Hidden Passion
Chapter 20

"It's actually so sad that he didn't get the investors," Mrs. William complained to her daughter for the umpteenth time.

"Mum, did you call me in here just to tell me that? It's been three days and you've been singing that to me ever since," Lillian said with a frown. She was actually starting to regret arguing with Nathaniel. She had thought she would take the upper hand after the investors called him, but unfortunately he had not heard anything from them. Not that he told her, but she knew he would have been there to inform her about it if he eventually got the investors, but he hadn't done that. She had been very worried ever since they got back and kept praying that Mr. Clifford would keep his word to her.

"I am just so worried. He is a very young and hardworking man. I know how much effort goes into this. I really pity him. I haven't even been able to reach him ever since."

Lillian sighed and thought of what to do. "I need to go to my office," she said and rose to her feet. She had decided to put a call through to the man who had promised to help her.

"Okay, dear," her mother said as her daughter made her way out of her office.

Lillian could have chosen to call Dorcas and explained everything to her just to relieve her stress and worry, but her best friend had been very busy to even get her time. She got into her office and leaned on her desk as she pondered for a while. Poor Nath.

And as if the heavens were listening to her thoughts, the door suddenly opened and revealed Nathaniel. She was surprised to see him, and she did not bother hiding that. "Nath?".

"I am so sorry I didn't knock. I am just in a hurry that—" he started his explanation.

Lillian shook her head but did not smile. She was in no mood for that. "No, it's perfectly fine. Why are you here?"

He walked closer to her and stood right in front of her. "I got a call from the investors a while ago," he started, still not smiling.

Lillian held her breath and urged him to go on with her eyes on him. What if it was another rejection? That would be the case. He would have been very happy if it was otherwise.

"I...I," he started stuttering.

She became totally worried. "What is wrong?" She did not even mind the tiny distance between them. That was not the most important thing at that moment. She could not even bear to look away from his eyes. "The investors called me and-and..." Why was he breaking down?

"What did they say, Nath? Did they reject it again?" She managed to ask, trying not to get emotional.

He shook his head. "They have reconsidered my proposal," he said and gave a broad smile.

"Oh, my God! Really?" She exclaimed and laughed. She got carried away and hugged him. "I am so happy for you, Nath." She tightened her hands around his neck.

Nathaniel stiffened at the hug and it took him a while to relax and wrapped his hands around her. That was when she realized what she was doing and stepped back awkwardly.

"Sorry about that. I'm just so happy," Lillian apologized, suddenly feeling shy.

Nathaniel smiled. "Thank you so much, Lilly. You helped me," he took her hands in his.

She looked up at him.

"And I am so sorry for judging you wrongly. I thought you and Mr. Clifford were actually when I saw you go into his room that night. I am so sorry."

Lillian laughed. "Wait, you were still awake then?"

He guiltily nodded.

"And you saw me go into his room? Oh, you thought I went there for sex?" She must confess she was getting annoyed. She withdrew her hands from his. She stepped back only to be hindered by her desk. The only option was for him to move backwards.

"Lilly, I am sorry. I was just-" he said and took a step closer.

"You were just what?" She asked but did not wait for him to give her his reply before she continued. "I can't believe you thought that low of me. I actually thought you were kidding when you said I love his di-" she stopped herself. "Listen, I-"

"This is a huge insult, Nath. I have never for once looked down on you."

"I judged you wrongly because of how you treat me. You never act like you cared and that's why I am really surprised when I heard you were the one who helped me secure the investors. I—"

"Who told you I don't " That shouldn't come out, so she swallowed that and thought of another word. "Oh, yeah, I actually don't care about you. I don't even like you at all. I did that just because I don't want you to think that my mum is incompetent," she lied. Why did they always end up on bad terms whenever they were starting to get along?

Maybe that was the best thing.

"I don't believe you," he said swiftly. Something in him just kept telling him that she was lying. She actually cared. He could see it in her eyes when she looked at him earlier. And the hug? That didn't feel like that of a person who never cared. Then, something hit his mind suddenly. Was she probably holding back because she thought he was going out with her friend? She did not even deserve a friend such as Dorcas.

He was brought out of his thinking world by her voice. "And do I look like I want you to believe me?" Oops! Was that wrong? "I don't care if you believe me or not," she quickly added. "Your words are contradictory," he pointed out and took another step forward.

"Don't come closer," her voice came out as a whisper.

He closed the distance between them and placed his hands on the desk, caging her in between. "I know you care about me. You're just pretending not to," he said.

Lillian glanced at her thighs. She could not even see the floor at his closeness. "Please, stop this," she said, but he only lifted up her chin with a finger.

He stared at her eyes and said nothing. He let them stray to her lips and stayed there. Slowly, he leaned closer to her mouth, but didn't fail to notice the rapid rise and fall of her chest.

He smiled and stepped back, leaving some distance between them and watched her exhale out of relief. "Is it what I'm thinking, Lillian?" Did she love him?

Lillian stood upright and started walking to her seat, gaining a little confidence. "No. So, please leave."

Nathaniel nodded and made his way out of the office. He was left with only one option.

He was going to make a secret background check on her.