Nathan and Mandy had spent a month in Paris, and as
the holiday season approached, Nathan made a surprising decision—they would be
spending Christmas together in the City of Lights. Their relationship had taken
a dramatic turn after their kiss at the ball. Though unspoken, the shift
between them was undeniable.
Meanwhile, across the city, Sophia Amore basked in
the success of her latest fashion collection launch at De Globes. The event was
a grand spectacle, filled with industry elites and flashing cameras capturing
her every move. But amidst the celebration, she took a break, scrolling through
her phone—until a particular headline made her freeze.
"Billionaire Nathan Hydes Spotted at a Parisian
Ball—Locked in a Passionate Kiss with a Mystery Woman!"
Her breath hitched, and her perfectly manicured
fingers tightened around the phone. She scrolled further, her pulse quickening.
"Sophia Amore's Replacement? Meet the Woman Who
Stole Nathan's Heart."
Sophia's heart pounded as a wave of fury surged
through her veins. Mandy Morgan.
The name alone made her stomach churn with rage.
Her hands trembled as she clenched her jaw, her mind
racing. Nathan—her Nathan—was being linked to some nobody? A mere assistant?
With a sharp exhale, she slammed her phone onto the
desk, her nails digging into her palm.
"Mandy Morgan," she seethed, her voice a dangerous
whisper. "Just you wait. I'll make you pay for this."
A sinister smirk curled on her lips.
Mandy had no idea what was coming for her.
Meanwhile, in Paris…
As Mandy was getting ready for a business meeting
with Nathan, her phone rang. She didn't even need to check the caller ID—she
already knew who it was. Hazel.
With a sigh, she picked up.
"Hello, Mandy! I just saw something on the
internet—tell me it wasn't you, right?" Hazel's voice was practically vibrating
with excitement and curiosity.
Mandy hesitated for a second, but there was no use
denying it. "…Well, umm… I'm the one, Haze," she admitted, her voice barely
above a whisper.
Hazel, ever the dramatic one, let out an
ear-piercing squeal.
"FINALLY!" she shouted. "I've been waiting for this moment! I'm so happy for
you, girl. Nathan has officially made me proud!"
Mandy groaned. "Haze, please stop. I don't even know
what to think. It just… happened. Right there, in front of everyone, he kissed
me."
"YEEEE!"
Hazel screamed again. "My girl is in love! Okay, spill—how was it?
I need details, Mandy!"
Mandy rolled her eyes, though a small smile played
on her lips. "Hazel!"
"What? Come on, I need to know how Mr. Handsome Billionaire made you feel."
Mandy exhaled, her mind drifting back to the
moment—the way Nathan's lips felt against hers, the way the world had disappeared
around them, the fire in his gaze afterward…
"Well…" she started, her voice softening. "It felt
like… something else. Something I can't even put into words. I don't know… I
just…"
A wave of emotions coursed through her, leaving her
speechless.
Hazel gasped. "Oh. My. God.
You're falling for him, aren't you?"
Mandy's heart skipped a beat.
Was she?
Anyway, I hate to cut this short, but we will
discuss this later."
Mandy chuckled. "Sure, Haze. Talk later."
After hanging up, she took a deep breath, grabbed
her bag, and headed out of her hotel room.
MEETING LUCAS MILLER
The elevator doors slid open, and Mandy stepped
out, making her way down the grand staircase of the hotel. Nathan's gaze locked
onto her instantly. His eyes darkened slightly, filled with something
unreadable. Possessiveness?
As she descended the stairs, she noticed a man
sitting across from Nathan—a sharp-dressed gentleman with impeccable style. The
tailored gray suit he wore screamed wealth and sophistication.
Mandy reached them, offering a warm smile.
Nathan smirked. "And here comes the woman we've
been waiting for… Mandy Morgan."
Mandy rolled her eyes playfully before turning her
attention to the guest.
"Mandy, meet Lucas Miller—the number one fashion
designer in Paris."
The moment Mandy extended her hand for a handshake,
Nathan's hand casually blocked hers.
Lucas chuckled at Nathan's possessive gesture.
"Relax, my friend, I'm only being polite."
Mandy laughed softly and pulled her hand back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Miller."
Lucas eyed her with intrigue. "Nathan, you never
mentioned your executive assistant was this stunning."
Nathan's jaw tensed slightly, but he kept his smirk
in place. "Mandy isn't just a pretty face. She's sharp, resourceful, and the
best assistant I've had." His tone held an underlying warning.
Lucas raised his hands in surrender, amusement
glinting in his eyes. "Noted."
