Mr. President’s

Chapter 19

Mercedes was tense, sitting in the passenger seat of Nathan’s Lambo. “Relax, Miss Winters. We are just going shopping,” Nathan tried to loosen the atmosphere.

Mercedes forced a smile. One minute, she felt warm around him and the next minute, she was exhumed by his aura. He was a light switch, knowing when to swap his moods. But did he say shopping? He was mentioning purchasing a house like picking groceries from the market. She hasn’t been able to decipher Nathan’s reason for doing so much because she asked him for a loan. Her mind went into full gear when Nathan pulled over in front of a luxurious penthouse.

“Your house?” Mercedes asked, wondering why Nathan brought her to his place. Did her one week start now?

“It’s yours now,” Nathan casually said, making Mercedes freeze as he continued, “I have five of them and thought you could have this one. It suits you very well.” Mercedes remained speechless and rooted to the spot. It was a high–earned property in a secured location.

Nathan realized she was unmoving and furrowed his brow, “You don’t like it?”

Mercedes found her voice, “I can’t take it. I mean, it’s too expensive. Must have cost a fortune.” Her voice was stunningly calm but Nathan was slightly irritated.

“If 5.8 million is what you call a fortune, then yes.” He retorted casually but when he noticed the shocked reaction on Mercedes’s face at the mention of the amount, he was helpless and she still wouldn’t move an inch.

“No, I’m not going in there,” she was rebellious.

“Nathan was grossly annoyed, “we had an agreement, Miss Winters, behave yourself,” he seethed. He was about to yank her when she spoke,

“Indeed we had an agreement but I was expecting something cheaper. Within a budget of $50,000,” she expressed to Nathan’s dismay. His countenance concocted dissatisfaction.

“Where do you get such houses? In the slums or what? Come on Miss Winters, give yourself some credit,” he taunted her.

His words might have sounded casual but they got Mercedes thinking. Did she not value herself because she rejected an expensive house? On a more serious note, why would Nathan do this for just a week of pleasure? It didn’t make sense and she felt uneasy.

“You live here?” She asked suspiciously.

“No silly, it’s yours now so you can allow whoever you want in here.” Nathan knew she lived with her best friend and wanted her to know that her best friend was still welcome. Mercedes has always wanted to leave her present neighbourhood but never thought of living in a luxurious 3 bedroom penthouse. Since she did not attempt moving, Nathan yanked her by the arm and into the elevator.

She felt lost when they began to tour around the house that was meant to be hers. She couldn’t feel any connection. She was used to taking care of herself and others so Nathan doing this for her felt odd. Nathan realized her awe and ambled close to her.

“Life is based on the value. These things mean nothing to me because the amount involved is insignificant to my assets. Don’t ever think that you don’t deserve to live in a luxury house or have luxurious amenities because you can’t afford it. You work harder than a lot of women out there yet they live better than you, not because they deserve it but due to the hand of fate in the affairs of their lives.”

“If it’s your turn to enjoy the favours of fate, don’t hold back, and don’t think that I’m spending too much because it’s just money and money made is to be spent. Now since you haven’t said a word, I assume that you have accepted this house. Let’s go and have lunch.”

They didn’t check other areas and left after Nathan said those long words to her. It was the first time he ever gave her a wise lecture, and also the first time anyone rendered her speechless. She was still in deep thought when they got to the first–class restaurant.

The air around them seemed edgy when Nathan pulled a chair for her. Eyes rolled in their direction but this time, they weren’t focussed on Nathan but her. She was the first woman they saw in the open with Nathan. If they had their way, they could have taken shots. Such pictures will go viral. The cold and distant Nathan Legend was in the company of a woman today. An attractive woman at that. There were whispers around them but no one could say a word feely.

When the waiter brought the menu, Mercedes lost her appetite when she saw the prices of the dishes. However, she recalled Nathan’s words and placed her order for her favourite salad and grilled chicken. Still, Nathan saw through her actions and said, “Miss Winters, you have to get used to places like this because we will be attending a lot of events in the future.”

Mercedes nodded. She understood the reason Nathan was feared. He could make anyone do his bidding without using force. Even with his casual tone, his aura was still deterring. “So, when does the one week begin?” Mercedes couldn’t wait to get it done with. The more she thought about it, the greater her nervous flings.

Nathan chuckled, “why the rush Miss Winters, are you so eager to get into my pants?” He casually teased her but Mercedes‘ face flushed red.

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Chapter 19

Still, it wasn’t in her to back down so easily so she casually said, “since you’ve fulfilled your part of the agreement, I just think I should fulfil mine.”

The corner of Nathan’s lips curled, “I’ll take my time, Miss Winters, no rush.” He sipped his glass of wine.

