Chapter 12

AURORA. The company had been strangely quiet in the last two days, though I attributed that to Nathaniel’s purging to the tattletales that had previously plagued the company. While I would argue that it was a relief to not have to worry about rumors of me spreading to the ends of the earth, it was also quite unnerving to realize that almost no one wanted to associate with me anymore for fear of getting fired. I was tempted to point out to someone that Nathaniel would only fire anyone who didn’t know how to keep their mouths shut and mind their business but I didn’t think they would appreciate it. Shrugging at the cold shoulders I was getting in the lounge room, I grabbed myself a cup of coffee—it was terrible coffee, by the way—and headed back to the top floor. Another thing I was thankful for—Nathaniel, Doris and I were the only ones on the floor. If I wanted to, I didn’t have to see anyone for days. Tomorrow was the meeting with Nathaniel and his lawyer. I was dreading it, but it had to be done. After that, I could finally move on with my life. When I got back to my desk, however, I was pleasantly surprised to find Winter leaning against the wood with his arms crossed, waiting for me, maybe. His eyes gray-green brightened when he saw me. “Hey, beautiful,” he said. I chuckled. “Hi, Winter. How are you?” He waited for me to get closer. “I’m good, thanks. How are you?” “I’m alright.” I looked from him to the door of Nathaniel’s office. “He’s in there. Did you let him know you were coming?” His lips pursed. “Actually, I didn’t come here for Nathaniel.” Narrowing my eyes, I set the cup of coffee I was holding on the table “No?” He shook his head. “I came to see you.” I blinked. Winter had come to see me? “Why?” He opened his mouth to respond when the door to Nathaniel’s office burst open and he came flying out. Well, not flying precisely, but his strides were determined. Especially when his eyes connected with Winter’s. I felt it, the tension crackling in the air. Thank God Doris was still in the employees’ lounge. And most importantly, I saw it, albeit fleetingly, the clenching of Nathaniel’s jaw and the tightening of his fists. Was he angry or was I imagining it? “Winter,” he said with an unfazed expression. I must have been imagining it then. He looked perfectly fine. “What are you doing here? I didn’t know you were coming.” I looked from Winter to Nathaniel, preferring to stay out of the conversation and let them talk. After what happened the last time in Nathaniel’s office, I did not want to be humiliated again. “I actually came to see Aurora,” Winter replied, his arms still folded across his chest as he leaned against my desk. I was sure his heart was not pounding against his rib cage as he stared at Nathaniel like mine was doing. “After the last time, I wanted to be sure she was doing okay.” It was as good an explanation as any without sounding inappropriate. Nathaniel did not say a word for a few moments. His eyes were hard and calculating and this time when his jaw clenched, I was sure I had not imagined it. Our gazes connected and I almost staggered at the intensity of his gaze. Why was he so against Winter talking to me? Then, he blinked. “That’s not a problem,” he said to Winter before turning to me. “I came out to tell you that I’m sending you on a business trip.” That was unexpected. “Oh. When?” “First thing tomorrow morning. You’re going to Italy.” It was at that moment that I realized I had a meeting with my husband and his lawyer tomorrow afternoon that I couldn’t miss if I wanted to get this so-called marriage over with. Shit. “Italy?! Can I reschedule? I-I need more notice. I have a pending appointment and it’s really important.” “Yeah, Nathaniel. I also think it’s too hasty. Can’t you give her more time?” Winter added. Nathaniel’s gaze moved between Winter and I, this throat working. “No. The deal had to be signed tomorrow or it’ll be lost. This is not a negotiation and I’m not asking.” I recognized that tone. It was the one Nathaniel usually wore when he was pissed. And he was, for some reason. I had no idea why but I was not about to poke the bear. Nodding, “Alright. I’ll pack a few things.” “Good. I’ll email you the details.” I watched in silence as my boss turned and strode into his office, wondering if he was bipolar. One minute he was firing his employees for my sake and another he was sending me to a different country for God knows what. It was hard to keep up. “Damn,” Winter muttered. “He must not like me coming to see you.” “Looks like it.” Thane Quan and his lawyer would just have to reschedule. I didn’t want to, God knew, but it was either that or me getting fired and I would pick the latter without second thought. I stared at my coffee, frowning. It was cold and stale by now, thanks to Nathaniel Everleigh. **** NATHANIEL. He clenched his fists as soon as the door closed behind him to control his anger. By all the gods, what was Winter’s obsession with Aurora? Why had he made it his duty to constantly annoy Thane? He ran a hand angrily through his hair. Why was he even annoyed? The business trip had not been meant for her. He had been supposed to go on that trip. But when he’d seen Winter smiling at her, he hadn’t been able to help himself. All thoughts had been to get her as far away from Winter as possible. His friend was quickly becoming a pain in Thane’s ass. He told himself that he was only trying to protect Aurora, trying to make sure she didn’t become another notch in Winter’s bedpost but was that the truth? Was he angry because his assistant was married and Winter wanted to make her another one of his conquests or was it because he didn’t like seeing his best friend with her? His anger only worsened when his phone beeped with a message from his lawyer. Ysabel had canceled their meeting tomorrow with the reason that she had an engagement she couldn’t get out of. She’d asked to reschedule, like he didn’t have a busy schedule himself. Thane took several breaths to calm himself. The entire world felt like it was working against him. First, Winter and Aurora. Now Ysabel. He wanted to be rid of this burden, wanted to finally breathe freely since he married her. After all, he’d only gotten in bed with her because he needed to access the fortune his grandfather had willed to him. Now that he fully had it, it would be a mercy to get it over and done with. It didn’t matter that he’d waited this long. All that mattered was that he was divorcing Ysabel, one way or another.