Chapter 154 - Bonus 4

Nina and Ian's story

Ian had always been reserved, only talking to his assistant about work. When he asked him how to court a woman, his assistant was shocked and thought spring had finally come. 

To show Nina how much he wanted to be with her, he had sent her flowers, gifts, and lunches, but she sent them all back, except for the lunches, which she never touched.

After that fateful day, Nina started to change, she filled her life with nothing but work, not caring for anything or anyone else except for her projects. She wanted to be busy so she wouldn't have time to think about Ted and his infidelity.

She worked overtime a lot, caring little about herself. She slept in her office most days, going home only to change clothes or to sleep for a few hours. With all the overtime, she started getting confident and comfortable with her presentations, and it showed. 

When Ian learned about her staying at work all the time, he came to bring her dinner. She never ate the things he brought her, but he did not mind, he just wanted to be with her. Then one day, he saw her lying on the floor bleeding. He thought somebody had stabbed her and he got so scared that he carried her to the hospital.

The doctor told him that Nina had a miscarriage. He felt like his head was spinning. They had a child, and he didn't even know about it. He was so eager that night that he forgot to use any protection, and it looked like she did not use birth control either. 

Nina was so busy with work that she did not notice that her period was delayed. Most days, she didn't eat that much and slept so little that she thought it was the cause of her nausea. That morning her stomach started aching, but she just took something for it, and it went away, so she thought it was just an ulcer or a cramp. That evening when she started feeling the pain again, she thought another pain medicine would help, but before she was able to get one, she fainted.

Ian blamed himself for not taking care of her, but she would not be deterred from going back to work.

"Nina, what are you doing? Why are you not resting? Don't you care about your body?" Ian barked as soon as he entered her office.

"No, the only thing I care about is the upcoming tender1," she answered back. Ian wanted to scold her but closed her eyes and controlled himself.

"Nina, please take a rest, and I will make sure you get the tender1," he said.

"And how do you propose to do that?" she frowned.

"The top competitors for the tenders is Lange and Anderson. If I back out then the tender will be yours," he said.

She did not believe that he was ready to lose billions just for her sake.

"Okay. I will rest after you leave," she lied, and he left feeling satisfied with her answer, but she did not want to be stopped and started working again.

She was pleased to see that Lange had withdrawn their tender1. It looked like Ian was telling her the truth, after all, so she felt guilty.

On the other hand, Ian's father was very angry at him for messing up such a big project. His father did not know Ian's reason behind the withdrawal was a woman. When his wife told him the truth he was shocked that his son found someone. His anger dissipated, but he warned his son not to let his love-life affect the business.

For the first time, Nina came to Ian's office.

"I came to apologize," she said as he just stared at her. She felt so guilty about everything, the baby, his indifference, his kindness, and now because of the tender1, she began to cry.

Ian got up from his seat and locked the door. "Shh... it's okay," he said, pulling her towards him and caressing her hair, "look at you crying so easily," Ian said.

"Well, it's your fault. Why are you still angry at me even though I said sorry," Nina complained cutely.

"I was angry because you worked behind my back, you said you were going to rest," he said as he rubbed her back.

"I'm sorry I will never do it again," Nina said, playing with his collar.

Ian wiped her tears, and he kissed her slowly. When things got heated, he started kissing her passionately, his kisses traveling down her neck. But then suddenly, Ian stopped and struggled to keep her at arm's length.

"Don't you want me? She sounded hurt. She was remembering their night together and thought maybe they could continue what they had.

"I want you so much, but the doctor said to take care of your body," he explained. So she relaxed and pecked his lips.

Nina sat on Ian's lap while he was working, she was planting kisses on his face, and he was enjoying it.

She had fallen in love with Ian, and they started to date. She immediately saw the difference between Ted and Ian. Ted never made any effort in their relationship, she always gave in to him. Ian, on the other hand, had so much love to give, he was attentive, sweet, and thoughtful, she couldn't imagine how she thought she was happy with Ted.

When Nina introduced Ian to her father, Mr. Anderson was elated that he had finally won her over.

"Do you know Ian?" she asked questioningly.

"I was very curious why a very strict person like Ian would readily agree to a collaboration just by listening to a rookie presentation. When I met him, he told me that he loved you. I've heard praises about him everywhere and was already impressed. But I knew you were dating somebody else. 

I didn't want you to marry Ted. It's not because of his status, but I took care of you like a princess, and I didn't think he could take care of you the same way. I thought maybe if Ted truly loved you, I will give you my blessing, but then I never saw him care for you even once.

And when I had him investigated, I learned that he had a very short temper and he was not good with his job. He kept blaming other people for his mistakes and picked a lot of arguments. 

I also learned he was cheating on you, and I knew that you are stubborn, so even if I said anything about it you would not believe me. So I gave you leave, and I'm glad you finally found out. 

Ian called me and told me that he found you at the bar and not to worry because you were safe," Mr. Anderson said.

"Oh, Dad! I am so sorry," she said as she hugged him.

"It's okay, I know you are happy now, and that's all matters," Mr. Anderson said.

Nina was sitting on Ian's lap in her bedroom when she remembered, "Does my father know we slept together that day?"

"What? No! He would kill me if he knew I took advantage of your drunken state. I said we were staying in different rooms," he said.

"Did you intend to sleep with me?" she asked.

"No, at first, I just wanted to make sure you were safe, but you were so sexy, and you kept on teasing me, I could not stop myself," he said, kissing her lips.

"Oh…," Nina kissed him and laid on his shoulder.

"Wait, I forgot to ask you, when did you fall in love with me? We've never seen each other before the collaboration," Nina was a bit curious.

"Don't you remember I was one of the chief guests in your college graduation?" he asked, and she shook her head no.

Ian smiled and said, "One of the chief guest speakers said it was time to stop having fun, that you should experience what it is to live in real society and make your mark. You bravely stood up and said not all students have fun while in school, they study day and night to get good marks. Some even go to part-time jobs to support their families. Getting a job does not mean you are successful.

I was mesmerized by your confidence, and right then and there, I fell in love with you.

"Then, why didn't you say anything when we first met?" she pouted, and he just chuckled and replied, "Because I had no idea how to talk to women, much more someone as confident as you."

"I love you, Ian," Nina smiled as she joined their foreheads together.

"Love you too Nina," he said softly kissing her lips.