Chapter 7
Nathan's POV
The moment the class began, everything else faded.
The noise.
The tension.
Even the weight sitting in my chest.
It all disappeared.
Mrs. Shemmenti moved around the room, explaining the basics, but I barely registered her words. My focus was already on the canvas in front of me.
The brush felt… familiar in my hand.
Safe.
I dipped it into the paint, letting instinct take over. Soft strokes at first, then more confident. Shapes forming. Shadows blending.
I didn't notice how quiet I had become.
Or how still the world felt around me.
Until a voice spoke beside me.
"You've done this before."
I froze slightly.
Then I looked up.
Mrs. Shemmenti stood there, arms folded, studying my work.
I swallowed.
"A little," I said.
She didn't look convinced.
Her eyes moved over the canvas again, slower this time.
"You understand light," she said. "And restraint. Most beginners don't."
I didn't know what to say to that.
She tilted her head slightly.
"What's your name?"
My grip on the brush tightened just a little.
"Nathan," I said.
She waited.
"Nathan what?"
There it was.
That pause.
That hesitation.
Then—
"Nathan Leo."
The words left my mouth, but they didn't feel like mine.
Something shifted beside me.
I didn't have to look to know—
Bianca heard.
Of course she did.
Mrs. Shemmenti nodded, like the name meant nothing to her.
"Keep working, Nathan," she said. "You have potential."
And just like that, she moved on.
But the moment didn't leave.
I exhaled slowly, looking back at my canvas.
The lines blurred for a second.
Not because I didn't know what I was doing—
But because my mind had caught up again.
"Nathan Leo?" Bianca's voice came, low but sharp.
I closed my eyes briefly.
Then opened them.
I nodded.
"Coincidence?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"My mom… got married," I said. "To Chris Leo."
She stared at me.
Then leaned back in her chair, processing.
"Huh," she said. "I knew you looked like a big shot."
I let out a small breath.
"There's nothing big about me," I murmured.
Then softer—
"If anything… I feel suffocated."
She went quiet for a second.
That didn't happen often.
Then she suddenly stood up, grabbing her bag.
"If you want we can go for a drink after this," she said.
I looked at her.
"Sure."
I smiled.
I glanced at my painting.
---
Zane's POV
I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my cufflinks for the third time.
The tux sat perfectly on my frame. Clean lines. Sharp edges. Effortless.
My gaze dropped to the bouquet resting on the table.
I picked it up, fingers brushing lightly over the petals before bringing it closer, inhaling the soft scent.
Would he like it?
Nathan didn't seem like the type to care about things like this.
Or maybe he did.
I couldn't tell.
That was the problem.
He was always just out of reach—like if I moved too fast, he'd disappear.
I set the flowers down and reached for my cologne, spraying lightly—
"Alright, don't kill yourself with that."
I didn't turn.
"You know how to knock, right?" I said.
"Oh please," my mother replied, already inside.
I caught her reflection in the mirror as she walked around me, eyes scanning me from head to toe.
A slow smile spread across her face.
"Well… don't you look handsome."
I smirked faintly. "I try."
Her gaze lingered a little longer than usual.
"So," she said, folding her arms, "is there a reason you're trying this hard tonight?"
I shook my head, reaching for my watch.
"You're imagining things."
"Mhm." She tilted her head. "You want advice?"
"No."
"I'm serious."
"That's exactly why I said no."
She laughed softly.
The door opened again.
"Unbelievable," I muttered as my dad stepped in. "Does no one in this house knock anymore?"
I exhaled, tired.
He ignored me, his attention already shifting.
"What's taking so long? We're going to be late."
"It's your son," my mom said. "He's been standing here perfecting himself for the past hour."
"One time," I said, glancing at her. "One time I take my time and suddenly it's a crime."
My dad's eyes landed on the bouquet.
He raised a brow.
"Who are the flowers for?"
I held his gaze for a second.
Then shrugged.
"It's a banquet. You don't show up empty-handed."
He hummed, not fully convinced.
"Right. Maybe I should go cut something from the garden too." His voice dipped with sacarsim
My mom laughed.
"Oh, he's definitely trying to impress someone," she added.
I grabbed the bouquet before they could say anything else.
"I'll be in the car."
"Wait!" my dad called. "Come back, let me teach you something useful for once!"
