Chapter 468 Does It Hurt
“Have you looked your fill?”
The seductive baritone of Nathaniel’s voice sounded as Christina lifted her eyes and met his intense gaze.
She looked away hastily, her face burning. “I’m heading back to the company.”
She strode out and was greeted by Sharon, who was heating up the leftover food from lunch. “Christina, come and have dinner.”
Christina’s stomach felt empty after waking up from her sleep. While she wasn’t particularly hungry, she sat at the table nonetheless and planned to grab a quick bite before being on her way.
Nathaniel stepped out, looking energized in his well–pressed clothing. He seemed to exude an innate sense of superiority.
He was as graceful as a prince that emerged from an oil painting as he took the spot next to Christina.
Sharon arranged the tableware before him. “Nathaniel, you must be hungry since you didn’t have lunch. Please dig in.”
With that, she scooped extra servings of food into his plate.
Christina was full after finishing just one plate due to her lack of appetite, while Nathaniel had more than his usual portion. They departed for the company together after dinner.
Gibson Corporation was empty as it was already after office hours.
Lina had arranged the documents on Christina’s desk before she went off. Christina felt invigorated and ready to get the day’s work done.
“You should get back to work for now. We’ll discuss the details tomorrow.” Christina sat down. Her gaze never once strayed from the documents before her.
Nathaniel’s eyes darkened. Was he being shooed away again?
He planted himself opposite Christina. “I don’t have time tomorrow as I’ll be heading home. We’ll talk it over at Scenic Garden Manor if not tonight.”
Christina paused and mentally calculated the amount of time Nathaniel had spent in Jadeborough. He couldn’t continue languishing with her here without a care for his company.
Besides, she did not want to delay signing the contract lest Anya takes advantage of the situation.
Nathaniel flipped open the documents and continued where he’d left off in the morning. “Pour me a cup of coffee.” (
His gaze was lowered, and his chiseled side profile resembled a sculpture that belonged in a museum. His entire being emanated a frosty aura.
Even how he commanded others was so stern that it compelled them to do as he wished.
Christina stood and made her way to the pantry. She wasn’t familiar with the workings of a coffee machine since she rarely made coffee herself. After placing the cup below its spigot, she waited for some time, yet no coffee was dispensed.
The scalding hot coffee was released only when she reached for the cup, causing it to splash all over the back of her palm. Shocked and in pain, she felt like her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
She sucked in a deep breath, her mind beginning to register the searing pain on her skin.
Christina barely had time to react when she was lifted off her feet.
Nathaniel had rushed over at the noise and was surveying her scald moodily. “Is there a medical kit here?”
Christina pointed at the cabinet. “My, a*sistant mentioned it being stored at the topmost section.”
Nathaniel identified the whereabouts of the medical kit and placed her down on the couch to retrieve it.
Christina observed her wound and was relieved that she’d withdrawn her hand in time. She was lucky that the reddish swelling was just a surface wound.
A shadow fell over her as Nathaniel sat beside her and extracted the bandage and antiseptic from the emergency kit. He reached for her hand gingerly.
Nathaniel’s palm was much larger than hers. His healthy tan was a stark contrast with her delicately fair complexion. The effect of that image was as jarring as a ferocious lion sitting beside a docile lamb.
Christina’s heart began speeding up at the thought of him admonishing her. However, all he did was ask, “Does it hurt?” He blew lightly on the back of her palm.
Christina’s mood took a turn for the worse as the places he’d touched felt like they were on fire. She’d be a liar to deny being moved by his actions, but her past experiences made her uneasy.
Who knew whether he’d lock her up again if she ruffled his feathers?
He’d broken his promise to her the minute he became furious.
She withdrew her hand after shaking free from her reverie. “Not really.”
Nathaniel did not pursue the matter at the hostile look she leveled at him. “You don’t have to do it anymore. I’ll do it myself.”
He placed the medical kit back where it belonged and managed to operate the coffee machine after a cursory glance at the machine.
Christina chastised herself for her clumsiness in managing to hurt herself over such a simple task while observing Nathaniel in his element.
Two cups of coffee were soon ready on the office table.
Christina took a sip and felt energized almost instantaneously.
They began discussing the details of the contract, and Christina was astonished at how meticulously Nathaniel went through the terms.
Neither of them backed down in their negotiation. However, it was expected that Hadley Corporation would split hairs over other areas after offering such a large plot of land from the get–go.
They finally signed the contract well past midnight.
“Are you going back to the hotel at such a late hour?” Christina checked the time. It was almost three morning.
“No. I’ll be heading back straight away.” Nathaniel rearranged the documents on the desk and called Sebastian to pick him up after he finished packing.
Christina stole a glance at him from the corner of her eyes and looked back at her documents quickly avoid being discovered. “You may leave once you’re done.” She pretended to speak in an off–handed
manner.
Nathaniel grunted his acknowledgment as he went through the emails on his phone.
Time continued ticking as both of them were engrossed with their respective work.
Christina stared at the dense lines of Anglandurn words on her documents and decided to rest her eye she laid her head down on the desk, which accidentally turned into a full–on sleep.
The sun shone brightly outside the window by the time she woke up. She was now lying in the lounge area of her office with Nathaniel’s coat over her. It had a subtle woodsy fragrance to it.
Christina sat up. Nathaniel should be back at Hadley Corporation by now.
Her phone rang with a call from her grandmother.
Christina had overslept and missed the evening banquet she’d promised to attend with Azure the day before.
Azure’s voice dripped with concern after learning she’d been working at the office overnight. “Your work may be important, but so is your body. Be careful not to overexert yourself.”
“I know, Grandma.” Her words of comfort were a balm to Christina’s weary heart.
Azure continued, “Why don’t you come and keep me company in the afternoon instead of doing work?”
“Sure, Grandma,” Christina replied instantly.
“I’ll ask my chefs to prepare your favorite desserts for you to look forward to.” Azure chuckled.
Christina went back to work after hanging up. She left the company only when her driver came to pick her up in the afternoon.
