It had been seven, long years and my heart still beat a little faster whenever he was near. Like any other day the crushing reality of our situation smothered me— making me painfully aware that I loved Nathaniel Hughes as unconditionally as he hated me. "Yes I know-I'm sorry but I can't right-I understand Enrique, but I have a major deal right now I simply can't- wait a minute..." I could hear Charlie trying to reason with our client in Italy, her choppy conversation filtered into the background.
Charlie had become so much to both me and the company over the past two years. She was our family first and our boss second. She put her heart and soul into every project she ever handled and this was no different. Her idea regarding the Reagan project was truly brilliant. When I'd gone to inform Nathaniel earlier, on our company landing the Reagan deal, he was surprisingly pleasant. I wasn't subjected to any one of his many insults or blatant dismissal.
Struggling to negotiate a different timeline with our client in Italy, Charlie tried to explain her situation again. "I won't be able to make it to Italy before the next six months. Please understand my situation Enrique, my husband won't be; how should I put this? A fan of the idea." Charlie's voice faded into the distance, allowing me to concentrate on the designs before me.
"These pillars are going to be a problem, the structure seems to be braced by it..." Nathaniel stated in his uniquely husky tone, studying the layout closely.
Hesitating, I considered offering my suggestion. Charlie had encouraged me to put my architectural design knowledge to use, giving me an opportunity to finally utilise the degree I'd acquired four years ago. "Not completely." I mumbled, deciding to test the waters first. When he didn't immediately shut me down, I continued. "We could remove some of them and then replace those with industrial braces, portable shoring scaffolds, it'll be hidden once we fit in the internal walls." Bitting my lower lip, I watched the design nervously. "It...it should also give us a few more inches of leg room." I added, holding my breath and awaiting his brutal rejection of the idea.
A small crease formed between his eyebrows as he considered the suggestion. "Yeah...yeah that could work." He mumbled, erasing the walls he'd already drawn in. Floored by how amicable he was being, I smiled— secretly thrilled by his approval. Setting a sheet of clear tracing paper over the original blueprint, he expertly traced the plans without pillars. I couldn't help but appreciate the way his business shirt stretched around his lean, muscular arms. Noticing what he was sketching, I caught his wrist abruptly.
"Not that one, these six can be replaced with shoring scaffolds; we should leave the outer ones, to ensure stability." He nodded eyeing my hand. Removing my hand I prepared for his anger. Shockingly, he continued to sketch in the pillars. His decency was a welcomed change from his other wise unpleasant attitude. I noted how his jaw worked subtly beneath a sexy layer of stubble.
"Okay, both of you forget about the Reagan deal." Charlie's words had us both standing to attention, to say that we were confused was an understatement. Glancing at Nathaniel I gauged the obvious prick of irritation he did little to hide. This tended to be his general attitude when someone disturbed him while he was in his zone. "Pack your things, both of you." I opened my mouth to say something but couldn't seem to form a single syllable. Were we being fired? Closing my mouth I remained silent.
Nathaniel scoffed. "Please, we both know you'd never fire talent like mine." Laughing once, he dismissed her. Anxiety carved its way down my spine. Nathaniel's cocky arrogance wasn't a match for Mrs Quinn's, she had after all tamed the most sought after bachelor in New York.
"Wanna make a bet?" Charlie challenged with a hard look and if I wasn't mistaken a glint of excitement at the possibility of Nathaniel being idiotic enough to challenge her. Charlie could get...in a word, competitive, whenever someone challenged her. Swallowing audibly, Nathaniel backed down an inch— no longer seeming so sure. "Relax you're not being fired, yet." Standing from her seat, she folded her arms. "You're both going to Italy. Enrique has moved up the restaurant's opening, which means our deadline has moved up six months. Work needs to start now." Relived, I let out a sigh. Her elaboration had allowed me to finally set free the breath I'd held captive.
"Fucking Enrique Prince Amorosi! Who the hell does he think he is?-" Nathaniel barked, ready to rip the Italian politician to shreds.