Mandy, sensing the tension, quickly redirected the
conversation. "Shall we discuss business, gentlemen?"
Nathan smirked, clearly entertained. "Always so
professional, aren't you?"
Mandy shot him a look before taking a seat, but
even as the meeting began, she couldn't shake the way Nathan's eyes lingered on
her—possessive, intense, and full of something she wasn't ready to name.
At intervals while Mandy spoke, seamlessly weaving
her words with confidence, Nathan's fingers would graze against
hers—deliberate, teasing. His touch was light yet unmistakable, sending ripples
of heat up her arm. And then there were his eyes. Dark, unreadable, and
intensely possessive, locking onto hers like a silent challenge.
But Mandy didn't falter. She only smiled, refusing
to let him shake her composure. If this was his way of playing with her, she
wouldn't let him win so easily.
Moments later, the meeting wrapped up. Lucas
exchanged pleasantries with both of them before taking his leave, his sharp
eyes flickering with knowing amusement as he glanced between Mandy and Nathan.
And then, they were alone.
The tension in the air thickened, a silent pull
drawing them closer even though neither of them moved. Nathan leaned back in
his chair, his gaze never leaving her.
"You're quite the negotiator," he mused, his voice
lower now, more intimate.
Mandy arched a brow. "I learned from the best."
His smirk deepened. "Flattery won't get you out of
this, Mandy."
"Out of what?" she asked, tilting her head.
Nathan didn't answer right away. Instead, he reached
out, tracing his fingers along the back of her hand with deliberate slowness.
"Out of whatever this is between us," he murmured.
Mandy's breath caught, but she quickly masked it
with a chuckle. "Nathan, we just finished a business meeting. Shouldn't we be
focusing on work?"
His smirk remained, but his voice turned serious.
"Work was over the moment you walked into this room."
Her heart pounded, but she wouldn't let him see just
how much he affected her. Instead, she stood, smoothing down her dress. "In
that case, I'll be in my room if you need me."
She turned to leave, but before she could take
another step, his voice stopped her.
"Mandy."
She froze.
He leaned back, watching her with a knowing look.
"Don't run from this."
She inhaled sharply, refusing to turn around.
Then, without another word, she walked away,
pretending not to feel the heat of his gaze burning into her back.
Later that afternoon, Mandy came down to have lunch.
As she settled into her chair, a young man, likely around Nathan's age,
approached her with an effortless Parisian charm.
"Hey, Señorita, how are you?" he greeted, his accent
rich and unmistakably French.
Before Mandy could respond, he took a seat across
from her, flashing an easy smile.
A waitress approached, and the man confidently
placed an order for both of them. Moments later, the food arrived, and Mandy's
eyes widened in surprise.
"But I wasn't expecting—"
"It's fine," he interrupted smoothly, his smile
never faltering. "It's my treat."
Mandy hesitated for a second before offering a
polite smile. "Thanks."
As they ate, the young man introduced himself as Antoine Blanchet. The way he pronounced his
name, rolling the syllables effortlessly, made Mandy chuckle. She attempted to
mimic his pronunciation but failed miserably, sending both of them into
laughter.
The conversation flowed easily—until she noticed
Antoine's expression shift. His gaze flickered toward something—or rather,
someone—behind her. Mandy turned slightly and felt a sudden wave of tension in
the air.
Nathan.
He stood a few feet away, his piercing gaze locked
onto Antoine like a predator sizing up its prey. His posture was composed, but
his eyes burned with something dangerously close to possessiveness.
Mandy, unfazed, smiled and gestured toward him.
"Oh, Antoine, meet my boss, Mr.
Nathan Hydes. And Nathan, meet Antoine Blanchet—my
friend."
For a split second, Nathan's jaw clenched at the way
she so casually called Antoine her friend. He kept his composure, but his eyes darkened.
Antoine extended a hand. "Pleasure to meet you, Mr.
Hydes."
Nathan, however, didn't move. His gaze remained on
Antoine, assessing, calculating. Finally, after a long pause, he let out a low,
unreadable hum.
"Hmmm."
Instead of shaking hands, Nathan pulled out a chair
and sat down right next to Mandy—closer than necessary. His presence was
imposing, his focus unwavering.
Mandy continued chatting with Antoine, completely
unbothered, her laughter filling the space between them. Every now and then,
she'd lightly touch Antoine's hand while sharing a joke—completely unaware of
the silent storm brewing beside her.
Nathan, on the other hand, was anything but
unaffected. His fingers tapped against the table, his patience thinning with
each second Mandy's attention remained divided.
