The late afternoon sun spilled golden light across the street as they stepped out of the restaurant. Victoria immediately crossed her arms—not for warmth, but to quietly prevent Nathaniel from slipping his hand into hers again.

“Thank you for the lunch,” she said, her tone polite, distant. “I’ll be going now.”

But before she could step away, Nathaniel moved smoothly in front of her, blocking her path. His tall frame cast a shadow over her.

“I’m free today,” he said lightly, though there was an edge beneath his words. “And it’s still early. Why don’t we go on a date? Watch a movie, maybe?”

Victoria arched a brow, unimpressed. “No, thank you. I have an errand to do. Goodbye.” Her voice was crisp, her excuse flimsy—but she clung to it anyway.

Nathaniel didn’t budge. His stance was deliberate, immovable. “Then how about I drive you home?”

“I brought my car.” She offered him a small, polite smile, sharp at the edges. “But thank you for offering.”

His eyes narrowed slightly. “Why are you avoiding me? We’re engaged now.”

A weary sigh escaped her lips. Her body sagged as if the weight of the day had finally caught up.

“Nathaniel, it’s not in my schedule today to entertain a sudden date. If we’re really going to do this, as you said earlier, let’s plan it properly.”

“You call this planning? That’s cute. From where I’m standing, it looks more like my fiancée sprinting for the exit,” he said, tone light enough to sound like a joke, yet his smirk made it clear he was enjoying cornering her.

Victoria pinched her temple, frustration seeping through her carefully composed mask.

“Wait—are you expecting us to be… lovey-dovey?”

“Why not?” he countered smoothly, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. “We’re engaged anyway.”

She couldn’t stop the roll of her eyes.

“Let’s clear the boundaries here.” Her voice sharpened as she held his gaze. “This engagement is business. We don’t need to act like we’re—” she paused, refusing to say in love “—a sweet couple. Let’s stay professional. You don’t need to hold me, kiss me, or whatever. Let’s treat this like… a corporate partnership.” She ended her speech with a polite smile, though her words cut sharper than intended.

Nathaniel’s smirk deepened, amused. He leaned forward, closing the space between them until she instinctively stepped back. Her breath caught for just a moment.

“Yes,” he murmured, his voice low, dangerous with its playful undertone. “This engagement is business. But I don’t recall any clause in the contract I signed today that forbids me from holding you, kissing you, or whatever else I want.” His gaze locked onto hers, unflinching. “The only thing it said… is that neither of us can break this engagement—and the penalty for failing to keep it.”

Victoria frowned, her lips curving into a scoff.

“But it doesn’t say anywhere that we have to be lovey-dovey.”

Nathaniel took another deliberate step closer, his presence pressing against her composure.

“And it doesn’t say anywhere that being lovey-dovey is prohibited.”

Her jaw tightened. Every word she threw at him seemed to bounce back twice as sharp. He had a reply for everything, and it made her skin prickle with discomfort.

His smirk widened, the gleam in his eyes smug—like a man who knew he’d already won.

Victoria exhaled slowly, resignation softening her shoulders. If she kept resisting, he would only keep pushing, dragging this exchange into a longer, unnecessary battle.

“Fine,” she muttered, weary but steady. “Do whatever you want. Whatever I say wouldn’t matter anyway.”

Nathaniel tilted his head, that victorious smirk never fading.

“So you’re coming with me today to watch a movie?”

Her hazel eyes flicked to his, cold and distant.

“Yeah. If that’s what you want. Lead the way.”

He leaned in then, lowering his voice so only she could hear. His breath brushed against her ear, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine.

“Careful, Victoria. If you let me lead the way… I could lead you to kissing me right now.”

He pulled back just enough to study her reaction, his gaze sharp and deliberate.

Victoria’s brows knitted, irritation flashing across her face. Her carefully held facade cracked for a split second, revealing her vexation.

Nathaniel’s smile curved into quiet satisfaction. He had seen it—the slip behind her icy front.