[7]

Logan gave Victoria a sharp look. His eyes had not moved from her since the conversation began. “Why do you need my activity schedule?” he asked coldly as soon as breakfast was over.

Victoria refrained from directly replying in an irritated tone. “I need to synchronize the therapy schedule with your activities, Mr. Logan,” she replied calmly. She glanced at the servants who were busy clearing plates and glasses from the dining table. Living in this house made Victoria feel like she was losing control of her life. Everything was too regimented and she wasn't used to that.

Logan leaned back in the wheelchair, seemingly unconcerned. "As a therapist, you should just come in, do your job, and leave. That's all.”

Victoria tried to remain calm even though Logan's attitude was really testing her patience. “Do you mind if I know?” she asked cautiously.

Logan just took a sip of his black coffee without answering. The silence irritated Victoria even more, but she knew there was no point in showing her feelings.

Finally, she took a deep breath, trying to explain in more detail. "Mr. Logan, physical therapy isn't just me coming in, making you follow my directions, and then I'm done. I need to know your routine so it doesn't clash and make sure you're ready for therapy.”

Logan snorted sarcastically, his gaze remaining sharp. “You talk too much.”

“And you're too hard to talk to,” Victoria retorted quickly. She was getting used to the man's difficult to deal with demeanor. “Besides, I don't want any mistakes during therapy. If something happens due to lack of information, you'll definitely blame me.”

Ben, who was standing by the door, smiled a little, as if enjoying the exchange of words in front of him. The cautious look in his eyes made Victoria feel that something was off. Since the beginning, Ben had always seemed wary, but today seemed to be more so than usual.

“Mr. Logan still wants to enjoy his coffee,” Ben said in a calm tone, the smile not yet gone from his face. “Later I'll tell Mr. Logan the schedule you need.”

Victoria looked at him in surprise, but finally chose not to say anything else. “Well, I'll be excused then,” she said, bowing her head slightly before leaving the dining room.

In the vast and beautiful garden, Victoria tried to calm her mind. It had been three days since their agreement, but she had yet to give Logan a single therapy session. Citing his busy schedule, Logan kept postponing the therapy sessions. Victoria wondered, what was he really doing?

“Victoria.”

Logan's heavy voice startled her. She turned to see him approaching in his wheelchair, pushed by Ben. Victoria hadn't expected Logan to be looking for her in this place.

Logan signaled Ben to step aside, leaving the two of them under a large, shady tree. Even so, Ben stayed within sight-as was his habit of keeping Logan on guard.

“If you want to talk, pay attention to your surroundings,” Logan said sharply. His expression was full of tension, making Victoria feel that something was off.

“Is the situation that bad?” she asked, trying to understand what Logan meant.

“Very bad,” Logan replied briefly. He pulled out a brown envelope from the side of his wheelchair and handed it to Victoria. “Inside is a schedule of my activities and my medical history. Match it yourself. I'd hate for you to bother me with another request about my health.”

Victoria took the envelope with a puzzled look. “All right,” she said hesitantly.

Logan gave her a long look before adding, “If you need anything, let Ben know right away. And make sure you think about everything you do from now on.”

Victoria's brow furrowed. “What is it exactly? I didn't get your point."

Logan let out an annoyed chuckle. His burly arms were folded across his chest, while his blue beady eyes stared at Victoria with a look of exasperation that was hard to hide. “Can't you understand just a little? There is no privacy for me in this house. Everything I do is being watched and our conversations are probably included in it.”

Victoria was stunned at his words. “It can't be like that,” she muttered, almost in disbelief.

“I don't care if you don't.” Logan leaned forward slightly, his voice sounding sharper. “You took a big risk by tricking my aunt, didn't you? And this is one of the reasons why I have to act carefully.”

Victoria's mouth opened wide before hastily closing. The shock left her at a loss for words.

"Let me know when the therapy is scheduled. And make sure no one suspects you.”

Victoria nodded obediently, despite the resentment she couldn't contain in her heart. Logan turned the wheelchair, assisted by Ben, and they left Victoria. The assistant bowed politely to Victoria, who returned a small nod.

