Nate walked up the stairs and through the hallway before stopping in front of his father's study. He took in a deep breath already dreading what he'll meet on the other side of the door.

He knocked lightly and suddenly wished he could high tail out of the house without ever having to return but that was impossible and would probably never happen for him.

He heard the low 'come in' of his father before he gently opened the door and stepped into the study.

He could feel the whole place tense up, more chiller than the rest of the house, all the gaze of everyone in the room rested on him. He swallowed as the only one he could feel burning into his skin was Spade's, of course his father's eyes were on him too, but the only one he could feel deep in his bones and made him alert, was Spade's gaze.

He didn't want to look at him, not because he wasn't itching to see those grey dull and emotionless eyes, but because he was scared and nervous, he could feel his heart rate skyrocket, his palms getting sweaty, only one look at Spade and he would become a total mess in front of his father and sister.

He walked towards his father's desk avoiding Spade's gaze, he could feel the man's eyes on him and it made him more nervous than he'd ever been in his life.

"You're late" his father muttered with venom and he just sighed out, his eyes drifting to his sister who was sitting on the couch beside Spade.

"I'm sorry dad" he muttered before his eyes landed on Spade, and just like he predicted, he had his eyes on him. Not in a glare or hard look, just a very intense one.

Like he was studying him, like a science project he was trying to figure out. Those grey orbs bore into his soul, bones and deep inside his skin.

He could feel his throat bob as he swallowed hard, he couldn't look away, for some odd reason he couldn't look away from the burning gaze of Spade on him.

Spade was sitting with his legs spread wide and his hands intertwined in front of him. He could see the small drop of sweat forming on Nate's face, and the movement of his Adam's apple as he swallowed not so discreetly.

He couldn't tell if it was fear or nervousness, but he knew the young man before him was threatened by his presence and he wasn't so subtle about it.

Spade could feel his own body itch with something familiar the moment Nate walked in. Something he couldn't describe and it had been long he had that kind of feeling.

Something akin to excitement and amusement. There was something about Nate that instantly stole his attention the moment he walked into the study.

"Let's get down to it shall we"? Greg's voice broke their little staring contest as Spade's eyes moved back to Greg "Nathan, where is the contract I gave you two days ago"? He asked looking at his son.

Nate swallowed and looked away from Spade, he couldn't form his words, he knew what he wanted to say but his mouth suddenly had a mind of its own, refusing to open and say something.

His father was looking at him, with his lips quirping up already in irritation. He knew his father hated tardiness and disrespect, and him just standing there not saying anything was sure a sign of disrespect to his father. He swallowed hard again and willed himself to speak, at least say something.

"They're with me Dad, he dropped it off yesterday" his sister's voice saved him just in time, making his father give him one last disapproving look before resting his gaze on his sister.

He let out a sigh of relief, that was really close. But why did he suddenly lose his voice. His voice was doing just fine minutes ago and now it was like he was suddenly dumb.

"Where are they"? Greg grunted out, he knew Spade was an impatient man and it would take just a little mistake and he'd pull out of this deal, Greg couldn't allow that to happen.

"In my room, I can go get it" Su mutttered about to get up but Spade's voice made all eyes to turn to him, but the only eyes that caught his attention was that of the young man in front of him.

"There'd be no need for that" he voiced out handing the file he brought with him to Su "I have a copy" he added.

Nate's eyes were still on Spade and he knew something was off, he can't trust Spade, infact neither of them can, especially with something as big as this contract.

He managed to find his voice at last and spoke "You wouldn't mind if I go through it would you"? He muttered wanting to take the file from his sister, but Spade's sharp gaze cut through to him, his jaw clenched and his eyes growing darker as he stared at him

"That's a seven page contract Miller, and you wanna go through it page by page, line by line"? He spoke word for word as he stared at Nate, the young man could feel his resolve falter but he nodded nonetheless. Spade narrowed his eyes at Nate trying to read him, he has always been good at that but somehow, he couldn't easily read Nate, not just from a glance. "I wouldn't do that if I were you" he muttered lowly still watching Nate closely

"And why's that"? Nate asked finding a spec of courage, because he felt he was onto something. There is something in that contract that Spade doesn't want him to see, it might be something that'll finally get his sister out of this madness.