Finally, he had enough.
"I'm sorry to cut this conversation short," Nathan
announced, his voice calm but laced with authority. His gaze flickered briefly
toward Antoine before settling on Mandy. "But we have business to attend to."
Mandy's breath hitched slightly. The shift in his
tone, the unspoken tension—she knew exactly what this was.
And as she stood to leave with him, one thing was
clear.
This was just the beginning.
As they ascended the stairs toward the elevator,
Nathan suddenly stopped, his grip firm yet gentle as he caught Mandy's wrist.
"Mandy Morgan," he said, his voice edged with
something between authority and jealousy. "Need I remind you that you're here
strictly for business? Not to make friends."
Mandy arched a brow, amusement flickering in her
eyes. "I'm allowed to have friends and spend time with them when it's not work
hours, aren't I?" she countered, deliberately testing his patience.
Nathan's jaw tightened, his fists clenching at his
sides. He saw right through her little game—she was doing this on purpose,
trying to get a reaction out of him. And damn it, it was working.
The elevator doors slid open, and as soon as they
stepped inside, Nathan turned, closing the small distance between them. His
towering frame loomed over her, his presence suffocating yet intoxicating.
Without a word, he reached out, gently tilting her chin upward until her gaze
locked with his.
Mandy froze.
Her breath hitched as his intense eyes bore into
hers, his fingers warm against her skin. She felt like a moth drawn to a
flame—unable to pull away, completely entranced.
Then, in a voice that was low, firm, and undeniably
possessive, Nathan spoke.
"Mandy Morgan, you're not allowed to make friends." His thumb brushed lightly against her chin,
his grip tightening just enough to send a shiver down her spine. "Remember, I am still your boss. I make the decisions here."
The elevator doors slid shut.
And in that moment, Mandy knew—this was no longer
just a game.
As soon as Mandy stepped into her room, she shut the
door behind her, leaning against it as her heart pounded from the encounter
with Nathan. His words still echoed in her mind—his tone, his intensity, the
way his fingers had tilted her chin. She exhaled sharply, trying to shake off
the overwhelming emotions flooding her.
Without wasting another second, she pulled out her
phone from her bag and quickly dialed Hazel's number. Her best friend picked up
almost immediately.
"Mandy! What's up? I was actually working on my
latest jewelry designs when I saw your call," Hazel chirped.
Mandy didn't bother with pleasantries. "Nathan is
acting strange," she blurted out.
There was a brief silence on the other end before
Hazel asked, "What do you mean strange? How strange?"
"Can you believe he told me not to make friends?" Mandy said, her frustration evident in her voice.
Hazel didn't respond right away. Then, after a
moment, she sighed. "Well… I'm sure he has his reasons."
Mandy huffed. "There's this guy I was having lunch with—Antoine.
We were just talking, and out of nowhere, Nathan showed up. He barely
acknowledged Antoine, then basically dismissed him by saying we had a business
meeting. Which we didn't."
Hazel let out a knowing hum. "Oh, I see…" she said slowly, amusement creeping into
her tone.
Mandy frowned. "What?"
"Well, Mandy… He's not acting strange. He's marking his territory."
Mandy's stomach flipped. "Marking his what?"
"That's him being possessive of you," Hazel
explained. "You wouldn't blame him. Any guy in his right senses would do that."
Mandy swallowed, her heart skipping a beat. Hazel's
words made too much sense, yet she wasn't sure she was ready to accept what
they truly meant.
Well, Mandy, I have to go. I need to finish making
this jewelry, okay? We'll talk later," Hazel said, her tone light and teasing.
Mandy sighed. "Yeah, okay. Bye, Hazel."
"Bye, lovebird," Hazel added playfully before ending
the call.
Mandy groaned, tossing her phone onto the bed. Alone
in her room, she was left to battle the whirlwind of emotions stirring inside
her.
Nathan's words, his touch, the possessiveness in his
eyes—it all replayed in her mind. Was Hazel right? Was Nathan really marking his territory?
She exhaled sharply, running a hand through her
hair. This is getting out of control, she thought. But deep down, she knew the truth.
It already had.
As the days passed, Mandy noticed a shift in
Nathan's demeanor. His usual charm was still there, but now it was laced with
something darker—something more demanding.
She had pushed his buttons that day at lunch, and
ever since, his possessiveness had only grown stronger. At first, she thought
it was amusing. Let's see how far I can push him, she had mused. But now, as she stood in the hallway outside her hotel
room, with Nathan towering over her, eyes dark with something unreadable, she
realized she might have underestimated him.
