27

The next morning...

"Are you leaving already, dear?" Suzanne's feigned tone of friendliness was spot-on.

"Enough, okay?" Nathan whispered, taking her arm to draw her closer to him.

But nothing he did or said was going to stop her from putting that girl in her place and enjoying the satisfaction of seeing her defeated.

Angela had dark circles under her eyes and her hair was disheveled. She glared at Suzanne with fierce eyes, but in front of Nathan, she didn't dare to do or say anything.

"You'll pay for this, damn you," she thought angrily, watching the happy couple exchange words like a real married couple.

"As I said, it was just one night I needed," she said with a fake smile, remembering the times she had insisted for Nathan to touch her, but to no avail.

«What potion did that stupid girl give him? She has him hypnotized!», she thought, clenching her fists.

"I hope you can find your keys," Nathan said, trying to be kind. "If you need anything..."

"I think we can call a locksmith. I know a couple who are excellent at their job," Suzanne intervened, closing the matter.

The redhead felt humiliated and belittled, yet she left with her chin held high, swearing that she would be able to bring Nathan Strong under her power in the future.

Suzanne smiled dazzlingly, making Nathan stare at her intently, wondering why she looked so beautiful when she did that.

"Phew, thank goodness that slut left," she murmured contentedly, but once again, Nathan was able to hear her.

"You know we have an agreement, nothing was going to happen," he said seriously, though deep down he found it amusing to see her like that. "Do you want breakfast?"

"I'm dying for it," she said with a lascivious look.

He laughed and after kissing her affectionately, they both headed to the kitchen to prepare a hearty breakfast, as Suzanne claimed to be starving.

After sharing a sumptuous breakfast, Nathan's phone rang, and thinking it was a work matter, he answered without checking the screen.

"Hello?"

"What's this about taking a little redhead to the charity event instead of your wife?" his grandfather's voice boomed, once again leaving him deaf. "What's the meaning of this, Nathan?"

"I promised her father..." he began, but the old man interrupted him.

"I don't give a shit if you promised the president of the country, you were supposed to introduce Suzanne as your wife!" he huffed. "I don't understand why you insist on defying me..."

"I will soon, at the ball," Nathan said, catching Suzanne's attention, who had been trying to figure out who had called him. "I promise, that way we'll shut up all those gossip magazines and tabloids."

"You'd better, young man," the old man said threateningly. "You know that if you don't, forget about our deal!"

He hung up, and Nathan had to make every effort not to throw the phone to the ground out of anger. Why did he call just to scold him? He wasn't a damn child!

"Is everything okay?" Suzanne approached him cautiously, looking at him with concern.

«Don't look at me like that, sweetheart... you look really adorable», he thought, dissipating some of his anger.

"There will soon be a ball and my grandfather... wants me to introduce you as my wife."

His words had a great impact on her; she didn't expect the old Strong to be so determined to introduce her to society. Was she ready for it?

"You shouldn't be afraid, darling," Nathan enveloped her in his arms, seeing her so worried. "It will just be a protocol thing; you won't have to give speeches or anything, leave that to me."

"It's not what worries me..." she admitted with a hint of a voice.

"Then what is it?" he looked at her, puzzled. "If it's those snobby rich folks that bother you..."

She shook her head, and he looked at her intrigued. Sometimes she was so mysterious that he felt genuinely curious to know more about her and her life before the agreement, but he told himself that it would only complicate things.

Suzanne took a deep breath, feeling nervous about what she had to confess.

"Only Dylan knows about my deal with you, my father... will know if it comes to light in the media," she said with a burdened voice, and Nathan furrowed his brow.

"Is that all?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Does that seem like nothing to you?" she looked at him reproachfully. "It's been six months since I married you and I haven't even told him. Maybe it's not important to you, but it is to me."

Nathan sighed, somewhat impatient. Why did he have to assume things just for fun? That woman planned to drive him crazy.

"I'm not saying it doesn't matter to me, I just thought he wouldn't oppose knowing about it," he shrugged, smiling when she glared at him. "I can introduce myself to your father if that makes things easier for you..."

"That would only complicate things," she said, making him furrow his brow. "When the deal ends, we'll each go back to our lives and I don't want to put them through those scandals."

Nathan clenched his fists unconsciously at her words.

"Then don't dwell on it and let things flow," he said in a cold tone, surprising her. "There's still a long way to go before the agreement ends, don't worry about things you can't control."

Suzanne noticed his mood had changed in an instant. Was he upset? But why?

**

She was in the apartment they shared, waiting for him.

That day Nathan was returning from his trip to Australia, she had no idea what he was doing there, as he never told her anything about his personal life.

Exactly seven days had passed since the last time she saw him, seven days since the last time he made love to her until dawn.

She had gotten somewhat used to being recognized on the streets as Nathan Strong's official wife, the famous business tycoon. The news had spread like wildfire, causing a stir throughout the entire country.

The sound of the door brought her out of her thoughts.

As soon as she saw him cross the threshold, she jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his hips, kissing him with desire and love.

She had missed him so much.

Nathan held her, continuing the kiss a bit surprised by the warm and effusive welcome. She tried to pull away, remembering that she shouldn't have acted as if he were her real husband, when in fact he was just her temporary lover.

«I shouldn't have done that», she scolded herself.

There were only 6 months left until the contract ended, and with each passing minute approaching the deadline, she felt like a cold hand was squeezing her heart.

"I'm sorry," she apologized without looking at him.

"Don't worry, I was eager to have you in my arms too," Nathan said, and she forced a smile because she hoped to hear other words.

"I'm just a sexual object," she thought, but then dismissed that word.

She was being selfish, he had been very clear with her, and they both enjoyed sex. So... why not continue as they were?

"Don't ruin things, Suzanne," she thought anxiously, praying for a miracle.