This chapter is dedicated to Wonderer14. Thank you for your votes and support. 😊

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As soon as we enter, I snap out of shock and quickly take a step away from him. I look up at him to find him gazing me with a confused expression.

Now when finally the shock wears off, different emotions consume me. But two emotions are overshadowing all others, anger, and sadness.

I am feeling slight anger boiling up in me, as before pulling off any stunt like this at least he should have informed me if I was not quick to hide my bewilderment I would have made fool out of myself. On the other side, sadness is also seeping in my heart, because I am aware this is all for a show, just an act. Why couldn't all this would have been real? Why couldn't I have been married to someone who accepted me wholeheartedly, loved me? 

Maybe my anger is unjustified, maybe I should not be upset, but I can't help it. However, I am not one of those who acts irrationally, so instead of showing my emotions, I decide what always I do, mask them up.

"What happened?" he asks with his eyebrows pinched together in confusion.

"Nothing," I shut my eyes and shake my head to clear my thoughts," let's just get inside." Giving him a tight smile I make my way towards the main banquet hall, Nathan trailing a few steps behind. 

The theme of the decoration is gold and white, large chandeliers hang down from the high ceiling, on another side of the hall, a live band is playing soft music, some couples are dancing on the dance floor. Round dining tables are set across the hall, in front of them, a platform is situated for the purpose of auctions and others performances. Waiters are bustling throughout the hall, carrying trays of champagnes. In short, typical dinner party.

" Welcome, I am so glad you came," Mrs.Bentley, popular socialite and organizer of this event come towards us with a big smile.

"Thank you for inviting us," I politely say, but I can't miss the way her eyes are darting between me and Nathan, maybe she didn't expect us to come together. Can't blame her this is the first time we are seen together.

"Well, I didn't know you are together otherwise I would have arranged a single table for you, but both of your tables are right in the front, you can sit in either of them" she turns slightly, points her finger towards the front, "the auction will start in an hour, but before that, we have some performances. Hope you will enjoy this night," she smiles and excuses herself.

Some more people approach us, we briefly chat with them. I know most of them, so it is not really hard to maintain a conversation, which is not looking forced. I notice Nathan has great communicating skills, he confidently speaks regardless what the topic is. Whether it is business or politics or any other topic he has extensive knowledge.

He pulls a chair for me then sits beside me, " We created quite a stir."

"Yeah, I can already feel the heat of it," I glance at my side purse my lips to stop myself from smiling when I see one lady giving me an evil eye.

Opening my clutch I grab a small bottle of sanitizer and pour a generous amount of it into my palm. 

"I have shaken hands with a lot of people, and I don't want any of their bacterias on my hand," I answer Nathan's unasked question while rubbing sanitizer on my both hands.

"Well, you don't know which dark places those hands might have traveled to," I say keeping a straight face.

"You have a very dirty mind, Abigail," he shakes his head in amusement and chuckles.

"What can I say? I am being influenced by my new friend, Nathan," I wink as we both laugh.

" So finally, we are friends now," Nathan smiles, looking pleased.

"Yup," I nod my head, then while glancing at him I say deadpan, "I just hope I don't regret it."

He goes silent for a moment, then he slowly shakes his head," No, you won't."

"Only time will tell that, Nathan," I reply holding his gaze.

Few silent moments passed between us, both of us not saying anything to each other. He is the first one to break the eye contact, as he looks away.

Music changes few more people join the dance floor as some, who were previously dancing, leaves.

Nathan turns to me and extends his palm," May I have the pleasure of dancing with you?" 

My eyebrows raise in surprise, as my eyes dart between his palm to face then back at his palm.

"Don't worry my hand is clean," he smirks.

I laugh and put my hand in his, he slowly curls his fingers and says, " Maybe I was lying, but you shouldn't worry," he eyes my clutch with a smug look," you have come prepared."

I quickly try to pull back my hand, but he tightens his grasp and chuckles

"I just became your friend and you started lying to me, the future of this friendship looks very dark to me," I stand up and straighten my dress with my one hand.

"Don't be so overdramatic," he rolls his eyes and starts moving towards the dancing area.

" I am just stating the fact," I counter back.

When we reach the center, he turns to me then places his hand on my waist and with another, he grips my hand while I place my hand on his shoulder. Gently he pulls me closer to him and we start moving slowly from side to side. He slightly shifts his hand and rests it on small of my back, causing my breath to hitch.

