Nathalia’s POV
I woke up feeling light and as if I were still on cloud nine. Even though I hadn’t caught Stephen this morning, it was alright. I anticipated that he would leave early again.
I woke up with a smile before getting up and peering out of the window. I warmly greeted the mafia guards stationed outside the mansion.
“Good morning!”
They looked up at me and nodded. “Good morning, Madame!”
I chuckled at their formality. I left the window and quickly got ready for the day. Before heading out, I visited Belen, who was busy watering the plants in the garden.
“You seem happy today. I hope you’ll always be this smiling,” she said, taking my hand and giving it a gentle tap.
I nodded. “Exactly. Let’s have dinner together again tonight, shall we?”
“You really are such a child. Now go, or you might be late for your class.”
I looked down at my watch. There was only half an hour left before my first class.
I bid her goodbye and left in a hurry, heading towards where my car was parked.
However, I was in for a surprise when I found Stephen waiting outside his car, leaning against it, engrossed in his phone.
My heart skipped a beat. After all, I had just seen him last night. But for some reason, I felt like I already missed him.
“What are you doing here? I thought you had already gone in,” I asked, approaching with a puzzled expression.
He lowered his phone, and with a smile, he looked up at me. “I came from the office to take care of something. But since it’s still quite early and my next meeting isn’t until noon, I decided to come back here for a while and give you a ride to school.”
My heart fluttered at his words. I didn’t expect this side of Stephen to be so sweet.
He straightened up and opened the passenger door. I got in with a smile. He quickly moved to the driver’s seat and started the car. Cole was following behind us as usual.
We were enveloped in silence during the drive. I had many questions I wanted to ask him, but maybe it would be better to wait until we were home later in the evening. That way, we could have a more intimate conversation.
“What time will you be going home later?” I asked after a few minutes of silence.
I noticed that he tightened his grip on the steering wheel. “Why do you ask?”
I shrugged. “Just curious. Besides the fact that I often don’t catch you when I wake up, I also don’t catch you when you come home. I just wanted to have dinner with you again. It’s lonely to eat alone, right?”
I looked at him with hope and a smile on my face. To be honest, I don’t usually eat alone. There are times when I persuade Cole and Belen to join me.
He took a deep breath before stopping the car on the side of the road. I glanced outside, and only then did I notice that we were already in front of the university.
“The truth is, I’ll be gone for a few days. That’s why I want you to promise me that you’ll be extra careful. If possible, don’t leave the mansion unless necessary. If you’re going somewhere or have to go out, make sure you stay close to Cole. Apart from that, I’ve also talked to your parents and Liam. They promised me that they’ll look after you while I’m away.”
I was taken aback by what he said. My wide smile slowly faded. My brain couldn’t immediately process the words he had just uttered.
In an instant, I felt like I was left hanging.
“How long will you be gone? Where are you going?” I managed to ask anxiously, trying to regain my composure.
He took my hand and gently squeezed it.
“I don’t know how long it will take. But I just want to promise you one thing. Once I’m done with it, you will no longer eat alone in the morning or in the evening. We will finally sleep and wake up together. That’s what you want too, yes?”
I swallowed hard. “Is it related to your enemies? Is that why you leave almost every day at dawn and come home at odd hours?”
He nodded. “Yes. I’m just going to sort out my issues with them. After that, we’ll be together more often.”
I looked down. My chest suddenly felt heavy. “Were you being sweet to me yesterday to comfort me about your departure today?” I asked him softly.
He lifted my chin and looked directly into my eyes. I couldn’t miss the tension in his jaw.
“No. It’s not that. What happened yesterday is one of the most precious moments in my life. I did what I did because I love you and not because I feel guilty that I will leave you behind or such. And I’m more than willing to do it every day if that’s what will make you happy.”
I bit my lower lip. As much as I didn’t want him to leave, there was nothing I could do.
“Okay. Do what you need to do. But promise me that I won’t become a young widow anytime soon, okay?” I forced a laugh even though the truth was that the thought of him being far away twisted my heart.
His laughter filled the car loudly before he softly kissed the back of my hand.
I stared at him. Damn. His laugh sounds like music in my ears.
He adjusted his seat and then smiled at me. “I promise to come back as a whole, no injuries, still alive and kicking. Besides, we still have a lot of rounds to do. I might even make you pregnant.” He winked mischievously.
My eyes widened. This guy really has no filter!
Out of annoyance, I punched him hard in the arm. But it seemed like he didn’t really mind it.
He shifted his gaze to his watch. “I think you need to go already. Your class is about to start.”
I gasped. I almost forgot that I had class today!
I bid him goodbye, and just as I was about to leave, he quickly kissed me on the forehead.
“I’ll be back soon. Please take care.”
I didn’t say anything and went down. He waved at me before driving away.
I took a deep breath. If only I could go with him wherever he’s headed.
