Ch3: Big Sister

Even though Natalie was confused by the behaviour of the man of hiding the child's face, she pushed aside thoughts of them, her mind consumed once again by thoughts of her family. She wondered about the fate of her father and brother. What had become of her mother's body?

Tears streamed down her face as she pondered these questions. Cut off from communication, she felt a pervasive fear that haunted her every thought.

She wished there was someone there to tell her what that had happened to her family. She wanted to know how things were at the moment.

Bitterness and a desire for revenge took hold of her. She longed to find those responsible and make them pay. She swore that she would use all her might to make them pay, to feel exactly what she was feeling now, or even more.

Exhausted from her weeping, she eventually drifted off to sleep. It was only later that the opening of the door woke her up from her slumber. She opened her eyes and looked at the door with caution.

This time, a middle-aged woman entered. She exuded a caring aura, and Natalie couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

The woman handed her some food and encouraged her to eat, though Natalie had no idea who she was.

Natalie ate the meal quietly, though she had to force herself for the sake of her well-being. The food tasted bland, like a blank sheet of paper. Nonetheless, she knew she had to remain strong for her family. She couldn't show any weakness now.

"Thank you," she murmured as she returned the plates to the woman. She was no longer afraid of being in this place. After all, the man had assured her earlier that he wasn't her enemy.

"Just press the button on the wall if you need anything else," the woman said, offering a warm smile.

It was then that Natalie noticed a button on the wall just above her. She nodded in acknowledgment.

The woman prepared to leave, but Natalie stopped her before she could close the door. She couldn't be certain when someone else would enter the room again. She hated that loneliness that was accompanied by fear and pain.

The woman turned to face her. "Is there something else, dear?" she asked politely.

Natalie hesitated, pursing her lips. "The man earlier... Can I speak to him?" she asked in a slightly trembling voice.

Anyone would have noticed her emotional state after all the crying. Her eyes were red and swollen, and her voice sounded hoarse.

The woman pursed her lips, studying her. "He's the boss here," she replied. "But I'll relay your message to him."

"Thank you," Natalie expressed her gratitude. She wanted to ask him if he could release her.

At this point, her primary concern wasn't her own safety. She yearned to fight alongside her family.

...

In the living room, Ivan Dione sat with his legs crossed, engrossed in his computer work.

A young boy played with toys on the floor beside him, occasionally glancing up to ask questions.

"Daddy, what's the beautiful sister's name?" he inquired.

Ivan sighed, having received numerous questions from the child about the "big sister" since they left the room.

He set his laptop aside and lifted the child onto his lap. "Do you like the big sister?" he asked. He had never seen Carter obsessed over anyone that much.

The little boy blinked, appearing deep in thought, before nodding his head. "Yep! The big sister is so beautiful. Carter loves her..." He turned to his father and gazed up at him. "What about Daddy?"

Ivan furrowed his brow. "What about me?" he queried, unsure of what the child was getting at. They were talking about Carter, not him, right?

"Do you love big sister?" the child innocently asked. He took had never seen his dad attend to any woman.

Caught off guard for a moment, Ivan peered back at the child, uncertain of how to respond.

"Carter, it's time for you to go to sleep," he said after a while. How could he talk about such things with a child?

Reluctantly, the boy gave in, aware that it was his bedtime. "Okay," he nodded obediently. He did not want to make things so difficult for his daddy.

However, before Ivan could hand him off to the caretakers, the child spoke up once more.

"Daddy, does the big sister have a boo-boo?" he inquired, recalling her bandaged state. It must have been painful. His boo boo was always painful whenever he had one.

"Hmm," Ivan nodded, not comprehending the child's intentions. He simply nodded.

"Can Carter blow on the big sister's boo-boo to make it feel better?" the child asked. His daddy always blew on his boo boo, but big sister had no one to blow on hers.

Ivan sighed, ruffling the child's hair affectionately. "Don't worry," he assured him. "Daddy will blow on the big sister's boo-boo. It won't hurt anymore."

"Okay!" the child exclaimed, hopping off his father's lap. "Carter will go to sleep now."

Ivan nodded, watching as the child made his way to his room. He couldn't help but sigh once again.

He, too, was filled with worry. Although he wasn't quite certain what he sought, he couldn't shake the feeling of concern.

"Boss?" Nanny Bella called from behind him, capturing his attention. He turned to face her.

Observing her holding the dishes, he ran his hand through his hair. "How is she?" he inquired.

"She doesn't seem well," Auntie Bella replied. "But she ate all her food."

Ivan nodded understandingly, retrieving his laptop, intending to resume his work.

Auntie Bella pursed her lips. "Um... Boss? Are you busy right now?" she called out once more.

Ivan looked up at her. "Is something wrong, Bella?" he asked.

Bella had been in his employ for several years, and they had grown accustomed to one another. She served as Carter's nanny and was entrusted with many responsibilities within the household.

"Um... it's about the lady... She..." Bella began speaking.

"Natalie Shines is her name," Ivan interjected, his response catching Auntie Bella off guard. Something seemed off with the way he spoke.

Nonetheless, she nodded in understanding. "Yes... Miss Shines is asking if you can see her..." she said at last.

Ivan fell silent for a few seconds. "Now?"

And Bella nodded. "Yes... She doesn't look well," she remarked. For some reason, she pitied that girl.

Ivan nodded back. "I understand," he stated, though he didn't immediately rise from his seat. He continued working on his laptop for a while longer before eventually standing up and exiting the room.