"Cool it Cujo! He wants La Prince Palace to open sooner and it's understandable. I mean the response he's gotten is outstanding. The guy broke from his political family to start up his own chain of restaurants." Thankfully Charlie put a quick stop to Nathaniel's highly homicidal thoughts towards the man. Frankly speaking, I couldn't deny that the man was beautiful and inhumanly charming.
Enrique was everything you'd expect a hot Italian summer fling to be, he's the guy you want to meet when you're on vacation that sweeps you off your feet...Only to pin your back to his bed. I'd only spoken to him once and I almost melted from his accent alone. Naturally I'd proceeded to fulfil my civic duty to stalk this guy via the assistance of Google...Twitter, Instagram and maybe a few other legalised stalking sites. Charlie and I had spent a good lunch break gossiping about how dreamy the Italian God was.
"Big fucking deal..." Nathaniel muttered while eyeing the Reagan designs longingly.
"This is the first project you'll be heading Nathaniel, it's a big deal for you and Nancy. I'm giving you this chance because I believe in both of you." She wasn't wrong, I'd been waiting for my big break for years now...with Lorraine—the she devil that Charlie exposed for the psychopath she truly was— around, hardly anyone ever got promoted. The old Nancy would have fought for her dream but after the accident...that Nancy just disappeared and I became this. I was the perfect pushover and eventually I simply accepted my role and made do. Sometimes I'd look at myself in the mirror and wonder what had happened to the strong headed blonde from Britain. Sometimes I would wonder whether or not I'd ever become her again.
"I can go on my own. I'll handle it and the spoilt brat will love it. She'll just get in my way-" Nathaniel spat, his anger now shifting away from Enrique and settling on me. As if I needed another reason for him to resent me.
"See that's a deal breaker for me, this duo is perfect for this project." Charlie raised her arms; pointing her fingers out to us she drew an imaginary circle, encasing us. "My decision is final. You both go or clear out your desks." Nathaniel clenched his jaw and I worried my bottom lip, the finality in her tone left no room for argument. I didn't want to get fired and I really wanted this opportunity to prove myself. But I knew Nathaniel would never back down on this, he hated me—for good reason too. In one way or another I had ruined his life. I'd turned him into the bitter, angry shell of a man he now was. If only I'd left for London after my student exchange trip had run its course. We would have both been left with amazing memories of what could have been rather then resentment.
"Bullshit! I call bullshit!" Nathaniel barked at a pitch that made me cringe. Shrugging, Charlie swiped the sleek black handset off the telephone port and dialled a number on the fixed line.
"Hey Seth, I have an ex-employee up here that needs to be escorted from the building. No he's not making a scene but feel free to make one as you remove him. Thank you." Charlie's voice was an amused calm. I gasped and Nathaniel's jaw hit the floor. I used to have a similar effect on him. We had once been both a force to be reckoned with and a worthy component for one another.
"Hey Charlie-" We all turned to face Mr Quinn walking shouldering into the room, flicking through a file that he was clearly struggling to understand.
"Mr Quinn, she just fired us for no fucking reason. Are you going to let that stand?" Ratting on Charlie, Nathaniel smirked triumphantly. Charlie rolled her eyes and Mr Quinn shrugged, walking towards his wife. I was sure Nathaniel had expected that to play out differently... Shifting nervously I looked at Charlie, keeping Nathaniel in my periphery. All I could do was pray that his lack of filter didn't get us fired.
"I'd say Seth is now on the floor making his way towards my office- in short, you have about thirty seconds to decide. Are we going to Italy together? Or are we getting escorted from the building?" Shit! Dear baby Jesus, please don't let this happen. I silently prayed for this conversation to end and for us to return to the blissful reconstruction of the Reagan designs.
"Your wife's got a fucking addiction to blackmail!" My eyes widened at how courageous and utterly stupid Nathaniel was. Honestly, did the dimwit not notice the size of Mr Quinn— Insulting Charlie, right in front of him— God help us both!
