Friday was approaching slowly, it wasn't going fast enough for me because I was excited but also anxious to the core. I didn't want to look too eager about accepting Jacob's proposal. That man was smug enough. He didn't need me to stroke his ego. Something told me he knew exactly what I decided. Whenever I thought I was beating the man at his own game he proved me otherwise. He was always ten steps ahead of me.
I needed to accept that I would never beat him.
He was the master of plotting. He had to be since he was so young and successful. People like my dad who were in the business for many years admired him. Respected him even. He was doing something right. He won me over but he didn't have to do much to achieve it. Before I could enjoy my future with Jacob there was something I needed to make right.
I was standing before the Merigold office building, nervous to enter it. There was no telling if Nick was around and actually had time for me. I needed to do this though, I couldn't leave things as they were. He was my best friend and he had been an amazing brother. Always there for me when I needed him. I needed to make things right.
"You ever going to walk inside, honey?"
I jumped, not expecting to hear dad's voice so close to me. I never noticed him joining me, standing side by side as we viewed the building together. I couldn't hide my small smile. Dad placed his hand on my shoulder and gave it a soft squeeze.
"He is your brother, Nina. There is no need to be this scared to face him."
"I made a decision which he's not happy about, Nick did everything to warn me and I still ignored it."
"Nick deals with that every single day, he is mature enough to let it go. Trust me."
Dad sounded so sure about it like he could read Nick like an open book. Maybe he could since the two of them spend an awful lot together. Dad was so proud of Nick. We all were. Nick was just a bit different when it came to trusting outsiders and being social. It wasn't his thing but he endured it for the sake of the company.
I respected him more than I did Jacob.
"I love Nick."
Dad laughed, give me a gentle pat against the back, "He knows."
I faced dad and shook my head, "No, dad you don't understand. In a short amount of time, our relationship completely changed. I know it is the saddest thing ever but Nick is my best friend and I can't lose him. I know it is selfish of me but I need him more now than ever."
Dad nodded, shoving his hands in the pockets of his nice black slacks. He was being patient and showed me a gentle smile. The gentle and calm wave which I felt whenever I was around Nick he definitely inherited from dad. Dad was calmness itself. It was a stark contrast to my very stressed personality.
"You should do what makes you happy if Jacob is the one who makes you happy then so be it. Who cares what everyone else thinks?"
I stared at him, shocked that he knew about Jacob.
I sighed, "Mom told you."
Dad shrugged, he did look a bit guilty though, "Your mom needed to share that. It is kind of a big deal to us." He tried to explain things but he stumbled all over the place. It made me press my lips together so I wouldn't burst out in laughter, "Your mom has a soft spot for Lucas for obvious reasons."
Lucas and I never did the official dinner with our families and maybe I prevented that because then things would become too serious. Maybe I had to accept that I always longed for something more with Jacob Blackwood. Like the people close to me kept telling me.
It was always him.
"I know," I whispered.
Dad didn't look upset at all, his little smile was kind of confusing, to be honest.
"But I like Jacob Blackwood a lot."
I giggled, "I know." I said more firmly this time.
Dad turned to look at the building again, "I think it's time, honey."
He was right it was time to face Nick and talk things over, apologize for my behavior and hope for the best. Before I stepped inside I surprised dad by stepping close to him and giving him a hug. Mom and dad were so supportive of my decision. I didn't expect that.
"Thank you, dad."
He returned the hug, giving me gentle pats against the back, "Go make things right with Nick."
Pulling away I turned to the impressive building and stepped inside. Everyone was being so nice and greeted me with smiles. None of them felt genuine though. Just some polite greetings for the Merigold heiress. I greeted everyone back but didn't care much for the attention. I made my way to Nick's office and was relieved that he had time according to his assistant. They walked with me to my brother's office, offering me something to drink.
"I'm good, thank you."
Entering the office I was greeted with a smile from my brother. Nick didn't look upset right now but I knew the conversation we were going to have would change that. I needed to suck it up though. I sat down in the chair across his desk and got comfortable.
"It is nice of you to finally talk to me."
I deserved that so I didn't argue with him.
"I'm sorry I kept ignoring you, there were just a lot of things happening at once."
Nick leaned back in his chair, letting out a tired sigh, "Lucas told me. I didn't think you'd actually fall for Jacob's lies. I've told you why he's interested in marriage now. I just don't understand why you'd ruin your own life like that."
"Jacob actually told me about it, he didn't lie or try to hide it. We've come to an agreement about our future together. He made a contract so I get compensated for being dragged into his drama with Fenna. Thank God, you never fell for her because she definitely hid her true colors."
Nick smiled at me, "Something felt off about her. She was trying a little too hard."
"I thought she was nice when I first met her."
Now that I think about it Fenna could have been nice to me only so I could help her with Nick. Thankfully Nick was better at reading people than I was. The fact that he still liked Lucas told me that Lucas was a nice guy. Nick would have told me if he disliked Lucas or thought he was being dishonest. Nick, however, disliked Jacob a lot. I didn't know if it was because he was the older overprotective brother or that he knew things about Jacob he hadn't shared with me yet.
"So what's this about a contract, you sure it's not another ploy?"
I smiled at him. Nick was definitely being the protective brother right now. I couldn't hold it against him. Jacob didn't show him his good side, everything about that man was dark and sinister. Yet he got along well with mom and dad. Family dinners from now on would become quite interesting. I hoped Nick wouldn't feel the need to stay away because he thought it would be uncomfortable. He tended to make excuses when he needed to protect himself emotionally. If he would do that I would ask Jacob to stay away from family dinners. But we had to wait and see where this was going.
"Mom looked it over, it's legit. He's giving me shares in his company and if we have children in the future he will be paying me for that too. It's a little weird that he is basically paying me to be his wife but you know, it's the only reassurance I get out of this."
Nick shook his head at me, "At least you don't mind it and you get what you want."
I shifted in my chair, not knowing if this was going well or not. I just had to be straightforward about it.
"Are you upset with me?" I asked quietly.
My voice sounded so small even to me. I didn't want my brother to be upset with me. Dad said things would be okay, he thought Nick was mature enough to move forward. I hoped dad was right.
"I am upset about the decision you made." Nick admitted, "But it is your life and if you want to spend your life with Jacob Blackwood I need to accept that. But it might take some time for me to get used to having him around."
"You should take all the time you need."
I felt like a weight got lifted off my shoulders now that I talked things over with Nick. He wouldn't accept Jacob right away like mom and dad but that was understandable. He needed time to get used to Jacob.
"Are you off to seeing your fiancé?" Nick asked.
He said it as if he bit into a lemon. It would take a lot of time for Nick to get used to the man I was going to marry.
"Jacob told me to give my answer Friday night so I'm staying away from him until then."
Nick looked happy about that, "That's good, make that man work for it. Keep him on his toes and make sure you always stay true to what you want. Don't let him push you around. I know you are in lust with him but never lose who you are."
I covered my mouth, feeling so emotional right now, "Stop it, Nicky. You're going to make me cry."
"Promise me, Nina."
I think I did cry, I felt wetness on my cheeks but I didn't want to face it. Instead, I nodded and smiled through the tears, "I promise I won't lose myself in this relationship." I told him.
Nick left the office to make us some tea. He joined me a few minutes later, sat down beside me and just talked with me until I felt a lot better. Dad was right about Nick. Nick wasn't happy about my decision but he still supported me. Tomorrow I'd meet up with Jacob Blackwood and tell him the news. Nothing stood in our way anymore. It took away some of the anxiety I felt away. It would be the start of our new life together.