[23]

“You really like this place, don't you?” she asked as she set down the cup with Miya's favorite Cappuccino Latte. Also, some books that Miya needed to review for tomorrow's lesson. Desi was told that Miya had to prepare herself to study Macroeconomics as requested by her personal tutor, Lidia.

Miya's eyes lit up with excitement at the sight of the coffee cup for her. The Head Chef always knew what Miya liked as well as... “Ugh! Waflle with strawberry jam?” She looked forward to her evening snack.

“I have your book ready too.”

Miya immediately scowled in displeasure. “You're ruining a beautiful evening, Desi.”

Desi just chuckled. “You should pay attention to the lessons you've left behind. I'm sure a nice quiet night will help you concentrate."

Miya seemed to ignore Desi's words. She chose to sit back casually on the oval-shaped chair and put her feet up on it. Pulling up the thick blanket that she had kept warm while outdoors.

“Mr. Damian is still in his office room, Miss Miya."

That statement made Miya, who was enjoying her Capuccino, pause. Then she put it down slowly so as not to hit the books on the table. “I didn't ask about that guy, Desi,” Miya replied with a slight blush on her face and her gaze elsewhere.

“You're right and I was just giving information.” Desi smiled faintly. The girl had noticed a change in Miya's expression since Damian's arrival this lunchtime. As lunch progressed, Desi could clearly observe Miya occasionally glancing at the man sitting beside her. Miya's expression seemed to want to ask a lot of questions but was always held back because the two people who joined the table this lunch, were very noisy.

It was typical of them to argue. While Damian just stares at them flatly, unperturbed and not really caring what they talk about as long as it doesn't bother Damian. Miya occasionally chimed in on their conversations with harsh and unkind words. Because Victor and Marcus were a bit more annoying than usual. As if teasing and making Miya angry was a new favorite for them that wouldn't be skipped over.

Sometimes they held back when they heard Damian clearing his throat, but it again made the atmosphere at the dining table seem boisterous and warm because of their jokes. Desi was quite surprised by the atmosphere this afternoon, somehow it felt like... a warm home filled with love. Though Desi admits, the three of them were just cursing and teasing each other. And yet... as they finished their lunch, Damian asked Victor and Marcus to talk in his office.

That meant, there was a conversation that no one else was allowed to hear except those who were concerned. And as of this moment, Damian has not left the room. Except for Marcus, who left Damian's office first and asked for a car to take him to the Catterpillar Club.

“I don't need that information,” Miya snorted with an annoyed look.

“Fine.” Desi smiles a simple smile. “You need something else? If not, I've got your sleepwear ready.”

“Nothing and thank you for preparing it for me. Get some rest, Desi. You must be tired.” Miya gave Desi the go-ahead to get some rest. For most of the time, Desi stayed by Miya's side. Miya knew the girl must be tired.

Desi nodded obediently and said, “Well then, good night, Miss Miya.”

Miya just nodded briefly, letting Desi leave her on the balcony of her room. Ever since Miya lived in this mansion, her bedtime activity was to enjoy the night sky. Star-filled and sometimes gazing at the moon that also decorates the darkness of the night. Accompanied by a cup of warm Capucinno and sweet snacks, Miya does not worry about gaining weight because in this place, there is also a fully equipped gym area. There is also an instructor who will help Miya exercise in the morning.

It's truly a life of luxury that many people crave.

Desi closed the door to Miya's room slowly after making sure nothing was left unattended. Miya was Desi's responsibility, and she had to make sure the blonde girl was comfortable during her stay at the mansion. After Desi left the room, she walked towards the hallway with a sense of relief. She would welcome the morning as responsibly as ever. But not far from the door, she met a serious-looking Damian. The man's face was as usual, cold and stern.

Without preamble, Damian asked, “Where's Miya?”

Desi was not surprised. She too immediately bowed respectfully. “Miss Miya is on the balcony of her room, sir. She is enjoying her evening snack while repeating the lesson.”