Mr Quinn's clenched jaw, slackened into a smirk. "Then don't argue with her. She always gets what she wants..." Replying smoothly, Mr Quinn kissed his wife. My body visibly sagged with relief. I was slightly taken aback by his response. I for one had witnessed Mr Quinn's temper rendering several grown arse men a trembling mess in some god forsaken corner. I'd seen how protective he is of Charlie on several different occasions and once or twice I'd even prayed for mercy on the poor sod who'd insulted her.
"Good answer." Charlie informed, rewarding Mr Quinn with a sweet smile, nodding he smiled back at her...that small exchange alone almost knocked me on my arse. Mr Quinn didn't smile. Period.
"May I come in ma'am?" I gasped when I heard Seth's familiar voice echo trough the frosted door.
"Yes." Nathaniel bit out, through a clenched jaw.
Charlie smirked. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch that?" She mused, enjoying Nathaniel's annoyance all too much.
"I said yes! Yes I'll fucking go to Italy and I'll go with her!" Nathaniel was now shouting, clearly pissed. Charlie however, didn't let up. She made a show of thinking over his tone.
"I'm not feeling your commitment." Mr Quinn whispered something to Charlie and she nudged him with her elbow.
Glowering at Charlie Nathaniel raised his arms and shook them lazily. "Let's go smash this deal out of the stadium, Nancy. Amorosi won't know what hit him." The sarcasm alone, in Nathaniel's words, cracked her and she chuckled. Soothed by the sound I relaxed my shoulders. I'd been two seconds from cardiac arrest. "Let's also fly first class and charge it to Mrs Quinn as she has already been so generous in letting us go to Italy in her stead, I'm sure this won't be a problem..." Despite being a changed woman, I could have simply throttled the grouchy man to my left. Was he actively trying to get us fired?
"I have to say...he kind of reminds me of you-" Charlie narrowed her eyes at Mr Quinn, shutting up real quick, he continued the pretence of reading his file.
"I don't care if you spend every dime I have, you're still going and together at that. You leave tonight so I'd go pack now." Charlie informed, sitting in the edge of her desk. Like a dear caught in headlights I stared, wide eyed, at Charlie. This was inevitably going to end badly.
"What? That's ridiculous, can't the guy wait a day at least?" I sensed Nathaniel's resentment towards Enrique. I couldn't understand why he hated him so much, as far as I knew he hadn't ever met the man. Why the unwarranted dislike? By this point I was pin drop away from nervous wreck. I couldn't even muster the courage to peek up at Nathaniel; he was most likely scowling down at me in cold disdain.
Nathaniel groaned as though he'd been put out a mile. I silently turned to leave; unfortunately, keeping my head down I missed Nathaniel flipped as I did. Crashing into me, his tall frame sent me staggering back. Catching my hand in the same second, Nathaniel planted his free palm against the small of my back— stabilising me effortlessly. "Thank you..." I muttered in something that resembled a flustered whisper.
"Fuck it! You don't even know how to walk correctly." Seething, Nathaniel released me with rough jolt. Catching myself before I fell, I tucked my hair behind my ear. Grumbling several curses he stormed out of Charlie's office, sighing I followed.
Having already cleared the floor by the time I'd walked back to the main area, Nathaniel jabbed at the elevator button. I felt sorry for the poor button, it had no fault in this. Almost afraid to join him in the small, enclosed metal cart, I dawdled. Hoping I'd miss the first and be forced to catch the next. Noticing the uncomfortable looks people gave me, on account of my near zombie like stride, I cleared my throat and put on some semblance of a brave face.
"You better stay out of my way. I don't wanna see you, let alone hear you unless it's absolutely necessary. Let's just get this fucking nightmare over with before I kill myself." Nathaniel bit the order out in a clipped whisper the second I fell into step with him. I shed tears pricked my eyes as my battered heart took yet another blow. Seeing this hatred for me in his eyes was like a new death every day. I thought about him every waking out, he'd even infiltrated my dreams— our memories, our past; our reality, all haunting me endlessly.
