden behavior change or simply using it to my advantage to get Frank what he truly desired: a nightstand and a mirror.
I lay down with him, resting my head on his chest. “I can ask anything, even if it’s related to someone else?”
Nathan chuckled. “It’s not been a week since our engagement, and people are already asking you for favors. Who is this special person?” There was a tinge of Nathan’s true personality in that sentence, which was a relief. He hadn’t changed. He was only trying too hard to come off as a better person. It could be because he was lonely or something his father had said. It was best to make use of this rare opportunity while it lasted.
“It’s Frank. I saw how he lives without a mirror or a nightstand. Can you please give it back to him?” I requested without a second thought. “He is your loyal personal assistant and deserves better than he is given. I also have created a friendly bond....”
“Consider it done,” Nathan accepted it without letting me finish pleading his case. I might as well ask for a million dollars as my next request. It would be excessive and give me a greedy image. “Ask me anything. You might be the only family I have from now on.”