“Madame, are you okay?”
I turned to Cole, who had a handkerchief in his hand. I furrowed my brows.
“What’s that for?”
“Just in case you get teary-eyed because of Sir Stephen’s departure.”
I gave him a sharp look. “Do I look like I’m going to cry for that guy?”
He scratched his neck. “Yes.”
I closed my eyes and walked towards the gate. But before I could enter, I froze as if someone were watching me.
I quickly scanned my surroundings.
“Madame, is there a problem?” Cole suddenly became serious and alert.
Finding nothing unusual, I sighed. “No, there’s nothing. I’m going in.”
“Alright. If you encounter any problems inside, just give me a call immediately.”
I nodded at him before finally entering. I remained calm even though I suddenly felt a sense of unease.
***
The class passed by with my mind wandering. It was hard not to worry. Stephen was lucky not to have suffered serious injuries during their last encounter with their enemies.
But now, I couldn’t help but think. What if their luck runs out this time?
I shook my head. I can’t become a widow yet!
“Thalia? Are you okay?”
I looked up at Mads, who was looking at me with concern.
I blinked. “Yeah.”
“I don’t think so. You’ve been acting distracted. Maybe you shouldn’t have come to class today. Or maybe you’re sick.” She placed the back of her hand on my forehead.
I raised an eyebrow. “I’m fine. I’m just thinking about something.”
We had just finished eating and were hanging out in the corridor, waiting for our next class to begin.
“Maybe you’re just sad about Stephen leaving.” Harold and Albert chimed in with chuckles.
I glanced at Harold in surprise. “You guys already know he’s leaving?”
“Yeah. He has a business trip to attend, so he entrusted you to us for a while,” Damon answered.
I nodded. So he told my friends he was going on a business trip.
Now I can’t help but wonder. Who else did he talk to just to look after me?
“Do you want to go to the mall after class? We don’t have any hotel schedules today, and our classes are only until 2 PM. It could be a nice distraction for you,” Albert suggested.
I smiled at him and nodded repeatedly. “That sounds like a good idea.”
“Great! It’s settled then.”
After a while, we spotted a professor approaching our classroom, but he was halted by another professor he met along the way.
Before we headed back inside, I quickly sent a message to Stephen and Cole.
I’ll go to the mall later with the gang.
I was about to send it to Stephen when I paused.
What the hell? When did he change his name in my contacts?
I shook my head and proceeded to send my message to him, followed by a message to Cole.
I quickly received replies from both of them. I opened Stephen’s first.
My husband
Okay. Don’t forget my reminders, and make sure not to stay far from them. Just be home before 7 p.m. as well.
Then I checked Cole’s message.
Cole
Noted, Madame.
I smirked. It feels like just yesterday that I could go home whenever I pleased. Now, I’ve got a curfew to abide by.
That’s true. I know that it’s for my own safety as well.
Time passed quickly, and now we’re on our way to the mall. Cole is with me, and as much as possible, I’m trying to avoid making him look like a bodyguard. So, we’re walking together, engaged in conversation.
“The mall’s security is tight, Madame. It might not be obvious, but there are CCTV cameras scattered around, and the staff here monitors them closely. So, if anything were to happen, there would be a quick response.”
I was surprised when Cole suddenly spoke beside me. “What do you mean?”
“I’ve noticed that you’ve been glancing around the surroundings. Don’t worry. I won’t let anything happen to you, Madame.”
I nodded. “How did you find out about all of this?” I asked, curious.
“I’ve been to the mall’s control room before. The personnel assigned there by Sir Ace are skilled snipers like him. So even though they’re focusing on the cameras, they still carefully observe people’s movements around.”
I stopped walking, causing them to stop too. “What? Ace is the owner of this mall?”
“Yes, Madame.”
“Didn’t Ace or even Stephen mention it to you?” Mads asked.
I shook my head. “No, they didn’t.”
So, Shantel owns a shooting range and a ranch, as she mentioned to me. Amelia is an obstetrician who manages a hospital. And now Ace owns a mall.
It seems like I need to prepare myself for more discoveries about Stephen’s friends.
After a while, we were inside the department store. Each of us picked out and tried on clothes and shoes we liked. However, I couldn’t help but grimace when Cole waited for me outside the fitting room.
We spent most of our time here. Ironically, the guys took longer to choose compared to Mads and me.
When we grew tired, we decided to have a meal. Afterward, I would have to head back since I couldn’t stay much longer.
We agreed to eat at a fast-food chain. We were having a great conversation when I looked up outside the glass window.
My smile vanished, and my heart suddenly raced. I felt my muscles tremble due to what I saw. I dropped the spoon I was holding, and my mouth hung open.
It’s been seven years already, but I can’t make a mistake. I might not remember much from my past, but he wasn’t part of those forgotten memories. So even though he had a hat on, I knew it was him.
Aries Baltazar.