by J E McDonald
“I don’t think I will ever get used to this.” I say as I head towards the door.
Ten minutes later we are sitting in Pizza Rollio waiting for our food.
“I can’t believe how much money you have spent; I feel a little sick.” I say to Nathan as he takes a sip of his coke.
“Ellie, stop stressing! If I have to live with my dad, who I don’t particularly like, I might as well get something out of it! Besides I like buying you shit.” He says with a smirk.
“Why don’t you like your dad?” I feel so intrusive asking, but it has been playing on my mind for weeks. His father seems so nice, I don’t know why they are so tense around each-other. “You don’t have to tell me, I just, I would like to understand.” I add to soften my abrupt question.
“He cheated on my mum with his now wife, he left us in London and moved to New York to be with her. We hadn’t spoken for two years before I moved here.” He tells me just as our food arrives.
“Wow Nathan, I’m so sorry, that is awful. I get now why Casey was so awkward when I met her. She is a home-wrecker.” He looks up at me and smiles.
“That she is! My dad wants Jack and I to have some sort of relationship with the slut, but that is never going to happen. We wouldn’t betray our mum like that. We tolerate her, because we don’t have another choice.” I flinch at his icy tone; I have never heard him sound so cold.
“I’m sorry Nathan, I shouldn’t have brought it up, it wasn’t my intention to upset you.” I look down at my hands and pick at my nail polish.
“Hey, I’m not upset, you can ask me anything. I just hate her, she makes my blood boil, I’m sorry.” He reaches across the table to me and takes my hand in his. I look up at him.
“Let’s eat the pizza before it gets cold.” He says and gives me that breath-taking smile of his.
“Did you live like this back home? You know rich?” I ask him nervously. I wonder if his dad took his money with him, when he left.
“We have always had a good life, if that’s what you mean? My dad made his money when I was a baby, and the house we lived in, in Belgravia, is nice. I started to hate the house though, after my dad left, memories of better times, tainted it. I rebelled against my mum, gave her a dog’s life really, I was always getting myself involved in shit. I eventually moved out with Ryan when I turned eighteen. My mum still lives in our family home, but she spends most of her time at her boyfriend’s now in Chelsea, because we live here.” Nathan pauses for a breath before continuing. “I refused my dad’s money after he left though, my trust fund should have been activated once I turned eighteen, but I told my dad to shove it up his arse, I didn’t want anything from him. That is why I’ve only just got it.” Nathan finishes speaking and waits patiently for my response.
“I take it you still went to school though. I mean you must have really good grades to be accepted into Columbia?” I am aware I am basically quizzing him about his life, but I want to know everything about him.
“Yeah, I finished my A-Levels at school and got high grades, my mum told me if I didn’t take my exams, she was sending me to live here with my dad, ironic really, considering I have ended up here anyway. At the time that was my worst nightmare, so I did what she asked. I actually got accepted into Cambridge, but I think we both know I fucked that off.” He shrugs his shoulder as he takes another sip of his coke.
“Wow, you got accepted into Cambridge. Nathan that would have been such an amazing opportunity for you!” I am shocked he turned it down, I don’t know any person who would.
“Yeah, it would have been, but I wouldn’t have met you, it all worked out the way it was supposed to.” He says with a bright smile.
“You are so cheesy.” I chuckle.
“You love it.” He grins.
“I love you.” I receive my favourite smile from Nathan.
“Why don’t I take you home and you can show me how much you love me.” He smirks at me and I feel a shiver run up my spine.
“You should do that.” I say as Nathan pays the bill for our food and then takes me home.
Chapter Forty-two – Nathan
I have been sat on the sofa in my dad’s living room for almost an hour. Jack and I both have new suits on, I honestly don’t mind this one, it’s better than the penguin suit I had to wear for the last event.
