I sat down at the dining table and waited for one of the workers to serve my food. When she was done, I began to eat slowly. I have always been a picky eater and most of the foods on the table are not to my liking.
"You do not like the food?" The lady who had served me asked and I smiled.
"Can you tell?"
She nodded. "Are they not to your liking or are they not delicious?"
"Trust me, your food is amazing. I am just a picky eater."
"I can understand. Mr. Nathan is also a picky eater. Is there something you would like to eat? I will prepare that for you."
"I am so sorry I have to disturb you. Can I get a cup of coffee and maybe a few slices of chocolate bread, if it's available?"
She nodded. "I will get that ready."
"Can I ask for your name? I did not get it during the introduction."
"My name is Mary," she answered.
"Thank you, Mary."
Mary cleared the plates in front of me before heading to the kitchen. I waited for her to get my new breakfast ready. As I waited, I began to press my phone. Damien and Pamela joined me at the table a few minutes later.
"You're not eating?" Damien asked.
"I want something different. Mary is..."
"Why would you eat something different," Pamela asked. "Don't tell me you're a picky eater. I can't remember you being one."
"Pamela, What is that supposed to mean?" Damien asked.
"Did you not remember her telling my mom that she doesn't have any likes or dislikes and will only like and dislike what her husband likes and dislikes."
I groaned. Why did I not remember that Olivia said this? And why is Pamela using that against me?
"I..."
"Pamela, Nathan is not here, so she has the right to like or dislike whatever she wants. Remember Nathan is a picky eater too."
Pamela scoffed. "I can't believe you're supporting her."
"And I can't believe you will pick on her so easily. Don't you think you are taking advantage of her because she is reserved? I do not know you to be like this."
Pamela signed. "Fine. I am sorry. I won't pick on her anymore."
Damien smiled. "Good."
Mary walked out of the kitchen with my coffee and a few slices of chocolate bread. She kept them in front of me.
"Is this what you want to eat?" Damien asked and I nodded.
"Yes."
"And that would be okay for you?"
"Yes, thank you."
I had expected Pamela to say something but she did not; I guess she loves Damien so much and respects him enough to keep her promise.
Mary went ahead to serve them their food and they began to eat. I also began to eat my food too. Pamela kept stealing glances at me but I ignored her. I could tell she was trying to make me talk but I wasn't going to do that; though it doesn't look like she would be picking on me. I was soon done eating and had to excuse myself from the table.
"Are you heading back to your room?" Damien asked me.
"Yes, or do you want to see me?" I asked.
"Not really. But we can spend a few hours together if you do not mind. I can help you get familiarized with the environment."
I smiled. "That is a good idea."
"Why would you tell her that? Can't the workers help her with that?" Pamela whined.
"Pamela, you know I have to do that. Nathan is not around. I can't leave..."
"But you know I won't be there. I have to head back to the office."
Damien smiled. "I will come to see you in the office when I am done here."
"Is that a promise?" Pamela asked and Damien nodded.
"It is,"
"I will wait for you in the living room," I said.
I had waited for them to finish up their conversation before speaking up.
Damien nodded. "I will join you soon."
**
Damien and I sat on the bench in the garden. He had just shown me a few places and I must say that Nathan's place is big and beautiful.
"Damien, can you tell me about Nathan?" I asked.
I had wondered what kind of person he was, for him to run away after the wedding. I could tell that not only did he not have an interest in Olivia, but he also did not want the marriage either.
"Please, tell me everything I need to know about him. What is he..."
"What is he like?" Damien asked and I nodded. He sighed. "I can't tell you what Nathan is like because there isn't much to know about him. But I can tell you that he is a very difficult person to understand. I can also tell you that it is not going to be the kind of marriage, you wish for. Should I say the kind of marriage Olivia will wish for?"
I furrowed my brows. "What do you mean by that? What do you mean by the kind of marriage Olivia wished for?"
"Every woman's dream marriage, you know," he chuckled. I stared at him. It isn't funny. He stared at me. He had stopped smiling; I could tell he was being serious now. "But I feel sorry for you and Olivia, though. At least you are lucky he won't be back before Olivia returns. I can't believe she will end up as...". I stared at him and he sighed. "Never mind."
I furrowed my brows. "What were you about to say?"
"I can't tell you much about it right now. But I promise to tell you everything you want to know when next I visit."
I nodded slightly. "But can you answer just one question?"
He furrowed his brows. "What question?"
"Is he heartbroken right now?"
He nodded. "Very heartbroken. Olivia needs to be careful. I hope you can give her a heads-up when she returns. He might be taking it out on her."
When he said those words, I knew Olivia's perfect life was about to be tempered with. I might have to do something about it before she comes back. I can't let her suffer in her marriage after spending all her life following our parents' instructions.
"Is there anything we can do about it?"
He shrugged. "I can't say. It would have been better if he was around. You would have learned a few habits of his and helped Olivia out when she returns but he is not."
"How about we make him come back?" I said and Damien furrowed his brows.
"Do you want him to come back?"
I nodded. "Yes, I do."