Nathalia’s POV
My head and eyes were hurting when I woke up the next day. I could hardly sleep last night because of what Stephen said. Thankfully, he left early today.
Honestly, I don’t know how I would face him if the opportunity arose.
I’m afraid that my own heart might betray me. Because with each passing day, I feel it slowly weakening and falling for him.
That can’t be.
We didn’t talk anymore until we got home last night. But he held my hand throughout the journey while his other hand was on the wheel. As much as I wanted to remove it, I couldn’t. No matter how much I denied it, I knew within myself that I found comfort in that simple gesture.
It almost made me forget that the man beside me at that time was my kidnapper. How I wish that we had met in different circumstances.
I yawned as I descended the stairs. Some of Stephen’s men, whom I passed by, greeted me formally.
I responded with a smile and a nod. Somehow, the nervousness I used to feel whenever I saw them had disappeared.
I went straight to the kitchen. There, I found Cole finishing his breakfast. He smiled as he saw me.
“Good morning, Madame! Please have your breakfast. I just need to check something in the control room.”
I nodded at him before taking a seat in front of where he was sitting earlier. Belen quickly served me.
“Have you had breakfast? Join me,” I asked the kind housekeeper of this mansion.
Truth be told, I miss having breakfast with my parents. Here, I often eat alone.
It’s hard not to think about Stephen. He has many people around him, but I know that over the years, he has still felt alone.
Similar to how I’m feeling now.
“Oh, I’ve already eaten. Thank you.”
She smiled at me and gazed at me. I furrowed my brow as I noticed a hint of longing in her eyes.
“Is there something wrong?” I asked with concern.
She blinked and then shook her head a few times. “No, nothing. I just need to organize the groceries I bought earlier. Just let me know if you need anything.”
She was about to turn away when I suddenly remembered. I needed to start gathering information about my husband.
However, I was hesitant to use any information I might find against him. Besides, I genuinely wanted to get to know him better.
“Belen! I called to her. She quickly turned to me.
“What is it?”
I rested both my arms on the table and clasped my hands, resting my chin on them. “Please have a seat. I just have some questions I’d like to ask. If that’s alright?”
Doubt was evident on her face before she sat down. “Sure. As long as I can answer, there’s no problem.”
I stifled a smile and adjusted my position. “How long have you been serving the Andersons?”
She smiled widely and lowered her head as if reminiscing. “Truth be told, it’s been thirty years since I started working for the Andersons.”
I nodded. “That’s quite a long time. Does that mean you’ve witnessed Stephen’s growth?”
“Oh, absolutely. I’ve been taking care of that young man since he was born until he grew up. His parents often had to leave for their other business dealings in different countries.”
I blinked again. It turns out that Stephen grew up without spending much time with his parents. That’s something that can never be compensated for, no matter how much wealth you have.
I glanced around before refocusing on her. “How long has their family been involved in the underground society? Since when did they become a part of it?”
Her lips parted in surprise. It seemed like she wasn’t expecting such a direct question. But she quickly composed herself and let out a deep sigh.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t answer that question anymore. It might be better if you ask Sir Stephen himself.”
I bit my lower lip. I knew it was unlikely that I would get any crucial information about him. But I had to try.
“That’s alright. I understand. I just have a few more questions.” I persisted.
She simply nodded.
“Please don’t take offense, but why don’t you just leave this mansion? It would be safer for you to be away from this place. Why not go back to your own family?”
Truth be told, Belen is one of the reasons why I feel comfortable in this mansion. But she’s too good to be here. Spending her life serving a mafia family.
She chuckled and laughed, which furrowed my brow.
“The Andersons are my family. I was just a child when Don Isaac took me in. My parents died in a fire, and I was the only survivor. I wandered around afterward because our other relatives were in the province and nobody wanted to take me in. Until Don Isaac’s car found me.”
Her eyes sparkled as she recounted the story, as if it were a beautiful turn of events that led her to this mansion.
“If it weren’t for them, I might not be here anymore. I owe my life to them, and I’m willing to protect this family until my last breath.”
I couldn’t immediately speak. Their stories were somewhat similar to Cole’s, who was a stray taken in by the Anderson family.
Maybe the Andersons weren’t really all bad. But their good deeds couldn’t erase the bad ones.
I blinked again as she suddenly reached for my hands and held them tightly.
“I know you have many questions racing through your mind and you’re feeling fear in your heart right now. But there’s one thing I can assure you of. They’re not bad people, and one day, when the lost ones return, you’ll find that out for yourself.”
She stood up. “Would you like me to replace your food? It must be cold by now.”
Suddenly, my stomach grumbled. We exchanged a glance and laughed simultaneously. I almost forgot that I hadn’t eaten yet.
“No need. I’m fine with this. Thank you very much.”
She nodded. “Alright, I’ll attend to other matters then.”
I gave her a polite smile. Once she left, I finally began to eat.
However, her last words kept echoing in my mind.
What did she mean by that?