ARTIFICIAL

M E E T I N G

Ravina

In my world I'm used to a lot of different but cruel people. The rich are assholes and honestly if I was rich too I would probably be an asshole. Only, I was raised in a place where yvi was convinced that I was small. People pleasing became the core of me. Unfortunately.

I'm only thinking about it today. My brother's request to get close to the Salians was long forgotten because my life is currently more eventful than it used to be.

I know Nathaniel is close to them -well close to his cousin not his wife- but I can't just ask Nathaniel to get me in contact with them. I need an excuse, a valuable reason.

Another option would be to get Nathaniel's mother to get me in contact with them. Except that's the elongated version. Get Nathaniel's mom to get in touch with Domenico's mom, to get in touch with Domenico. No matter how much I may have influence, it's not like this.

As I sit in the car with my fiancé, there's not much going on but just silence. He's looking ahead, while I'm looking out the window, engrossed by the beauty of Manhattan.

Today is the parents meeting, and as much as I have kept a positive attitude when I first started living with Nathaniel, I haven't been as positive lately. Today however I need to act like everything is perfect between us.

I'm wearing my beige dress and short heels as planned. My braids are in two low ponytails so I can put my hat on for the sunny day. It may be a beautiful day but I still do not like the sun.

In my hand is a small purse that houses my lipstick, my hand sanitizer and cream, some headbands and quick makeup equipment. Nothing useful really but they would help eventually.

I don't know the relationship between Nathaniel and his parents really. There's nothing in the public records about it. Assuming him having to build his wealth from the ground up, he and his father must not be besties. He could have just inherited it all.

But someone like Nathaniel seems like they hate being owned. They hate the very idea of working under someone so I doubt he would've waited till his father was ready to give him what he wanted.

I wish I could ask him all of this but I'm curious, not dense. I can't be asking my -not so nice- fiance about anything personal. Speak when spoken to -he said.

When the car comes to a halt, my heart leaps at the action because I didn't expect it. I was into my thoughts so much I didn't even see us slowing down.

Nathaniel walks out on his side while I try to scramble for my purse on my lap. The door opens unexpectedly, Cole stands on the side waiting for me to get out. I'm surprised when a hand comes next to me, I know Cole would never do that, he doesn't like me.

But the hand was not his, it was in fact my fiancé. Foolishly enough it makes me feel butterflies in my stomach as if he just gave me a big bouquet of roses. I take the hand with the one that has his ring on it.

Holding his hand made something unexpected to happen. The last time I even touched his skin was when he went down on me. When a flash of that night comes to my mind, my whole face starts to feel warm.

I look away as I thank him for helping me out of the car. Trying to keep my composure as we walk next to each other. He lets go of my hand before offering his arm for me to take. This is the most he's ever been close to me. At least in public.

The restaurant we walk towards seems to be popular because there's people already awaiting for their tables. I assume it's people who have not made reservations.

Nathaniel proves me so when he starts walking straight towards the entrance as someone who knows he doesn't have to wait even if he didn't make a reservation.