Chapter 6

Nieva's POV:

I Woke up when I heard a knock at the door. I slowly opened my eyes and the white ceiling was the first one I saw. After a while, I realized that the ceiling was unfamiliar, so I quickly looked around the room.

"Ma'am Nieva, this is Manang Gina. You need to wake up and eat breakfast with Sir Desmond." When I heard what the person outside said, I remembered everything that happened yesterday, from my kidnapping to the shotgun marriage and Desmond's almost exploiting me. I quickly sat up on the bed.

"Ma'am Nieva, if you don't wake up, we will open the door."

My chest started to feel heavy again. I will be a prisoner here. I will lose my freedom to do what I want and most of all my life is in danger here.

I looked at the door when it opened and saw Manang Gina with a maid who looked only 18 years old. "You're already awake." She signaled the maid who was with her to put the dress she was holding on the bed. I looked at the white dress. "You'll wear that today. Take a shower and soon you'll be eating breakfast with Sir Desmond in the dining area. He wants to eat with you and see you before he leaves for work. I'll wait outside your room." The next thing I heard was their footsteps leaving the room and the door closing.

I took the dress and saw that it would be loved. It is white with thin sleeves, body-hugging, and thigh length. I just sighed and got up to take a shower. After I showered, I put on the dress they gave me. I dried my hair and fixed it a little and applied light makeup on my face.

"Ma'am Nieva? Are you done? We only have five minutes left and breakfast will start." Manang Gina called me outside.

I didn't answer but walked out of the room. When I opened the door, I saw her standing on the side while a female maid was still with her. They quickly bowed for a moment when they saw me, "It's good that you're done. Follow me to the dining area."

I nodded and they started walking, I quickly followed. While walking I looked at the paintings hanging in the hallway. They look loved and are made by famous artists. We were about to turn towards the stairs when my eyes landed on a painting. I stopped and stared at it carefully. It's a garden scenario with rabbits having a tea party.

"Ma'am Nieva?" I heard Manang Gina call me.

If I'm not mistaken, this painting belongs to Dad. There is only one piece of this painting and Dad’s famous artist friend painted this. Why is the painting here?

"Ma'am Nieva? We have to go to the dining room. Is there a problem?" Manang Gina approached me and looked at the painting I was looking at.

"Nothing. Let's go," I answered.

We walked down to the dining area. When we entered, I was a little stunned to see so much food was prepared on the table. Manang Gina made me sit on the right next to the head chair.

"The dress suits you," Manang Gina commented to me with a smile.

I don't know what to answer and I can't even smile especially knowing my situation. I just nodded to her and then bowed. After a while, I felt someone sitting in the head chair so I looked over and saw Desmond. He was wearing a white polo shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, showing the gold watch he was wearing. The few buttons of his polo shirt on the chest were not buttoned, so I could see his skin there. His black hair was down and it was obvious that he had just taken a bath.

"Enjoying your view?" He grinned. I quickly looked away. "So.. how was your sleep, my Queen?"

"Not good," I replied sparingly.

"Why? Is the quality of the bed bad? Is there a problem with the bedroom? Do you want something added to the bedroom?" He asked one question after another as if he was worried about my answer.

"Yes, there is a problem," I answered while looking him straight in the eyes. "You."

He stopped for a moment and frowned, then suddenly laughed out loud. I just stayed silent as well as the maids on the side, we all just looked at him laughing now. The sarcasm in his laugh is obvious.

"Nice joke, Neiva," he said shaking his head as his laughter subsided. "What a good morning." He got a coffee and drank it.

I just kept looking at my plate that didn't have any food. Most of the prepared foods are my favorite but I don't feel like eating, I have no appetite. I frowned when I saw someone put bacon and pancakes on my plate.

I looked at Desmond who took a bite of bacon, "what are you staring at? Start eating," he ordered while chewing, "the bacon tastes good and the quality is a bomb." I didn't answer him and I didn't even eat any food on my plate. "Are you planning on starving yourself?" He asked.

"I'm not hungry," I answered simply.

"So you're not eating?" He lowered the fork he was holding on the table and looked at me with his dead serious eyes. "In case you forgot, I'm the boss here. Everything I say will be obeyed. And when I say eat, eat. I wouldn't want my beautiful wife to starve to death." He held my chin. I wanted to back off but I couldn't because I knew it would only make him angrier. He turned my face to his and looked me deeply in the eyes, "but if you really don't want to eat, that's not my problem." He let go of my chin and stood up. "Don't give her food until I say so." He put on the coat that was hanging on the back of his chair and then bent down so that his face was level with mine. "I'm going to work now, love. You behave here, understood?" He quickly gave me a peck on the lips and then smiled.

When I heard his footsteps fading away, I breathed a sigh of relief. I leaned back and caught my breath. I don't know what's wrong with me but I’m having a hard breathing whenever I’m with him. Maybe it was done by nervousness and fear. I must admit that I am afraid of him because he is a Mafia member after all. He could kill me any time he wants.

"Miss Nieva, I'm sorry but we have to follow Sir Desmond's orders," there was sadness in Manang Gina's voice when she spoke. "I'm sorry. We can't give you food until we're told to."

"I understand." I stood up and smiled a little. "You don't need to apologize. It's not your fault." Desmond is the one behind all this. "I will get back to my room." I didn't wait for what she had to say, I immediately walked up to my room.

When I got in, I jumped straight on my bed and looked out the window to see the clear bright sky. I want to visit Mom. I want to see her again and talk to her but it seems vague because of Desmond.

How long do I have to endure this?