I almost wept as we were forced to step into the empty metal cage. The platinum doors closed, sealing the two of us inside. Pushing into the furthest corner of the cart, I tried to maintain my distance from him. Nathaniel needed to understand that putting aside our personal feelings was the only way we could do our jobs efficiently. I wasn't planning on getting in his way, nor was I planning on making him aware of my presence all that often. I'd rather us just co-exist silently and finish this project, for both our benefits. "Nate I-"
"Don't fucking call me that!" He growled, slamming his palm against the elevator wall. Gasping I jumped— the smooth aluminium groaned under his angered strength, forcing me to shudder. "You don't get to call me that. Got it. I never fucking want to hear that name from your mouth ever again." Grinding his molars, he shook with rage. Shrinking back I wiped at the lone tear, snaking its way down my cheek.
"Sorry...I was, I was just going to say okay. I didn't do this on purpose, Nathaniel. Hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do." I found enough courage to peek up at him through my lashes. For only a fleeting moment, I saw his brutal gaze soften— leaving burning rage in its wake.
"Just stay away from me." He spat, pushing away from me. What Italy held for us was now out of my hands.
***
"Bollocks!" I was never very brilliant at Tetris, the game was near impossible for me to win. I'd packed and re-packed my suitcase half a dozen times, weaning the contents down to only the essentials. I had money saved up to purchase anything I couldn't bring. Groaning, I accepted that what I was going to do next would be extremely unladylike. If my mother were to witness this she'd cringe at my barbaric mannerism...and possibly throw a scolding teabag at my head.
Climbing onto my bed I kneeled on top of my suitcase, stuff clothes spilling from the edges back into the bag. Despite my best efforts, the zip wouldn't budge. I'm sure if my bed were overly springy, tenants in the rooms on either side of my studio apartment would surely assume I were boinking someone very enthusiastically in here. The walls were paper thin, but I still loved the building. It was clean, the neighbours were pleasant and the children in the building kept the mischievous prankster within me alive.
A loud, impatient banging rattled my door startling me. Jumping off my suitcase I slipped on the fluffy pink bunny slippers sitting beside my bed before hurrying to the door. "Who is it?" I asked, placing my hand on the handle.
"Death! Now fucking open the door!" Cringing, I frantically unlocking the door. Yanking the large piece of timber open I bite the inside of cheek— it was necessary, if I wanted to keep from salivating. Nathaniel Hughes had two specific styles. The first being a well groomed, all business look; the second being a ruggedly masculine look. Back in college, he'd mix these expertly and often. Nowadays he kept them separate. I'd almost forgotten how sexy he was clad in a white, cotton V-neck and well-fitting leather jacket. His tight blue jeans accentuated his long, toned legs so bloody well too- "What the fuck is taking-" Surging forward I clasped his shoulder with one hand and place my other over his mouth.
"Please, there are children on this floor, they can hear you-" Clasping my wrists he jerked my hands away, his brows knitting with disapproval.
"Nancy Drew, you all good?" Looking around Nathaniel's tense form I saw Hector step out of his apartment shirtless. I had never taken interest in the man romantically but I was a woman after all. My mother had raised me to appreciate anything that deserves appreciation and Mr Hector Brown very much did.
"Y...yeah, I'm absolutely fine." Nathaniel turned, clenching his jaw simultaneously. Hector returned the death glare with a small smirk playing on his lips. What Hector lacked in height,compared to Nathaniel, he made up in muscle. The solid man owned a small gym one block over and he'd admitted to enjoying working out...as a hobby, what a lunatic. However, he had given me a free membership so there was that. If not for that membership Mrs Vice's baking would have resulted in a very overweight Nancy Williams by now. She was a sweet old lady who didn't miss an opportunity to give me one variety of baked goods or another.
