Chapter 8

I stayed for a few hours, had dinner with her, and listened to stories from the past of her and Renee's high-school antics.

Apparently, my grandma used to be the rebel type back in her day, black fingernails, and leather jackets, and she explained to me all the crazy different colors she used to add to her hair.

I never had nursing home food, and I was happy to know my grandma was at least eating well while staying there.

The chicken fried steak and green bean casserole were wonderful, I just had to add a tiny extra salt and pepper. I kissed my grandma goodnight and told Renee that I'd be back to play a game of dominoes with them and headed home.

I made my decision. Becoming his bride, all because I signed a contract, wasn't something I wanted to do, but it was something I was going to have to do for my grandma.

She is getting worse, and if they called tomorrow for her transplant, I wouldn't be able to afford it.

I went straight home and packed a suitcase. I was almost positive he would provide me with a better wardrobe that would tell the world that I was indeed a billionaire's finance.

So, I didn't over pack, just picked a few pajama sets, undies, and a couple of sets of day clothes and headed to the address that was on the card he gave me before I left his office.

I was now standing in the doorway, drying not to drool all over myself, when Nickolas answered the door. “I assume you agree to the plan, then?” He asked, gently pulled my suitcase out of my head, and motioned for me to walk through the door.

“That assumption would be correct,” I informed him, sucked in a deep breath, walked inside his penthouse, and prayed I didn't make a mess of myself in front of this man.

“Well, you have come just in time,” he commented and closed the door.

“Hmm,” I mumbled as my eyes roamed around the room.

Goodness, just how much money does this man actually have? I wouldn't know what to do with all that money.

Hell, besides paying back the mountain of hospital bills with the five million I'll be getting at the end of the contract date, I don't really know what I'll spend the rest on.

I know some women would go crazy, trips, maybe hire a maid for housework, speak all their day shopping, but that's just not me. I'm the happiest when I'm wearing a baggy t-shirt, and I hate wearing my contacts. They just cause my eyes to cry.

I also don't think I look bad with glasses on.

A beautiful fire was roaring in front of the dark brown leather couch, a football game playing on the big flat screen TV just above the fireplace, and a glass of scotch or whiskey was sitting on the side table.

“I hope I didn't disturb your game,” I told him. “I was visiting with my grandma today, and she is getting worse. That's the only reason I'm agreeing to do this. It's for her,” I explained, hoping he believed me.

It wasn't for the money promise of money when the contract ended. In fact, he could not give it to me, and I'll just be as happy with knowing my grandma's transplant was paid for.

“I'm well aware of the reason you are here, Macy,” he smiled softly before adding. “I'm sorry to hear that Mae is getting worse.”

“Thank you. What did you mean? I'm just in time for what?” I asked, took my eyes off the football game, and focused onto him. “Sorry. I'm a fan,” I shrugged when he caught me staring.

When I was little, at first, I was not a fan of the sport itself, but I had a few crushes on some cute players. I only watched games with my grandpa, and after years of watching that on certain days during the week, I became a fan.

“I'm having company over-,” he started to explain, but the elevator dinged, letting us know that someone was on the way up. “Okay, listen, I'm sorry I'm having to do this to you. You can go hide in one of the rooms if you don't feel you are ready, but I have to have this dinner meeting tonight. Johnson and I have been talking about becoming partners in a hotel company. Tonight is important,” he whispered, eyes glued to the elevator awaiting his company, and pushed my suitcase around the hall corner, hiding it.

“I don't know if I'm ready,-” I started to tell him that maybe tonight wasn't the best night to just throw me to the wolves, but before I could finish my sentence, the elevator doors opened.

Crap.

“Diavolo, good to see you.”

I will not lie. I didn't know what I expected, but it surely wasn't this. They are dressed like they are getting ready to walk on the red carpet in California, and here I am, wearing a sundress with sunflowers spread all over it.

“Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, welcome,” Nickolas said, held out his hand, and shook Mr. Johnson's hand. “Please come inside. Shirley is almost finished preparing dinner.”

Shirley?

Who's that?

“No need to rush the old woman Nick, we can have us a glass of whiskey, and discuss the possibility of us becoming partners while our-,” Mr. Johnson paused as he looked down, and I could feel his judgmental thoughts at what I was wearing. “I don't believe we have met your,” he coughed and uncomfortably added. “Date.”

“Yes, allow me to introduce my girlfriend, Macy Campbell. Macy, darling,” he said softly, wrapping his arm around my waist. “This is Gerald and Kate Johnson.”

I didn't know who felt more uncomfortable, me or Nickolas, and I prayed my body didn't betray how shocked I truly was when he slid his arm around me. My heart was pounding inside my chest, and I wished I had waited until tomorrow morning to come here. I didn't know I'd be thrown into his world so quickly.

I, of course, have manners, but the class of people he deals with, well, they are on a different level. I had no idea what to say, how to say, and how to act in front of the man who would possibly be his new business partner. I didn't want to make a full out of myself, nor did I want to embarrass Nickolas before our contract had even begun.

“Girlfriend?” Mr. Johnson replied, shocked before recovering his face with an uncomfortable grin. “So you finally settled down. You know, Nick, I never thought I'd see the day that you allowed yourself to be tied down to just one woman.”

Nickolas shifted uncomfortably, I felt his back stiffen. “I never thought I'd see the day either, Gerald but the first time I laid my eyes onto Macy, I knew she was the one for me,” he chuckled smoothly and gone was the nervous man, now replaced with the smooth talking business. “She didn't make it easy on me, did you, baby?”

What the hell was he expecting me to say? We haven't had an opportunity to talk about any of this. I don't know what he wants to tell people about the way we met. I feel like I'm either drowning or my lungs have stopped working because it's become a struggle for me to breathe.

“That's right, love,” I whispered. “When he came into the vet clinic, I knew he was the one for me, too. I just had to make the first move,” I giggled and hoped it sounded genuine.

“Oh? You are a veterinarian?” Mrs. Johnson joined in on the lovely, uncomfortable conversation. “That's an honest profession. Those defenseless little animals need all the help they can get. I donate at least a million dollars each year for the poor dears.”

“Oh no, I wish I was, but I'm just a vet assistant,” I assured her and regretted it. She tried to hide it, but her lip turned up, informing me she was not very impressed with what I had done with my life.

“And she is very good at what she does. She helped me with Beast and now his back eating like a horse,” Nickolas chuckled, but I could see in his face he was not happy that I told them what I did, well-used to do for a living.

“But surely, you have given that silly job up?” She questioned and raided her waxed eyebrow. “Being with a man like him will take up all your spare time, trust me, I know.”

“Honesty, I won't be giving up my job entirely. I have decided that I will still work as a vet assistant, just a few days a week. I love my job too much,” I explained and felt Nickolas' eyes narrowing.

Well, it's not my fault we have not had an opportunity to discuss things further before being interrupted.