Chapter 67 - Beautiful

''Like what you see, beautiful? ''

Nicklaus deep masculine voice rang across the room, kicking Tiana out of her temporary daze. Her cheeks flushed red as she pulled her eyes to his face and they met Nicklaus' piercing gaze.

Tiana mentally slapped herself. One second, she was raging at him and another second; she was drooling over his body. What could best define her madness?

Although she knew that she had been caught red-handed, she didn't want to give him the satisfaction he wanted;

''What do I see, if I may ask? ''

She asked with a slight raise of her brows. The smirk on Nicklaus face dwindled drastically; he did not expect that she would have a reply for him; but then, he wasn't ready to lose to her yet,

Chuckling lightly, he continued;

''Well, I'm sure it's something wonderful to keep you staring for minutes, beautiful. ''

Why in hell does he keep calling me that!

Tiana screamed in her head, but she did well to hide her blush. It wasn't just because he called her Beautiful that made her mad; it was because of the way his voice sounded when he said it. Normally, his voice was deep and had a hint of breathiness, and when he called her beautiful… it nearly made her squeeze her legs.

And she shouldn't be having that kind of feelings because she hates him!

Tiana coughed lightly; forcing the nasty thoughts to the back of her mind,

''You really think highly of yourself, dear Young Master. But now I think about it, how do you know I was staring for minutes if you weren't also staring?''

Her eyelids widened and a sly smirk washed her lips. The triumphant smile on Nicklaus face disappeared instantly, and he was dumbfounded;

This woman! How does she have an answer to everything?

He couldn't even find the words to reply. It seems his brain was on a momentary shutdown, mainly because what she said was true.

Nicklaus gazed at her, a little redness in his ears.

Although he had lost to her, he was a little glad that they just had a conversation. Even though there was a glare in her eyes, she was smiling triumphantly and he felt a warmth in his heart.

That was the first time she had smiled because of him. He had never been happier. If winning against him would make her smile, then from that day onwards, he would make sure she always won against him.

Nicklaus laughed lightly and walked to the vanity to blow dry his hair. Tiana's brows creased;

Why was he laughing?

…

''Tiana, it's so good to see you, come, come over here. ''

Grandpa waved and Tiana walked over to him to greet him. It was past seven in the evening when the paintings in the room was completely changed and Nicklaus and Tiana came down for dinner.

Everyone was sitting at the dining table when they came down.

''It's good to see you, grandpa. ''

Tiana greeted as grandpa patted on her back.

''I loved the tea bags you got for me, how thoughtful of you. ''

Grandpa smiled; his gaze turned to Nicklaus, who was still standing, waiting for Tiana.

''I see you grandson, I'm sure it's Tiana, who forced you to come home, you don't even bother to send birthday wishes to your old grandfather, such a stubborn boy!''

Grandpa fumed at Nicklaus, but he didn't say a word, his expression unchanging.

Tiana chuckled; ''No grandpa, on the contrary, Nicklaus was very excited to come home, I think he's changing for the better. ''

Grandpa knew that she was just trying to cover up for him, but he didn't want to press on further.

''Alright, go sit down, we'll chat after dinner. ''

Tiana walked to where Nicklaus was standing and he pushed out a seat for her, before taking his seat.

Her eyes glanced around the table and they fell on Michelle, the woman that tried to make fun of her that day. She was sitting beside the same man from that afternoon, her husband, obviously.

Just at that moment, Nicklaus Auntie Elizabeth walked in with her husband Charles.

''Nicklaus, Tiana! When grandma said you guys came, I couldn't believe it; it's so nice to see you. ''

Elizabeth greeted and Tiana smiled at her.

''it's nice to see you too, Auntie. ''

After the meal, the family sat in the living room as they chatted, the television showing a reality show.

''So Tiana, how did you meet Nicklaus?''

Grandma asked, and every gaze turned to Tiana, who was sitting beside Nicklaus, his arms around her waist.

She feigned a blush and glanced at Nicklaus, who was watching the television as though she was shy;

''We met at work, I'm his personal assistant. I have always had a crush on him, but because of his iciness, I tried to hide it. But what I didn't know was that he had been eyeing me for a while too!

When he asked me to go out with him, I was so shocked that I fainted. ''

Everyone laughed at her story;

''Yeah, I couldn't believe that my dear grandson, who didn't have any friends, could have a girlfriend. It was a surprise! ''

''Mmm, and just after his position as the CEO of Howells Corporation was threatened, it seemed very suspicious, but it's good to know that it wasn't just a plan and now, we're all waiting for the wedding date.''

Michelle added quickly.

The whole place grew awkward at her statement.

Tiana shifted her gaze to her;

Although on the face of it, her statement looked innocent; it however carried a deeper meaning.

The message she intended to pass what that, indeed, Nicklaus had hired Tiana to be his mistress and the proof of it was that he would not marry her.

Tiana didn't even know what to reply. She knew that there was no marriage of any sort happening; she was damn speechless.

One second to everything becoming tense, Nicklaus, whose eyes were on the television, glanced at Michelle, who was sitting beside Douglas briefly and then he turned to Tiana.

''Beautiful, ''

He pulled her towards him, her faced inches away from his, his hot breath tickling her lashes, making it flutter;

''I didn't want to rush it, but now she has mentioned it, let's get married. ''