I shook my head, already heading out.
They were impossible.
And somehow—
perfect for each other.
Arranged marriage.
That's how it started.
They met after the wedding.
Fell in love after.
I used to think that was strange.
Now… I wasn't so sure.
I reached my car, placing the bouquet carefully on the passenger seat.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at it.
Nathan's face crossed my mind.
A part of me wanted to take it slow.
Not scare him.
The other part—
Wanted to close that distance completely.
I exhaled, running a hand through my hair.
I'd faced investors, negotiations, people twice my age without blinking.
But this?
This felt different.
Uncertain.
Real.
The front door opened behind me.
"You're not riding with us?" my mom called.
I glanced back.
"Nah. I'll take mine."
She gave me a knowing look.
"I see how it is."
I opened the car door.
"I just don't want to see you two smooching each other."
"Hey! We behave!" she said.
I raised a brow.
My dad was already kissing her cheek.
Yeah.
No.
"I'm good," I said, getting into the car.
"Your loss!" he shouted.
I laughed, starting the engine.
As I pulled out, my eyes flicked to the bouquet again.
My grip on the steering wheel tightened slightly.
Tonight—
I just needed one thing.
For him not to pull away again.
-----
Nathan's POV
I stood in front of the mirror, barely recognizing the person staring back at me.
The suit fit perfectly—too perfectly. Every line sharp, every detail intentional. It didn't feel like me.
Veronica stood quietly to the side, stepping in when I struggled with my cuffs.
"Hold still, sir," she said softly, adjusting them with practiced ease.
"I can do it," I muttered.
She didn't argue. Just finished it for me anyway.
I exhaled, eyes drifting back to the mirror.
My phone buzzed on the table.
A message from Bianca.
Brian is hopeless. A girl has been flirting with him for five minutes and he's explaining contract law.
A small smile slipped out before I could stop it.
Another message came immediately.
I'm serious. I might slap him.
I shook my head slightly, typing a quick reply before setting the phone down.
Then a knock came.
The door opened before I could answer.
My mom stepped in.
I turned fully this time.
She was wearing a long silver gown, the fabric catching the light with every step. Her hair was neatly packed up, exposing her neck, her shoulders.
She looked…
Beautiful.
Veronica bowed slightly. "Excuse us."
She slipped out, closing the door behind her.
And just like that—
It was just the two of us.
"You look beautiful," I said.
She smiled softly, stepping closer.
"And you look dashing," she replied, reaching up to fix my bow tie.
Her fingers were gentle. Familiar.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The silence wasn't awkward.
Just… heavy.
Her hand moved from the bow to my face, resting lightly against my cheek.
I didn't pull away.
I leaned into it.
"You're my lucky charm," she said quietly.
My breath caught.
She hadn't called me that in years.
Not since…
I swallowed hard as my vision blurred slightly.
Tears welled up before I could stop them.
She noticed, of course she did.
She always did.
Gently, she tilted my head down and pressed a soft kiss to my forehead.
"It's going to be alright," she whispered.
I nodded, even though I wasn't sure I believed it.
But I wanted to.
For her.
She smiled again, softer this time, then took my hand in hers.
"Come on," she said.
We walked out together.
The hallway felt longer than usual.
The house quieter.
But as we got closer to the stairs, I could hear it—
Voices.
Movement.
The faint sound of cameras outside.
Press.
My chest tightened slightly.
I had heard they would be here.
That didn't make it easier.
But even as we walked, my mind wasn't here.
It was on him.
Kieran.
His voice. His stare.
The look he gives me.
My chest tightened.
Not fear exactly.
Something worse.
Uncertainty.
Because I didn't know what he was going to do next.
I swallowed hard, forcing my thoughts to settle.
I couldn't let this ruin her night.
I couldn't let her see me break again.
Not after everything she had already lost because of me.
My mother didn't deserve another disappointment.
Not me again.
Not this time.
So I made a decision right there, walking beside her through the hallway toward the noise and the lights waiting outside.
I needed to see Kieran.
Tonight.
Once and for all.
Because I couldn't keep running from it.
And I couldn't afford to lose her smile again.
She seems quite happy here.
My grip on her hand tightened without thinking.
My palms were starting to sweat.
But she didn't let go.
Her hand stayed warm around mine.
Steady.
Grounding.
And for now—
That was enough.