Trying to find my niche in life, one day at a time

It was the day of the wedding.

You woke up early to get your nails, hair and make up done, and now you were waiting for Nathan to pick you up. You wondered if he was really gonna show up in a limo.

Would that be disrespectful towards the bride and groom? Totally.

Do you care? Yeah, a bit. Just because you wanna make them jealous, it doesn't mean you wanna ruin their whole day.

Did Nathan care? Apparently no.

Because he did show up with a limo. 

You watched from your window as it rolled around the corner and slowly stopped by your building. At least it wasn’t white. The black colour was not that striking. Usually his driver gets out first, but this time only Nathan climbed out from the back. 

You felt the butterflies go crazy in your tummy. You couldn't forget how good he looked in that suit.

He rang the intercom and you let him in.

By the time he got to your door, you checked yourself about 47 times in the mirror.

Why did you care how you looked? This man saw you at your lowest: crying on your period. He can handle if a hair is out of place.

Except he was a perfectionist and you didn't wanna let him down.

Little did you know, there’s nothing you could do to make him mad at you.

Because it didn't matter how cool and collected he looked, especially right now, Nathan’s hand was slightly shaking as he lifted it to knock on your door.

He cursed himself a little when he realized how weak he was for you. He was a grown man, and you made him feel like he was in kindergarten. No one made him feel like this. His hands never shook, not even when he signed a business deal when billions of dollars were on the table and here he was, feeling like he might throw up from the nerves because of a date that was not even real. 

He doesn't have to impress you. It’s not real.

He doesn't have to impress anyone. He was Nathan Fucking Bateman and…

… the door opened and you were on the other side, looking so perfect, he actually forgot how to breathe.

The seconds passed.

And he still wasn't breathing so his body took over and he gasped.

A worried frown appeared on your face.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, yeah I just uh… I took the stairs, I forgot how high you were.”

“I live on the second floor.”

Silence.

“I thought you were in ‘peak male condition’ since you’re working out.” - you teased him with his own words as you closed the door. He was always so proud of his physique, especially when you tried to seduce him into eating dessert.

“The suit is a bit tight.”

“Why? You’re wearing a corset under there?”

“Shut up.”

You chuckled, but hooked your arm around his elbow when he offered it. He led you to the lift.

“Aftaid of passing out of exhaustion?”

“You’re wearing high heels. I’m being considerate.”

“Yeah, you’re famous for that.” - you said annoyed.

Nathan started pulling you towards the stairs, but you held back giggling.

“No, the lift is fine!”

He let you pull him back with a smirk on his face.

When you were in there, you noticed how nice he smelled. You wondered what cologne he was wearing. It was both fresh, sweet, but mixed with something spicy that made your ovaries scream in excitement. It was a perfect match for him. Now you understood those fragrance commercials where the actors were ready to climb each other. If Nathan was your boyfriend, your lipstick would be smeared all around his…

“You look very pretty.”

When you turned to him, you saw that he was already watching you with a small smile.

“Thanks.” - you looked down when you felt your cheeks heat up. - “I have to look like a billionaire’s girlfriend, remember? It only took me like, 4 hours.”

“No. It’s your hair. I like the way you styled it.” 

“I’m telling my hairstylist Nathan Bateman approved.”

Nathan smiled, then started chuckling.

“4 hours? Really?”

“Yeah. Why? How long did it take you to get ready?”

“I don’t know. 15 minutes?”

The doors opened and you looked at Nathan bewildered.

“I hate you.” - you said as you yanked your arm out of his hold and stormed to the car.

“What did I do?!” - he asked shocked.

“First time having a girlfriend?” - a passing man asked him and Nathan sighed and lifted his face to the sky.

“This is gonna be a long fucking day.”

-----

The self driving limo took you straight to the church.

When you lifted your hand to open the door, Nathan’s firm ‘no’ stopped you.

You sighed and waited for him to climb out, go around the car and open it for you.

When you slid your hand into his and got out you smiled sweetly at him. 

“You’re such a gentleman, baby. I’m so lucky to have you.”

“Remember that when you get another offer from Google.”

You laughed and Nathan tapped a few times on his watch to make the limo roll off to park itself.

“Okay that was actually hot.”

“Hot enough for me to get lucky tonight?”

“Don’t push it, Bateman.”

“What happened to 'baby'?”

“I don’t know, baby doesn't suit you. What do you want me to call you?”

“Mr. Big.”

You made a gagging sound.

“I know you meant that as an insult, but if you think about it, you’d make that sound considering the size.” - Nathan teased.

You looked mortified.

“Come on, cupcake, don’t be like that.”

“Don’t call me cupcake, oh my god!” - you slapped his shoulder.