I feel like a completely different person from who I was almost three months ago when I moved here. There is more money in my bank account than I will ever need, I am attending a charity event on the upper east side for my Ivy League college and I am head over heels in love with the most beautiful girl in the world. A far cry from the absolute twat I was in England. I never thought I could or would change from the man the streets turned me into. I know one thing for certain, I never want to go back to that. I am truly happy and content, I will not let anything ruin that.
“Fuuck!” The word tumbles out of my mouth. Ellie is standing in the doorway of the living room, wearing the blue dress I bought her, her hair is curled and pinned up, her makeup is subtle whilst enhancing her already beautiful face and the strappy heels give her the extra height the dress needs so it is not trailing along the floor. She is fucking gorgeous! My trousers have become slightly uncomfortable. She takes my breath away and I don’t know why she is with me. I don’t deserve her, but I will do everything I can to earn it.
“You look fucking gorgeous!” I repeat my thoughts out loud.
“Nathan, can we please hold off on the foul language for one night?” My dad snaps me out of my trance.
“You swear like a sailor on leave, so let’s not even go there, and my girlfriend does look fucking gorgeous, so I’m only speaking the truth.” I say without my eyes leaving Ellie. She puts her hand in front of her mouth to stifle her giggles.
I cross the room towards her and kiss her on the mouth, not caring that everyone is staring at us and grunting uncomfortably at my public display of affection towards her. I love her, I don’t care who knows it.
“Did you just call me your girlfriend?” she whispers so only I can hear her, delight dancing in her eyes.
“Yes, because you are my girlfriend, and I am yours.” I say matter-of-factly.
“You’re my girlfriend?” she jokes, and I can’t help but giggle with her.
“No, you tit, you know what I mean!” I laugh and push a lose strand of hair behind her ear.
“I have never had a boyfriend before.” She states and I feel my heart beat a little faster, I love that I am her first, everything.
“Well, you have now, and I will be the only boyfriend you ever have!” I give her a deathly glare; I can’t hold it though and laugh loudly. She laughs with me.
“I don’t want anyone else, I never will.” I kiss her again and would gladly do a lot more, but I am vaguely aware of my family being in the same room. I reluctantly pull away from her embrace and lead us over to the sofa.
“You look really pretty Ellie.” Jack says as we take a seat next to him.
“Hey, eyes off, she’s mine!” I banter with Jack and he rolls his eyes.
“Thank you, Jack. You look handsome in your suit! No Beth tonight?” She asks him as I stroke my fingers across her bare shoulders.
“No, I finished things with Beth, she wasn’t really my type. I have been talking to another girl from school, but not long enough to bring her with us tonight.” Jack says as he pulls his phone out of his pocket, he shows Ellie a photo of this new girl, and they continue their conversation until we leave.
Chapter Forty-Three – Ellie
“Ready to leave yet?” Nathan leans into my ear and his breath makes the hair on my neck stand up.
“We have only been here like twenty minutes; we can’t leave yet.” I chuckle, leaning my body into his. He squeezes my thigh.
“I am so bored.” He grumbles.
“I guess it isn’t the most exciting place to be.” I half agree with him.
The event is more of an extravagant gala, there is an orchestra playin
g with a singer, I vaguely recognize him, but I can’t put my finger on who he is. There is waitresses and waiters serving cocktails of every type. The guestlist consists of designers, doctors, entrepreneurs and wall street businessmen. There is the odd boy and girl our age, but they don’t make any effort to speak to us, they just glare at us on occasion.
Apparently being a legacy comes with a rude attitude in tow.
“Nathaniel Crane, it’s an honour to finally meet you, your father has spoken very highly of you.” An older man with shaggy blonde/grey hair in an expensive suit holds his hand out to shake Nathan’s.
“It’s just Nathan actually, and it is nice to meet you too, President Carroll.” Nathan shakes the man’s hand, it takes me a few seconds to realise the man is the president of Columbia, I almost spill my overly sweet cocktail from my hand shaking. “This is my girlfriend, Ellie, she goes to Columbia too.” Nathan adds.
