Richard's eyes widened at his son's outburst before narrowing dangerously.
"Watch your tone, young man. You won't talk to me like that. You have never done so and it won't start because of that girl!" He warned and tightened his jaw.
Nathan huffed in annoyance and clenched his fists.
"How could you do that? Use her like that without her knowledge? What do you want me to be saying to her?" Nathan demanded, his voice rising with each word.
Richard shook his head and went to take a seat, grabbing the Television remote, as if he was unfazed by his son's anger.
"Say whatever you want, that is none of my business. I did what needed to be done. This actually benefits both of us. Think about it - you get good PR, and she gets... whatever help she obviously needs." He stated, waving his hand dismissively.
Nathan nearly exploded with anger. He tightened his jaw and gritted his teeth for a second.
"What is that supposed to mean?" He asked through gritted teeth.
"Come on, Nathan. Look at where she lives. Those cheap clothes she wears. And working at the school library instead of actually being in school? If anything, we are doing her a favor." Richard pointed out and scoffed.
"You don't know anything about her!" Nathan shot back.
"She is actually very intelligent and well-spoken. Just because someone isn't wealthy doesn't mean they need your 'help'." He added firmly.
Richard studied his son carefully, his expression morphing from annoyance to curiosity.
"You seem awfully defensive of this girl. What exactly is she to you?" He asked suspiciously.
Nathan hesitated for a moment, his mind racing. Then, without thinking it through, he blurted out:
"She is my girlfriend."
"Yeah, because that won't be a lie anymore, soon, when I officially ask her out." He thought to himself, his heart racing at the impulsive declaration.
The silence that followed his outburst was deafening.
Richard's jaw firstly dropped in shock then instantly, his face hardened.
"Your what?" He sputtered.
"You heard me." Nathan maintained, lifting his chin defiantly.
"Absolutely not! I forbid it! You will not be seen with that... that..." Richard struggled to find the right words.
"That what, Dad? That poor girl? Is that what you want to say?" Nathan challenged.
Before his father could respond, Nathan turned on his heel.
"Where do you think you are going? How about the dinner date I asked you to come home for?" Richard called after him.
"To stop those reporters from publishing your ridiculous story!" Nathan shouted over his shoulder as he stormed out.
"You ignorant boy! It is the President coming here for dinner and you are supposed to be ..." Richard trailed off as he realized Nathan was out of earshot.
He gritted his teeth in anger.
~~~~~~~~~~
One Week Later, on a cool evening at one of the expensive restaurants in the city:
"This place is... wow!" Scarlett exclaimed as she settled into a seat that Nathan had pulled out for her, and her eyes sparkled with happiness.
Nathan couldn't help but smile at her wonder.
"I take it you approve of my choice for our first date?" He asked softly.
Scarlett's lips curved into a teasing smile.
"Well, it is certainly different from the library." She pointed out.
"Speaking of which, I never thought I would be this grateful entering the library at a late hour to look for a law book." Nathan chuckled.
"Of course! You never knew you would be getting more than the book, when you clumsily got in the wrong section, looking around helplessly like a puppy." Scarlett chuckled, raising an eyebrow.
"Hey! I maintain that was fate's way of bringing us together." He defended playfully.
Scarlett's laugh was like music to his ears.
"You know..." She began, playing with her wine glass.
"I never believed in love at first sight..."
"Until you met me, right?" Nathan finished for her, with a huge grin.
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Mr. West." She rolled her eyes, but her bright smile remained.
"I am in love with you, Scarlett." Nathan said softly.
"Nathan, you have been telling me that since last week... Which is why I found myself loving you too without even realizing!" Scarlett replied, adding the last part playfully.
"I have never loved like this before... I mean, you are the first person on my mind when I wake up in the morning and being in love with you is the last thing I think about before going to bed." Nathan told her with all sincerity.
"Is that even healthy?" He added half-seriously. Scarlett chuckled.
"I think you should go check yourself at the hospital." She replied playfully.
"I won't mind being there forever if you would be by my side..." He stated, holding her gaze intently.
And like that, their conversation flew effortlessly through dinner, accompanied by shared laughter and lingering glances.
"Why me?" Scarlett asked suddenly, her voice soft.
"You could probably date anyone you wanted."
Nathan reached across the table, taking her hand in his.
"Everything about you. Your intelligence, your wit... Even that sharp tongue of yours." He smirked as he added the last part.
"My sharp tongue?" Scarlett laughed.
"Yes. You have never been afraid to call me out. It is... refreshing." Nathan said, squeezing her hand lovingly.
Then the waiter appeared with their dessert menus, but before they could order, Scarlett's phone buzzed repeatedly.
"Sorry..." She mumbled, checking the screen.
However, as she did, her expression shifted from apologetic to worried in an instant.
"Babe? What is it?" Nathan leaned forward, concerned.
Her hands trembled as she read the message. When she looked up, the tears that had welled up in her eyes were noticeable.
"It is... it is my dad. At the hospital!" She whispered.
"What happened to him?" Nathan inquired but Scarlett shook her head firmly and stood up, then grabbed her purse.
"I have to run along. Don't follow me!" She told him sharply and was hurrying out of the restaurant before he could say another word.