Chapter 124 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 14

Chapter 124 BOOK 2: CHAPTER 14
—Amira—
Evening arrived faster than I expected.
One minute I was in the office... the next I was in the hospital, helping Mama commode from the bathroom.
“H–he invited you to a banquet?” she asked.
“Yes, Mama.”
She sat on the bed. “So he bought clothes for you yesterday, is inviting you to a high profile event, yet insists he doesn't remember you?”
I sighed. “That's what he says. I–I think he's still angry that I chose the money and not him.”
Last night, I had opened up to Mama about everything that happened abroad. She had broken into tears and apologized as if it was her fault.
I glanced at Oluchi drawing on the couch.
“Go ahead and attend the banquet,” Mama said, and I met her gaze again. “Your boss seems like a good man.”
A smile flitted across my lips as I pulled her into my embrace. “Thanks, Mama.”
She patted my back. “Hurry. Or you'll be late.”
“Bring something for me,” Oluchi blurted.
Grinning, I walked to her and kissed her temple. “I promise, I will.”
I glanced one more time at Mama before heading out. The sun was sinking over the horizon, and the stars were beginning to twinkle their way into the sky.
“Ma'am.” My chauffeur opened the back door. I slipped into the back seat and within the hour, we pulled up in front of my house.
The clock ticked as I showered, toweled off, and moisturized my skin before sitting at the vanity for a makeover.
Then came the anticipated moment.
I opened the boxes and stepped into the dress... the shoes, and grabbed the clutch. I couldn't recognize the lady staring back at me.
The dress had the perfect balance of elegance and temptation. Its fitted bodice cinched my waist before melting into a floor-length skirt with a daring slit.
“Let's do this,” I murmured.
The breeze tousled my hair as I stepped into the car, and soon, we melted into the evening traffic.
Cameras flashed as we pulled up to the Presidential Hotel.
“Who’s that?” a photographer asked.
“Mr. Rivera’s newly appointed PA,” another replied.
“Heard he fired some staff for bullying her,” someone else added.
My reputation had once again preceded me.
I stepped away from the red carpet and saw Nathaniel standing on the terrace, eyes locked on me.
The world froze around me.
My fingers tightened around my clutch.
‘Breathe, Amira... breathe.’
He had always been handsome—add a touch of sinfulness in a black tuxedo, and that was him tonight.
Then something familiar hit me. Even from a distance, his cologne wrapped around me, stirring memories of us in his office today; that moment I pressed my hand against his chest.
“Ms. Nwosu.” Nathaniel approached.
I forced a smile. “Good evening, sir.”
His gaze swept over me. “Y-you look good.”
Heat crept in my face. “Thanks. You don't look bad yourself.”
He nodded. A beat passed, the breeze swirling around us before he offered me his arm. “Shall we?”
I looped my arm around his, and he guided me toward the banquet hall. The air smelled of power and money.
Nate introduced me to the guests on the terrace—
“Meet Amira, my PA... Amira, meet Dr. Tunde Alaba, Executive Director of Shell Nigeria. Engr. Chukwuma Okorie, Managing Director of NNPC Limited, and Mrs. Briggs-Wellington, CEO of Bonny Light Petroleum.”
I shook hands with them. “It's a pleasure meeting you all.”
Nate led me inside. 
I took in the chandeliers, the thematic décor of planets suspended above us, and subtle flight simulations projected across the walls
A live-band played something soft.
I turned to Nathaniel and saw him looking at me. “What do you think?”
“It's beautiful,” I replied. “I love it.”
His gaze dropped to my lips and for a moment, I forgot to breathe.
“Come,” he said. “Let's say hello to some friends.”
The music floated in the air, glasses clinking as Nathaniel steered us toward another group.
He introduced me to the Governor of Rivers State, an Ecowas ambassador, and then the Adviser to the President on Defence & Aviation Strategy.
A wave of euphoria swept through me—never in my life had I imagined I would be in the same room with such caliber of people.
“Mr. Rivera,” someone called.
My boss and I turned to a woman in a striking black dress, probably in her sixties.
“Dr. Evelyn Hart,” Nathaniel murmured.
They shared a brief hug.
She smiled. “I remember when you were still a kid. Now look at you—all grown and formidable, just like your father.”
Nathaniel glanced at me. “This is Dr. Hart, former Chief Scientific Adviser to the United States President.”
My eyes widened. “Hi. I'm Amira Nwosu.”
“Good to meet you, Ms. Nwosu,” she answered.
The microphone crackled. 
Our eyes flicked to the stage as a young man stepped forward, welcoming us in a rich baritone voice.
“Talk to you later,” Dr. Hart whispered, and hurried away.
A hostess approached us. With a practiced smile, she ushered us to our reserved table. Laughter reverberated the room as the MC cracked jokes.
Then the governor took the stage for his opening speech. It was brief, after which Nate was invited to the stage for his speech.
He stood with quiet command, his voice steady and golden as it carried across the room. 
I'd never felt this proud.
At last, he finished and the guests clapped as they rose to their feet.
I joined them, eyes following Nathaniel as he stepped away from the stage.
The music resumed and we sat down again for a sumptuous dinner.
I lifted my fork to my lips, exactly the moment he lifted his glass to drink.
His gaze pining mine, he slowly gulped from his glass.
Wait. Was he seducing me?
The room suddenly felt hotter. I leaned into my chair and gathered my breath.
Nathaniel smirked. “Are you okay?”
“Y-yes,” I lied. “It's the food.”
He lowered his glass. “What about the food?”
He had the nerve of ruffling my feathers then playing saint.
“I'm fine,” I snapped.
The music switched to a sultry, slow tempo. Chairs scrapped as couples rose and drifted toward the dance floor.
Nathaniel's gaze slid to me. 
Without breaking the stare he stood. “Looks like the dance floor is calling.”
 “I… I don’t dance much.”
“You don't have to.” He extended his hand. “Just follow my lead.”
All I could hear was my heart thumping in my ears .
Then I placed my hand in his and the world drifted.
Nothing else mattered as he led me to the dance floor.
We swayed to the music, never for once breaking eye contact.
“Do you have siblings?” he asked.
I shook my head, “No.”
“What about your parents?”
“They're late,” I answered, and searched his gaze. “Why are you asking, sir?”
He hesitated, and deep down I wished he'd confess his feelings for me.
“I’m only being courteous,” he said.
Tears pricked my eyes. “I'll like to retire for the night.”
“I'll see you off.”
We made our way to the terrace of the hotel to only Nate's convoy waiting in the driveway.
“W-where's my chauffeur?”
“I asked him to retire for the day.”
“What?”
He gave me that knowing look. “It's almost midnight, Ms. Nwosu. You didn’t expect him to sit out here in the cold, did you?”
Guilt rippled me.
But I also had the feeling he wasn't being honest with me.
Nathaniel opened the back door of the lead car and gestured me to get in. I did, and he joined me.
We pulled out of the hotel and melted into the streets of Port Harcourt. City lights filtered through the windshield in gold and blue.
I dared to meet his eyes.
Bad idea.
The way he looked at me—slow, lingering, melted every coherent thoughts in my head.
Then he leaned closer... and closer. I shut my eyes, waiting for him to kiss me—but he drifted to my purse on the car floor.
“You dropped this.”
My cheeks flushed. I gazed across the window until the car slowed before my house.
I stepped out of the car and ran inside the house.