Jacob behaved like his usual smug self. The gossip was there, there were lots of things going on online but he didn't seem bothered with it. The speculation of our engagement did help with making the blow of the scandal less damaging.

Jacob Blackwood always got what he wanted.

I knew that when accepting his deal. But like the loyal driver mentioned it was Jacob Blackwood who needed me, not the other way around. He needed me to win this battle against his former personal assistant. Knowing that made me smile from ear to ear. I'd be an evil planning mastermind and hopefully, Jacob Blackwood would be amazed and humbled by me. That was wishful thinking but I wanted him to know I wouldn't just roll over when he told me to simply because he bought me as he called it.

That man had no soul, I was marrying a guy with no soul.

"Some tea?" Mrs. Quaked asked me.

I wore a silk black robe and fluffy socks so my feet stayed warm on the cold tiles in the kitchen. Mrs. Quake looked happy to see me. She was a friendly face who always had my back. I hoped Jacob wouldn't replace Mrs. Quake or Joel. They were both good people who made me feel at home. Jacob did mention when he put up an act that his home was now my home. The possibilities were endless now.

"You have that look on your face."

I flickered my eyes to Mrs. Quake who was making me a cup of tea, "What look?" I asked, feeling a bit exposed since I was plotting in my head to bring Jacob to his knees.

Hopefully.

"I was thinking," I muttered, thanking her when she handed me a cup of tea.

The tea was fruity which made it smell amazingly sweet. It was I needed to settle the nerves.

"Is there something I can help you with?" She asked.

I knew from experience that I was the first woman who started living with Jacob Blackwood who didn't lock themselves up in his bedroom. His previous girlfriends were always pretending they were better than everyone else. Mrs. Quake could never socialize with them because they always treated her like crap. I never wanted to become like those women. The people close to me could never be forgotten. Made up my mind I faced Mrs. Quake with a smile spread across my face. I could tell she was taken back by it. I could understand why she was confused, I was smiling at her like a creepy stalker waiting for the right moment to strike.

In a way, I was being a creepy stalker right now. I wouldn't feel guilty about that.

"I want to invite my family over for dinner."

Mrs. Quake grinned, it seemed she liked that idea. It would definitely make this cold penthouse feel a lot warmer and more inviting.

"I will prepare a menu and we can go over it together-"

She started planning and rambling on and on about dinner. I couldn't stop her despite me wanting to put a stop to her over planning this. I wanted a simple family dinner so that I could catch up with them and catch Jacob off guard. Killing two birds with one stone.

"I wanted to cook something myself." I mumbled, "If you don't mind."

I didn't want to hurt her feelings, she was hired to take care of Jacob and his house basically. The last thing I wanted to do was making her feel like she wasn't doing a great job.

"Oh, that's great." It didn't sound like she was unhappy about my suggestion, she actually showed me a warm smile, "If you need help with anything just let me know, okay?"

"Can I look what I can work with?" I asked her.

Mrs. Quake laughed at me, "Honey, this is your home now. I'm the one who is supposed to ask you permission for things, not the other way around."

I didn't feel that way, I needed more time at the penthouse to actually feel like I could behave like this was my actual home. The apartment I lived in was my home. I lived there for months, shared there moments with friends and family. I cried and laughed in that apartment. I needed more memories in this house before it would feel like my house.

I was going to start doing that today.

And play a game with Jacob Blackwood.

"Okay, I'm going to check what I've got to work with then take a bath-"

Mrs, Quake laughed at that, "Oh, honey. That's why I liked you from the start."

I raised an eyebrow at her, "Me being silly? I just need a bath smelling like lavender so I can smell like lavender." I raised my cup of tea which I nearly finished already, "Oh and sipping tea when taking said lavender bath."

She nodded, "Yeah, I like that about you. You're behaving human not like some doll who was brought here by Jacob to look pretty and just sit up there-" She pointed to the ceiling, "Grooming and doing God knows what else."

I lowered my voice and leaned in, "Yet Jacob reminded me yesterday that I am here to look pretty." I whispered to her, she looked shocked by that but I quickly added, "But don't worry, I made it my mission to always keep him on his toes." I pulled back and moved around her to open the fridge, "Starting now." I sighed.

She pointed at me, "Like you even more now."

