Chapter 14

                                    

                                          
I've been working from my desk all day taking Nathan's calls, writing emails, scheduling his corporate meetings, finishing his schedule for next month for the new year. While also simultaneously trying research his past cases, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials mentioning my boss or anything related to the organization.
But without any luck. It was safe for me to assume he didn't leave those kinds of cases around his office.
I had been avoiding Nathan Vanderbilt thankful he has yet to ask me to come into his office. It felt odd for me to feel so uncomfortable around him especially now that he knew about Rose. We have yet to discuss anything that happened at the Christmas Eve event. I knew Nathan was the type of man to have occasional one-night stands, but I didn't want to be one of those women. I wasn't that type of person, and I hated the fact I was so stupid and made myself get drunk enough to give into him that night. Every time I thought about it, I would quickly shove all the memories aside.
The way he whispered in my ear and kissed me to stay quiet and held my waist and neck. I quickly shook off my thoughts not wanting to get lost in them. I couldn't let what happened stop me from completing my mission. I needed to keep a level head now more than ever.
Continuing my previous plan to get him alone to kill him making it look like an angry coworker or client. But I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Finishing what I was doing wanting to quickly leave for lunch. Standing up to grab my coat I noticed he was alone in his quiet office as he worked. His suit jacket was hung on his desk chair as he worked intensely. It always shocked me on how much he was devoted to his job. And how stressful that must be to take a toll on him.
"I'm going to lunch down the street do you want anything?" I asked. "Rigatoni." He answered still in deep thought before I closed the door behind me. "You ready?" I asked tapping my fingertips together in excitement.  Eve worked at her desk in front of Mr. Gallagher's office similar to Nathan's. "Yes." She smiled as she sat up and grabbed her coat before we left the firm.
As the elevator doors closed as Eve began to talk about her Christmas, smiling at her happiness. I was about to reply until I saw Nathan's eyes meet mine through the elevator doors as he left his office. My smile slowly faded as we stared into each other until the doors closed snapping me out of my trance.
"Does N- Mr. Vanderbilt seem a little... different lately?" I asked as we ate at Eve's favorite Italian restaurant. "No, he's been a lot ruder and more agitated towards people lately. But it seems a little understandable I think under the circumstances." She said making me frown. "Circumstances?" I asked making her shrug. "Ever since his brother decided to quit and he was the one to inherit their fathers' position singlehandedly." Eve continued eating her spaghetti making my lips part.
"Before he was the same but less closed off and angry. I assume now he's too busy to be nice." She finished amused. I chuckled weakly looking down at my plate as I continued to eat in silence as I thought about Nathan. "How was your Christmas? How come you've never told me you had a niece?" Eve asked with a smile full of excitement.
I looked like a fish out of water for a moment as I struggled to get passed the idea of having to tell her I was Rose's aunt. "Oh. I-It was really nice." I started through a fake happy appearance looking away. "I made snickerdoodles with her." I said smiling at the memories of Rose's laughter looking down at my pasta.
"Why don't you get along with his wife? It was obvious you didn't like her when he started talking about her." Eve laughed amused making me roll my eyes. "Is she a total bitch?" She asked in a hushed tone as I chuckled weakly.
"Stephanie just thinks she's better than everyone. Mainly me. There was a time of my life where I really needed help from my bother, and she couldn't be bothered. So, he decided to keep her happy instead of helping his only sister." I explained bitterly making her hum in reply. "Well, she sounds like a bitch." Eve stated making me laugh in agreement.