𝑪𝒐𝒏𝒗𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒚 𝑰𝒏 𝑳𝒐𝒗𝒆

𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 20

After that night, I spent the entire time trying to avoid being left alone with Nicolas. And it did not help that we were the only ones on our floor and I had to be with him during meetings, seeing as I was his assistant. Not only at work, but the public outings we were expected to attend as "Future heads of the Vasilios household."

Speaking of, we have an event to attend for Zaina. Something concerning a new partnership celebration.

"You have a 2 p.m. with Mr. Perez over contacts for the construction plans. Xion has sent over the legal works in terms of approvals for the unfortunate delay," I looked down at my file as he began to look back up, " That is everything for the day."

"Noted. We will leave at 1 to get to our 2 p.m." He notified me. "Great," I kept my focus away from him. "Oh, and we have the collaboration celebration thing with Zaina tonight. She has been very insistent."
"Okay. How about we leave the house around 6? Seeing as we have the meeting at 2," he inquired.

"I think that should work out."

"Perfect."

A loud silence settled between us, and when I finally managed to look at him, he seemed to want to say something but geld himself back. "Sophia, I... That will be all," he fairly dismissed me.

As I made my way to my office, thoughts about last night began to cross my mind.

"Just. Get. Out!"

"Dios Nicolas. I was just trying to help."

"I don't need your help. Our marriage is purely a business transaction. All you need is to act like it out there. Not here."

He was right about that, though. It was just the past few days had been acting so warm and... Maybe Lucía was right. Maybe our past should have been the reason why we didn't do this.

The meeting with Mr. Perez was scheduled to take place in one of the newer, upscale offices in the heart of the city. It was a place I was used to, given my job, but it never failed to impress me how these business environments could be both intimidating and sterile. Nicolas and I arrived precisely at 1:50 p.m., just enough time to settle into the sleek, modern conference room.

Mr. Perez was already there, his presence filling the room. He was a man who had an air of quiet authority and a way of making you feel like you were the most important person in the room. Though the arrogance was not definitely missed at times. As we walked in, he stood to greet us, his eyes lingering on Nicolas before turning to me.

"Sophia, Nicolas, it's always a pleasure," Perez began, extending his hand.

"The pleasure is ours, Mr. Perez," Nicolas responded smoothly.

"Please, call me Alejandro," he insisted with a warm smile, though the formality still hung in the air. I was quite surprised by his behaviour, considering how the deal we got was more in our favour for us than him. Then again, it was still one of the buggest deals he could get. 13% of profits from the project was way more than any deal with any other family dynasty. "Congratulations on your recent marriage," he added, a knowing glint in his eye.

"Thank you, Alejandro," I replied, forcing a smile. It was the appropriate response, and my years of practice in social niceties kicked in. "It's been quite the adjustment."

"I can imagine," he said, his tone slightly sardonic. "Marriage can be quite the business venture, can it not?"

There was an undercurrent to his words, something that suggested he knew more than he let on. But Nicolas handled it with the usual charm.

"It certainly has its unique challenges and... rewards," Nicolas replied, holding my hand in his as he placed a soft kiss on the back of my hand. I couldn't help but look back at him, though his attention was set on Alejandro in front of us. "But let's get to business, shall we?"