Player

Chapter 3

It felt like a staring contest. Finally my father sighed. My mother patted his arm as if assuring him and he gulped down a glass of water before looking at me again.

"I don't. But someone else does."

Silence. We were back to staring till I broke out in fits of laughter causing my parents to frown. I placed my head on the dining table as I continued to laugh. I was still smiling when I spoke.

"That's it Dad? You mean some dude likes me." I tilted my head to my side. "Is he your business partner's son? Is that what this is about?"

He gravely shook his head. "How I wish it was that simple."

Now I was becoming impatient. I groaned. "You're being silly, Dad. Does he even know my preference? In men? He still wants to?"

My dad chuckled at that and I joined him. My mother slapped his hand as she grunted out her disapproval.

"You don't need to marry him. He is not the man for it. I just said he wants to." My dad elucidated every word looking straight at me.

"I don't understand, Dad." I let out a huff in frustration as my father leaned in a conspiratorial manner. I leaned closer with curiosity.

"I want you to play him. Like you always do." My eyes widened at that.

My mother stood up in shock. "Are you out of your mind, Nathaniel Wilde? She's our child." She gasped cupping her cheeks into her palms.

I was at a loss for words meeting my father's cool gaze. He was actually asking me to go through with it. "But, why Dad?"

He was quiet for a long moment before he cleared his throat. When he spoke I heard him loud and clear. "You seem to owe him something. What, I don't know. But he won't back down."

I officially loathed the both of them at that very moment. They were throwing puzzle after puzzle and I was starting to feel cornered.

"Why?" I breathed. "Why won't he back down?"

"Because he's Nicholas Blackwoods." I felt a chill run down my spine.

The heir to the underworld king, Alejandro Romano? The son that defied his father to become one of most successful business men of England?

I was still not over the shock of  a man with such a questionable background being interested in me. Then it clicked. I owe something to him?

As far as I know I've never treated him or seen him in the hospital I work. I was sure I have not personally been an acquaintance. Did I do something to tick him off unknowingly? Is he planning to kill me?

I was starting to sweat in nervousness  and I felt like throwing up. I couldn't sit straight with all the reactions my body was having.

My father interrupted my train of thoughts. "I know your mind is coming up with some crazy situations right now and you're freaking out."

He reached out and squeezed my hand. "He approached me in person. He said he wants to get hitched. To you."

"That's old news. Tell me something new." I bit back unable to take it any longer.

"Let me finish. I refused at first but he wasn't having it. He wants to try with you, he said." My father shrugged. I raised an eyebrow.

"If I don't convince you, he said he will frame us." I blanched.

"So what, am I going to have to date him?" I spat in disgust. My father grinned at that. So uncharacteristic of the occasion but I felt a glimmer of hope at the playfulness behind it.

"Yes. But on your terms. I want you to date him. Casually." I relaxed. "And leave him." Levelling him with a smirk that matched the one on his face I leaned back letting out a bark of laughter.

"You shouldn't have made a show about this, Dad." I placed a hand on my forehead, the smile not leaving my face. "How dare he?"

Now my annoyance was replaced with a newfound flash of fury. Since I was not getting out of it I might as well go through with it. On my terms.

But I was scared of one thing. If I didn't do as he pleased will he hold my parents as leverage? Because he already did and I didn't want to think about the extents he would go to have me submit.

I took a deep breath. I can't lay my cards on the table neither can I keep them hidden. I need to tread carefully. But for that I need to meet the man.

"I'm starting with a patient on Wednesday. I want to meet him before that." My father looked amused while my mother looked worried.

"Nathan, dear, you're throwing her to the wolf." He grimaced at that wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "Wolf, that he is. But not to her."

He said slowly, as if it was supposed to mean something. He looked proud and relieved. Of me? I was not sure, for there is nothing to be proud of.

"I will let him know Liv and set a date." He gave a small nod before getting up and giving me a hug. "Good luck, sweetheart."

When I thought of the man, I felt an odd thrill. He was a womanizer but he hasn't seen me on my A game. One way to find out.

There was only one thought in my mind. 'I am coming for you Nicholas Blackwoods.'

A/N: Yo sweets! What do you think will happen next? Why is Nicholas interested in her? How do you think their date will go?

Tell me in comments♡