Chapter 9: In store for you
"You will do what?" Nathan's voice was barely a whisper, his eyes wide with disbelief.
"You heard me. Choose her, and you lose everything." Richard repeated clearly, his face cold.
Nathan felt his world crumbling and for a moment, he was speechless as he stared at his father in shock.
But when he found his voice again, it was steady and clear.
"Then I choose her." Nathan declared stubbornly.
Richard's jaw dropped at that.
"You can't be serious." Richard said, shaking his head.
"I have never been more serious about anything in my life." Nathan maintained, turning to leave.
"Nathan! Don't you dare walk away from me!" Richard shouted after him.
But Nathan was already walking out, his heart pounding heavily at the life changing decision he had just blurted out without properly processing it.
At the door, he nearly collided with his stepmother.
Caroline's eyes took in his pale face, and understanding dawned in her expression.
"Oh, Nathan..." She began but he didn't allow her to finish her sentence.
"Don't. Please." He shook his head, trying to steady his breathing.
Caroline gently led him to a quiet corner of the hallway.
"Come here. Take a deep breath."
"He is so impossible! He doesn't even try to understand." Nathan burst out, running his hands through his hair.
"Your father can be... difficult." Caroline admitted softly.
"Difficult? He is selfish! Ever since Mom died..." Nathan's voice broke.
"All he cares about is his empire, his reputation. When was the last time he actually asked me if I was happy? When was the last time I truly feel like I have a father? I was neglected if not for the staff in this house, and you came around..."
Caroline's eyes softened.
"Nathan, I understand your point but..." Caroline wanted to start talking again but he interrupted again.
"Scarlett makes me happy. For the first time since Mom's death, I feel... alive. I feel I finally have my own person, who makes my heart flutters. Why can't he see that?" He asked, looking at Caroline pleadingly.
Caroline heaved a heavy sigh.
"He thinks he is protecting you." She said.
"No, he is protecting his legacy. And, I don't want it. I don't want his path. I want my own." Nathan rushed out and scoffed.
Caroline touched his arm gently.
"I understand. But maybe take it easy with him? Give him time?" She suggested.
"Time for what? To try to control my life more?" Nathan retorted, shaking his head firmly.
~~~~~~~~~
The following week, Nathan found himself in the library, watching Scarlett sort through a cart of books.
His heart skipped a beat, just like it did every time he looked at her.
"I realized I haven't properly thanked you for your intervention the other day..." Scarlett said suddenly, turning to face him.
"With those men, I mean." She added.
"Scarlett, you don't..." He wanted to dismiss it but she interrupted.
"No, listen." She stepped closer, looking emotional.
"I was so proud, so stubborn. I didn't want to admit I needed help. But you stood by me anyway." She admitted softly.
Nathan reached for her hand, intertwining their fingers. The simple touch sent warmth spreading through his chest.
"I always will." He promised her.
"I love you for that." She whispered, stepping into his embrace.
"I love you for seeing me - really seeing me - when I tried so hard to be invisible." She said to him.
"You could never be invisible to me. From the moment I first saw you in this library, you were the brightest thing in my world." He told her lovingly, as he pulled her closer, breathing in the soft lavender scent of her hair.
Scarlett's eyes welled up with tears, but she was smiling. She reached up to trace his jawline with gentle fingers.
"How do you always know exactly what to say?" She asked quietly.
"Because it is true. Every single word." He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to each fingertip.
She stood on her tiptoes and brushed her lips against his, soft and sweet.
"I never thought I could feel this way about anyone." She muttered truthfully.
They spent the following few hours moving between shelves, stealing glances and gentle touches at every opportunity.
Even mundane tasks felt magical when they were together.
At a moment, Nathan struggled with a particularly heavy stack of encyclopedias.
"Careful!" Scarlett called out, her laughter echoing through the quiet library.
"Are you sure you are not tired? This isn't exactly your usual workout." She pointed out.
"I'm perfectly fine." He insisted, though his arms were trembling slightly.
"Really?" She asked, raising an eyebrow, as she moved closer to straighten his crooked collar. Her fingers lingered at his collar.
"Because you are holding that medical journal upside down, my love." She said half-seriously.
The endearment made Nathan's heart leap.
"I..." He glanced down and chuckled, getting lost in her touch.
"Okay, maybe this is a bit different from my gym routine." He admitted.
"We can take a break..." She suggested.
"Nope. As long as I'm by your side, I can do anything. Even reorganize every book in this library." He caught her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm, then her wrist.
"You are hopeless." Scarlett said, a blush creeping on her cheeks.
"Hopelessly in love with you. And proud of it." He whispered against her ear, making her shiver.
~~~~~~~~
After her shift ended, they drove to a small outdoor restaurant Scarlett loved. And it was another round of romantic moment.
"Stop it!" Scarlett laughed as Nathan aimed his phone at her again as she scrunched her nose adorably.
"Delete those!" She jumped up from her chair, trying to grab his phone.
"Never!" He held the phone above his head, catching her around the waist with his free arm and pulled her close until she was pressed against his chest.
They settled back at their table when their food arrived, and they ate sharing bites and smiling sheepily.
When the check came, Nathan pulled out his card confidently. The waitress took it and disappeared inside only to
returned moments later with an awkward expression.
"I'm sorry, sir. Your card has been declined." Nathan was informed.
"That is impossible." Nathan replied as his smile fell.
"I'm sorry. It is saying the card has been deactivated." The waitress maintained.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Nathan asked, bewildered.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone