Nathalia’s POV
I felt so exhausted just staring at the ceiling, and then I heard Cole’s voice calling from outside the room, followed by a loud knock.
“Madame! Please eat already! Bossing will be furious if you skip a meal!” he said in what seemed like a pleading tone.
I let out a deep sigh. “You’re just exhausting yourself, Cole. How many times do I have to tell you that I have no appetite? Besides, he won’t know if you don’t tell him.”
Truth be told, I don’t feel like doing anything right now. I’ve been cooped up in this room all day, doing nothing but reading. Eventually, I got bored and decided to lie down and stare into space.
Stephen left early this morning, and as usual, his friends were with him. When I asked where he was going, he didn’t even bother to respond. That’s why I can’t help but feel anxious. I’m sure he’s up to some mischief again. I didn’t even notice when he came back last night, and now he left so early again.
Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly interrupted by another knock.
“I know that’s what you’ll say again. That’s why I brought your food here.” Belen’s voice rang out.
I quickly sat up and put aside thoughts of Stephen when I heard her voice. I hurriedly went to open the door.
There she was with her smiling face, and next to her was Cole, grinning widely.
I just rolled my eyes at him. He had to use Belen to get me to do what he wanted.
“Cole told me that you didn’t want to have dinner either. You didn’t even come downstairs for a snack earlier. That’s why I’m worried that you might get too hungry. It’s not good, and you might get sick. So here I am, bringing your food,” she said while lifting a wooden foldable tray.
I quickly took it from her hands. “I’m sorry if I caused you any trouble.”
She gently patted my shoulder. “Don’t worry about it. You’re no different than family to me.”
Her words caught me off guard, but before I could ask anything, Cole spoke up.
“Come on, Madame. Please eat before it gets cold.” He took the tray from my hands and set it up on the bed.
Confused, I just followed his lead. I felt Belen enter the room as well.
“Have you eaten?” I asked once I was seated.
“We’re done. And don’t worry about us. Why don’t you want to eat?” Belen asked with a slightly scolding tone.
I bit my lower lip. “Honestly, I’m just worried about Stephen. He always comes home late, and I don’t even know where he goes. He might get into trouble, and innocent people might get involved.”
Belen’s eyes seemed to sparkle for some unknown reason. “Stop worrying about Sir Stephen. What he’s doing is for your own good too.”
I paused mid-bite upon hearing her words. I looked up at her with a furrowed brow.
“What do you mean?” It felt like she wanted to convey something more with her words.
She hesitated to smile before her eyes turned evasive.
“What I mean is, I’m sure he has no other desire but to ensure your safety now that you’re his wife,” she said, averting her gaze.
I frowned and started eating. I wanted to contradict her words, but I chose to remain silent.
Because if Stephen truly cared about my safety to some extent, I wouldn’t be here right now. He wouldn’t have tied me to him, causing me to get entangled in the problems of the organization he belongs to.
After finishing my meal, Belen took the tray and left. Shortly after, Cole stood up and bid me farewell.
“I’ll be right outside, Madame. Just call me if you need anything.”
I simply nodded at him. But as soon as he closed the door, I couldn’t help but ponder.
Why do I feel like there’s more to them than being my bodyguard and head of household?
***
The night was getting deeper, yet I still couldn’t sleep, and Stephen still hadn’t returned. So I decided to go out for some fresh air.
As I stepped out of my room, I caught Cole playing on his cellphone, but he quickly hid it upon seeing me.
“Madame! Where are you going?”
“I just want to take a walk in the garden. I want to tire myself out.”
“Alright, I’ll accompany you.”
I didn’t object anymore. As we descended the stairs and walked towards the garden, I noticed something.
“Why does it seem like there are fewer of Stephen’s men scattered around tonight?” I blurted out the question that had been running through my mind.
“Sir Stephen has some of his men with him tonight. He’s dealing with an important matter that requires a large number of his men,” he explained.
I paused in front of the pool and raised an eyebrow as I looked at Cole. “And what important matter would that be?”
He just smiled at me. “It’s too complicated, Madame. But someday, you will know about that matter.”
I pouted. I wonder when that day will actually come.
I decided to sit on the hammock nearby and instinctively looked up at the sky. I couldn’t help but smile at the sight of the scattered stars. I’m sure my parents are among them, still watching over me even though they’re no longer in this world.
“Have you ever wished that you were living a normal life?” I asked Cole, who sat on a bench not far away.
A few minutes of silence passed before he answered, “I’d be lying if I said the thought never crossed my mind. But this is the life I chose, and I have to stand by it now.”
“But you still have the chance to turn your back and walk on the right path,” I tried to persuade him.
“Madame, even if I choose to go down the right path, there’s no certainty that I can escape the organization’s threat.”
I sighed heavily at his words. It seemed like our situations were so alike. We both have choices to make in life, just like when Stephen gave me a choice back then. But there’s only one possible outcome.
Death.
I didn’t say anything more and contented myself with gazing at the twinkling stars. Another half-hour passed, and Stephen still hadn’t arrived. As much as I wanted to contact him to check on his whereabouts, I didn’t want to bother him.
“Don’t worry, Madame. Nothing bad will happen to Sir Stephen.”
I turned sharply to Cole as he suddenly spoke. “Who said I was worried about him?”
“Don’t deny it anymore. It’s written all over your face.” He stood up and walked towards me.
“It’s getting late already. You should get some rest.”
I crossed my arms and shook my head. “I want to wait for him.”
“Sir Stephen will be home in the early morning. That’s why he entrusted me with the task of watching over you whenever he’s not around. So, you can go back to your room, Madame. But if you want, I can also carry you,” Cole suggested.
I immediately stood up at his words. “No need. I’m not a child, and I can walk on my own.”
Reluctantly, I made my way back into the mansion and headed towards our room. Cole escorted me inside.
I went straight to lie down while he took the scattered books from the table that I had been reading earlier. He neatly folded the edge of his sleeve before placing the books back on the shelf. As he did so, I caught a glimpse of a tattoo on his left forearm. It was a black dragon with wings, surrounded by black roses.
“You have a weird tattoo,” I commented out of the blue.
He lowered his gaze to his forearm. “All members of the Anderson Mafia have this kind of tattoo. It serves as our identification.”
I fell silent, staring at it intently. For some unknown reason, that symbol is familiar to me.
I tried to dig into my memory to recall where I’d seen that tattoo before, but it only caused my head to ache, prompting me to rub my temples. Cole quickly attended to me.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah. My head just suddenly hurts.”
“It’s best if you get some rest.”
Reluctantly, I settled back down and closed my eyes. Before long, the darkness swallowed me whole.