[38]

“Enjoy your breakfast, Miss Miya,” said one of the waiters as he served the grilled fish fillet that smelled so delicious. The salad and mashed potatoes looked appetizing. Not to mention the watermelon juice that accompanied the meal.

“Thank you.” Miya smiled slightly. A moment after the waiter left them, Miya frowned again. “Why are you still here?”

Victor sitting across from her sipped his coffee casually, as if not hearing Miya's irritated tone. “I like the quiet atmosphere at breakfast. Unfortunately with you here, it's hard to achieve.”

If throwing one of the spoons at Victor was considered polite, Miya would have done it earlier. Yet the area where they were enjoying this late breakfast was so relaxing. The table set up was not far from the edge of the lake, not far from the main tent where Miya should have slept last night. Unfortunately, that didn't happen to the blonde-haired girl because she spent the night with Damian elsewhere.

Remembering that made Miya blush. She looked down immediately because she didn't want to be caught by Victor's hawk-like eyes. If it was discovered that Miya was blushing because she remembered something she did with Damian, Victor would tease her severely.

“Your face is red, Miya. Why?”

Miya scowled again. “Can't my face get red in the heat?”

Victor looked at Miya in surprise. “Hot air?” He checked around. “How clever of this girl to make excuses.” He chuckled and ignored Miya's condition because it didn't worry him. Damian could kill him if anything happened to this girl. Victor wanted nothing to do with Damian when it came to Miya. “I have a lot of things to do. Don't make a scene after eating. Do you understand?”

“Then go to the main mansion. I'm sure it's quieter there. You need some peace and quiet, right?” Miya gave him a sharp look, but Victor just laughed.

“Too bad, I was enjoying watching you scowl like that. You have a funny face.” Victor set his coffee cup down elegantly, his brown eyes twinkling with teasing.

Miya snorted. “You are such a pain in the ass.”

“I know. It's one of his natural talents,” Victor replied casually, making Miya sigh in frustration.

Finishing his meal, Victor stood up and straightened his suit. “Your idea of asking me to return to the main mansion has merit. You can do whatever you want here, but don't make trouble, okay?”

“I'm not a child,” Miya muttered, but Victor had already walked away without looking back. Miya shot him a resentful glare before finally turning her attention to Desi. “Am I allowed to swim in the lake?”

“We'll confirm the location first, Ms. Miya. If it's safe, you may do so.”

***

Miya returned to the main mansion in the afternoon. She felt awkward doing activities alone in the middle of the forest even though there were many servants accompanying her. They were not like Victor or Marcus, and Miya even missed Damian. Damn. Thinking about Damian made it impossible to take her mind off the breakup she had inflicted on him. Damian didn't refuse Miya's brief peck, instead smiling brightly and returning it with a long peck on Miya's forehead.

Damian had never done that to her before. That's why when she thought about it, she really felt hot all over.

“Desi,” Miya called out as she moved her feet boredly on the edge of the pool. This afternoon, Miya had just completed two laps in the pool on the side of the mansion. It seemed that the security at the mansion was getting tighter and Miya noticed that the atmosphere seemed a little tense here.

“Yes, Miss Miya? Do you need anything?” asked Desi swiftly.

“Nothing.” Miya let out a long sigh. “No word from Damian yet? When is he coming back?”

“Unfortunately, Mr. Sawyer hasn't given us any news.”

Miya looked downcast. “I'm bored. Is there anything I can do?”

“You should change your clothes immediately. Don't catch a cold. The coffee master made the pavlova you like.”

Although the Pavlova was very tempting, it did not necessarily make Miya feel happy. “Alright. Prepare iced coffee together. I want to enjoy it on the second floor balcony.”

Desi nodded obediently and helped Miya up. Covering the girl with a thick kimono towel and making sure she wasn't cold. “I have prepared warm water for you to bathe in. Your clothes are also on the bed.”

In this mansion, Miya was like a queen. Everything related to her was always taken care of. There was no one who refused her orders. Even just gossiping about her existence, Miya never heard anymore. I don't know what Damian is doing but it feels ... Miya was getting used to all this treatment.

It didn't take long for her to shower and change clothes. The waiter was ready to deliver her Pavlova and Iced Coffee to the second floor balcony where she often spent time. But...

“Is Mr. Victor still in the mansion?”

“Yes, Miss Miya. Mr. Victor is staying in this mansion for the time being,” Desi said.

Although curious but Miya had an even better idea. “Show me the room where Mr. Victor is at the moment and bring that snack too. I want to enjoy with Mr. Victor.”

Desi nodded obediently and showed the room where Victor was working.

“Am I disturbing you?” she asked as soon as she was allowed into the room not far from Damian's office. Victor was going through a stack of files in the room. He looked serious, but still took the time to glance at Miya standing in the doorway.

“What are you doing here? Tired of frolicking in the pool?” he asked without lifting his head from the paperwork.

“Do you know what I'm doing?” she asked with unconcealed surprise.

“Damian asked me to keep an eye on you.” Victor said reluctantly. “There's no way I don't know what you're doing, Miya.”

Miya scowled in displeasure. She chose to sit in a corner by the window. The snacks already laid out in front of her looked tempting but... “You don't want me to join you for a snack?”

“I don't like sweets,” Victor said without looking at Miya. His hands were busy typing some reports.

“I'm bored!” Miya complained in a whining tone. “I need something to do.”

Victor snorted, but the corners of his lips curled slightly. “Jeez, you're like a kid who can't keep still.”

“At least it's better than sitting around checking papers all day.” Miya took a big bite of Pavlova and popped it into her mouth. She chewed without interest but tried to appreciate the head chef who served it to her.

Victor finally chuckled. “Alright. Let's go out then. Damian gave his permission too. I'm sure you're bored just being in this house.”

Miya looked at him in shock. “Seriously?”

“Of course. But remember, there are rules you have to abide by.”

“I'll abide by whatever the rules are.” Miya looked up at Victor with bright sparkling eyes.

Victor grinned. “You can only go where I approve, and Desi will come along. Here are some bodyguards and you can't protest.”

Miya snorted, but couldn't hide her smile. “Alright. I have no choice but to agree to it, right?”

“Stop being so annoying, Miya.”

Miya didn't care. She quickly left Victor's study as she said, “Desi, I need my bag.”

“Thick coat, mask, and hat. You can't forget that.”

Miya's steps immediately stopped and she stared at Victor with an incredulous look. “I'm not a celebrity who has to wear those things in public!”

“If you're with me, I don't want gossip the next day. Do you want your face plastered on the newspapers?”