I reached for the kettle wanting to refill my cup but Mrs. Quake stopped me, "Go get your bath ready, I'll bring it up to you. I'll get the dining room ready for your family dinner and clean a bit. The rest is up to you. I won't get in your space."

My heart warmed even more for her.

"You're amazing," I whispered.

She shook her head at me, "Just because I'm going to bring you tea."

"That's everything," I said which made her snort.

Smiling I turned around and walked out of the kitchen. I made my way to the bedroom and grabbed my phone first before I entered the master bathroom. While contacting my family I filled up the tub sprinkling in some lavender bath salt. I eyed the peppermint essential oil and decided a drop or two would make me feel even better.

"Can I come in?" Mrs. Quake asked after she knocked on the door.

"Sure, come in!"

Mrs. Quake handed me the cup of tea I wanted to refill myself. She collected Jacob's clothes for dry cleaning and also collected my clothes. I felt weird about that but it was also something I needed to get used to. It was her job. Once she was gone I closed the door and started with my plan while relaxing on my day off. I felt relaxed and on edge the same time. It was how Jacob always made me feel. That feeling became addicting to me. It wasn't healthy but it was what made this relationship I had with him so exciting and different. It's why I probably became a little obsessed with him.

"I'd say this place reflects the man quite well," Nick said as he followed me to the dining room.

Mom and dad arrived first and settled in the dining room with a glass of wine. They were unwinding after a long day at work. They needed the wine. Mom looked fairly tired but still showed up. I think she heard in my voice that I needed my family around. She also behaved very relaxed and calm. It didn't show in her eyes, she looked stressed but maybe the wine and the food would help her feel better.

"There is barely anything here." I glanced at Nick who shrugged his jacket off.

"That's basically Jacob Blackwood."

Dad didn't like that, "Nick." He warned his son.

I shook my head, "It's okay, dad. I love Nick's sense of humor and he isn't exactly wrong." I muttered.

"Nina." Mom now warned me.

I shrugged the same time as Nick did both of us sharing a laugh. I took a seat next to Nick while Mrs. Quake served us dinner. It was the compromise we made. I cooked dinner and Mrs. Quake would stay late to serve dinner. I mentioned I'd clean up but the look she threw me said it all. She wasn't okay with that so I didn't repeat myself.

"Mom, I enjoy spending time with my fiancé but he doesn't have much of a personality since he basically lives at his office commanding his empire. He's a businessman through and through."

Mom tilted her head and stared at me with concerned eyes, "A-Are you okay with that?" She asked carefully.

"Totally." I answered without hesitation which made Nick chuckle, "When we're alone he does show sides of him which were hidden. It's just rare because he is barely there." I gestured around us, "Hence the boring basic penthouse." I grinned, "But I'm going to change that."

"Is Jacob okay with that?" Mom asked.

Mom was being so cautious, afraid the feelings of Jacob Blackwood were going to get hurt. I was her child yet she seemed more concerned with Jacob. That was something I needed to explore but not tonight. I enjoyed the company of Nick already. He was making fun of the guy without really attacking his character. It made me laugh from the bottom of my heart. Mom and dad were a little taken back but we could ignore that. They wouldn't hold it against us either. I also wanted mom and dad to feel like they could pay me a visit at the penthouse. I didn't want them to stay away because of Jacob.

"His home is my home is what he told me so of course, he is okay with that."

Nick nodded, "Of course he is."

Nick knew exactly what I was thinking and what I was doing and he followed without questioning anything. He was a damn good older brother and an amazing best friend.

"Dinner is amazing by the way." Nick told me, "Well done, Nina"

"Thank you."

"Are you ready for the gala?" Mom asked, "Nick is right, I love this stuffed bell pepper."

"I will email you the recipe." I told her, "But yeah, totally. I already got my dress, I needed to match it to Jacob's tux and since I bought most of his wardrobe it wasn't that difficult. There is the scandal which is being talked about a lot but the news of our engagement is making that blow less painful so I'm not that worried about Friday."

"Friday is tomorrow." Dad calmly reminded me, "Don't make light of the rumors. People can be very harsh with their words. It might not hurt now since it's not being said in your face. When said people get in your personal bubble and say harsh things to you it might not go well."