"You enjoy testing my patience, don't you, Mandy?"
His voice was low, controlled—but there was an edge to it.
Mandy crossed her arms, tilting her chin up
defiantly. "And if I do?"
Nathan took a step closer, his body heat radiating
toward her. "Then you should know, I'm not the kind of man who enjoys being
tested."
A shiver ran down her spine, but not from fear. From
something else entirely.
Instead of backing down, she smiled. "I think you
like it."
His jaw clenched, but the corner of his lips
twitched. "You think so?"
She nodded, her pulse quickening.
Nathan exhaled sharply, as if reining himself in.
Then, in one swift motion, he reached out, gripping her waist and pulling her
flush against him.
"Careful, Mandy," he murmured, his breath warm
against her cheek. "Keep this up, and you won't like what happens next."
Her heart pounded. Was it a warning? A challenge?
Either way, she wasn't afraid.
Instead, she found herself wanting to push him even
further.
Mandy's breath hitched as Nathan held her against
him, his grip firm yet electrifying. She could feel the heat radiating off him,
the raw intensity in his eyes making her pulse race.
"And what exactly will happen next, Nathan?" she
whispered, her voice laced with both defiance and intrigue.
Nathan's fingers tightened slightly at her waist,
his other hand lifting to brush a stray strand of hair behind her ear. "You're playing
a dangerous game, Mandy," he murmured.
She swallowed, the air between them thick with
unspoken tension. "Maybe I like the game."
Nathan's lips curved into a smirk, but his eyes
burned with something deeper. "Then I hope you're prepared to lose."
Without another word, he released her just as
quickly as he had pulled her in. The absence of his warmth left her feeling
unsteady, but she refused to show it. Instead, she met his gaze with unwavering
confidence.
"Goodnight, Mr. Hydes," she said, turning towards
her door.
Just as she reached for the handle, his voice
stopped her.
"You belong to me, Mandy. Remember that."
A shiver ran through her, but she didn't turn back.
Instead, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, her heart pounding
against her ribs.
As the door closed behind her, she exhaled shakily.
She had always known Nathan was a dominant force—but tonight, she had seen a
side of him that was both thrilling and terrifying.
And the most dangerous part?
She wasn't sure she wanted to resist it.
The days that followed were a whirlwind of tension
and unspoken desires. Nathan's dominance over Mandy intensified—his touch
lingered longer, his gaze held a new level of possession, and his voice carried
an authority that sent shivers down her spine.
Yet, instead of resisting, Mandy found herself drawn
to it.
She had always been independent, always prided
herself on her ability to stand her ground. But with Nathan, it was different.
The way he took control, the way he made decisions for her—it should have
irritated her, but instead, it made her feel… safe. Wanted. Cherished.
Mandy started adjusting to his ways, subtly molding
herself to fit within the boundaries he set. When he told her to be careful,
she listened. When he insisted on accompanying her places, she allowed it. And
when his voice dropped into that dangerously low tone, commanding her
attention, she responded without question.
She wasn't sure when it started—this need to please
him. Maybe it was the way his eyes darkened with approval whenever she obeyed.
Or the way his lips curled in satisfaction when she let him take charge. Either
way, it thrilled her.
And it only reinforced his control over her.
Nathan knew it too. He could see the shift in her,
the way she unconsciously leaned into his presence, the way she let him guide
her decisions. It only fueled his possessiveness, deepening the unspoken claim
he had over her.
She belonged to him.
And Mandy?
She wasn't sure she wanted it any other way.
MOVING IN…
Mandy found herself drawn to every single command
Nathan gave. His recent possessiveness over her didn't intimidate her—it fueled
her. It gave her a sense of power, a confidence she hadn't realized she
possessed. And the more she tested his limits, the more aggressive his
reactions became.
During a business meeting, Mandy stood engaged in
conversation with a client. The man's gaze lingered on her, his eyes filled
with unmistakable flirtation. A slow smile spread across his lips as his
fingers lightly brushed against her hand.
Nathan saw it from across the room.
In an instant, he was there, stepping between them,
his stance rigid, his presence overpowering.
Mandy didn't need to hear his words to know what
was happening—the fury in his eyes was enough. He wasn't just irritated; he was
livid. And he didn't care that the man was a client.
Tension crackled in the air.
Nathan's voice was low and controlled, but beneath
the surface, she could sense the storm brewing. The client, clearly
uncomfortable, muttered an apology and stepped away.
Mandy exhaled slowly. That moment told her
everything—Nathan Hydes was no longer just possessive. He was dangerously so.
