Nathalia’s POV
I stayed in the resort’s infirmary for a few hours before the nurse finally allowed me to leave. I couldn’t help but feel regretful, as it was already dark outside when I got out. Because of what happened, I wasn’t able to make the most of my stay here, and we’re heading back home tomorrow.
We’re currently having dinner in one of the huts here, which is close to the beach. Chicken with creamed corn, Tortellini, Slow cooker shrimp boil, Creamy pesto chicken, and vegetable salad are served on our long table. There are also a few bottles of red wine on the side.
“Hey, take it easy on the food. Don’t let them see that you’re starving,” Harold teased Albert, who was eating enthusiastically.
“Exactly. It’s like you haven’t eaten for days, huh? Even though you practically finished all of our snacks earlier,” Damon teased further.
Albert was about to retort when he suddenly choked. Damon quickly handed him water. Just as Mads was about to pat his back, Damon slapped her hand away and took over. They were sandwiching Albert between them.
I was in the middle of taking a bite when I looked up at them. Albert drank a glass of water straight, and Harold continued eating after glancing at them.
I raised an eyebrow as the previously chaotic atmosphere suddenly fell silent. There’s something suspicious going on here.
Cole, who was with us, cleared his throat and smiled at me awkwardly.
“Madame, are you really feeling better now? I’m really sorry about earlier—”
“Just cut it, Cole. If you still want to see the sun tomorrow, just stay quiet.” Stephen’s voice held a mix of threat and annoyance.
I gave him a glare. “How many times do I have to tell you that they’re not at fault for what happened?”
When I turned to Cole, I automatically smiled. “I’m really fine now. Don’t worry, you’ll be seeing the sun for a few more years.”
I was about to give him a high-five when Stephen quickly grabbed my hand.
But I just closed my eyes as the cold breeze brushed against my skin. I decided to tie my hair since it was being swept away by the wind.
My attention returned to the array of food laid out before us. It’s overwhelming. Like it’s your last meal because you won’t see the sun again.
I suddenly laughed as I remembered the day Stephen had me kidnapped and prepared almost all of my favorite foods. I really thought it was my last day on earth during those times.
“What’s funny?” I turned to Stephen, who was frowning.
I shook my head. “Nothing. I just remembered something.”
“Guys, let’s have a game,” Harold said excitedly after we finished eating.
“What game?” Mads asked curiously.
He grinned and looked at us. “Truth or dare!”
We all sighed in exasperation because of his response.
“What the hell? Is there nothing else?” Albert asked with a bemused expression.
“Why? Are you guys afraid?” Harold wiggled his eyebrows.
“No, duh! Why would we be scared?” I confidently replied.
“Well, it’s settled then?”
We didn’t argue with him any further. Surprisingly, even Stephen didn’t object.
We cleared the table before bringing out a bottle of wine and placing it in the middle. We also drew lots to determine who would ask the first question. Afterwards, the person who asked the question would be the next to ask it, and so on until it’s done.
After a while, Harold started spinning the bottle as he got to the number one spot. It pointed to Mads first, which made her scowl.
“Why me? You did that on purpose!”
Harold smirked. “Truth or dare?”
“Truth,” Mads quickly responded.
Harold’s grin widened even more. “Is it true that you have a crush on Damon?”
The surroundings suddenly fell silent, as if an angel had passed by. I found myself shifting my gaze between Mads and Damon, my eyes widening.
“Hold on. Am I missing something here?” I asked them in doubt.
Mads looked away. “N-No! Why would I have a crush on him?”
I couldn’t miss Damon’s slight blush. It seems that there’s really something going on here.
“None? Why are you stumbling over your words?” Harold teased again.
Mads shot him a glare. “Because your question caught me off guard. Plus, it’s only supposed to be one question, so I’ll be the next one to spin the bottle.”
Harold raised his hands in surrender, acknowledging defeat.
Mads spun the bottle, and this time it pointed to Albert.
“Truth or dare?”
“Dare,” Albert answered boldly.
Mads grinned. “Sing the theme song of your favorite Korean drama.”
Everyone froze. I blinked heavily at what I heard.
Seriously? Since when did Albert get into Korean dramas?
Albert closed his eyes tightly and gestured towards Mads.
“I’ll get back at you for this!” His ears turned red, probably from embarrassment.
“Why? Who said dare?” Mads glared at him.
Albert took a deep breath, cleared his throat, and adjusted his posture. After a moment, his surprisingly melodic voice floated out, something I didn’t expect from him.
Each of us was struggling to hold back laughter as he finished singing. But in the end, our quiet surroundings were filled with hearty laughter.
