“Welcome Master.” Kate greeted as Malcolm walked in but the man barely heard her. He just walked past her and made for the stairs when she dared to stop him. “Lunch is ready, Master.”
He halted but only for a second, “Send it upstairs to Bryan.”
Kate opened her mouth to speak but he was already gone. She hit herself. What was she thinking?! It had been three days. Three days since the little warmth that was left of the mansion died. Three days since she had prepared meals that was never touched.
Three days since Miss. Byrne had been unconscious.
The entire staff had been walking on their toes. Everybody was very meticulous with what they did to avoid being fired by the master. It was like Miss. Byrne took whatever warmth was left of the house when she passed out. Kate shook her head, she too missed the lively young girl who seemed to give life to everyone and everything around her. She could only hope she woke up soon.<
Lauren opened her eyes slowly. It had been a long dream—a dream of a perfect family with Raymond Spencer, her first love. At first, her brows creased as she tried to recall what happened last. It felt weird that she couldn’t recall what had happened the previous night or even the day before. Before she could think of it, she felt a warm little palm cover hers, and instinctively, she smiled. No doubt it was Bryan.Bryan…Suddenly, her eyes flew open and she sat up forcefully with burgling eyes which quickly returned to their normal size as pain stabbed through her back, at the same time, the memory she had lost returned. The flogging, the slashing, taking Bryan to the Knight mansion, and not to forget, Malcolm nearly choking her to death. She felt the little figure beside her sit up too and quickly, she turned to him, enclosing him in her arms. “Bunny? Are you okay? You aren’t hurt, are you?” she pulled him away and ran
Lauren gazed into the mirror as she peeled off her clothes, not wanting to miss a single sight of it. The once white bandages that had been wrapped on her back now had a hue of red. She sighed and even when she knew it would earn her scolding from Malcolm, she slowly peeled the bandage off her back closing her eyes at the gory sight that greeted her. Her eyes teared. She didn’t believe it was this bad. And Bryan had seen it too? It made her sob more. She didn’t want him to end up having trauma because of her. She was used to it after all.Used to being a subject of suffering and misery.Used to the fact that she wasn’t bound to have any lasting joy. She hated herself for being miserable. She hated herself for being so pitiful. She looked at the knife slash that dripped blood slowly but she didn’t move to clean it. She didn’t have the mind to. She just looked at it like she was hypnotized by it and at the same time, her eyes bled tears. Jus
Malcolm looked out through the window of his office, wishing he could see the mansion, particularly, his room. He wanted to be sure she was fine. he wanted to make sure she didn’t move about harshly and opened her wound again. The thought of being able to see his room through his office window excited him. He envisioned watching her while working. That way, he wouldn’t get to miss her. He suddenly frowned, didn’t that mean that others could see her too? The thought of her being admired by other men gave him goose pimples. He would definitely strangle any man that dared lust after her. She was his. His alone.The door opened behind him and his Assistant walked in, carrying a small velvet box made of fur. “Here is what you wanted, sir.” He spoke up, dropping the box on the table and then leaving quietly. The minute the door closed, Malcolm rushed to the table and opened the box. Dangling inside was a necklace with a diamond pendant. A
Lauren was unable to hide the shock on her face. What was this man up to? Why was he fuming already so early in the morning? “I’m sorry, you said?” “You cannot go to the kitchen. I forbid you to.” The man reiterated. “B-b-but why? Am I in some kind of detention?” she questioned, ignorant of the two men who glared angrily at themselves. “Did you forget your injury, Michelle? You might end up reopening the wounds again.” And you haven’t said thank you for my gift. He almost added. “I’ll be careful, I promise.” “You are always clumsy. I just don’t want the news to spread that you died under my roof.” “You don’t have to worry. I’ll take care of her. Dad.”After an eternity of silence and pleading, Malcolm finally conceded, and ecstatic, Lauren unconsciously
A month passed by slowly, watching Lauren’s injury fully heal. Thanks to Doctor Alfred’s expertise, no scar was left to remind her that it was once there. Now, she could wear a low shoulder dress like the one she wore now. Malcolm had told her they were going out. She couldn’t help but feel nervous. What if things turned out bad the way they did the previous time? When she finally came out of the room, Malcolm was waiting for her in the car. He was reclining on the seat with his eyes closed as usual. It made her wonder if he was really sleeping. “Umm… where are we going?” she asked but got no reply. Nodding, she turned to face her front. Maybe he was truly napping. “Don’t worry, I won’t send you off to a room full of arrogant looking women.” A baritone voice sounded just right beside her ear, making her jerk just a bit.Lauren blushed, “That was not what…”
The car drove slowly into a big mansion, two times bigger than the one they lived in. Lauren resisted the urge to gasp. She adjusted the dress she wore over and over again.Malcolm sighed exasperatedly, “Stop that already. You’ll do just fine.”She nodded, hoping he was right. The car came to a halt and the two doors opened and the couple stepped out. Lauren put on her best smile and decorum. She walked in with Malcolm, their arms linked together. If Malcolm hadn’t informed her before time, she would have gasped at the sight of the neatly kept Victorian-style sitting room.A smartly dressed man walked up to them, bowing smoothly, “Welcome, Young Master, Miss.”Lauren saw Malcolm frown at the young man’s address and quickly squeezed his palm gently to avoid him lashing out at the young man. “She is your Young Mistress.” He spoke calmly, “Next time, I might not be too lenient.”
Malcolm knocked lightly on the door before pushing it open. It was a study. The most exquisite study Lauren had ever seen. It had a big shelf filled with books and a fireplace. A splendid mahogany table stood in the middle and behind it sat a man whose face was blocked out by a newspaper. “Grandpa.” Malcolm greeted. Lauren noted how cold and indifferent his voice sounded, unlike when he greeted his grandmother.After a few seconds of silence, the newspaper was finally shifted out of sight, revealing a huge figure with an unsmiling face. Lauren shivered for a second. She was actually in front of Alexander Knight—one time most powerful man and head of the Knight family—she didn’t know how to address him. Should she call him Grandpa too? Or just sir? Or his name? “Hello, Mr. Knight.” She greeted with her best smile.His face remained unsmiling. He didn’t even look at her face for a mini-second. &l
Dinner had more people than Lauren had expected. There were two aunties from Malcolm’s grandfather's side and one from his grandmother’s side. Three more females aside Claire and Miranda, an uncle and a dead handsome guy that kept looking at her in shock the minute he entered the room. “That is Christian Mavericks. He’s the son to Grandpa’s immediate younger brother.” Elena introduced. “Christian, this is Michelle Byrne. Malcolm’s… wife.”Lauren noted the reluctance in her voice as she said the word wife. She said a ‘hi’ but the guy barely replied. He just had a shocked expression on his face that made Lauren wonder if he had seen her somewhere. Dinner went on quietly and Lauren was grateful. She could read tons of questions on the faces of the people who were seated but thankfully, Malcolm’s menacing look shut them up. His grandpa finished eating and excused himself with his grandmot