Chapter 8

"What would you like to order ma'am?” A short blonde waitress came over some minutes after we settled in our seats.

I briefly skimmed through the menu.

“Umm…I'll have the creamy Tuscan chicken and the cedar garden salad”

“And you sir”

The change in her tone caught my attention. It was very subtle but I caught it, the little rise in her tone and added softness in her voice.

A flirty smile had magically appeared on her face as soon as she turned to Nathan.

He didn't spare her a glance.

“I'll have the same as my wife”

If I was eating already I would have choked on the food. My face heated up at Nathan's words.

I struggled to conceal my awkwardness.

Wife? Did I like that title?

The waitress’s flirty smile vanished.

“Oh sure” she scurried off.

“Wife? Nathan I haven't finalized my divorce”

“The public doesn't know that”

I sighed deeply. This was a risky game we were playing.

Our meals arrived shortly after, steaming with an aroma like heaven.

“Why did you accept the contract?”

Nathan asked without looking up from his meal.

The question caught me off guard. What was I supposed to tell him? That I needed his influence to protect my growing brand from the claws of my prowling mother? Or that I was desperate to escape the constant assault from my so called husband?

“I can see the wheels turning in your head Madeline”

My name sounded smooth on his tongue. Strangely I liked it.

“It's for personal reasons” I finally managed to say.

“Do you think this marriage will be the solution to whatever problem you're hoping it will solve?”

This time his eyes bore into mine.

Hazel eyes that looked like they knew everything.

Like he was trying to reach into my soul, and find all my buried secrets.

“Why are you asking me all of this now? I've agreed to sign the contract haven't I?”

I poked my chicken nervously.

“Yes. I just want to know your thought process… and hold a conversation so the pictures look legit when they start circulating the internet”

Smart as always.

I just nodded in agreement.

Nathan opened the car door for me like a gentleman after we headed out. I smiled softly.

“Thanks”

He didn't smile back, but his eyes seemed to soften somehow.

__________________

It was 7pm when I and Nathan arrived at Verre Pavilion. It was the biggest art gallery in the city. It wasn't a place you could stumble into. You were either invited— or you weren't.

The building itself was a master piece. The floor to ceiling glass walls gave it a modern, yet timeless look. Valet lights glowed sofly at the entrance and the sound of the city felt deliberately muted.

I smoothed down my champagne beige silk column dress as we headed to the entrance. I picked the outfit because it gave off quiet luxury. The fabric moved fluidly as I walked, catching the light without reflecting it too sharply.

The security let us in as soon as he saw Nathan.

Talk about power.

“You seem known” I glanced at Nathan's side profile.

“My step cousin is the manager here, so yes. You can say that”

Nathan was dressed in a tailored midnight navy suit. The colour looked gorgeous against his warm olive skin tone. His crisp white shirt underneath was open at the collar. It helped to lessen the formality of his look.

“I need you to stay by my side. Try not to wander off”

“I'm not a child Mr Tate”

I stopped myself from rolling my eyes. This wasn't the best place for that.

“Don't call me that”

“What? Tate?”

“From now on it's just Nathan”

“Sure…Nathan”

I recognized a few faces as we moved through the gallery. They were mostly influential people.

I couldn't expect less.

“Madeline?”

I came to a halt and turned around.

Oh no.

I could have bumped into anyone. Anyone at all.

But no.

It had to be her.

Before me stood my mother's old friend and Ethan's aunt. She was the one that planted the idea of my mom marrying me off to Ethan.

“Mrs Ruby. It's nice to see you.”

I faked a smile and extended my hand for a handshake.

She reached for a hug instead.

Her expensive perfume swarmed my nostrils as she held me briefly in her embrace.

“It's nice to see you Madeline. Are you here with Ethan?”

Her question felt like a jab to my side. I forced myself not to clench my jaw.

“No I—”

“You look stunning by the way. Did you design this dress?”

“Yes I did”

“Brilliant. I'd love to have it. It'll look even better on my daughter”

Her gaze finally drifted to Nathan, who had been standing quietly beside me.

A brief flash of surprise showed in her eyes.

“Mr Tate”

“It's nice to meet you”

She reached out to Nathan for a hug.

He stood rooted in his position.

I caught the look of embarrassment on her face as she lowered her arm and chuckled dryly.

“What are you doing with this gentleman Madeline”

“We came together” Nathan beat me to it.

“Together?” Mrs. Ruby's eyes danced between us suspiciously.

“Yes”

“Does Ethan know you're here?”

At this point I felt a surge of annoyance.

“I believe I'm allowed to go wherever I please, whenever I please. Ethan is not my owner, so I don't need permission from him”

Mrs Ruby gaped at me in shock. Judging from the fact that I'd always been the obedient little lamb, my bold act of rebellion stunned her.

“What a foolish thing to say Madeline. Ethan is your husband. You cannot go anywhere without his permission—”

“Have a good evening Mrs Ruby”

She let out a small gasp as I turned away.

“Don’t you dare walk away! I'm not done talking”

“But we are” Nathan said over his shoulder. He took my hand and linked our fingers as he followed closely beside me.

A strange feeling of triumph bubbled in my chest as we walked away.

“You handled that well Madeline”

“Thank you…you too”

“I barely said anything”

“Exactly. Thank you for letting me speak for myself”

Nathan assessed me with a perplexed look.

“That's not something you thank someone for”

“Of course it is”

He looked like he wanted to say something but decided not to.

“Are you cold?”

“No…do I look cold?”

“Your fingers are cold”

“Oh, don't worry about me. My fingers are always cold”

Suddenly I remembered that we were holding hands. Once again the warmth of his hand surprised me.

“Let me help”

Nathan shrugged out of his blazer and placed it on my shoulders.

“You don't have to do this Nathan—”

“Shh”

My lips parted in surprise.

Did he just shush me?!

“Are you actually admiring me or is it all part of our show?” Nathan stepped back and smirked at me.

“What?”

“I'm standing right in front of you, of course I can see you gaping at me”

My cheeks flushed at his words. Had I been staring?

“I wasn't gaping at you. There are much prettier art works here to gape at” I turned away from him with a pout.

He chuckled

“Of course there are. I think you look prettier than the art though”

Stunned, I turned to see if he had that sarcastic look on his face again.

But he was smiling.

I was utterly confused.

“You're staring again” Nathan smiled wider, showing off his pearly white teeth.

“I am not!”

He took my hand in his again. I tried to pull away but he held on tight.

“Be a good girl Madeline and play along” He whispered in my ear. His warm breath fanning my face.

My entire face flushed at his words. I looked away quickly and stopped trying to pull my hand out of his.

But the sound of his low chuckle meant he already caught me blushing like a damn teenager.

A head of blonde hair near the large entrance doors caught my attention. As soon as the lady turned around myood dropped.

Annie Hills.

If she was here then that meant one thing.

As if on cue, Ethan stepped in after her.

My mood dropped even more.

I watched him wrap his arm around her waist as they proceeded into the hall.

In a matter of seconds, Mrs. Ruby hurried towards him. I knew what she was about to do.

I watched Ethan's smile fade slowly as Ruby ran her mouth. Then his eyes began darting frantically around the hall.

“I'm guessing that is your husband” Nathan said leaning close.

I held his hand tighter.

“Yes. Ethan Grey”

Ethan's eyes landed on me.