"Nadine, it doesn't matter if your sister can't always get in touch. She's married, has her new life, and is trying to start things off with her partner. You don't have to worry about your sister, I'm sure Oriaga is taking good care of her." Mateo shared his advice after Nadine told him that Amanda had contacted her again last night."Yes, I know." Nadine nodded. "Maybe it's because we're together every day, and the week before she was always in touch indefinitely, that I find it strange when Amanda suddenly goes silent, that I get scared, Dad.""It's natural, whether you, your father, or your mother must feel the same way, but after that, we have to start getting used to being without Amanda so that you don't have to think about her all the time.""I'm sorry that the way I think about her is just too much." Nadine chuckled."It's just Amanda now, but one day you'll catch up with her—marry someone, and then you'll have a new life with a real busy life, while it's just your mom and dad
Still, in the same place on a different day, Amanda sat on a park bench in the mansion's backyard, trying to relax her hand muscles as she repeatedly tried to draw anything around her, and who knows how many papers she crumpled in annoyance.Fortunately, Amanda did not give up. She had much free time as an 'unemployed,' making the woman still try despite the occasional swearing. Sometimes, something once her favorite would be difficult to return to when it was left for too long.It wasn't that Amanda couldn't draw. She just wasn't used to it.The woman moved to sit cross-legged on the grass just one meter in front of the park bench. In the afternoon, the sunlight became more subdued, so even if she chose to sit in the middle of the lawn—it wouldn't sunburn her. The light had changed direction.Amanda was interested in drawing a low apple tree, and she shaded some parts as she looked down."Maybe I should start asking someone if this drawing is eye-worthy," the woman muttered.She drew
"Amanda's dress is torn?""That's right, sir. If you don't believe me, I can send you a photo.""Yes, you can, but what did that woman do to tear her dress, huh? Is she depressed and crazy to ruin her things?""No, sir. Miss Amanda is fine. I confirmed it with the servants, but they did not know about the torn dress."Oriaga snorted. "Thank you for reporting it to me, Zayn. It turns out she's quite a prodigy.""Yes, sir. I'm ending the call."After putting the phone away from his ear, Oriaga opened the marketplace app again, and he did not feel burdened if he had to spend money on Amanda, even though Oriaga had spent tens of thousands of dollars to pay off all his wife's family debts.He looked at several official stores of other clothing brands before ordering seven dresses and three pajamas for Amanda. Like yesterday, Oriaga would immediately fill in the mansion's address as the delivery destination.He switched to the corded phone and spoke to someone. "Please bring the catalog of
"What kind of silliness is this." Amanda's head became so dizzy after seeing several maids enter her room while carrying many shopping bags filled with gift boxes with various ornate ribbons tied, and they looked very luxurious.Now, the bed in Amanda's room was full of them, making her cluck and complain, as Oriaga's behavior was too much for her.If only she had a cell phone, she would have immediately called her husband to protest and return the items."Yesterday it was perfume, so what will it be today?" She huffed, looking at everything on the bed because Amanda never expected anything from Oriaga. She didn't want the man's wealth, and she just wanted an everyday life.Amanda was in denial that having a wealthy CEO husband like Oriaga Niel must have brought many surprises, and she could get anything if she asked for it, even when Amanda never said anything to her husband, making Amanda feel like the mansion's walls could hear everything.All the facilities in the mansion made her
Usually, Oriaga would visit the mansion after office hours, but today, the man showed up early, around seven in the morning. Even though Amanda had not yet woken up, his wife was still asleep even though the autumn sunlight had greeted the earth's inhabitants.Oriaga did not need anyone's permission to enter Amanda's room, so he immediately opened the door without knocking. She was sleeping on her right side with the blanket wrapped around her, Amanda's hair partially covering her face.Oriaga's footsteps seemed to echo but had not managed to disturb Amanda's morning. The man approached the window before opening the curtains wide enough for sunlight to penetrate Amanda's room, which was previously only lit by a bed lamp."I still want to sleep, so let me do it. I went to bed at two in the morning last night." Amanda babbled without opening her eyes, feeling that the person who had opened the curtains was one of the mansion's servants."So lazy. How did she fall asleep at two in the mo
Since their last fight over Oriaga's dress that morning, he hadn't revisited the mansion for almost two weeks. The man had gone silent, never even ordering Zayn to check on his wife's condition, but Zayn had taken the initiative to call the mansion's guard number.Oriaga was getting busier in the office, so he didn't want to think about anything else, especially since he had several new styles of clothes that were still in the production stage. He also handled the renewal of cooperation contracts with business partners and the renewal of rental building contracts or shops in many shopping centers spread throughout the Netherlands.Oriaga didn't have time to think about Amanda, as if he was still the single man in his life, even though the wedding ring was on his ring finger, but he was never seen or deliberately blinded to his wife."Miss Amanda, she is like to eat those oats?" asked Aunt Rosemary to a servant in front of the elevator on the main floor, eagerly waiting for her return
Amanda hadn't realized it yet when someone joined her behind her back and hugged her, kissing her head before closing his eyes.While in the mansion's front yard, Zayn sat on the car's hood while looking at the balcony of Amanda's room. He managed to persuade Oriaga after repeated refusals, but tonight, the man's conscience was knocked, making Zayn feel very grateful.It was eleven o'clock at night, and Zayn should have returned home, but hearing Oriaga's agreement to visit the mansion made Zayn undo the intention to go home. It didn't matter if he came home late as long as he saw the situation between Oriaga and Amanda improve."Would you like some coffee?" offered the mansion guard as he held up a coffee cup, suddenly appearing beside Zayn, almost taking him by surprise."No, Uncle. Thank you.""He came." The stocky man laughed when he saw the balcony of Amanda's room. "The photo I got is compelling, isn't it?"Zayn nodded, and he smiled. "That's right, Uncle. I also sent the photo
Aunt Rosemary almost screamed in surprise at Amanda's appearance near midnight on the main floor, plus the woman's appearance must have made others think that they saw a ghostly apparition in the mansion.With a long white dress, messy loose hair, and a pale face without a touch of makeup, anyone can scream if they meet Amanda in this position. Fortunately, Aunt Rosemary was okay. She intended to go to her room—which was joined by another maid's room to rest, but Amanda's appearance made the woman's intention fail."Oh my, Miss Amanda. What are you looking for so late at night like this to come down to the main floor? I thought you were asleep," Aunt Rosemary said, swallowing hard as she took in Amanda's disturbed state."I'm hungry." The woman spoke softly so Aunt Rosemary didn't hear her."How is it, Miss? Can you repeat that?""I'm hungry." She had been crying all day, as evidenced by her sad face and swollen eyes, all because Oriaga's words had hurt so much. Amanda's voice became