I've been working from my desk all day taking Nathan's calls, writing emails, scheduling his corporate meetings, finishing his schedule for next month for the new year. While also simultaneously trying research his past cases, judicial decisions, legal articles, and other materials mentioning my boss or anything related to the organization.

But without any luck. It was safe for me to assume he didn't leave those kinds of cases around his office.

I had been avoiding Nathan Vanderbilt thankful he has yet to ask me to come into his office. It felt odd for me to feel so uncomfortable around him especially now that he knew about Rose. We have yet to discuss anything that happened at the Christmas Eve event. I knew Nathan was the type of man to have occasional one-night stands, but I didn't want to be one of those women. I wasn't that type of person, and I hated the fact I was so stupid and made myself get drunk enough to give into him that night. Every time I thought about it, I would quickly shove all the memories aside.

The way he whispered in my ear and kissed me to stay quiet and held my waist and neck. I quickly shook off my thoughts not wanting to get lost in them. I couldn't let what happened stop me from completing my mission. I needed to keep a level head now more than ever.

Continuing my previous plan to get him alone to kill him making it look like an angry coworker or client. But I knew it wasn't going to be easy. Finishing what I was doing wanting to quickly leave for lunch. Standing up to grab my coat I noticed he was alone in his quiet office as he worked. His suit jacket was hung on his desk chair as he worked intensely. It always shocked me on how much he was devoted to his job. And how stressful that must be to take a toll on him.

"I'm going to lunch down the street do you want anything?" I asked. "Rigatoni." He answered still in deep thought before I closed the door behind me. "You ready?" I asked tapping my fingertips together in excitement.  Eve worked at her desk in front of Mr. Gallagher's office similar to Nathan's. "Yes." She smiled as she sat up and grabbed her coat before we left the firm.

As the elevator doors closed as Eve began to talk about her Christmas, smiling at her happiness. I was about to reply until I saw Nathan's eyes meet mine through the elevator doors as he left his office. My smile slowly faded as we stared into each other until the doors closed snapping me out of my trance.

"Does N- Mr. Vanderbilt seem a little... different lately?" I asked as we ate at Eve's favorite Italian restaurant. "No, he's been a lot ruder and more agitated towards people lately. But it seems a little understandable I think under the circumstances." She said making me frown. "Circumstances?" I asked making her shrug. "Ever since his brother decided to quit and he was the one to inherit their fathers' position singlehandedly." Eve continued eating her spaghetti making my lips part.

"Before he was the same but less closed off and angry. I assume now he's too busy to be nice." She finished amused. I chuckled weakly looking down at my plate as I continued to eat in silence as I thought about Nathan. "How was your Christmas? How come you've never told me you had a niece?" Eve asked with a smile full of excitement.

I looked like a fish out of water for a moment as I struggled to get passed the idea of having to tell her I was Rose's aunt. "Oh. I-It was really nice." I started through a fake happy appearance looking away. "I made snickerdoodles with her." I said smiling at the memories of Rose's laughter looking down at my pasta.

"Why don't you get along with his wife? It was obvious you didn't like her when he started talking about her." Eve laughed amused making me roll my eyes. "Is she a total bitch?" She asked in a hushed tone as I chuckled weakly.

"Stephanie just thinks she's better than everyone. Mainly me. There was a time of my life where I really needed help from my bother, and she couldn't be bothered. So, he decided to keep her happy instead of helping his only sister." I explained bitterly making her hum in reply. "Well, she sounds like a bitch." Eve stated making me laugh in agreement.

Walking inside Nathan's office to see he wasn't here making me frown but also slightly relieved. Ignoring it placing his food on his desk leaning over across his desk to place it down.

Hearing the door close I jumped, my heart beating erratically quickly turning around. "God," I breathed holding my chest. My lips parted in surprise seeing him with a file in his hand. "I was just giving you your lunch don't worry." I smiled weakly remembering the last time he caught me in his office walking towards him to leave.

Nathan placed his paperwork on the table beside him as he came between me and the door. He took two quick strides towards me before I felt him grab the side of my face softly to look up at him. Looking up at him with a puzzled expression as he looked down at me intensely with parted lips.

"Nathan, we-" I began to protest looking out the window into the busy office space before I felt his lips on mine. Instantly melting into him kissing him back as I felt his hands roaming my waist. "People will see." I pressed anxiously as I tried to continue to create more space between us.