" I suggest if you like your hand, it should not move any further from where it is," I give him a menacing glare, trying to ignore the warmth of his hand on my bare skin.

" I wouldn't dare," he smirks, not even looking threatened in the slightest way.

 Song comes to an end and we make our way back to the table. All this while Nathan keeps his hand on my back, which feels...weird, but not discomforting. 

After sometimes, auction starts and let me tell you I am thoroughly enjoying watching bunch of idiots who are trying to surpass each other bids. It is like a verbal match, but as it results in helping someone in any way so I pray that they keep on trying to bring each other down. 

"If someone wants to raise funds really high, then they should only invite rivals," I laugh, "even if the thing is not worth it, then also they will pay the double amount to bring each other down."

" So it means if your rival bids for something, then you will also bid higher than him?" Nathan ask.

"Of course, but only to provoke him so he bids more money," I slightly turn in my chair to face him, " I will defeat him with my brain," I smirk and tap my finger at my temple.

"So it is in my best interest that you are my friend, your friendship will prove to be beneficial for me,"  he smiles.

"That means you only do friendship with people who can benefit you, now I have to find out what interest of yours lies in being my friend," I raise my eyebrows.

He searches my face for any trace of humor, but when he finds none his smile slowly vanishes from his face.

I won't deny that sometimes I do enjoy his company, but that doesn't mean that I will buy his sudden friendly act. Maybe I am wrong, there is no reason to doubt his intentions. But still, there is no harm in being careful.

"Look, I am sorry I didn't mean to offend you, but I like to be honest with my friends that is why I share my thoughts openly with them," I shrug, as he looks offended.

He nods but doesn't say anything, after sometimes somebody calls him.

"I will be back in a few, then we will leave," he leans to my side and says, as he adjusts his suit's cufflinks.

"Ok."

Twenty minutes pass and there's still no sign of him. I don't know why he is taking so long, I mean even if he has gone for a quickie, then also it shouldn't take this long. There is a reason why it is called a quickie, right?

What is irritating me even more, is that he left his cell phone here on the table, which is been ringing with five minutes interval. Finally, I am done waiting for him here. I decide to find him myself. I just pray I don't see him in any position which I can't unsee.

I pick his phone and keep it in my clutch and walk in the direction where he went. Even after looking for ten minutes I can't find him.

"Nathan, I am going to kill you if you have left without informing me," I groan as I turn back into the same direction from where I came.

I feel like somebody is talking at the corner of the hallway near the entrance, I make my way towards the sound.

As I reach there I spot Nathan, with a disinterested expression, and a girl standing in front of him.

He is rolling his eyes at whatever she is saying, but when he sees me instantly his expression changes into a relived one. 

Again I feel his cell phone ringing in my clutch, so I quickly walk to him.

"Um excuse me," I say as I look at both of them," sorry to bother, but Nathan I need to talk to you, can you please come with me?" 

The hostile look which that girl is giving me clearly indicates that she didn't like my presence here, but do I care? Nope.

Nathan nods and tries to walk past her, but she puts her hand on his chest and stops him. 

"No, he is not coming with you," she narrows her eyes at me," and who are you?"

She is wearing a black long strapless dress, there is a slit on the left side of the dress reaching till the upper thigh. Her auburn hair is styled into a sleek top knot. If she was not scowling at me I would have said that she looks good.

" Ok, well I am the one who has his last name, but he is too young to be my father and we are not related by blood," I smirk at Nathan, who is shaking his head in amusement," however, we are bonded by vows."

She looks at me like I have just spoken in some foreign language, making me hard to control my laughter.

"Figure it out who I am, then find him," I take Nathan's hand and drag him, leaving her there dumbfounded.

As soon as we step outside, he turns to me," I think someone got jealous back there," he smirks and point his thumb towards the back.

"Why would I get jealous for someone, who is not even mine," I shrug, palms up.

"Your phone was blowing up since you left, I thought it might be something important that's why I came to find you," I give him his cell phone.

He takes his phone and checks it, then calls Mark to bring the car. In few seconds Mark pulls up the car, as Victor comes out from the passenger side and opens the door for me. I lean against the window and close my eyes soon we are settled into the comfortable drive back to the house.

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