Even Stephen laughed. As far as I remember, this was the first time I heard him laugh, and it was unexpectedly pleasant.
I looked at him. In an instant, his expression turned serious. I just shook my head.
“It’s my turn!”
Our attention shifted back to Albert as he quickly spun the bottle. It landed on Damon. Even before Albert could ask him, Damon immediately responded.
“Truth.”
Albert nodded a couple of times before rubbing his chin.
“Do you have feelings for Mads?”
I was taking a sip of my drink, and I couldn’t help but choke at his question.
What the hell? What’s going on between Mads and Damon that I’m not even informed about?
Damon’s face remained blank. It seemed like he was expecting that question.
“None. Why would I have feelings for her? She’s not my type,” he answered in a disinterested tone before taking a sip of his wine.
Mads chuckled. “Why? What kind of woman do you think I am? Acting like you know everything!” She crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Well, if you just admitted—”
“We’re not admitting anything!” they both said in unison. They shot each other annoyed looks before turning away.
I raised an eyebrow. I’ll make sure we won’t be leaving without me getting some information from them.
Albert shrugged. “Okay.”
Just as they were about to high-five, Damon interjected and spun the bottle again. This time, it stopped at Cole.
“Dare,” Cole answered quickly.
Damon pondered for a moment. Soon enough, his mischievous grin appeared.
“Perform the currently trending dance challenge.”
Laughter filled the surroundings, especially when Cole’s face suddenly scowled.
I’ve heard him sing before. But it would be even more fun to see him dance.
He didn’t have much of a choice, and it seemed like a child was hesitatingly stomping his feet, so he stood up in front. Soon enough, the popular song began to play on Mads’ phone.
I nearly doubled over in laughter because of Cole’s antics. I’m not a fan of any K-pop group, but I can assure you that his moves were far from the actual dance steps.
“Man! Who would have thought that a bodyguard like you could actually dance like that?” Harold teased him.
To my surprise, Cole raised his middle finger and mouthed ‘fuck you’ to Harold.
That’s quite a scene. I didn’t realize that Cole was also quite close to my friends.
Cole didn’t mind the sweat forming on his forehead, even though it was chilly outside. He quickly spun the bottle again, and this time it landed on me.
I took a deep breath. Honestly, I’ve been pondering what to choose for a while now.
I bit my lower lip. Whatever. I’d rather be grilled with questions than embarrass myself.
“Truth.”
Cole clasped his palms together and looked at me seriously.
“Madame, if you were to lose any memories related to your past, would you still want those memories to come back?”
I furrowed my brows at his question. That seems to be a tricky one. Plus, I’m pretty sure no one among them knows that there are parts of my past I don’t remember.
Silence enveloped the surroundings. I even noticed Mads subtly nudging Cole, seemingly giving him a warning.
The tension was shattered when Stephen slammed his palm onto the table. I felt like my heart was going to jump out of my chest.
“What the hell is that question? Do you really have a death wish?” Stephen’s jaw clenched, his gaze sharply fixed on Cole.
Cole immediately looked down. “I’m sorry, sir. I’ll change it.
“No,” I interrupted before he could say anything else.
This is a game, and I intend to play it fairly.
Everyone’s eyes widened as they looked at me.
I managed a bitter smile. “No. I mean, I probably wouldn’t want them back anymore. Because maybe the reason I forgot that part of my life is that it was filled with painful experiences. Perhaps the people who were part of it only brought me pain.”
I ignored the saddened expressions on their faces and quickly spun the bottle. I just wanted this game to end.
But I let out a breath as the bottle pointed to Stephen.
I turned to him slowly. His emotionless eyes met mine.
“Truth,” he said flatly.
Honestly, I wasn’t expecting him to still participate. I thought he might stand up and leave, given that he usually dislikes these kinds of games.
I smirked. I knew it was a bit absurd to ask him this in front of our friends. But I really just wanted to know the truth, and I couldn’t let this opportunity slip by.
“Why did you marry me?”
I heard the collective gasps from our friends.
“Nathalia Sarmiento! What kind of question is that?” Mads couldn’t believe it, staring at me.
“Exactly! Maybe it’s just an effect of what happened to you earlier. Who even came up with this game? Come on, it’s getting late,” Damon urged.
I ignored their protests. I kept my gaze on Stephen, who was looking out towards the sea.
I knew he didn’t marry me just because of the secret each of us knows or the agreement he has with his father. There’s more to it. I’m sure of that.
“Well, it’s becoming too serious. This is just a—”
Albert was about to cut in, but Stephen interrupted with a response that almost made me lose consciousness due to the words that escaped his lips.
“Because I love you.”