Chapter 62 - Staying together

Tiana's eyes widened in shock before she could even pretend to be okay; luckily for her, grandma's eyes were fixated on Nicklaus and she didn't notice her discomfort. Tiana's head was on fire;

Two weeks!

Staying in the Ancestral home for two weeks meant that they would have to pretend to be real couples for two weeks and they would have to… sleep together in the same room!

Her jaws fell as her face grew deathly pale.

Ha-ha… surely Nicklaus wouldn't agree to that; he didn't like people staying in the same space with him, so there was no way he would…

''Alright grandma, now I think about it, I haven't attended grandpa's birthday in six years, I think we'll come this time. ''

Nicklaus replied indifferently;

Normally, he didn't return for the birthdays, he never did, but when Grandma mentioned it, he realized that that might be the opportunity he had been looking for to make things right with Tiana. If they had to act as couples for two weeks, it might bring them closer and make them have real conversations, so without a second thought, he accepted.

Tiana's eyes widened as her thoughts were cut short by Nicklaus' voice; her head instantly turned to him;

Did he just accept that?!

She could not understand what was happening; did he know what he just agreed to?

They would see each other, hold hands, touch… and even sleep in the same room for two weeks!

Tiana felt her stomach churn as her mind imagined all those stuff and she instantly felt like disagreeing right there but she stopped herself; she was a few months away from achieving her goal, acting rashly now would cause grievous harm and she would have just suffered for nothing. It was two weeks anyway; it wasn't like they would have to act forever.

With that thought, she turned towards the grandma with a smile;

''Oh, that's great; I'll finally spend quality time with Tiana. I'm so happy right now; I didn't know you would agree to come. Grandpa needs to hear this! ''

Grandma exclaimed happily. If Nicklaus agreed to this, that means he was really dating Tiana. His coming back would finally shush the rumors going about in the family that he had just hired Tiana to pose as his girlfriend.

''I look forward to spending quality time with you too, grandma, extend my greeting to grandpa.''

Tiana replied with a 'happy' smile;

''Yes, dear. Take care of yourself. Bye! ''

Tiana's smile remained on her face till the call was disconnected and she hastily flung up from the couch as though she had been sitting on hot coal.

Nicklaus's gaze raised to her; her face was red with anger but she didn't say a word, she just walked to her room and locked the door behind her, forgetting her half-eaten meal on the table.

She must really hate him.

Nicklaus thought as he gazed at her tightly shut door. But after two weeks of being close, he wondered if she'll hate him as much.

He would surely make her change her decision about him in these two weeks.

When Grandma said that she wasn't seeing her he didn't know what came over him, but he found himself putting his arm around her waist and pulling her close to him.

Her body was so close to him that he was barely breathing, his insides were on fire; it felt similar to what he felt when he had her lying on his chest. He didn't want her to leave, and when she stood up, he felt a coldness course through him.

He liked the feeling of her body… her touch. Even though he didn't know why he wanted to touch her more often. And in these two weeks of their stay in the ancestral home, he would make sure she was always around him. In fact, he would touch her so much that she wouldn't feel repulsed around him anymore.

A mischievous glint found its way to Nicklaus's lips, but he didn't care anymore. If this was falling in love, he just realized that no matter one's physical strength, no-one had power over the forces of love and attraction.

Maybe giving yield to this new feeling would make him better, who knows? Besides, he had done nothing fun in his entire life, doing this was one hell-of-a-fun!

…

Throughout the trip back to the US, Tiana didn't speak, only replying to questions when asked. When they arrived at the airport, one of Nicklaus' guards was already waiting for them.

''You're welcome Boss... Milady ''

The guard welcomed them and Tiana raised her eyes to him with curious brows; she recognized him as the guard who took them to the airport and got reprimanded by Nicklaus for letting her carry her luggage herself, which explained why he had greeted her. Normally, they ignored her as though she did not exist.

When they got home, the guard wanted to help her carry her luggage, but she kindly refused.

There was no need pretending to be nice to her when they really weren't nice; it made her feel uncomfortable. She preferred it when no-one noticed her; it was easier living that way.

But just as she was rejecting his offer, another guard walked up to them and greeted and quickly took her luggage from her hand, bowed a little, and walked into the house with it.

Tiana's eyes turned to Nicklaus questioningly; he must surely have a hand in this. How did his guards, who never cared if she existed and treated her worse than a servant, now respect her? Did he reprimand them?

She felt her chest squeeze at that thought. Why was he acting like this suddenly? If he was feeling pity for her after discovering that she was an orphan, then he should stop it! She didn't like being sympathized with, especially by someone like him.

Just when she opened her lips to tell him to tell his guards to not help her do stuff that she could handle by herself, he beat her to it.

''We're going to the ancestral home after work tomorrow; we won't be coming back to the mansion so get your stuff ready. Okay? ''

Nicklaus said with a calm tone; Tiana gazed at him briefly and looked away.

''I understand. ''