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44 - AuroraTo the best of his ability, Nathan avoids me for the rest of the week and I can’t decide if I appreciate the distance or am annoyed by it. He did his best to get me through my panic attack, but it looked like he was in pain as he literally fled from my room, like he had had his fill of emotional woman and is now afraid of coming near me for too long. He’s a walking contradiction. He spends as little time alone with me as possible, but he also won’t let Jessie and the guys drive me to work, he insists on driving me, but doesn’t talk to me. He’s always a room away. If I can’t see him I can hear him and I swear I can feel him near. Lana has been great, but her day is packed with meetings and research so I only see her in small snippets of time. She reminds me of me, constantly moving and hands on the pulse of everything. She lets everyone do their job, but she checks everything herself just in case. I thought her subordinates might not like it. I know I always got resistance
43 - NathanThis woman looks at me for a brief second then down at her lap and for the first time I see an innocent girl, not the confident businesswoman I’m used to. Wherever her mind went as we left Max’s restaurant, it’s taking time for her to recover. She seems exhausted and over this whole situation. I get the feeling she isn’t this vulnerable in front of anyone and she isn’t sure how to act in front of me, but she also can’t hold it together anymore. I have never wanted to protect anyone more than I want to protect her. She chose me, when she didn’t know who I was. She chose me again, and she didn’t even know it was me. She keeps entering my life. I have to take that as a sign that she is meant to be here…with me, and I have to keep her here at all costs.“Thanks for helping me out today. I’m usually better than that. I’m sorry if I embarassed you.” She whispers to her lap and I really, really want to punch her ex. I have no idea what he did or said, but whatever it was behind cl
42 - AuroraThe car stops. I don’t remember the turnoff. Or the driveway. Or the gates opening. I only realize we’ve arrived when the door opens and Nathan’s standing there, his hand outstretched. He looks so angry though, I don’t take it. I climb out on my own. I hear him huff his annoyance. We walk up the front steps like strangers—like ghosts of two people who could’ve been something softer. He opens the door and holds it without looking at me. I step inside.He closes the door, clicks the lock.The foyer lights are low, casting golden shadows across the marble. My mind is starting to settle back into normal. I haven’t had panic hit me like that in a long time. I know I should say something. Anything. Apologize? Explain? Thank him? I can’t remember how words work. I turn to silently follow him to the stairs that lead to our hallway.“I didn’t mean it,” I say, but my voice still shakes. “I just… I panicked. I thought maybe this wasn’t real.”He stops at the base of the stairs, whitek
41 - AuroraI have to keep reminding myself I am mad at Nathan. I shouldn’t have to remind myself of that. I noticed the way he kept looking at me all through dinner, but I had nothing to say. This is all for show and that’s what he got, us sitting pleasantly at a table enjoying a meal made and served by his friends and being visited by the owner and all of the most important staff. There, I did my job, we were seen and caught the paparazzi’s eye. So why can’t I pull my hand from his? I’m following a man I barely know, who is following a woman I just met, but strikes me as the one person in this building to not mess with, to an undisclosed location because of one photographer and reporter who asked about rumors. What rumors could be circulating? We just got married yesterday.I need to get my head examined. The decisions I have been making over that last week are not anywhere near my norm. I’m a planner, I am predictable, I have schedules and a five year plan. Well, I had a five year
40 - NathanI feel her shiver as I talk low in her ear to keep nosy listeners from overhearing. It gives me a sick satisfaction since she has been avoiding me all day. I almost jumped out of my skin when I found out Lana and Joel took her out to lunch. Lana was smart enough to take her security team, but I don’t trust Keanna or my uncle. They will try something, and until they do, I’m stuck waiting and anticipating the worst. I just got Aurora back in my life. I will not let them jeopardize it.I’m not surprised she called me out for the point of being here, she wasn’t completely wrong, this restaurant is designed to see and be seen. But, I intended to get ahead of whatever my ex is planning. I want pictures of Aurora and I out together. I want the rumors of a shotgun marraige or whatever story they are going to spin out in the public. I would put money on Sullivan, Preston or Keanna showing up here tonight. Word travels fast in our circles and information can get you in with the right
39 - Aurora“You know you’re allowed to talk to me, right?” That low, commanding voice pulls us out of the awkward silence we have settled into. I have no idea where we are, but it doesn’t look the same as the drive in.“I’m not sure what you want me to say, honestly.”“My wife should be able to talk to me about anything. Like your day, the office, or your opinion on your staff.”“I’m only your wife on paper. Most choices aren’t mine to make.” I look back out the window. I had actually forgotten about this morning until right now. It settles a cloud over me. He’s been distant, but polite today. I know he told me to use his office, but I didn’t want to be a bother or anywhere near him. He affects me in ways I don’t understand. I am so distracted simply knowing he’s in nearby room and he was able to go about his work without glancing my way once like nothing life altering had happened to us the day before. “That doesn’t sound like the woman running a Corleone boardroom.” My head snaps t