And she had no intention of stopping him.
Later that night, on Christmas Eve, Mandy walked
toward her room after dinner when Nathan's voice stopped her.
"Mandy."
She turned. He was standing by the hallway, hands
in his pockets, his gaze dark and unreadable.
"Move in with me," he said. His voice was deep,
commanding.
Mandy froze.
Her heart pounded as the weight of his words
settled over her. Move in? With Nathan?
"I… umm… Nathan, I don't think it's right," she
stammered, gripping the door handle as if it would steady her.
Nathan took a slow step forward, his towering frame
dominating the space between them.
His next words sent a shiver down her spine.
"You have two options," he murmured, tilting his
head slightly. "Either I call a butler to move your things into my room… or you
do it yourself."
Her breath caught.
The way he said it—calm, certain, completely
unshaken—left no room for argument.
She searched his face, trying to find a trace of
hesitation, but there was none. Just raw possession, a silent promise that he
wasn't letting her go.
"Why?" she whispered.
Nathan's fingers brushed against her cheek, his
touch both gentle and possessive.
"Because I want you close," he murmured. "Where I
can protect you. Where you belong."
Mandy swallowed hard.
Deep down, she knew there was no escaping him. No
escaping this pull between them.
And maybe… she didn't want to.
Taking a shaky breath, she finally nodded.
"I'll do it myself."
A slow smirk played at Nathan's lips.
"Good girl."
A CHRISTMAS TO REMEMBER
After hours of moving her things into Nathan's
bedroom, Mandy knew this wasn't going to be just another Christmas—it was the
Christmas. One she would never forget.
That night, after taking a warm shower, she slipped
into her silk nightgown and climbed into bed. But sleep didn't come easy. Her
body was tense, her mind restless. How could she possibly relax knowing she was
sharing a room—a bed—with Nathan Hydes?
As if sensing her unease, Nathan shifted closer,
leaning over to press a soft, lingering kiss on her forehead.
"Relax, Mandy… I don't bite," he murmured. A
teasing smirk played on his lips before he added, "At least not yet."
Her breath hitched, and a shiver ran through her
spine at his words.
Moments passed. Slowly, the tension in her muscles
faded, and exhaustion finally pulled her into sleep.
CHRISTMAS MORNING…..
Mandy stirred as the soft glow of daylight filtered
through the windows. Blinking awake, she turned over, momentarily disoriented.
Then reality hit.
Her eyes widened as last night's events rushed
back—Nathan's demand, moving in with him, the possessiveness in his voice. I
don't bite… at least not yet.
Before she could process it all, a deep voice broke
through her thoughts.
"Merry Christmas, Mandy."
She turned to see Nathan standing beside the bed,
holding a small, elegantly wrapped present. His expression was softer than
usual, his voice carrying warmth and affection.
Her chest tightened.
A year ago, he had given her a Christmas gift as
well. He had been there all along. Through everything.
A single tear slipped down her cheek as she reached
for the gift.
Nathan's expression darkened slightly as he noticed
her tears. He stepped closer, his fingers gently brushing against her skin as
she wiped them away.
"Merry Christmas, Nathan," she whispered, offering
him a small, shaky smile.
His jaw tightened. He hated seeing her cry. All he
wanted was to protect her, to make her happy—the happiest woman alive. And he
would. No matter what.
Mandy took a deep breath and sat up. "Today, I got
you a present too," she said softly.
Nathan's brows lifted in mild surprise.
"I know last year, I didn't have the chance to get
you a gift in time, but… this is my little Christmas present for you," she
continued, handing him a small velvet box.
Nathan took it, curiosity flickering in his eyes.
As he opened the box, his expression shifted.
Inside lay an exquisite golden wristwatch and a
deep blue silk tie.
For a moment, he was silent. Then his fingers
traced over the watch, admiration gleaming in his gaze.
His lips curled into a slow, rare smile.
"You got me a tie," he murmured, amusement laced in
his voice.
Mandy chuckled. "You always wear blue. It suits
you."
Nathan exhaled, shaking his head slightly before
turning his intense gaze back to her.
"You didn't have to," he said, his voice lower now.
"But I wanted to," she admitted, her heart racing.
Nathan's eyes darkened with something unreadable.
Something dangerous.
And just like that, the moment was interrupted.
Because miles away, another woman was fuming.
Sophia.
She had seen the news. She had seen everything.
And with every passing second, her hatred deepened.
Mandy may have thought this Christmas was magical.
But Sophia had plans.
And soon enough, that magic would come crumbling
down.