But I couldn't deny the pull I felt towards him. Struggling to hold on to any shred of self control as he towered over me kissing the side of my mouth. My lips parted breathless before he continued his attack on my mouth. "This is wrong." I continued placing my hands on his erratic beating chest. "Why?" Nathan breathed in a deep raspy voice making my brain turn to putty. "People will see." I repeated to his obvious see-through door and window.

Thankfully, everyone was too caught up in their work to notice us yet making me take a few steps away from him. "I don't care." Nathan replied pulling me closer to him as he started kissing my neck. I pushed him off of me again slightly rougher than before making him pull away with a puzzled expression.

"Well, I do." I scoffed. "I'm not easy. I'm not like Hannah or any other desperate girl wrapped around your finger. I-I shouldn't want to be with someone like you. Hot and cold not knowing what version of you I'll meet next. I don't want people to view me as another one of the women you have one-night stands with. Especially where I-I work, and everyone can see. I have self-respect for myself." I struggled to assert myself. For some reason it was harder for me to put my foot down in front of him.

There was a short silence as he stared down at me until I heard the phone ring on my desk. "Excuse me. I have a job to do." I muttered storming out of his office. Sighing heavily after finishing up with his business call trying to gather my thoughts when my personal phone rang.

"Hello?" I asked noticing it was Julian. "How's it going?" He asked making me scoff to myself. "Everything's fine." I lied making him hum in reply. "It doesn't sound like it." He replied. "Can I tell you something?" I whispered turning my chair away from the busy people working not wanting them to eavesdrop. "A-And you can't tell our boss." I stated seriously making him grow silent for a moment.

"Alright." Julian answered making me sigh. "Uh, We-We kissed." I said hesitantly as I looked around. "Wait really? That's great." Julian replied shocked. "What?" I replied full of disbelief.

"You can get closer to him that way. Pretend to be another one of his flings. But make sure it's secret." Julian said making me frown in disgust. "What?" I repeated under my voice in a harsher tone. "Do you want boss to see how great you are? You have to whatever it takes you've said it yourself. It's not like you actually have feelings for him. Just use your... feminine wiles. Like all the times you've done before." Julian explained making me frown in frustration.

"I've got to go but I hope you see the advantage you have." Julian said trying to convince me. "Wait, Julian-" I breathed through gritted teeth before he hung up. Pulling my phone away from my ear frustrated with a huff.

I spent the whole night wide awake going over everything Julian said. I knew it was going to be beyond uncomfortable, but I knew he may have been right. Being another one of Nathan's flings would be the best way for me to get close to him and kill him without anyone around. But if I knew it was the best plan to finally complete my mission then why was I so hesitant? If it was any other man, I wouldn't think twice.

Reluctantly leaving my warm bed, doing my hair and usual light coat of makeup; smoky eyeshadow and lipstick. Throwing on a dark long sleeve button up shirt and sweater with my usual black pencil skirt and matching thigh high heels. Sighing heavily, I grabbed my tan coat and purse leaving the hotel.

As I made my way up the elevator towards the law firm, I knew I needed to do some damage control from what happened yesterday in his office. Seeing him working at his desk as I took off my coat making me look away before he noticed me. I began taking calls and organizing some files in between calls. Every day was always the same and had become routine.

"Hello, Nathan Vanderbilt's office. How may I help you?" I asked answered as the person on the other end began speaking into my ear. I heard Nathan behind me leaving his office before walking, standing beside me. "I have a meeting. Meet me in the conference room when you're done." Nathan said without emotion before he walked away.

The person on the phone snapped my eyes away from him making me try to finish the call. "Yes-Yes. Tomorrow at six o'clock. Alright, have a nice day." I said quickly to the other person as I stood and grabbed my notepad and pen.

After somewhat rudely hanging up on them I rushed to follow Nathan and a young woman talking in the large empty room. "Sorry." I said softly interrupting them as I sat down between them on the other side of the table. "It's alright. I-I was just about to explain my... situation. Are you a lawyer too?" The woman asked making me smile.

"No, I'm merely the assistant." I smiled weakly waving my hand. I looked over to see Nathan burning holes into me making me roll my eyes looking down at my notepad. "I guess I should start off at why I need a lawyer." The woman began making us look away from each other to listen.