Hector nodded once, choosing to remain in the hall, leaning against the railing that ran a mere two metres down the centre of the floor, he watched us. "Problem?" Nathaniel barked through a tightly clenched jaw. Hector tensed his muscles and I winced. Chuckling nervously I clasped Nathaniel's arm and roughly yanked him into my apartment.
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you Hector, we'll keep it down." He smiled, still unsure whether to leave. I wasn't scared to be alone with Nathaniel, not in the slightest. He may be many things but he'd never physically harm me...at least not intentionally. Quite the opposite actually. Over the years, regardless of his feelings towards me, he'd helped me when I've needed it. Only a few months earlier he'd saved me from a brutish construction worker at the Brooks Manor. Granted he'd let his anger get the better of him— for whatever reason he'd almost crossed a line he couldn't uncross— regardless he had saved me.
"You sure?" Hector asked skeptically, I smiled reassuringly.
"I'm positive, enjoy the rest of your day." He straightened, smiling a little more easily now. "Oh and Hector, would you mind collecting my mail for me...I'll be away for some time, I have to go to Italy for a project." Halting, he turned to face me again.
"Wow, that's great Nancy Drew. So that boss of yours has finally seen your talent?" I blushed at his compliment.
"Something like that, hopefully she won't regret it after this project." I was saying it playfully, however, internally I was on my knees praying that it is the case. I didn't want to lose this opportunity, nor did I want to disappoint Charlie.
"Not a chance, you'll knock her socks off!" I chuckled softly. "Don't stress about your mail, I've got it handled." Saluting, he folded his arms over his chest.
"Thank you-"
"I hate to break up this boy across the way romance you've got going on, but we have a flight to catch. I'm not getting fired because you can't manage your time efficiently." Nathaniel barked before I could complete showing gratitude towards my awesome neighbour, who so kindly agreed to do me a favour. Hector glared at Nathaniel once more and I mouthed an apology to him before shutting the door. "Hurry up and pack your shit Nancy Drew, Italy await!" He mocked me emphasising the nickname Hector had given me when I first told him my name— coupled with my accent and place of origin he had a field day with that one.
"Sorry, my suitcase won't close-" I frowned when he rudely interrupted. Was it really that difficult to allow me to finish a single sentence?
"I'm sure that's the reason." He scoffed. I stilled near the sofa, confused by his response. "Don't even waste your time batting those baby blue eyes as though you're so fucking innocent. You probably just got back from a quickie with the asshole across the hall." He scoffed. God I wanted to slap him or at least insult him the way he had done me. Reining in my anger I moved hastily towards my bed.
Climbing back on I dug my knees into the harsh material cover of my suitcase, attempting to push all my weight down onto it. "If you would just help me, we could go-"
"Do I look like your fucking bell boy?" He barked. "Just take some of the crap out." I shook my head in response.
"I'm...um... Already down to the essentials." Widening his eyes, he glared at me— annoyance flickered across his features. Rubbing a fisted hand against his five o'clock shadow he groaned. Stalking towards me he pushed his palms down, on either side of my knees, over the suitcase cover. It sank significantly under his weight, he grumbled as though assisting me had put him out by a mile and a half. I hastily fumbled for the zip. "Ouch!" I winced.
"Fuck!" He grunted. I rubbed my forehead, straightening he did the same. "What the fuck is wrong with you? Are you trying to give me brain damage?!" He growled. I mumbled an apology before blowing a few blonde curls away from my face. He lowered again, increasingly vexed, keeping his head away from mine. Between the two of us we managed to squeeze the thing shut. I resolved to refrain from opening the bloody thing until it was planted firmly on my bed, in Italy.
"Thank you, lets go." I wheezed, releasing an exhausted breath I dragged the bag off the bed and pulled up the handle. Nathaniel scanned me head to toe.
"Like that?" Looking down at myself I shrugged.
"Like what?"
