24

She was still in disbelief; she couldn't believe he had said those words and kissed her like that. Was she hallucinating?

When the kiss ended, she looked at him adoringly, unable to hide her feelings.

"You really missed me," she murmured, still unable to believe it.

"How could I not?" he smiled. "Let's go outside; I want everyone to know you're mine," he said with a possessive gleam in his eyes.

"Nathan, I..." he silenced her with a kiss.

"I don't want to hear excuses, Suzanne," he raised a finger.

"Okay."

"Tell me something, why did you let that guy hold you by the waist?" he inquired, raising an eyebrow.

"He's just a friend," Suzanne said, suppressing a smile.

"Friend? Well, it seemed like something more to me," he frowned, looking annoyed. "You are mine and mine alone, never forget that, honey," he said in an authoritative tone, and she didn't know what to think anymore.

"I repeat, he's just a friend," he rolled his eyes, incredulous. "I have to go back; he must be worried."

"Fine," he grimaced and left without saying more, leaving her alone.

"What's wrong with him now?" she thought, puzzled.

She left the bathroom in search of Dylan, but she stopped short when she saw Nathan standing there, waiting for her.

He took her by the waist and led her to the event hall; as they were about to arrive, she couldn't help but ask if he was sure he didn't mind being seen together.

"I never make a misstep, honey," he replied, pulling her even closer to his body.

If before she had received looks, now even more so. The people present couldn't take their eyes off the couple.

Suzanne felt like she was on cloud nine; Nathan kissed her cheek and held her waist as if she were his property. There wasn't anyone who didn't turn to look at them; they were the center of attention.

"I have to answer," Suzanne said when she heard her phone ringing.

He nodded but didn't move from her side.

"Hello."

"Oh my God! Darling, you had me worried. What happened? Wait, it's him, right?" said her friend on the other end of the phone.

"Yes," Suzanne simply replied.

"I guess you won't be coming back to us," he commented hesitantly.

"I don't think so," she said resignedly because she knew Nathan wouldn't let her go.

"But confirm something for me, did he come looking for you in the restroom?" Dylan asked, curious.

"Yes, how do you know?"

"I saw him heading there; you two were in there for a long time. Did you do it in the bathroom?" he exclaimed playfully.

"No, how could you even think that?" she said alarmed, worried that Nathan might hear something.

"Well, I believe you, that man has a tight grip on you, dear," he said amused.

"How do you know?" she questioned, glancing at Nathan sideways.

"Because I'm watching them."

Nathan started gesturing impatiently as to why she was taking so long.

"Mmm, I should let you go," she grimaced.

"I figured, the mister is getting impatient," Dylan teased.

"Something like that."

"You two look really cute together," he sighed. "But well, I'll let you go. Talk later, sweetheart."

"See you later, Dylan, thanks for everything."

"It was a pleasure, take care, love you," he blew her a kiss.

"I love you too," she said, earning Nathan's full attention.

He had to restrain himself from asking for explanations; he didn't want to act like a jealous man, as if he were.

He told himself he didn't know what jealousy was; he had never been jealous, and he wouldn't start now.

"Come with me, I need to say goodbye to some people before we leave," he said in a tone unfamiliar to her.

Suzanne nodded; he was a respected and admired man, especially by women. Several people approached him to greet him.

Suzanne saw Angela approaching them, and she leaned her head on his shoulder, pretending to yawn.

"Are you sleepy?" Nathan asked, attentive.

"Yes."

"Let's go then, my car is outside."

As they exited, the paparazzi swarmed around them like flies attracted to honey; they could barely walk.

He wrapped one of his arms around Suzanne's shoulder and pulled her closer to him.

"This is madness," she thought.

She couldn't see where she was walking because the flashes of the cameras blinded her.

The paparazzi bombarded them with many questions at once, such as: "Mr. Strong, is this your new conquest?" "Why didn't you arrive with her at the event? Where is the redhead? Is this girl a new addition to your collection?"

Nathan turned and looked at the guy in such a way that he shrunk in his place and looked at him nervously. His stern gaze had managed to silence him.

When they both got into the car, he sped away from there. Silence filled the car until he decided to break it.

"Why did you think I would be ashamed of you?" he asked, curious.

"You made fun of the clothes I used to wear," she said, a little annoyed at remembering that unpleasant incident.

"I didn't make fun of you, I just said that the clothes you used to wear weren't appropriate," he clarified.

"Well, you didn't exactly say it in those words," Suzanne raised an eyebrow. "Besides, you knew me like that, what did you expect, for me to be like your other lovers? Excuse me, Mr. Strong, for not being up to your standards."

"Don't start with that," he warned her. "Besides, you look beautiful, that dress is classy unlike the rags you used to wear. You're improving," he joked, trying to defuse the situation, but she didn't find it amusing at all.

"This is a gift, and just so you know, Dylan gave it to me," she said grumpily.

"In exchange for what, does that jerk give you gifts?" he snapped, furrowing his brow.

"That's none of your business, at least he's not ashamed of me," she said hostilely. "And don't call him a jerk, he's very kind and gentle."

That made Nathan see red.

"That's enough! You've been nagging me about the same thing for a while now. I told you I'm not ashamed of you!" he exploded furiously.

But he couldn't understand how Suzanne felt; she had been humiliated so many times because of her appearance that she had no self-esteem left.

"Stop the car!" she shouted, and he did.

She got out of the car quickly and started walking down the street, which was too lonely. She heard the car door open and slam shut, almost breaking the windows.

She knew it was him, but she didn't stop.

"Get back in the damn car, Suzanne!" he shouted in rage so she could hear him, but she deliberately ignored him.

"I'm warning you, I'm not in the mood, damn it!"

From his tone of voice, she deduced that he was very angry, and she knew that when he was like that, he lost his mind.

She was determined to cross the street to get away from him, but when she tried, she had to jerk back when a truck honked its horn and sped past.

Due to the shock, she fell to the ground, causing her ankle to twist.

"Suzie!" Nathan shouted, shocked.