But before they got too far away, Victoria could still hear their conversation, especially Ben's voice which seemed to be deliberately made for her to hear. “Mr. Logan, you've been talking a lot more lately. It's so nice to hear. Seems like Miss Victoria's presence has been a good influence, huh?”

Logan shot Ben a glare, but the man just smiled broadly, not at all intimidated by Logan's gaze. “Shut up.”

Victoria sighed softly, not really caring about their conversation. Her focus was now on the envelope in her hand. All right, she thought. Let's work hard for this grumpy VIP customer.

***

The next day, Victoria was already walking around the house looking for Logan. After walking all the way to the left wing of the house which was full of art collections, she finally met Rosa, the housekeeper.

“Have you seen Mr. Logan, Rosa?” she asked in a slightly desperate tone.

Rosa frowned, thinking for a moment. “After breakfast, I didn't see him anywhere. Maybe he was in his office."

"Workroom’? Where is it?”

Rosa smiled slightly, seemingly reluctant to elaborate. “You shouldn't go there. Mr. Logan usually spends time there reading old files.”

“But-”

“It's just a suggestion, Miss,” Rosa cut in gently. “You do know that Mr. Logan doesn't really like interruptions, don't you?”

Victoria was silent for a moment, realizing that Rosa was right. “Very well,” she murmured, agreeing despite her misgivings.

Rosa continued with a small smile that seemed strange to Victoria this time. “After all, isn't there something else you could be doing?”

Sensing this conversation was going nowhere, Victoria tried to distract herself. “I'm scheduled to visit Abigail tomorrow,” she said in an enthusiastic tone. “My daughter is making good progress.”

She took Rosa's arm cheerfully, though the woman seemed surprised and stiffened by her treatment. “Can you come to the park with me? I want to show you something.”

Rosa finally complied, and they walked towards the park. Once there, Victoria released her grip and sat down on a lawn chair. “I'm tired. Can you bring me a cup of tea?”

Rosa nodded politely. “Alright, I'll get it ready right away.”

Victoria breathed a sigh of relief as soon as Rosa left. She looked up at the blue sky visible through the large glass enclosing the garden. The sight should have been calming, but instead her mind was occupied with Logan's words earlier.

“Ah, damn,” she muttered, leaning back in the chair. “I just wanted to ask something important. If I make a wrong move, I could get kicked out of this house.”

Before she could organize her thoughts, Logan's heavy voice came from behind her. “What are you doing here?”

Victoria sat up straight, turning her head quickly. A little surprised but trying to act natural. Looking at the man, she felt relieved. A wide smile graced her face as she rose to her feet. “I wanted to see you, sir.”

Logan looked at her sharply, a look of suspicion clear in his eyes. “What are you so excited about?” he asked in a flat tone.

“Notes to-”

“Ben, show her to my office. We'll talk there,” Logan cut in sternly, without a hint of concern for Victoria's words. With one motion, the man turned his wheelchair around and began to leave the park without waiting for a further response.

Victoria could only stare at his back with a long sigh. Ah, why did I forget that talking outside a space that Logan feels safe in is impossible? She thought with some frustration.

“Come, Miss Victoria,” Ben said, bowing politely as he motioned for Victoria to follow him.

Victoria walked slowly, still with a myriad questions hanging over her mind. But before they got too far from the park, she glanced at Logan who was getting farther away. “Um... is Mr. Logan okay with being left alone like that?” she asked cautiously.

Ben chuckled, his tone casual yet polite. “He's here to see his lover, ma'am.”

“His lover?” Victoria's voice rose involuntarily.

Ben nodded, his smile still on his face.

“If he has a lover,” Victoria muttered, more to herself, ”why doesn't he just marry his lover?”

Ben's steps halted for a moment before he turned his head towards Victoria, his smile fading slightly. “There may be reasons that are not easy to explain, Miss.”

Victoria sighed softly. Of course. With a nature like that, who would want to get caught up in a more serious relationship with him?