Damian simply nodded in response. Resuming his steps towards Miya's room which was not far from where they passed. Desi gave him a quick glance and resumed her destination; her private room which was on the lower floor of the left wing of the mansion.

She needed to rest.

***

Meanwhile on the balcony of the room, Miya was trying hard to focus on the book lying in front of her. The subject of Macroeconomics felt like a punishment to Miya. All those theories and numbers just made her head spin. She let out a long sigh, half frustrated that this subject was one of the many she wasn't very good at.

“Why do I have to have this lesson?” she grumbled, staring at the books on the table with a wistful look. But... she was suddenly reminded of Damian's voice; the flat but intimidating one from this lunch when they accidentally discussed the subject with Lidia.

“I didn't expect a talkative girl like you to be so stupid.”

That remark made Miya turn her head and stare at Damian in shock. Just as she was about to reply, Damian said, “If your grades plummet again, there's no point in me returning your phone.”

Miya got goosebumps instantly. The threat coming from Damian was an imperative that had to be carried out and heeded.

The words kept spinning in her head. Miya would not give up her cell phone easily. She earned that phone the hard way. Don't let her not know anything that happened out there because of Damian's restrictions around Miya's communication with the outside world. The use of her cell phone was also very, very limited but Miya was very grateful for it.

At least, she knew how her best friend; Tessa was doing.

“I need to focus,” Miya said quietly and began to repeat her lesson. Reading the words and numbers in the textbook and solving problems that could be done. She had to force herself to study before her bedtime came.

“Gosh, why is this so hard?” Miya sighed in frustration as she placed the open book on her face. “What should I do to understand quickly?” She put the book back on the table. She took another sip of coffee and savored it. But not long after, the open balcony door shifted slightly.

Damian appeared in the doorway, without Miya realizing it.

“Miya,” Damian's voice sounded deep and firm, breaking the silence of the night.

Miya was taken aback. Her hand reflexes moved quickly, but not fast enough to hold the cup she was holding. The coffee cup slipped from her grasp, falling and shattering on the floor. The coffee liquid that Miya thought tasted right on the tongue spread on the balcony floor. Meanwhile, the broken cup was scattered around Miya's feet.

Miya groaned in panic, “Kyaahh!”

She quickly looked at her feet. Making sure no cup shards hurt her. Luckily, the shards were only scattered beyond the reach of her feet or hands.

Damian, who was standing by the door, stared at the incident with a face that was unreadable. There was a glint of anger in his eyes but when he saw Miya who was looking at him with a scared face, the anger immediately disappeared.

Miya immediately looked down, not daring to look at Damian. “You... surprised me, Mr. Sawyer. Sorry,” she squeaked softly. “The cup broke.” Her hands squeezed together anxiously.

Damian approached without hesitation. He bent down, making sure Miya's leg wasn't hurt. Miya could be seen shaking her head nervously as she pulled her leg slightly at Damian's touch. But the man did not easily let go of the girl who was sitting taller than him. “Shut up,” he said briefly. Afterward, the leg was no longer too stiff to move.

“Be careful next time.” Damian looked up and stared right into Miya's golden yellow eyes. Intense, sharp, and unwilling to be contradicted no matter what he said. To which the blonde-haired girl responded with a slow nod.

Then in one fell swoop, Miya was in Damian's arms. The girl squealed in surprise at the sudden movement of the man who only wore such a flat, calm face.

“Can you be quiet? Your screaming hurts my ears,” Damian complained with a chuckle.

“You didn't say anything.” Miya tried to speak as normally as possible even though her heart was beating strongly. Because of the movement just now, Miya could not help but put her arms around Damian's neck. Making her very close to the man she had been waiting for since morning.

“Do you still want coffee?”

Miya shook her head softly.

“Aren't you cold in pajamas that thin?”

“I used a blanket before. It's because I'm studying anyway so my body can warm up.”

Damian's brow furrowed.

