A DEAL WITH MY BEST FRIEND'S HUSBAND

Chapter 2

Nathalie.

I pushed my body weakly toward my apartment, exhaustion threading deep into my bones. Pushing the door open, my eyes immediately met my mother. She sat on the couch, facing the doorway.

“Morning, Mom,” I greeted her, closing the door behind me.

“Did you get the rent, Nathalie?!” she asked, her cold stare fixed on my face.

I walked closer to her, reaching into my bag and bringing out the three racks of dollar bills the mystery man had given me. She took them from my hands, raising her eyebrows in question. “For the rent and Emily’s tuition. I know the groceries are running low, too, so we can restock,” I explained, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ears.

She nodded, putting the money aside, then gave me a blank look. “I need more money for my medications. And don't forget, Nathan and Ethan need their tuition paid before the end of this week.”

An exhausted sigh escaped my lips. “I thought I gave you money for that two weeks ago. And Mother, I just got your medication last week.” My voice came out small, my brain struggling to process the endless amount of money I was expected to bring home.

My mother’s eyes instantly turned glossy. My heart felt a tight, painful twist at the sight of her tears as she pressed her back against the couch. “Nathalie. I’m your mom, and you want me to take medication? You have younger brothers, and you know if they were in your shoes, they would do the same for you. Why does it always seem like you complain about each cent you bring to this family?!”

I shook my head quickly, guilt washing over me. “No, Mom. I’m not complaining. I really just thought I gave you the money for all of this recently.”

“So, what are you insinuating, Nathalie?!” Her voice cracked.

Goodness. My ears ached hearing her voice crack that way. I crouched down in front of her, holding her hands tightly. “Nothing, Mom! Please, please don’t cry. I will bring the money before the end of this week.”

She gave me a slow nod, followed by a tight, strained smile. “Try your best to do that, Nathalie.”

I gave her a curt nod in return and stood upright, rubbing my temples as a sharp migraine popped up again. Making my way down the hallway, I entered the room I shared with my younger sister, Emily. I peeled off my dress, washed the heavy makeup off my face, and took a hot shower. The water didn't stop the thoughts swirling in my head, though; the terrifying question of where and how I could raise thousands of dollars for Nathan and Ethan’s private college tuition lingered heavily in my mind.

My mind also wandered to that strange man I met at the club. I couldn’t help but wonder how someone could have such beautiful, piercing blue eyes. His parting words still confused me, but instead of worrying over what he meant, I let them slip to the back of my mind. I had far more pressing matters to think about than a man I might never cross paths with again.

After my shower, I threw on a loose gown and brought out some books I had purchased on accounting. Every day after my shift, I would pore over them. It was a small way to feed the flickering hope I still kept alive—the dream of going to college one day and becoming an accountant.

To my surprise, the next night, Mr. Strange came again, giving me tips that were able to cover my household expenses. He came the night after that.

Then another.

Seven nights.

Seven private dances.

Seven silent exits.

Seven stacks of cash.

Not once did his eyes leave my face.

Geezzz... It’s so strange that it actually affects my self-confidence. I know I’m sexy, but this weird man stares at my face every night, and goodness, it makes me uncomfortable. It makes me wonder why he pays for what he doesn't even watch. Or does he have a weird fetish? Is he going for a specific look? Is he going through a traumatic experience? Ugh. I just can’t figure him and his strange acts out. But one thing I know is, I really like his eyes.

I dropped my lip gloss, pulling back the chair. Standing in the dressing room with heavy music beats thumping through the walls,

Zack came in and announced that he was here again. I sighed and strutted out, making a silent promise to myself: I absolutely would not let him hurt my alter ego today. I stepped inside the VVIP room with pure confidence. As always, he sat there—Stoic, calm, and with his intense gaze already fixated entirely on my face.

The music filled the room, and I put on the best performance of my life. I swear I almost broke my waist trying to do a wide, dramatic split, but his gaze did not even move a single inch down from my face to notice.

Seriously?

He didn’t even act like my boobs exist!

My heart tightened in a mix of frustration and defeat when the music finally stopped. He stood up and came closer to me, his rich masculine scent immediately engulfing my senses. His eyes traced the features of my face, making my cheeks burn hot despite the mounting anger I felt.

My breath hitched as he lowered his body, his knees dropping directly to the floor. It felt like the entire world slowed down to a crawl, and I couldn’t comprehend what he was trying to do. His warm fingers touched my heel straps, and only then did I notice they had come loose.

Gosh. My heart was thumping louder than the heavy musical beats outside. His fingers grazed my bare skin as he perfectly tied the straps, the unexpected gentleness pulling me so deep into shock that my ears could only hear the roaring sound of my own thumping heart. My eyes were completely stuck on his dark, perfectly tousled hair.

He raised his head up—HOLY s**t! My heart almost skipped right out of my body as our eyes locked into an electrifying gaze. Striking blue eyes stared fiercely into mine, with something intense and completely undefinable laced underneath them.

Then he stood, his massive height now towering over me. I couldn’t help but stare up at him in awe, confusion, and pure wonder, while he just stood there with a blank look, acting completely oblivious to the chaotic storm he had just made me feel.

He handed me another fat rack of dollars, and my face tightened into a hard frown. I couldn't hold it in anymore.

"Why do you keep paying for dances you don't even watch?" I demanded.

His brows furrowed slightly at my outburst. For a terrifying moment, I genuinely thought he would ignore me completely and walk right out the door. But then, his deep baritone voice broke the silence.

"Because while you're in here... no one else can."

“W-What?!” I blurted out.

The word left my lips in a messy mixture of confusion, shock, and a sudden, breathless vulnerability. Before I could recover from the messy feelings that left me so utterly speechless, he turned and walked out of the door.

“Oh Goodness.” I clutched my chest, holding my heart as it thumped violently against my ribs. What the heck is this man doing to me? And why is he this way? Who is this man?

I walked out of the VVIP room almost absentmindedly, my thoughts spinning in every direction. Nothing about that strange man made any sense.

The moment I stepped into the dressing room, I pulled out my phone and dialed Caroline's number.

My thumb hovered over her contact for barely a second before I pressed Call.

Caroline always knew exactly what to say whenever my life became confusing.