Chapter 7 Mother's trouble

Nathaniel groaned inwardly as the sunlight filtered through the blinds of his bedroom. For the second day in a row, he was woken up earlier than he liked. This time, however, it wasn't his father barging in to discuss company matters-it was his mother, Evelyn Cole.

"Nathaniel!" Her voice carried that familiar mix of warmth and firmness, a tone that he knew all too well. "Are you awake? We need to talk."

Nathaniel sat up, rubbing his eyes as he heard the soft knock on the door. "Come in, Mom," he called, bracing himself for what was coming next.

Evelyn walked in with a gentle smile, but there was something in her eyes-a look that told him this wasn't going to be a casual conversation. She sat down on the edge of his bed, folding her hands in her lap.

"Nathaniel, you're not getting any younger, you know," she started, her tone light but insistent. "When are you going to settle down and give me some grandchildren?"

There it was. The conversation he had successfully avoided for years had finally caught up with him. Evelyn had been patient, but now she wasn't letting it go.

Nathaniel forced a smile, though inside, he was thoroughly annoyed. He loved his mother, but her constant pestering about marriage and grandchildren always rubbed him the wrong way. He had far more important things on his mind-running S.A.T.F.A.R., managing Project Helix, and, of course, staying one step ahead of threats like Zara and her associates. Marriage was the last thing on his priority list.

"Mom, I'm focused on the company right now," he said, trying to keep his voice steady and calm. "You know how important this project is."

Evelyn raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Oh, I know how important your work is, Nathaniel. But you can't pour your whole life into the company. One day, you'll wake up and realize you missed out on something far more important. You're a billionaire, for goodness' sake. You could have anyone you want."

Nathaniel resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He'd heard this before-plenty of times. To Evelyn, his wealth and success made him a prime candidate for marriage, and she couldn't understand why he wasn't eager to take advantage of it. But Nathaniel had no interest in women who were drawn to his fortune. His entire life was built around secrets and power plays, and the last thing he wanted was to bring someone into that world who didn't understand it.

"Mom, I promise I'll think about it," Nathaniel said, using the same line he always did. It was enough to buy him some time, but he knew it wouldn't keep Evelyn off his back for long.

She sighed, clearly not satisfied, but she let it go-for now. "Just think about it, Nathaniel. Your father and I only want to see you happy."

With that, Evelyn stood up, gave him a quick kiss on the forehead, and left the room.

Nathaniel lay back on his bed, staring at the ceiling. He appreciated his mother's concern, but the idea of marriage-especially now-felt like an unnecessary complication. He had too many enemies, too many secrets, and far too much at stake to let anyone into his life.

A few hours later, after shaking off the morning's frustration, Nathaniel had a plan. He needed to escape the prying eyes of his family and the weight of his responsibilities-just for a little while. Disguising himself as a regular person, as he often did, was his perfect getaway.

Nathaniel pulled out a modest wardrobe-a far cry from his usual tailored suits-and dressed in a simple outfit that blended in with any average person. Dark jeans, a plain hoodie, and an old baseball cap. He didn't look like a billionaire, and that was exactly how he wanted it.

He slipped out of the house through a side entrance, ensuring no one saw him. He wasn't going far-just to a neighboring city where nobody knew who he really was. It was his favorite way to escape the pressures of his life. In this city, he wasn't Nathaniel Cole, the genius billionaire and secret mastermind. He was just another face in the crowd, another person walking the streets.

Nathaniel caught a train heading out of town, settling into a seat and watching the city fade into the distance. The feeling of anonymity was liberating. No one here cared who he was, and for a brief moment, he could forget about Helix, S.A.T.F.A.R., and his family's expectations.

As the train rolled to a stop at the station of the neighboring city, Nathaniel stepped out and took a deep breath of the cool morning air. He was ready to disappear into the crowd-until he spotted a familiar figure standing near the train stop.

His father, Edward Cole, was there, leaning against a sleek black car, a smug smile on his face.

Nathaniel's heart sank. Of all the people to run into, he hadn't expected his father to show up here, in a place where he thought he could escape his family's constant presence.

Edward walked up to Nathaniel, holding out a small purple ATM card between his fingers. "Thought you might need this, son," he said, his tone casual but knowing. "You never know when you might need a bit of extra cash."

Nathaniel frowned, his eyes narrowing. "Dad, how did you-"

Edward shrugged. "I have my ways. You didn't think you could just vanish without me knowing, did you?"

Before Nathaniel could respond, another figure emerged from behind the car-a young woman in her mid-twenties, dressed sharply in a tailored butler's uniform. She had sharp eyes, a calm demeanor, and carried herself with a quiet confidence.

"This is Lila," Edward said, nodding toward her. "She's the daughter of our family's butler. I figured you could use someone reliable, someone who can keep up with you. She'll be working for you from now on."

Nathaniel's mind raced. Lila was his new butler? This wasn't part of his plan. He had been hoping for some peace, to blend in without drawing attention. And now, not only was his father here, but he had also assigned him a personal assistant.

Nathaniel sighed, accepting the purple ATM card from his father and glancing at Lila, who gave him a small nod of acknowledgment. She seemed professional enough, but the last thing Nathaniel wanted was someone watching his every move.

"Dad, I don't need a butler," Nathaniel said, trying to keep his voice steady.

Edward chuckled. "Oh, I think you'll find that Lila is more than just a butler. She's sharp, resourceful, and trustworthy. Just give her a chance."

Lila stepped forward, her voice calm and respectful. "I'm here to assist you, Mr. Cole. I can be as involved or as unobtrusive as you'd like. Your discretion is my priority."

Nathaniel nodded slowly. He had no choice but to accept the situation. His father wasn't the type to let things go easily, and Lila's presence was clearly non-negotiable.

"Fine," Nathaniel said, slipping the ATM card into his pocket. "But I'm going to need some space, Lila."

She gave him a small smile. "Of course. I'm here whenever you need me."

Edward patted Nathaniel on the shoulder before heading back to the car. "I'll leave you to it, then. Just remember, you can't run away from everything forever, son."

With that, Edward drove off, leaving Nathaniel standing at the train stop with Lila by his side. So much for his plan to disappear quietly.

Nathaniel glanced at Lila, who was waiting patiently for his next move. He couldn't help but wonder what she knew-what she had been told about him and the company.

But for now, Nathaniel was focused on his own agenda. He would find a way to keep his secrets, no matter who his father sent to watch over him.

"Let's go," he said, turning toward the city.

And with that, Nathaniel and Lila walked off into the bustling streets, the weight of his double life following him even in disguise.