“Yes, Mike has spoken very highly of Miss Regan also, its lovely to meet you.” I nervously shake his hand and lose my ability to speak. I don’t know why I am suddenly so nervous.
“it is an honour to meet you.” I manage to mumble.
“You two should circulate the room, meet some people. I will see you both on Monday.” President Carroll gives us a warm smile and turns on his heel.
“Okay, can we leave now? Meeting that fella was the only reason we came.” Nathan whispers as he places a kiss on my neck.
“I suppose, what shall we do with the rest of the night?” I look at Nathan through my eyelashes and bite my lower lip, trying my very best to be sexy, although I end up feeling stupid.
“Okay, don’t do that, or I will rip that dress off you in this room.” Nathan growls at me and I giggle. So maybe I can be sexy. “I was thinking we could go back to the Crane Astoria, as of tonight the penthouse suite is ours, whenever we want it. We could order room service, and not sleep.” Nathan trails kisses across my jawline and I almost forget we are sitting at a table in a room full of people.
“What do you mean it is ours?” I struggle to concentrate as he continues his torturous kisses.
“It was part of the deal I made with my dad, if I attend three of these events weekly, have family dinners and go to all my classes. I get the penthouse.” He pulls away from me slightly and my mind begins to clear.
“So what? You basically asked your dad for a sex pad? Is that all I am to you?” I mock disgust before laughing.
“Baby, you know what you are to me, the sex is just an added bonus.” Nathan smirks before taking my hand and leading me over to his dad and Casey.
“We’re leaving, I met people, I’ve pretended I am not bored out of my mind for an hour, I will have my key now.” Nathan seems to tolerate his dad a lot more now than when I met him. There is still tension between them, but it’s more like a low simmer.
“A deal is a deal I suppose. I appreciate you being here, and to be fair you both lasted longer than Jack did.” Michael says in a low voice as he hands Nathan a key.
“What, Jack left? When? He didn’t even say goodbye.” Nathan seems a little annoyed by this information.
“Yes, about thirty minutes ago, he went to meet some friends from his school, he said your public display of affections made him feel nauseous.” His dad states and I almost see him smile.
Nathan takes my hand and leads me through the large room, outside to where the town car is parked. Once inside the car and the driver has the information of where we are going, Nathan calls Jack.
‘Hey, you little shit, no goodbyes?” Nathan says into his phone and I giggle. I love the way he talks sometimes, his crass words laced with humour. He is so unapologetically himself. After a few more words are exchanged he turns his phone off.
“Is he okay?” I scoot closer to Nathan and wrap both my arms around his.
“Yeah, he’s at some party with people from school, he said he’s fine and he will call the driver when he is ready to go home.” Nathan places his hand on my thigh and kisses the top of my head.
“I love how you are so protective of Jack, and the way you are with Matthew. You are literally perfect, it’s annoying.” I jest.
“Believe me, I am not perfect. But I guess I have always been protective over Jack; it is just in my nature, I guess. I protect the people I love; I just wish I could have done the same for Ryan.” Nathan trails off, I can tell he has become lost in his thoughts, I pull his face to mine and kiss him softy on the lips.
“I’m sure he knew that you loved him; and would have saved him if you could. You need to stop blaming yourself Nathan.” I see the conflict dancing in his eyes. “I feel safe with you, I know you will always protect me, I love you.” I watch his eyes glaze over slightly before he leans into me and kisses me.
“I don’t know what I did before you. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me.” He says between kisses.
Chapter Forty-Four – Nathan
“Fuck me!” I gasp, as we walk into the penthouse suite of the Astoria. I assumed the key my dad gave us was to the door of the room. No, it was for the lift, or as the reception said ‘Elevator’, the key is the only access to the suite. As we walk around the place, taking it all in, I wouldn’t call it a suite, it is more like an apartment. Two floors, two bathrooms, four bedrooms, an office, a living room and kitchen. There is a balcony just off the living room that looks out over Central park. Everything is pristine and brand new. Is it decorated in grey and green hues. A large plush jade green velvet couch takes up most of the space in the living room. There are many similarities to the house we live in, clearly Casey has all the say in the interior design, I might hate the bitch, but she knows how to decorate a place.