Dad wasn't wrong, words being spat in your face could hurt so much it couldn't be described. It could be soul crushing. Jacob had it handled though. I believed that. So I was genuinely not worried. That might be a mistake but I wouldn't worry about something which didn't seem like a problem to me right now.

"Jacob took care of the possibilities, he'll make sure I'm going to be okay."

"I believe that too." Dad agreed with a nod, "Jacob will take care of you."

"So the berry chocolate box." I changed the subject because I wanted the mood to be light between us all, "How is that going?"

"Nina!" Dad sounded more alive and so excited, "It is going so well. Nick is better with the numbers but I can just tell that it's a legendary box."

Nick laughed, shaking his head at dad's choice of words, "Dad is making a big deal out of an average box."

"It's not an average box!" Dad defended.

It was something he felt passionate about it so of course, he felt offended when Nick called it an average box. Dad and Nick got really into it, going back and forth about this stupid berry box. Mom just sighed and focused on her stuffed bell pepper. She went for a second serving and so did I. Things felt so lively, making the penthouse feel like a home. When Jacob strolled it he literally stopped and stared.

Mission accomplished.

I sipped my wine, smiling at my fiancé from the rim of my glass, "Good evening, Jacob. Will you join us for dinner?" I asked him in a sugar-coated tone.

He swallowed, but answered in a calm tone, "Of course." He sat at the head of the table like always and let mom pour him a glass of wine, "Thank you."

"Nina's cooking always has been very good." Mom was praising me but never actually looked at me as she talked to Jacob who she treated like her own son which was weird considering Nick was also seated at the table, "These stuffed bell peppers, however, are amazing."

Jacob flickered his stormy eyes at me. No one but Nick noticed the threatening look my fiancé flashed me. Jacob was not happy about this. Nick showed my fiancé he was the older protective brother by throwing his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close as he kissed my hair.

"Nina is amazing."

Mom laughed, "Can't argue with that."

"You're right, can't argue with that." Jacob smiled yet the warmth of that smile never reached his eyes.

I was in trouble but I would deal with that later.

Jacob grabbed my wrists and held them above my head as he pushed in, making me throw my head back and squeal. He covered my lips with his and kissed me long and hard. He swallowed my gasps and moans, his thrusts harsh and punishing.

It felt amazing.

He built up the pleasure, getting me there and then slowing his thrusts to make that tight feeling in my stomach fade.

He pulled out of the kiss, brushing his nose against mine, "You sure keep things interesting."

"I don't know what you mean."

We both knew I was lying. He let go of my wrists, grabbed onto my hips and pulled away. I whined at the loss of him but he didn't keep me empty for long. He helped me on my hands and knees, grabbed on my hair and pushed inside of me from behind.

"Oh, God!"

I clawed at the sheets, pleasure building in my stomach again. I feared he'd keep punishing me, never letting me reach my orgasm but he didn't torture me forever. With his free hand, he reached between my legs and rubbed my sensitive clit. It set me off, making me scream as pleasure washed over me. I had no strength to keep me up but Jacob didn't care. I was so freaking sensitive but he kept thrusting inside me, chasing his own orgasm. Little shocks washed over me, making me a moaning mess.

"I told you we work well together." He sounded out of breath yet he could still talk about serious topics while trying to come. It was something to be admired.

"The women in my life before would just cry and try and appeal to me that way, but not you." He chuckled, grabbing my hips tightly when he tensed up, "You show me your displeasure in the funniest ways. I absolutely adore it."

I groaned when I felt his seed spill inside me. He pulled away from me without warning which made me whine again as he rubbed my sensitive nerves. He helped me settle underneath the sheets and pulled me close to him. He kissed me gently which showed me he did care in some way.

"Life with you is never going to be boring."

"Hm."

He kissed my hair, "Point made, sweetheart." He let me know in his quiet tone, "I will do better."

I smiled yet I had no strength to keep my eyes open, "Good." I whispered.

Tonight I learned that with this man who held me close to him didn't like hearing that he was wrong in actual words. He would always find a way to tell you off. If you showed him that he was wrong in a very subtle way he appreciated it more. He was right we did work well together. My family was worried about tomorrow yet I wasn't worried at all. We would handle whatever Fenna threw our way together and we would win.