"Nate" his father gritted out, resisting the urge to hit his son, this bastard son of his would anger Spade and make him pull out of his this deal. This was a once in a lifetime deal and hell will freeze over before he let's anything spoil it for him "Watch your mouth" he whispered loud enough for only Nate to hear, but Spade heard it, and also noticed the glare he was sending the young man.

Spade had a smirk or something of a sadistical smile threatening to spill from him, he expected this question from Nate, but he didn't think the young man would actually ask it. Only a person with a death wish would question Spade.

He slowly got up facing Nate, he easily towered over him, with at least 5-6 inches. And his body was an added advantage for him. He saw the slight shift in Nate's eyes, from the spite of courage he had a few seconds ago, to the masking fear slowly creeping in. This only amused him the more as he watched him closely.

"See Miller, I don't like lateness, I don't like being kept waiting, especially if I'm not benefiting anything from it" he spoke with so much certainty and power, Nate felt like crawling into the earth "But sitting here for the past hour, I have had to face both at the same time, First you show up late, making me wait for an extra 10 minutes I didn't plan for, I should be the one questioning your sincerity and devotion to this contract, and not the other way round" he muttered taking a step towards Nate, making him take one back, the intensity of Spade's words were seeping into his mind, brain, body cells, every single thing in him were at alert.

"If you haven't noticed, I'm not gaining anything from this union, She" he says pointing to Su making Nate look at her for a second before his eyes move back to Spade "means nothing to me, I only accepted this deal because your father was quite desperate" he added making Nate clench his jaw slightly.

He didn't like how Spade talked about his sister, not minding if she was just standing a few feet away from him, or if their father was even listening.

Even if she meant nothing to him, he didn't have to say it out loud, especially not in front of her like that.

"So when you're ready to do business, when you're really ready to do business with me" he paused moving his gaze to Greg "call me" he muttered before shoving his hands in his pockets and walking out of the room, leaving it in utter silence.

Only the sounds of their breathing could be heard, Nate stood there star struck, his brain was still trying to comprehend what he just heard and witnessed when his father's voice vibrated through the whole room.

"Who asked you to speak"? He growled out, Nate just turned to face him, not saying anything. "I called you here not because I wanted your input or permission, but because she asked me to" he spat pointing at Su

"Dad I....." He was cut off before he even said anything more, His father grabbed him by the collar pulling him close

"Shut your mouth before I shut it for you" he growled out, Nate could smell the alcohol in his breath "if I lose this deal because of you, I will personally kill you myself" he spat before shoving Nate away and facing his table.

Nate just put his head down as he tried to focus on the racing of his heart. He was only trying to look out for his sister

Spade clearly doesn't care about her, he made that crystal clear a few seconds ago. But apparently their dad didnt care if Spade even kills her.

"You are going to fix this, I don't care how" he gritted facing Nate "and you..." He stopped when he noticed she was nowhere to be seen.

Su had left where she was before Spade left a few seconds ago. "Where is she"? Greg asked and Nate just sighed out

"I don't know" he muttered, also thinking of where his sister might be, his father just growled before brushing past him and walking out of the study

He followed him closely, straight to Su's room. She wasn't there, his father walked out and went downstairs, same thing.

Laura had told them that she left the house a few seconds ago, making Greg to explode in anger

"This is all your fault" he roared pointing at his son "if she doesn't return to this house by nightfall, consider yourself dead" he spat before walking out the door and barking orders to his men, asking them to find his daughter.

She was his only key to getting the money he needed, without her he has nothing to offer to anyone, especially Spade.

Intense 😩😩