“Why aren’t you married?” The question dropped from her mouth before she could stop it. She feared that Nathan might be upset but his response took her off guard.

*Because I don’t want to get married. Being single is much better than putting on a tiny finger cuff called a ring, don’t you think?” He asked curiously, his gaze drilling into hers.

Mercedes smiled, “it’s not a cuff. It’s a symbol of love.”

Now it was Nathan’s time to smile. “You believe in love?”

Yes. Her response was curt. Then she asked, “you?”

“I’ve never loved anyone but since you believe in love, do you care to teach me?” He sounded casual so Mercedes felt slightly comfortable.

She chuckled, just as the waiter arrived with their order. She waited for the waiter to leave before she spoke. “Love is a natural thing. If you don’t feel it, no one can force it.”

Amusement clang Nathan at her discreet analysis. “Can I ask you a question, Miss Winters?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever been in love?”

Mercedes contemplated on whether or not she should tell the truth but what’s the point in telling a lie? “Yes, but a one–sided one. The person I loved didn’t love me like that. Love is only perfected when both parties love each other the same.” Nathan could feel a twitch in his heart. It was something he never felt before.

“Care to tell me about this crush of yours? I’d like to know your taste in men and what makes them special,” his expression was neutral and Mercedes couldn’t sense that something was off.

“Kind, lovely, protective, and caring,” she shrugged.

Nathan seemed to have a profound interest in this topic. “Does your crush have all these qualities or they are qualities you expect in your future love life?” Somehow, he was eager to hear her response.

“He possesses them but-” her phone beeped. Despair flung Nathan. He appeared to have a brief intro into Mercedes’s love life and seemed to be enjoying it before being rudely interrupted by her phone.

Mercedes checked the caller ID and saw an unknown number. “Can I answer it?” She asked Nathan for his permission. She knew her boundaries. It was still official hours therefore, she was accountable to him.

“It’s a free world,” he shrugged, his face blank. Mercedes answered her phone to an estranged voice.

“Ahhhh, Merce, I thought I wouldn’t be able to get hold of you too. I’m at the airport and I’ve been calling Griff to pick me up but his number is switched off. Care to help?” The voice sounded familiar but Mercedes couldn’t believe it.

“Angie?” She asked, not hiding the surprise in her voice. What could Angie be doing here unannounced?

“Who else? I was transferred back to New York and the only person I could lodge with is you. Can you come? I’m tired already,” she sounded dejected. Mercedes was in a fix. She couldn’t leave her work just like that and right now, she wasn’t going to ask any more favours from Nathan therefore, her response was firm, Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“You would have to stay longer. Get a place and relax. I will come after I close from work.” She missed her second–best friend so much but she was now indebted to Nathan and couldn’t anger him.

“You can’t do that Merce,” Angie accused before she said, “okay, can tell Griff to come and get me?” Angie sounded like she was going to cry and Mercedes was gracious. “Let me call him.”

Mercedes dialled Griffin’s number for the tenth time with the same computerized responses, switched off or out of coverage area. She couldn’t call Angie because the number she used was unknown, most probably a public phone. She just had to wait, which she did anxiously, her appetite for her food gone completely.

Nathan wasn’t mean. He knew that she needed help. “Is there a problem?”

“My best friend,” Mercedes sighed.

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Chapter 19

“Grittin‘” Nathan frowned.

“No, Angie” She quickly differentiated.

Nathan smiled, excitement lacing his tone, “So there’s a female one. That’s great. She’s stuck at the airport and wants you to come to get her?” He asked casually.

Mercedes was stunned. “You heard everything?”

You could have excused yourself if you didn’t want me to.” Not the response she expected but still thought he was right.

“You have a point.”

“You can’t reach Griffin too?”

“Yes.”

Nathan stared gently at her. Another opportunity cropped at him. “Great. Let’s have it this way. You still have four hours till the close of work. How about I give you the rest of the day off, and you make up for it tomorrow? We can go check the car too,” he proposed. Being a man who preferred his own company, there was no doubt he felt comfortable around Mercedes and always wanted her around.

“You-” he cut Mercedes off and continued,

“Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t part of the one week. You will just have to return my borrowed hours in the form of company anywhere I’m going. Perhaps, Lanre might be around.” Mercedes understood it this time. Nothing about Nathan was free. When he gives you something, he takes it back in a different way.

“Deal but I would have to pick my car in the office.”

Nathan breathed relieved. It wasn’t easy to win against Mercedes. At least his first time registered in his mind. This was the only way to be close to her. “So let’s get going, Miss Winters. Just so you know, the trip begins on Sunday and I already have everything you need. I will pick you up, just as you are.”