“I was using my brain to think, triggering faster blood flow than usual.” Miya said with an awkward smile. She knew that excuse made no sense but what could be said when Damian had such a minimal expression?

“Next time wear warmer clothes when you're outdoors,” Damian said as he lowered Miya slowly to the edge of the bed. “You could get sick. I don't want the woman carrying my child to get sick.”

Miya bit the inside of her mouth, holding back the turmoil rising in her heart. She felt... claustrophobic but wasn't that what brought Miya to this place? There was nothing Damian wanted for Miya except for her to be pregnant with his child. As per the agreement they made.

“Yes, I understand,” Miya said quietly, her face downcast and no longer paying attention to the man in front of her.

“Good. Be the good girl in this house." Damian walked away, leaving Miya even more downcast for who knows what reason. The man took off the coat he was still wearing. Leaving behind a black shirt that hugged his tall, well-built body perfectly. Unhooking his tie immediately then rolling up the sleeves of his shirt.

Sitting on one of the sofas in the center of Miya's room. Reaching for the cell phone in his pocket, he made a call to one of the servants in this mansion. Asked them to tidy up the mess on the balcony and prepare a change of clothes. Afterward, he chose to lean back and close his eyes for a while because there were so many things to do these past few days.

Miya had been watching what Damian was doing. Since his arrival this afternoon, Damian didn't talk too much. Unlike the few days Damian had been by her side, playing a bit by the pool, and... “What are you thinking, Miya?” she grumbled as she tapped her forehead.

“Miya,” Damian called out which again made Miya wince.

“Yes?”

“Come here.” Damian spoke without opening his eyes. Miya who felt summoned had no other choice but to walk over to him, right? Her steps were a bit heavy, and it felt as if she could not let those steps arrive in front of Damian. But there was no way, right?

When she was in front of Damian, the man still didn't want to open his eyes. Miya took advantage of that to stare at the man with black curls intently. Damian was a man who was too perfect. His good looks made her feel... this man was on a level different from any man she had ever met.

“Satisfied looking at me, Baby Girl?”

Miya was stunned, especially when Damian opened his eyes. Their eyes met again. Eyes that made her unable to do anything but obey the owner of eyes as dark as those of the night.

“Come closer,” Damian's hand reached out to gently pull Miya's hand. Grasping it as if Miya's hand was precious porcelain. Don't let the grip get too tight and hurt the owner. “Sit on my lap.”

Miya's face immediately turned bright red. “B-but, Mr. Sawyer ... won't the servants come to tidy up the balcony in a moment? What if I-”

“They won't dare stare here, Baby Girl.” In one fell swoop, Miya was brought onto his lap. Hugging Miya tightly as she inhaled the girl's scent. Sinking into the hollow of Miya's slender neck is what Damian is doing now.

Miya's body was stiff at first but when Damian gave a gentle stroke on her back, Miya began to relax and returned his embracing. Occasionally burrowing her face into Damian's shoulder as if seeking comfort to lean on. Damian doesn't mind, in fact, he feels happy with Miya's spoiled behavior.

“You lied to me, Mr. Sawyer.”

“I'm busy,” Damian replies simply. “But I'm home, right?”

“Forgiven.” Miya smiles faintly over Damian's shoulder. “Did... you have a rough day? You look very burdened.”

“It's not your business to know.”

That remark made Miya sigh softly.

“Just give me a welcome hug every time I come home. Like this, Miya.”

Miya blinked in confusion but then nodded. After that, no one spoke between them. Miya also knew there were some servants who entered her room but none of them looked at them. It was as if they knew that her master didn't like his private activities to be known to others.

Miya was very grateful for that.

“Sofia says, this week is your fertile time, Miya.”

Miya slightly unraveled their embrace. “What does that mean?”

“Let's do it again. Until you get pregnant, I won't stop, and I don't like it when it stops.” That remark coincided with the servants finishing their work. The door to Miya's room closed again, leaving only the two of them.

Miya swallowed nervously.

“So... what did you prepare for me, Baby Girl?”