Nathalia’s POV
Three days have passed since we went to Stephen’s family’s private resort. But until now, I have been troubled by his response to the question I threw at him.
“Because I love you.”
I let out an exasperated sigh as I stared at the ceiling. I’ve been awake since earlier, but I still can’t bring myself to get up.
After he answered that night, he quickly stood up and left. We didn’t get to finish the game, and we silently retreated to our respective rooms. Even during the journey back home, not a word was exchanged between us. I couldn’t even confront Damon and Mads anymore due to the absurd questions thrown at them by Harold and Albert.
Since that day, Stephen hasn’t shown me any affection. We’re in the same house, sharing the same bed, but I feel like he’s not really there.
I should be happy. Because aside from not talking to me anymore, he’s also letting me do the things I want. As long as I’m always with Cole.
But I don’t know why sadness is slowly engulfing me.
I knew that he wasn’t serious when he said those words. Like, hello? How could he already love me when we just met? Besides, is he even capable of loving someone?
Though I admit that my heart beat faster when those words slipped out of his mouth because they sounded so real and his eyes looked so sincere.
But I should know better. I can’t let myself be swayed by his sweet words. After all, he is a cunning man.
I grumpily got up and ruffled my hair. It’s like my headache is getting worse with each passing day.
“You’re so frustrating!”
I grabbed a pillow and just threw it near the door. But I only let out a gasp as the door opened right at that moment, and the pillow hit Stephen’s face as he was entering.
“What the hell is your problem?” He angrily threw the pillow onto the floor and gave me a hostile look.
I raised an eyebrow. “It’s not my fault if you suddenly appear out of nowhere.”
He shook his head before starting to walk towards me. “Get ready. My friends are downstairs. They want to meet you.”
I looked at him in surprise. “You have other friends besides Ace and Shantel?” I asked, taken aback.
He stared at me in disbelief. “What do you think of me? Just because I’m a mafia boss doesn’t mean I don’t have friends. Real friends, to be exact.”
I rolled my eyes at him. “Fine! You go ahead downstairs. I’ll follow.”
But he remained unfazed, standing there and just looking at me.
I suddenly felt a bit uneasy. So I raised an eyebrow at him, trying to hide my nervousness.
“What? Do you have something else to say?”
He blinked, then shook his head, and without looking back, he walked away.
I stood there, dumbfounded by his behavior. What the hell was that?
As I finished getting ready, I still pondered over Stephen’s recent actions. He’s becoming stranger than ever.
When I opened the door, I wasn’t surprised to see Cole waiting outside.
“By the way, who were Stephen’s friends that came? Are they also part of the organization?” I curiously asked him as we began to walk.
“Yes, Madame. Most of them are mafia bosses as well,” he politely replied.
I sighed. Well, in their world, they’re bound to encounter their own enemies and allies.
But you need to be cautious of traitorous people. Sometimes, you don’t realize you’re already taking care of a snake.
I smiled bitterly when I remembered him again.
“Were they there on the day of our wedding?” I paused as a memory struck me. “Oh, wait. Were you there on that day?” I turned to look at him.
He nodded and smiled. “Yes, Madame. I was there on that day. But Sir Stephen’s friends weren’t present because they were still in America at that time.”
I frowned. If I’m not mistaken, they were handling a transaction there. Based on what I overheard from Stephen and Ashter at the reception back then.
We were approaching the staircase when I nearly jumped in surprise at Stephen’s loud voice, which seemed to echo throughout the mansion. It sounded like he was reprimanding someone in the living room.
I wondered who could possibly be on the receiving end of his anger.
I hurriedly went downstairs to see what was happening. But I just stood there, stunned, as I took in the chaotic scene before me.
Almost all the cushions were on the floor, chip wrappers were scattered across the table, and a few guns were placed on top of the long sofa.
I looked around. Among all of them, I only knew Shantel and Ace. They were the only ones standing apart from the group.
Ashter was playfully throwing a cushion at another guy, who seemed to bear a resemblance to him. He just looked more mature. There was also a guy and a girl playing chess on the floor, seemingly unfazed by the chaos around them. I couldn’t help but gape as I spotted a guy sleeping on the carpet while a girl was slowly picking up the scattered cushions.
“Will you please fix yourselves already? My wife is now here. You all look shit!”
I slowly turned to the fuming Stephen, who was standing with his arms on his waist, massaging his temples. It seemed like he had been scolding his friends for a while, but they didn’t seem to be paying him any attention.
However, upon hearing his words, everyone abruptly stopped what they were doing and simultaneously turned their heads in my direction.
I gave a timid smile and said, “Hi?”
They stared at me for a few more seconds before hurriedly picking up and tidying up their mess. Even the guy who was sleeping earlier abruptly woke up, as if he had been resurrected.
I winced. Are they really part of a mafia organization? Specifically, are they all bosses of different mafia clans?
Stephen let out a sigh. “I’m sorry. They have a childish mindset, so it’s difficult to get them to listen. I really shouldn’t have agreed to let them come here.”
I raised an eyebrow at him. Apologies were not something you would often hear from Stephen Anderson! It almost felt like there were angels singing in the background.
“It’s okay. They’re quite amusing, actually.”
And that was true. I also saw my friends in them. Whenever we were together, they acted just like children.
Once everything was settled, they each approached me to introduce themselves.
“Hi! I’m Rhyz. The tech genius of the group and the handsome brother of Ashter. It’s nice to finally meet you, Nathalia,” said the guy who was playfully bothering Ashter earlier. So that’s why they looked alike.
“Hey! Call me Big Brother! You asshole!” Ashter shouted at him with a grumpy expression.
But Rhyz ignored his brother and extended his right hand to me with a smile. I was about to shake his hand when Stephen quickly pulled him back.
“No, shake hands. It’s not necessary,” he said, his face darkening as he clenched his jaw.
My eyes widened at him. What’s his problem, really?
With a smile, Rhyz tapped his shoulder. “Man, you’re totally dead!”
He was about to be punched by Stephen, but he quickly ran away.
Next, the guy who was sleeping earlier approached me. “I’m Oliver, the shuriken magnet.” He yawned before casually going back and sitting on the sofa.
Huh? Shuriken what?
The girl who was playing chess earlier approached me, jumping up and down. “Hello! I’m Ryza! The chain queen!” She winked at me.
I smiled at her. She looks so cheerful and bubbly. “Hello!”
The opponent she was playing against also came up to me. In fairness, they both look cheerful. But when they were playing chess a while ago, no one seemed to disturb their seriousness.
“Rylie here! The whip master!” He placed his right hand in front of his stomach before bowing.
The last one to introduce herself was the girl I saw picking up pillows earlier.
“Amelia, the cleaner,” she said seriously.
I furrowed my brow. “Cleaner?”
She rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t want to know about it.”
I glanced around and noticed that everyone was suppressing laughter except for Stephen, who now had his eyes tightly shut.
But Amelia just gave them the middle finger.
I remained silent. I thought Stephen was weird, but it seems like his friends are even weirder compared to him.
But I wonder, what do they call him?