Nathalia’s POVAfter eating, I decided to watch TV for a while. Cole sat on the single sofa beside me and watched as well. Despite that, I couldn’t help but think about Stephen’s condition and his wound, wanting to know how he was doing and help him heal.But I restrained myself. I shouldn’t care about him. If he wants to end his life, it’s his own business. It might even be better for me if that happens.“How long have you been working for Stephen?” I asked Cole while my eyes were fixed on the TV.To be honest, I couldn’t understand what I was watching because my thoughts were wandering all over the place.I saw him smile from my peripheral view.“The truth is, I was just a child when I ended up under Anderson’s care. They found me wandering on the streets back then. I escaped from the orphanage I grew up in because I didn’t get along with the other kids there.”I heard him take a deep breath.“They took me in, cared for me, dressed me, educated me, and gave me a home. So, I owe them
I crossed my arms and gave him a bored look, trying not to show that I had forgotten about that detail.“You might be forgetting that we’re only married on paper. Now, I’ll take the bed, and you will take the sofa!” I pointed to the sofa on the side. “I don’t want to sleep next to you!”Just the thought of lying beside the man who made my life miserable was unbearable. Who knows? He might even try to do something worse to me!The thought sent shivers down my spine. If he dares, he’ll get a kick where it hurts.An evil grin formed on his lips.“You might also be forgetting who you’re talking to. Watch your words, woman.” His tone was threatening.I was slightly taken aback. He could still harm my family and friends.I swallowed hard and stared back at him.“I’m just stating the truth. We’re only married on paper. It’s not as if we’re in love or something. In the first place, why did you even offer to marry me? For the safety of your secret? But wouldn’t it be safer if you had just kill
Nathalia’s POVI’ve been locked inside the mansion for two weeks now. If it’s not the servants, I’m often talking to plants. I feel like I’m going to die or go crazy from extreme boredom.And to add to that, there’s Cole, who is always tailing me, and I rarely have a decent conversation with him. He never runs out of lame and corny jokes, which I find unusual for a bodyguard. I always associate that kind of behavior with someone serious and intimidating.But with Cole, everything is just cool. He somehow lightens up my mood.Mads and the others have visited me here several times, but because there are guards around, especially Cole, I’m not comfortable talking to them properly. It seems like they’re used to having so many guards all over the mansion.I tried to seize the opportunity to escape this hell for a while. I asked if we could go out because I miss bonding with them and to get away from this hellish place, even if only temporarily.But Stephen, being evil himself, managed to c
“Are you sure you’re really okay? I can carry the bags for you. Stephen won’t find out if that’s what’s bothering you.”I looked back at Cole, who was almost out of breath from carrying so many paper bags. I had been so engrossed in shopping earlier that I didn’t realize I had bought so much.“I’m okay, Madame,” he replied with a smile.I nodded before continuing to walk. I didn’t mind the curious looks from people around us.Is it their first time seeing someone with a bodyguard?I felt exhausted from the whole day of wandering and shopping. It was the first time I’d gone on a shopping spree like this because I’m not really extravagant. I usually avoid letting my Mom spend too much on me.But since the money I was spending belonged to Stephen, I might as well make the most of it. Who knows when my last day in this world will be? I might as well buy and eat all I want.We had just finished eating at a restaurant, and I decided it was time to go home. It’s not good to stay out beyond t
Nathalia’s POV“Just let me see her! You dumbass!”“She’s still resting! So, will you just shut your fucking mouth? You might wake her up!”“I don’t care! Besides, you still have a lot of explaining to do! What the hell happened? You promised us that you wouldn’t endanger her!”I woke up due to the loud shouting I heard from somewhere. I was about to ignore it when I suddenly realized that the two voices arguing were familiar to me.“Things happened. You know that no matter how careful I am, they’re always lurking around, waiting for the right moment to attack.”“I know, and I warned you before about that. But you didn’t listen. That’s why I’ll take her back!”“No! I won’t let you!”Because I was so annoyed by the noise, I finally opened my eyes. I blinked a few times to clear my vision. Slowly, the surroundings became clear and familiar.I sat up slowly, holding my head. I tried to recall what happened and how I ended up in our room.From what I remember, I went to the mall with Cole
Stephen’s POVI quickly got out of the car as soon as it stopped in front of a cream-colored bungalow house. It stood far from civilization and served as the headquarters of the Anderson Mafia.As I looked around, I immediately noticed several other cars parked side by side, but something still seemed missing.I adjusted my polo shirt before starting to walk. The scattered guards greeted me politely as I passed by.“Good evening, Sir Stephen!”I just nodded at them before heading inside. From the outside and within, the place seemed like an ordinary house, but its true nature was far from that.They swiftly moved aside a red carpet before opening the door on the floor, leading to a staircase. As I descended, two stainless steel doors greeted me, which would only open if the adjacent eye sensor security system recognized me.I positioned my right eye in front of it, and after a short moment, the words “Access Granted” appeared on the screen, and the doors slowly opened.I was greeted b
Third Person’s POVTHE WIND was cold. The surroundings were quiet and dark, and only the rustling of leaves could be heard.Not far away, there was a group of people who had been observing an old building for some time.“Stephen, aren’t we going to attack yet? My fists are itching to punch someone,” Ashter muttered beside him, his face scowling as he gazed at the abandoned building just a few meters away from their hiding spot.Stephen remained silent, knowing that his friend already knew the answer to his own question. He was just getting impatient.He sighed and quietly observed his scattered team and friends, as well as a few of their men, while leaning on the hood of his car. Cole was not with them at the moment; he left him and the others at the mansion to guard his wife.The security of the mansion was undoubtedly high. From the iron gate that could not easily be broken down to the CCTV cameras scattered around, monitored 24/7 by some of his men in the control room, everything w
Nathalia’s POVI felt so exhausted just staring at the ceiling, and then I heard Cole’s voice calling from outside the room, followed by a loud knock.“Madame! Please eat already! Bossing will be furious if you skip a meal!” he said in what seemed like a pleading tone.I let out a deep sigh. “You’re just exhausting yourself, Cole. How many times do I have to tell you that I have no appetite? Besides, he won’t know if you don’t tell him.”Truth be told, I don’t feel like doing anything right now. I’ve been cooped up in this room all day, doing nothing but reading. Eventually, I got bored and decided to lie down and stare into space.Stephen left early this morning, and as usual, his friends were with him. When I asked where he was going, he didn’t even bother to respond. That’s why I can’t help but feel anxious. I’m sure he’s up to some mischief again. I didn’t even notice when he came back last night, and now he left so early again.Lost in my thoughts, I was suddenly interrupted by a