I didn't know what time it was because I hadn't left the room since what transpired between Luke and I earlier on. I was curled up in my bed, with no tears left to cry. My mind drifted into thoughts about my father. I hoped he was doing well and recovering well. I missed him so much during these hard times. I wonder if he knew what my mother had done. If he knew that I had been sold off like a piece of furniture just to save our name and money. My mind drifts off to Rocky. Why hadn't he come for me? Did he hate me? It wouldn't come as a surprise after all, I did betray him.
I had decided to take a tour round the house— if I was going to escape again, I needed to know every possible escape route. Luke's house was indeed very huge. There was a total of nine rooms and every room had a bathroom in it. There was a mini theatre on the second floor and beside it was a chapel with the statue of Mary in it. I had prayed there for a while, asking and begging the holy virgin to send my love to me.
Now, I was quite hungry because I hadn't really had anything good to eat since I'd come to the manor. I'm downstairs, heading for the kitchen when I hear voices from the study. As I'm about to go closer, the door opens and Laurel comes out alongside Luke. She looks annoyed.
Luke looks at me, and I stare at both of them. "Natalie, please." He says, stretching his hand towards me. I take his hand, looking at Laurel and enjoying the sour look she's giving me.
"There's always a party here, at the manor, every July 29th, it's a family tradition. The party is in two days and Laurel has always planned it alongside the planner, but I was just telling her that since you're here, as my wife and the lady of the house, you get to plan the party and make all the decisions." He says.
Although I didn't like it here, I was glad I had something to do to distract me from everything that had happened in the past few days. "I'll see. Although, I've never planned a party in such short notice before." I say, looking at Luke. He has a small smile on his face. The smile disappears as soon as he sees me looking at him.
"Thank you." He says, turning to leave. Laurel storms off.
"Wait, Luke." I say. He turns, "I'm hungry." I say, embarrassed.
"Follow me." He leads me to the kitchen and takes out a sit for me. The cook isn't around so he decides to make me something. I sit watching him quietly. It's uncomfortable.
The food is ready, and it's a plate of pasta sitting right in front of me. "You know how to cook. I hope it tastes as good as it looks, and not as horrible as you are." I say, eyeing him slowly.
"Wait," He says, and I wonder if he had gotten upset with my comment, but instead he surprises me by taking a taste of the food. I look at him, confused.
"Just incase you think I might've done something to the food or poisoned it." He says, his face void of emotions.
"Thanks." I say.
****
It was midnight and I'm in my room, unable to sleep. I need some fresh air, so I decide to go to the balcony downstairs. I arrive, and Laurel is there. It's awkward.
"Why are you here?" She asks. I scrunch my brows in confusion.
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, Natalie. Why are you here? This is my spot. I always stay here every night, so you should leave. You aren't welcome here." She says and I'm beyond amazed. She didn't like me, that was obvious, but the feeling was mutual.
Maybe things are going to change, or no— maybe, things have, indeed changed. Incase you might've forgotten, I'm Lucas's wife, which makes me your boss, so you better have some respect for me." I
heartily, "Wife? Seriously, did you just say wife? You don't act like it, do you? You don't love Luke, so don't claim to be what you're not and, I'm not a maid, boss." She continues, "I'm sure Luke doesn't love
he have sex with me
ha-had sex with you?" She asks,
the side and smile, before
the blink of an eye and I had tried my best to
Laurel's hard face. There was still tension between us and honestly, I loved how threatened she felt by me. It excited
to call you. He's in the study." She says, walking off
entering. "Laurel said you wanted to see
I realized something. Luke was always wearing the color grey. Whatever shirt he wore,
I just got off the phone with your mother and— I cut him off before he
he is. Your mother called because she wanted you to
that he would let me go. This
He says
to tell me, especially if your answer
CHAPTER 9
offered to get me a glam team for my hair and makeup but I had refused, because I would feel more uncomfortable than
ready when the door opens. I look through the mirror to see who it is. It's Luke. There's total silence for a few
still looking
you? Might as well enter." He enters,
He opens the box and it's a ring. A very
to give you this because of the way things happened so
coerced me
would appear odd if my wife attended a soirée in our own home without a ring on
taking this off. A ring is a symbol of marriage and marriage, is a symbol of love. Something I don't and will never have for you." I say, making sure
eyes become red almost immediately and I stretch my hand out for him to put it on. The ring
*********
to me. I take his hand
gestures to me. They smile at me, "Hello, nice to meet
She looked reserved and it was almost as though, she was trying to force the conversation.
me." I say, irritated. I walk to the corner of the room looking at all the guests socialize, give fake smiles and brag about their assets. Luckily, a waiter passes and offers me a glass of rosé. I take it and head to the table.
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