"To put it plainly I-I need your help to get back my son. I adopted him almost a month ago and his biological 16-year-old mother wants him back. Charlie was mine the second she handed him to me. I have been the one caring for him, loving him, feeding him. She doesn't even know how he likes to be put to sleep. What his favorite stuffed animal is to sleep with. H-He is my son. I cannot give him back." The woman pleaded at Nathan full of heartbreak. Her voice shook as her eyes filled with tears; my heart ached for her making me look away.

"She is too young to have a child. She has a bright future ahead of her. I found out I couldn't have kids five years ago and ever since then I have been on adoption waiting lists. Until I finally got Charlie. I-I'm afraid I won't be able to pay you all at once. But please, you have to help me." The woman begged making me look over at Nathan's cold demeanor seemingly not showing any sign of emotion for the poor woman.

"I'm sorry but I have too busy of a case load to do pro bono work right now." Nathan said as he abruptly sat up making me stare up at him wide eyed. Tensing my jaw as I stared up at him in utter disbelief. The woman stood up with parted lips making me do the same as tears collected in her eyes.

"You should visit the law firm a few blocks away. I'm sure you will be able to afford them." Nathan continued writing down their information. "A friend of mine works there. You will be in good hands." He finished walking away. "No, please. I-I need you! Everyone says you're the best. Please." She begged as he continued to walk away making us follow. "John Kelly is a very respectable lawyer." Nathan replied turned to her leaving her a stuttering mess with tears in her eyes.

He left the conference room making me stalk after him with long strides. Nathan heard me following making him stop and turn around. He was about to calmly continue making me interrupt. "Do you have no heart?" I began making everyone turn to stare as the entire floor grew quiet.

"Excuse me-" "How else do you explain not wanting to represent a woman who is going to lose her child? Just because she can't afford you. Is it the money or lack thereof? Are you really that money hungry to ignore anyone without status? To show that you actually care about someone else other than yourself?" I yelled fully enraged as my blood began to boil staring up at him.

"That's why you have all those galas and awards in your office on display is it not?" I threw my hands motioning to his office in the distance. Not caring that I was blowing up in front of everyone in the busy office. Something that I've sworn not to do since I met him.

"You have no idea what it's like to be separated from your child! And then having to give them up. She came here begging for you." I continued growing emotional as my chest grew tight and my stomach hardened.

Nathan's features morphed from annoyance and frustration to worry. His face softened as he studied my anger and sadness

"A-And yet you tell her she's too unimportant compared to the other clients you have. Like you're too good for her?" Never tearing my eyes away from his deep blue ones studying me. "She deserves your help just like everyone else who comes in here! Just because she doesn't have deep pockets doesn't make her any less worthy." I finished before there was a long silence staring at one another.

I looked around anxiously to see everyone staring at us. Nathan ignored them all as he continued to watch me. Shit.

Cooling down, finally realizing what I had just done and completely exploding in front of him and everyone else here without thinking. Clearing my throat looking between us at how close we were not realizing how much pent-up anger I had. He walked past me without a word.

"I will take your case. Make an appointment to discuss it further." Nathan said to the woman walking back into the conference room doorway. The woman's face lit up. "Thank you." She expressed genuine gratitude as he nodded before leaving her again. Nathan walked past me completely ignoring me. The only sound in the room was the sound of Nathan's footsteps.

"Get back to work!" Nathan beamed, his deep voice echoing throughout the entire floor. Everyone instantly did as they were told as he slammed his office door making me jump squeezing my eyes shut.

Sighing heavily looking around as they continued to glare at me as they continued to work. Looking around watching everyone pretend they didn't see Nathan and I's argument and watched the woman leave the conference room. "Thank you." The woman pressed with a sympathetic smile as she grabbed my hands softly. I just nodded weakly before she walked away to leave.

"I'm so going to get fired." I breathed to myself sitting down at my desk. Eve walked up to me with wide eyes. "What... was... that?" She asked with pure shock and slight amusement making me avoid looking at her. "I... I don't know. I shouldn't have said all that." I said trying to get back to work wanting to forget everything that just happened.

"Someone had to give him a reality check. Just apologize and kiss his ass a little. I'm sure he will forgive you." Eve assured with a weak smile. "Yeah." I breathed before she walked away from my desk. I muttered to myself holding my forehead in my hands looking down at papers on my desk.

I continued my work until leaving earlier than I usual without saying another word to Nathan.