Chapter 2 – Nathan's Game
Elena
The night air slapped my face as I stumbled out of the club, breathless and shaken. My heels clicked against the wet pavement as I walked away from the building glowing in neon blues and purples. The street felt quieter than usual, maybe because my heartbeat was still pounding like a war drum in my ears.
What just happened in that restroom? Had I really kissed Nathan Cain? Had I really let him touch me and fuck.... almost had sex with him and that too, on a damn sink? I shook my head, trying to blink the alcohol away, but the memory clung to me like a second skin. His scent, his touch and the disappointment in his voice when he said, "You can't put me in this state and leave..." It echoed in my mind with a dark and dangerous thrill.
"Elena! There you are!" Ava caught up with me, her eyes wide as she steadied me by the elbow. "What the hell happened? You disappeared for ages."
I forced a smile. "I managed to get the stain out and I met a Greek god in the process."
"What?" she frowned, and then grinned. "You met someone? Well, that was fast."
"I don't want to talk about it," I muttered, glancing down at the message on my phone again.
"Get your ass here now or you will regret messing with me."
My adoptive mother never texted unless it was something dramatic or threatening and it was always about control, always. Mr. Rivers died a year ago from sudden cardiac arrest which was shocking to me because he never had any medical conditions that could cause that but i had no evidence to back up my claim so I let it die down. I wish he was here to stand for me and protect me from these vile people.
"Can we go now?" I asked.
Ava nodded, still watching me like she was trying to read my soul. She didn't press further, thankfully. We got into a cab, and I stared out the window, watching the city lights blur into a thousand diamonds.
When I got home, my adoptive mother was sitting in the living room, still fully dressed in her evening gown and sipping wine like the queen of a tiny and miserable kingdom. Her lips curled the moment she saw me.
"Did you enjoy your whoring around?"
"Nice to see you too, Mom of a whore" I said flatly, walking past her.
"Don't you dare walk away from me, Elena Rivers!" she shouted.
I stopped as she slammed the glass of wine onto the table.
"Do you know what your behaviour is doing to this family? First, you are a bastard who doesn't even know her father, next your mother is involved in an accident and has been in a coma for almost twenty years but all that doesn't bother you. You choose to go around dancing in clubs like a common slut. What next? Sleeping with beggars?"
"Is that what I am to you?" I turned slowly. "A burden? A mistake you regret adopting? I do not even get to go out always, I am always focused on my studies and each time I go out, you choose to call me names, meanwhile your daughter is currently partying outside"
She smirked. "You were never meant to be more than a pawn in this game. I was supposed to raise the heiress, not the shadow and never again in your miserable life, talk about my daughter, i don't want you spreading your ill fate to her."
Her words hit like ice water.
I walked away, straight into my room, slammed the door and collapsed onto the bed. Her words sliced deeper than they should have. Not because I believed her but because part of me feared they were true. A bastard? Was that what Jasper saw too? A shadow? I always showed her nothing but love but she only saw me as an obstacle in her and Cas's life.
I curled into myself, my mind racing. I lay awake all night, my heart refusing to calm.
The next morning, Ava came visiting and dragged me out of bed shoving a smoothie into my hands. "You're pale and not the pretty kind but like the zombies in those horror movies."
"I didn't sleep."
"You need a distraction," she said. "Lucky you, I have brunch plans and you're not skipping."
I wanted to argue, but she gave me the 'Ava Look' and you don't argue with Ava when she's already dressed and has backup lip gloss in her purse.
The brunch spot she chose was fancy, too fancy for someone with smeared eyeliner and no energy. The hostess led us to our reserved table, and just as I was about to sink into the plush chair, I saw him.
Nathan Cain.
Seated three tables away, all alone. He was wearing a tailored navy suit and had dark shades on looking all calm, regal and dangerous.
My body froze. My stomach twisted into wild knots.
He turned to my direction and our eyes met.
His face had an expression of mixed feelings.
I turned quickly, facing Ava.
"Don't look now," I whispered. "Fuck.. me, your Greek god from last night is here."
"Yours, not mine," she said, her eyes lighting up. "Where?"
"Three tables away, dressed in a navy suit sitting tall and Arrogant."
She craned her neck despite my protests.
"Well, damn," she whispered. "That's Nathan Cain."
"I know right, I made out with him last night and it was mom's message that stopped me from going further."
She looked at me. "You seriously made out with 'THE NATHAN CAIN'?"
"Can we please just eat?"
But eating was impossible because ten minutes later, a waiter came by with a note.
From Mr. Cain: Join me.
Ava's jaw dropped.
"You're not going, are you?"
"I... I shouldn't."
"But you will," she smirked.
And I did.
His table felt colder or maybe it was the way he looked at me as if he could read every secret I'd buried deep.
"Miss Rivers," he said smoothly. "You clean up nicely though I did like the wild version of you too but not too much as my mood was ruined by that wild version"
I glared. "You can't just summon women like appetisers."
He chuckled. "I didn't realize you were on the menu."
"Mr. Cain, what exactly do you want from me?"
"Call me Nathan and as for what I want from you, I'm not sure yet."
I rolled my eyes and stood. "Then this conversation is over."
He caught my wrist gently, but firmly.
"There are people watching us, including someone who's very interested in seeing what we'll do next."
I looked back.
It was Jasper. He was walking in, hand in hand with Cas. My breath caught.
Nathan stood.
"Play along," he whispered. "Let's give them something to talk about."
And before I could argue, he pulled me close.
His arm slid around my waist.
His lips brushed my cheek.
His scent wrapped around me like silk.
Jasper's jaw tightened and Cas froze. I mean they could never think that they would ever see me with a guy and that too, with Nathan Cain, his brother whom he hated so much.
Nathan whispered in my ear. "Smile for the cameras, sweetheart, the game just started."
And I did.
I smiled like the woman who was no longer broken.
Like the woman who would burn the world if she had to and in that moment, I felt content with the look on their faces.
Nathan continued the show while Jasper and Cas watched from their table. Jasper couldn't take it again so he stumped to our table.
"Elena, what are you doing here with the very person, you know I despise so much" he asked angrily.
"The last time I checked, I owe you nothing, Jasper Cain. Remember, you dumped me for my sister, how do you feel now seeing the same thing play out with your brother"
Jasper tried to drag me out of there but Nathan stopped him.
"No, brother. You don't dare handle my woman like that, she is not yours anymore and i don't want to remind you of what happens to people who touch my property, right brother?" he said with an evil smirk.
I mean he was acting so well right now and damnn..... I was loving every reaction. Jasper had no choice than to walk out with Cas, Cas still shocked about all this.
"So how do you rate my acting, ma'am."
"Amazing, I loved it"
"I am glad you loved it. Well, Elena, we are having a family gala tomorrow, I don't like attending it but i think I want to now. Let's pretend to date and in return, you get to show Jasper and Cas that you are not the same person they shattered."
I thought about it and honestly it wasn't a bad idea, I stand nothing to lose from this.
"OK fine, let's 'pretend-date'" I said to him and he chuckled at the emphasis, I laid on the 'pretend-date'.
" Perfect, you will receive your dress tomorrow and I will come pick you up by 7pm."