"Like a recovering heroin addict." He snapped, ouch... Rushing to the full length mirror, plastered to the brick wall beside my bed, I combed my slender fingers through my shoulder length blonde curls— parting them unevenly I tried my best to style my mop of hair. "Stop that!" He demanded, turning away. I flipped to face his rigid form— tense with something resembling restraint.
"I don't see what's wrong." I looked down at my clothes a second time.
"What's wrong is you're wearing leggings and a sweater big enough to belong to the yeti that lives across the hall. Put something decent on so you don't embarrass the both of us." He demanded, through his teeth.
"But we won't be meeting Mr Amorosi till Wednesday." I informed him.
"You're going to fly to Italy, in first class, like that?" He scoffed gesturing to my outfit. I narrowed my eyes feeling self-conscious.
"Yes, I am! I want to be comfortable, it's a long flight." I snapped. Was it absolutely necessary for him to speak? "Plus, why does it matter? It's not like we'll be seen together. You most likely booked me in the back row and yourself in the front row-"
"Yeah, I wish. Charlie thought it'd be fun to put us on a completely booked flight, side by side." Seething, he pushed his fingers through his hair. Everything was beginning to make sense. I knew what Charlie was up to. Admittedly, it brought a smile to my lips. She was trying to repair the damage between Nathaniel and I. From the day she'd noticed Nathaniel and my behaviour towards one another, she'd been actively forcing us to fix it. Her persistence was commendable, but now it had landed me somewhere unpredictable and while once that would have excited me...now it terrifies me.
***
After having, with great difficulty might I add, convinced Nathaniel to leave the outfit I was wearing alone we hurried to the airport. We were running late. Having been caught in traffic, Nathaniel was frustrated when we didn't have spare time to get our affairs in order at the airport. It was a rush from the second we checked in to the second we'd sprinted down the terminal and onto the plane.
Walking down the aisle I attempted to lift my carry on up into the overhead cabin— the weight and my height made it quite the impossible venture. I debated climbing onto one of the classy and luxurious seats. One look from Nathaniel had me dismissing the idea altogether. I gave Nathaniel a pleading look, with a scoff he looked the other way. Praying for patience I attempted to lift it again. "Hey, let me get that for you." A kind gentleman rose from his seat, offering me a hand.
Smiling I handed the tall man my bag. "Thank you, my vertical disadvantage is a real problem sometimes." Tucking my hair behind my ear, I stepped aside to make room for him.
"British and beautiful, if you can cook too I'm jumping from this plane right now..." He smiled charmingly.
"I'm not a terrible cook." I responded honestly.
"See I knew it, this must be a dream..." I chuckled at his blatant flirting.
"Hey babe, sorry I got caught up back there." I went ramrod stiff, feeling Nathaniel's frame pressing against my back. "I got it man." He continued reaching past me. I was stunned, the man handed my bag over to Nathaniel before smiling politely.
"Nathaniel what the-"
"Sit down babe, I got this." His words held my tongue, silently I sank into my seat.
"I knew you were too good to be true...you're real dam lucky man, beautiful British bombshell like that..." I blushed when he winked at me.
"Yeah...you should probably take your seat too man." There was an underlying challenge to Nathaniel's tone as he stepped in front of me— shielding me from the kind stranger's view. Placing our bags in the overhead he slumped down beside me and brushed a hand over his jaw. "Is it necessary for you to flirt with every guy you fucking see?" He barked in a hushed volume. I was thankful for that but utterly pissed off at his insinuation.
"Nathaniel he was just helping me out, I wasn't flirting back either...I wouldn't do that unless I was interested-"
"Save it. Just don't fucking forget it's business we're going to Italy for. You can bang every guy in New York for all I care but only when we get back." I was fuming, how bloody dare he? There were some limits that I thought even he understood not to cross and this was one of them. Clearly I was wrong.
Our jobs may be at stake but Nathaniel Hughes was getting on my last nerve. There was only so much I could take and over the last four years I'd taken a hell of a lot...maybe too much. His constant attempts to agitate me were working and I was one bloody snide comment away from snapping.
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