Uninvited Guest II

Caras's POV

"She's staying over?" I exclaimed as Adonis broke the news to me. "Why?"

He sighed, taking off his shirt.

"She says she's here for emotional support. I don't need one, but there are a lot of rooms in the mansion, and I'm sure it was her father's idea. I don't want to seem ungrateful." 

"I don't like her," I confessed, and Adonis raised an eyebrow at me.

"You don't even know her."

"I don't have to know her to not like her. Call it female intuition." 

He rose. "Well, good for you. I'm going to bed." And with that walked back into the room, leaving me to think it over with a dissatisfied pout.

Have you ever met someone and just developed an instant dislike for the person? That's how I feel right now.

There's something about that Natasha lady that doesn't just sit right with me.

She could've introduced herself as the daughter of Bernardi's closest ally only. Why add Adonis's ex-fiancée? And that forlorn look on Adonis's face when he saw her.

What was that? 

I was no seer or prophetess, but I know she had ulterior motives. I'd narrowly gotten him to see things in a different light, and she shows up, claiming she's here for emotional support.?

What a load of bullshit!

Standing to my feet, I pulled my robe tightly around me, deciding to retire for the day too. All my life, I'd been wrong about a few things, and I hoped this was also one of them. 

But the thing about female intuition was that it was always right because she showed up the next morning in a simple robe like mine with a tray of breakfast in hand.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes, to be sure it wasn't a dream and I was really in our room.

"Natasha?" 

She beamed at me.

"Good morning, Cara. I made breakfast and thought to bring some for you and Adonis."

I threw a sceptical look at her. 

"Me and Adonis?" She smiled brightly.

"Yes. Where's he anyway?"

My eyes dimmed into slits as I watched her peer at me innocently. Was this an act, or does she truly have honest intentions?

The man she'd come looking for walked out of the shower with just a simple pair of sweatpants hanging low on his hips and a towel on his damp hair.

"Natasha?" He paused in surprise, his deep voice rumbling.

She gave him the same sweet smile she offered me.

"Hi, Adonis."

Adonis glanced at me, and I shrugged in reply to his silent question. His attention fell on her again.

"What are you doing here?"

Her lips pulled into a silly pout.

"That's not what I expected to hear from you after bringing you breakfast in bed." 

His eyebrows shot up.

"You brought me breakfast in bed? That was not necessary; I can get it myself, but thank you."

I don't know if it was because he noticed how uncomfortable I was around her or if it was because of what I said last night, but Adonis was unusually mindful of my feelings. His responses to her were so satisfying, but someone didn't get the memo and pressed further.

"It's alright. I wanted to do it." Then she looked at me. "The maids said Cara's pregnant, so I wanted to assist. You know how stressful it is." 

I scoffed. "You talk like you've been pregnant before." 

"No." She giggled, like actually giggled. "Adonis and I never wanted any— 

"Thank you for your help, Natasha. I'm truly and sincerely grateful, but please don't come into our room again. We're a married couple, and it is unseemly. Don't you think?" I stated plainly

My words were very straightforward and blunt, yet I couldn't get her to pull off the mask she had on.

Adonis stood quietly watching our interaction.

"Oh. I didn't think of that. I apologize then." Natasha said with deep concern. "I'd best be going now." She looked to Adonis again. "My father said you're searching for Antonio; let me know if you need any help."

That got his full attention.

"You know where to find him?"

She winked at him. "I think I might. Let's meet downstairs in an hour, right?"

And she walked out. My piercing gaze returned to Adonis, and I watched as he picked up a slice of toast and took a bite from it before his eyes flickered to mine.

"What?"

"I don't like her."

"You said that yesterday, and that's fine. But she's here, so you have no choice but to tolerate her. Avoid her if you must." He advised with his mouth full, and I rolled my eyes.

"Can't you just send her away?"

Adonis gave me a blank look. "I would've if you had said that yesterday, but finding Antonio is taking longer than I expected, so I need every help I can get."

I threw him a doubtful look.

"From her?"

"Contrary to what you think when you see her, she's very skilled and smart. I've worked with her before, and we make a good team. She's her father's heir after all." 

Pushing back the covers with a grumble, I stomped over to the restroom. My mind still didn't agree with what he said, but all I could do at the moment was wait. 

Whatever she wanted to help him with would be over in a week max, right? 

It wasn't like she had necessarily done anything bad; she was just a bit forward, so I can manage that. I said to myself. A week was nothing... just like a month was...