“Careful, honey. That didn’t look very girlfriend-y.” - Nathan gently took hold of your elbow to pull you closer to him as he motioned with his head towards the people who were around the church on the other side of the road.

You sighed and slowly slipped your arms around his neck, but you were still looking at him with narrowed eyes.

“You can call me honey.” - you said.

He smiled and wrapped his arms around your waist. 

“It may not suit me, but I actually like being called baby.” 

You tried to hide your smile.

“I can live with that.”

“I’m gonna kiss your cheek, to look more convincing.”

“Do it quickly.” - you said annoyed.

“You sound like you are about to be executed.”

You scrunched up your face as he leaned closer and gently pecked your cheek.

His beard wasn’t as rough as you imagined it would be.

“Look at that, you’re still alive.”

“Barely.”

You started walking towards the church.

Nathan followed casually, then he noticed you were making aggressive grabby hand motion behind you. He fastened his pace with a smile, grabbed your hand and you interlaced your fingers with his.

“There’s a shitton of people.” - he murmured after he leaned close to your ear.

“It’s a wedding, what did you expect?” - you whispered back.

“I don’t know, but not the wedding of Prince Fucking Charles and Princess Fucking Diana.”

“Our grandparents didn't have TV, so they got busy in other ways.”

“That was disgusting, thank you for the mental image.”

“They were young once.”

“A veeeeery long time ago.”

“Speaking of which, that’s my grandpa.” 

Nathan saw an old man with grey hair approach you two.

“Red flag?” - Nathan asked. You told him there were some assholes in your family, you just didn't mention who they are.

“No, he’s cool. The coolest person on the planet, actually.”

“Impossible. I am the coolest person on the planet.”

“You’re the least cool.”

“I drove the limo with my watch, I’m the definition of cool.”

You squeezed Nathan’s hand as you and your grandfather reached each other then let go of it to give him a hug.

“Ah, there you are! My favourite grandchild!”

“Papa, you cannot say that!” - you laughed as you stepped back. - “That’s impolite!”

“I’m old. I can say whatever I want.” - he waved you off.

Oh, Nathan liked this guy already.

He accepted the older man’s handshake with a polite smile and they both introduced themselves. Your grandpa didn't seem surprised that you were dating him.

“You know, some of your cousins dressed to impress, but you two are not joking. You’re here to piss the bride off.”

Your grandpa meant it as a compliment. He looked at you proudly.

“Well, maybe the bride should have a dress code next time.” 

You both laughed like it was an inside joke.

“You don’t think the marriage will last long?” - Nathan asked.

“Oh, son. You have a shitload of family lore to catch up on.” - your grandpa patted his shoulder and guided you both towards the rest of your family.

-----

The introductions were quick, since there was only 20 minutes for the wedding to start, but Nathan was very patient and polite through it all. Your grandpa stayed close to both of you, redirecting the spotlight when he sensed that Nathan’s social battery was running low. Everybody wanted to know how the both of you got together and when you two tensed up, your papa was there to save you two.

After you took your seats inside the church, Nathan leaned close to whisper in your ear.

“Okay, I admit. Your grandpa is cool.”

“Glad to hear you think that. He's seated at our table.”

Nathan smiled and helped you stand up when the music changed and the bridesmaids started to enter.

-----

You got comfortable in your seat as the limo was following the wedding convoy where the reception was going to take place.

“Not gonna lie, I thought you were gonna cry.”

“Why?”

“It was a nice ceremony.”

“Did you want to cry?” - you teased.

Nathan rolled his eyes.

“So what’s the family lore?”

“Well, the most important detail right now is that the bride was dating the groom’s best friend for years, they got engaged,  then she cheated on him with her now groom.”

“Wow… that’s uh…”

“It was not even two years ago.”

“What the fuck?”

“Precisely.”

“Why are we even here? This marriage is not gonna last 8 months.”

You chuckled.

“Maybe they’re both so evil that they’re a perfect match.”

“I’m surprised they didn't burst into flames when they entered the church.”

“I’m surprised you didn't.” - you shot back.

“What?”

“No one becomes a billionaire with good intentions.”

“Fuck me and my hardworking ass, I guess.”

You gave him a skeptical look. Nathan sighed.

“Everyone keeps forgetting that I built BlueBook from nothing. Daddy didn't buy it for me.”

“I thought your parents are rich.”

“They are. They thought my business was gonna be a failure. So yeah, I got into the best schools, but I had to find investors. Which was hard since everyone knew my own dad didn’t believe in me. I know it sounds ridiculous, but I was actually at a disadvantage.”

“I didn't know that.”

“Not your fault. I don’t talk about it much. I think I only mentioned it in one interview, years ago.”

“That’s why you don’t talk with your parents anymore?”

Nathan nodded as he was staring out the window.