Chapter 9 The Lover

Nicholas insisted that Nathalie take a break from watching her father, so his assistant, George, took Nathalie to a famous Italian restaurant.

The restaurant was always full and had to be booked at least a month in advance, but hey, Nicholas was a Grand, and the owners were more than willing to accommodate him whenever he need.

"You are so thin and pale, like a living corpse. What will you do if you get sick, while you still have to take care of your father? You will make him sad and I will be in difficult too!" said Nicholas firmly.

He handed her a large plate of lasagna, a fat Wagyu steak, tomato soup with thick ground beef. Not only that, but also egg white pudding with brown sugar, ginger biscuits with whole milk and orange juice.

"These are all for me?" asked Nathalie confused. "How can I spend it? It's too much!"

"Hm. Eat!" said Nicholas, his tone clearly an order. "I ordered according to your nutritional needs. Finish it. I'll buy some for you to take home later."

Nathalie sighed, but she realized that what Nicholas said was true. She herself felt that she often felt tired and when she looked in the mirror, she saw the protrusion of her collarbone.

Nicholas watched with satisfaction as Nathalie ate.

"How about your divorce? Are you still waiting for something from Charles?" Nicholas asked suddenly. "Alimony?"

Nathalie grabbed a knife to cut the steak. "Tsk! I don't care about Charles's money anymore! I have returned the documents that I have to sign and I just have to wait for him to finish it, but considering what he has done to me, even that bitch's mother dares to bother my father, of course I will not stay silent!"

Nicholas laughed seeing the seriousness and determination in Nathalie's eyes.

They had previously talked about Gina's mother bothering Nathalie's father and she would not compromise on that.

"I just said that out of spite. I don't care about Charles's money. I want to divorce him as soon as possible, but of course, I want to get even."

"Good!" Nicholas firmly replied.

He appeared to be controlled on the surface, but Nathalie noticed a hint of tension in his words.

"You know, Charles is not worth that much. Don't waste your time battling over a few million dollars. We'll get even in a smarter way."

Nicholas paused briefly before adding, "When we get married, you'll get whatever you want, tens of times more than what Charles might give you."

Nicholas' words made Nathalie choke. She quickly took a drink and took a sip.

"He must be joking," Nathalie thought.

Nicholas chuckled at Nathalie's behavior. "Well, since my grandfather will be back here soon, I guess you should finish your divorce soon, so I can introduce you to him as my lover."

Nathalie stared at Nicholas' very handsome face, almost perfect with all the ideal elements.

"I don't know how to speed up the divorce process."

Nicholas clicked his tongue. "As long as you don't complicate things, it's easy for me. I'm a Grand, in case you forgot."

Nathalie was silent. Of course. The Grands were the richest and most powerful family in Glendale, of course they could do anything easily. There was nothing they couldn't do.

"I can request the Supreme Court to expedite it," Nicholas continued calmly. "Just prepare all the necessary documents and wait quietly. I can arrange everything."

Of course. How could Nathalie doubt what Nicholas could or could not do. If anyone would have connections in the government, the Grand's would. They were one  practically gods in the city.

"Why is your grandfather so insistent on you getting married?" Nathalie asked.

Nicholas shrugged as if the question was something he had expected.

"Just the usual reasons. To continue the legacy of the Grands, to extend the family, to have stability, and to have grandchildren. It is in our family's culture. I think all business families everywhere would be like that."

Nathalie looked into Nicholas' dark eyes. Nicholas sighed. It was hard not to fall in love with eyes as beautiful as Nathalie's when she stared that deeply.

"And, it's part of Grandpa's condition before he gives me part of his company shares - that I must marry. I need his shares for a particular reason."

Nathalie winced. "Why do you need your grandfather's shares? I'm sure your own share must be very large?"

Nicholas stopped mid-way from drinking his coffee. He looked at Nathalie, "To secure it. To give me leverage."

He saw the confusion in Nathalie's eyes and smirked. "You know, right, that ever since my father remarried, he brought a lot of trouble into my family and caused division within. My stepbrother was voted as the CEO of Grand's Enterprises, whereas I was only appointed to manage the medical centre. That's not worth it at all," Nicholas revealed. His jaws tightened before describing, "I plan to take what is rightfully mine."

Nathalie immediately remembered the incident three years ago, when Nicholas's adoptive brother was chosen to lead the Grand's empire instead of him.

That incident caused many rumors to circulate, saying that there was a big problem within the Grand family. After all, Nicholas was the legitimate son, the real Grand, but he didn't get his rights.

What was worse than just gossip about it, there was a lot of speculation saying that Nicholas's father never loved his mother and that Nicholas's stepmother was his true love and there was even suspicion that his half-brother was actually his biological brother who was hidden by his father.

"I'm sorry about that incident," Nathalie said.

Nicholas smiled faintly. "It's okay. I'm just going to try to take back my rightful heir and stop anyone who tries to get rid of me, even if it's my own father. You, will help me do it."

"But, Nicholas, I'm a divorcee," Nathalie said. "How could your grandfather accept me? You can get any girl you like and your grandfather will definitely accept it more easily."

"Well," Nicholas shrugged. "Of course, my father will be against it. He's trying to match me with Harriet Abby."

"Harriet Abby, the international model? Oh my!" Nathalie said in amazement.

"Yes. But, I don't care at all what he thinks. My relationship with him has long been broken and he knows that I have long lost my respect for him. My grandfather, he is different. He will respect my decision," Nicholas said calmly.

"But Harriet Abby? Nicholas, she is a big catch, I dare not compete with her! I am not worthy."

Nicholas snorted harshly. "There is no competition whatsoever. Harriet Abby is not my choice at all. You are my choice, period!"

Nathalie's face flushed. Nicholas smiled softly. He liked Nathalie's facial features. She was very beautiful, with sparkling white skin, smooth and silky, like a pearl. Her eyes were dark emerald green, with long wavy hair. Her body was beautiful, solid and ideal.

She is perfect!

"Don't underestimate yourself, Nate. You are very valuable and I am sure, in one year, you will be able to become a great interior designer," Nicholas said in a soft tone. "I will make your dreams come true and you will soon achieve all your desires. Let's work together and realize our goals together."

Nathalie looked into Nicholas' eyes and found confidence there.

She nodded. "Yes. I believe in you."

"Now, since you are officially my girlfriend, you have to move to my house, so that I can monitor you properly," Nicholas said.

"W-what? No? Why?"

"You have to be healthy. I don't like seeing you so thin. Nelson and George will take care of you, your health and your needs. In my house everything is provided and you don't need to think about anything. I will give you whatever you need, you just have to talk. Besides, don't we also need time to get to know each other again?" Nicholas asked, raising his eyebrows.

"We can do it while I stay at my father's house," argued Nathalie.

"Come on, Nate, this relationship must be believable to my family, especially my grandfather. Before my grandfather's arrival, we must make the most of our time," Nicholas said. "We will go through normal relationship stages because it has to be believable."

"And what is that?"

"Dating, engagement, marriage. Those are normal and natural steps in a relationship, right?"

"Isn't this a secret?"

"Why should I make this a secret marriage? I never said anything like that. How am I supposed to process my intentions if I do it in secret?"

Nathalie swallowed. "You're right."

"Now, I'll have my lawyer draft our agreement. If there's anything you want to include in the agreement, just tell me," Nicholas said as he finished his cup of coffee.

Nathalie took a deep breath, unsure of her intentions, but she knew she had to ask.

Her face flushed, as she cleared her throat and asked, "Ni-nicholas... About children...? H-how? D-do you have to have them for your sake?"