“Fuck, this is nicer than the mansion in the Hamptons!” I say out loud.
“Jesus, you have a house in the Hamptons as well. How much money does your family have?!” Ellie gasps.
“Yeah, the one we live in.” I say, looking at her confused. Ellie throws her head back laughing, I don’t get what is funny.
“What are you laughing at?” I say slightly defensive.
“You live in Armonk, not the Hamptons! How do you not know where you live?!” Ellie is hysterically laughing, and it makes me laugh too.
“Fuck off, I thought it was the Hamptons! I guess I didn’t care enough to find out, I just followed the satnav to Columbia when I first moved here and remembered the route. I didn’t actually check where I was driving from.” I shrug my shoulders and walk around the apartment to explore. Ellie follows closely still laughing.
“Okay, it wasn’t that funny.” I poke her jokingly in the ribs and giggle with her.
‘It is though, you have lived here for nearly three months, but don’t actually know where you live.” With this she cracks up laughing again and I fight the urge to throw her over my shoulder and find a bedroom. Her laugh is contagious and sexy as fuck.
“I bet the gobshite has got a place in the Hamptons though.” I say bitterly.
“Have you not visited any of your father’s properties?” Ellie asks whilst we wander around the suite holding hands.
“No, not in New York anyway. I told you, I didn’t speak to him for two years; I didn’t want anything to do with him or his billions.” I say as I walk into what appears to be the master bedroom, it has a second balcony, mirroring the one downstairs in the living room, overlooking Central park. We must be directly above. The view is breath-taking, we both gasp.
“Billions? Shit.” Ellie blanches. The swear word sounds odd coming out of her mouth, she very rarely swears, I chuckle.
“Yes, billions, so don’t bitch when I buy you shit, trust me spending a few grand, its nothing.” I reassure her, she chews on her bottom lip nervously.
“What’s wrong?” I ask as I place my hands on her cheeks.
“I’m just not used to this sort of wealth, it is astonishing. I feel like I am dreaming.” She gazes into my eyes and I kiss her softly.
“Baby, it’s a shock for me too, don’t
get me wrong my mum’s house is lovely, she has a townhouse in London. I’ve never had to worry about money, but I refused this life for years, so I didn’t know how well my dad was obviously doing out here, this is way fancier than our lives in London.” I walk back into the apartment from the balcony with Ellie and sit on the bed.
“Are there billions in your trust?” She whispers. I smile at her coyness.
“Why are you whispering? There is only us here. No, money is paid into it monthly, like a wage. I don’t think my dad, or the accountants trust me with that kind of money. Shit, I wouldn’t trust myself.” I say taking her hands in my mine and circling my thumbs over her palms.
“What about Jack? Does he have a trust?” she asks.
‘Yeah, of course, he doesn’t get full access to it until he is eighteen though. He has to co-sign with my dad whenever he wants to withdraw from it. To be fair though he is probably more sensible than me.” I stroke up her arm with my knuckles, Goosebumps rising over her skin. I lean into her and kiss her on her bare shoulder.
“I can’t concentrate when you do that.” She mumbles.
“We will play twenty-one questions later.” I say and crash my mouth to hers.
*
I lay in bed, Ellie’s smooth, naked body tangled around mine, her head on my chest. I stroke my fingers gently up and down her spine, careful not to wake her. I can’t believe this is my life. Finally embracing the family money, going to charity events, the most amazing girl in love with me. The fact that I am insanely in love with her. If someone had told me this would be my life, I would have told them to fuck off. I was running the streets with Ryan, shagging random birds every night, instilling fear into anyone who tried to go up against me. I was an absolute twat, the worst type of man, I didn’t give a fuck about anyone except my mum, Ryan and Jack. I don’t know how I lived like that.