Cold

Chapter Nine: Cold

Donna’s POV

Yesterday felt like a fever dream. I woke up reciting my duties for the day, got my first beating by Chris, was handed a marriage certificate, and then whisked away from my birthplace by a Greek God.

I guess my Cinderella story came full circle.

My eyes were glued to the ceiling with its floral print. I exhaled. I could easily get used to this life of no chores and just existing, but to what end?

Théoden never said exactly what I’d be doing for him here after I got my will and the remaining properties. A twenty-one-year-old like me couldn’t just waste away in a rich man’s house—when we weren’t even married.

There was a knock on the door, and I lifted myself off the bed speedily due to habit. My balance was off, and I fell on my face. The door slammed open.

“Are you o— What are you doing?” Théoden asked.

He could’ve just asked if I was okay instead of stating the obvious. I was obviously tripping over my own legs on a good morning. I sat on the floor. “I’m hungry.”

“And I told you to use the tablet beside you to order food from the kitchen,” he said. He stepped aside, and a white cat strolled into the room.

A small smile came to my face as I thought it was coming to me, but it snubbed me, climbed my bed, and laid on it.

“That’s Hansel. She’ll monitor you sometimes. Join us for breakfast while I introduce you to the others who’ll be monitoring you.”

I turned from Théoden to my honorable cat caretaker. “Could I wash my face at least? I literally just woke up.”

He stared at me as if in doubt before walking out. I took that as a "do as you like" and sprinted to the bathroom. Thankfully, when I tripped again, I fell on the door.

Hansel meowed in annoyance, and I whispered an apology before continuing inside. I quickly brushed my teeth and changed out of the pajamas I found yesterday.

“Have you had a meal yourself, Hansel?”

I didn’t really expect a reply, so I left when she gave none. Théoden rested by the elevator, waiting.

I didn’t make my presence known and tried to see how long it would take for him to notice. I also wanted to get a good look at him because most times, I tried not to be caught staring.

“The food will get cold, Donna.”

I smiled. That didn’t take long. “I am ready.”

We entered the elevator, and I was stunned to see Hansel inside. Théoden carried her in his arms while the cat continued its slumber. It was easy to see she was spoiled.

“The caretaker I spoke about last night is here. He’s not in the best health, so he won’t start his duties yet, but I thought to let you meet first.”

I nodded at his words. He had a bit of a sultry voice when speaking normally. Why didn’t I notice this yesterday? Oh, right—because my head was pounding with aches.

The door opened to a tall hall with a long dining table in the middle. The hall was mostly empty, aside from frames covered with black cloth. Two people were seated.

“Rufus?” Théoden asked.

“He said he had something urgent to do,” a girl answered.

It relieved me to see a girl here, but when she stood up to move a chair for Théoden, I knew we were different.

Those firm, muscular arms could handle Chris in one swipe... and she was actually moving a chair for Hansel, who sat by a teenage boy. Théoden sat beside Hansel.

The young lady drew out a chair for me. I smiled and sat down. She didn’t reciprocate and returned to her seat.

I made eye contact with the teenage boy, who was staring. Was I supposed to introduce myself or wait for Théoden to do it? A chef strolled in with a tray of plates, so I stayed quiet.

After we were served, Théoden got a call and left without giving me any instructions. My eyes followed him until he disappeared, and I gulped down my saliva.

“H-Hi...” I said, stabbing at my fish.

“Pretzel, please serve Hansel. My sides still hurt,” the teenage boy said, completely ignoring me.

The girl poured milk onto a silver plate, added some treats, and placed it on the ground. Hansel jumped down and fed herself.

I tried again, this time more confidently. “Hello, nice to meet all of you—”

“Did he tell you about this, though? Maybe if I was around yesterday, he would’ve told me,” the boy interrupted.

Was I the “this” he referred to? I lowered my head.

The girl shook her head because her mouth was full. The two of them just ate, ignoring my existence.

I didn’t have much appetite and rarely ate breakfast while trying to finish my morning duties. Still, I forced myself to eat so I wouldn’t annoy Théoden.

For whatever reason, he took me from my family’s place and brought me here, which I was beginning to think might not be a Mafia base because it was so quiet.

He probably just lived in a dangerous area. His siblings, perhaps, didn’t like me, which might mean Théoden was the only one who tolerated me here.

“Eat, Donna,” he said as he walked in. “Rufus will bring the car around so we can go to your family. Oh, and, Gretel, when you feel better, you can keep an eye on her.”

The boy nodded and waved as Théoden walked away. I immediately followed him. Was that the introduction he meant for my caretaker and me? I had already guessed it’d be the young boy, but I didn’t expect his coldness.

“So your grandfather wanted me to stay here because I was his late friend’s daughter, right?”

“Yes. He pitied you because you’re alone and being maltreated.” He waited for me to enter the elevator.

“The caretaker... is he your grandfather’s grandchild—”

“Greta is Grandfather’s heir, but he’s not related to me by blood. Just like Pretzel, though she now has a legal identity in the military.”

We walked to the garage. I didn’t really understand how Greta was an heir or a boy’s name, but it seemed the family was a found one, and I found peace in that.

No matter how bizarre the situation seemed, I wanted to belong here—if they wanted me.