BELLA.
He jolted my body as he tried to get me up, calling out my name like a madman. Don't tell me he informed the cops about me going missing. Did he?
Woah, I got embarrassed because it's true, I'm done for good. I pretended to be asleep, because I didn't wanna open my eyes here.
"My sister, why are you not waking up? Caspar, what happened to her?" I heard Olivier's angry voice, he was stomping his feet as he walked back and forth. "Say something. Is she fucking alright?"
"I don't think so. She's not opening her eyes, should we call the doctor?"
What? No, please stop embarrassing me further. Doctor for what? For me who is pretending to be asleep?
I had enough, I slowly opened my eyes and bawled angrily at them, "Why are you so obsessed with me opening my eyes? Of course I was feeling tipsy after I had the wine with you guys…"
However as their faces darkened, I could see anger filling up in Caspar and brother's eyes. Holding my hand, Caspar coldly asked, "Where did you go?"
I tried to get my hand free from his grasp and dodge this question. I looked at my brother hoping to get help, however he was more stone-hearted than Caspar.
"Answer what he asked for, Bella?" My brother repeated in his very thunderous voice that I almost trembled in horror.
Somehow my instinct was telling me that Caspar knew where I was. The way he's showing his possessiveness is a sign of jealousy and insecurity.
I titled my head and looking in another direction, I mumbled, "Why are you commanding me? Do you all take me as someone who should be controlled?" I began reverse manipulation because I didn't wanna tell them the truth.
"W-What do you mean?" They stuttered, just as I wanted. Confuse them and then question their actions.
Getting up, I looked straight into Caspar's eyes and scoffed sarcastically, "Should I report you everything? Like where I go, what I do? Isn't that being like you are my master and I'm your slave?"
God, whatever nonsense I was blabbering about. I madly want the ground to crack open and dissolve beneath me because I have insulted myself. Of course as his wife I have the responsibility to tell him where I was going in the middle of the night! And here I was arguing with him instead.
Just as expected, Caspar's brows tensed up and he quickly let go of my wrist and apologized, "Sorry, my intentions were not like that. I was genuinely worried about you and thought someone was trying to play with you again…"
"Yeah, he's right Bella," my brother seconded that. "We thought your father-in-law called you to meet up and might take you down as his hostage."
"Father-in-law?" I repeated and looked at Caspar, "Do you know the truth? Brother, you told him about his father's deed?"
"Well, I didn't," Olivier hesitated. "He forced the words out of my mouth. But don't worry he's going to uncover the truth in front of everyone."
"I see," I sighed and sat down, "I went for a stroll, just a common behavior of an assassin. I will make sure to inform you all before leaving the mansion again!"
Saying that I walked out, hitting my shoulder against Caspar as I glanced at him in a not-so-pleased way. He ran behind me and hugged me from behind, "Are you angry with me?"
There we go again, why does he always fall for my arrogant behavior? I tried to remove his hands from my waist and just get away from him before I started being dumb.
"I'm sorry, I was just worried about you," he explained, "and I had no such intention of making you my slave or anything. I was just worried, how should I explain?"
"When I returned to your room after talking with Olivier, I didn't see you inside. However I saw the rope hanging from the room's window."
"Caspar," I gulped in. "Why don't you just be clear with me? Did you assume that I went to meet someone?"
He remained quiet, approving my overthinking. I was about to kick him back and get going when he suddenly dropped the bomb on my face.
"You have a lingering scent of cologne," he says, sniffing near the back of my neck and then turning me back, he sniffed my chest and underneath my chin. "And it's not mine."
'I'm fucked up. What should I do?' I asked myself and quickly pushed Caspar back from me. Turning back, I poked his chest with my index finger and scoffed, "Are you jealous or are you doubting me?"
"Can't you use your brain, dear husband?" I titled my head in thought as I gave him an obvious stare. "How I go to another man when I spent whole day getting fucked by you? Do not take me–"
"Did he threaten you?" He asked, stopping me in the middle. He then grabbed my hand and dragged me into his car, making me sit in the passenger seat. He started the car. "I don't know the real identity of the man because the number didn't exist after the message was sent!"
I flinched and instinctively asked, "What are you talking about?"
"The blackmailing messages to you before you went to meet him as he demanded."
I froze, I couldn't move. I was trying everything to hide and he found it still. Didn't I clear the chat history with Theodore? Do not tell me he retrieved it anyway in such a short interval of time!
Doesn't that mean he has seen my pictures? Did he get angry or disgusted with me? That was all I could think of while he continued asking me about the sender.
I lowered my face and mumbled, "I… I can't tell you…"
"Oh sorry," he began. "I should have been careful not to ask such details. How could I forget that the sender would post it publicly if you exposed his identity!"
Huh? How can he be so understanding without even being asked to? I looked away and mumbled, "Yeah that's right. So don't ask me."
"If you are able to find him, do so. However I don't think he will wait for long to have me free!"
I don't why I said that, maybe because of my instinct. I just feel like something is going to happen again. Why can't I be at peace? I always take the path of getting into arguments with Caspar when I just want to be in a loving relationship with him. And yet he is trying his best to keep us attached, he doesn't want to get rid of me.
"Don't worry, I'll locate him as soon as possible," saying that he pressed the accelerator once again and the speed of the car increased.
I could sense the anger in his voice, I don't know if he was infuriated by me or by the man who sent me those photos. I wonder what Caspar thought and how he reacted upon seeing those photos on my phone.
I stole a few glances at Caspar but never initiated the conversation, he clearly had the face of a serious man. Upon arriving, my daughter runs to me and wraps her little arms around my leg.
"Mom, where have you been? I-I couldn't find you in your room," Karina had tears in her eyes. Kneeling down, I cupped her face and answered,"Karina, I was on a night walk. Do you want to try sometime with me?"
"But aren't ghosts roaming on the streets at night?"
The child's curious question made me smile unwillingly. "No, my baby. Ghosts don't harm strong humans. And Karina, you are a strong child just like your father…"
Oops, I felt awkward after taking Caspar's name. It must be weird that I'm praising him after we got into arguments. I looked up and was stunned, he was smiling.
'Wow, so I'm the only one who is awkward? I should probably work on myself. It's not good to be always embarrassed about something so silly!' I thought to myself as I tried to make my stupid self understand.
Small arguments and fights happen between husband and wife. It doesn't mean we become enemies to each other unless it's actually a serious fight involving abuse. It's just I should give him space for him to calm down. It must be hard to force himself to smile for the sake of his daughter. It just made me sad.
"Yeah, I'm the strong daughter of my strong parents," Karina exclaimed, jolting me out of my thoughts and I smiled at her, "Yes, you are very strong. Now, hurry up."
"Go back to your room. It's time for your sleep," I said as I looked at the time in my wristwatch. It was already 3 am in the morning, and I had bedtime for my daughter.
"No," Karina denied. "Today I want to sleep with my parents."
I quickly looked at Caspar and then turned at Karina, "No baby, I think your father is very tired and couldn't play with you. He needs—"
"No. Karina wants to sleep with her mom and dad otherwise I'll sit her till the morning. And go to school with my dark circles around my eyes."
"Wow," Caspar's voice sounded cute when he tried to converse with her. "So determined just like your mom. I get it, let's sleep together."
"Huh? Caspar, I thought you needed space?"'
"When did I say that?" He shrugs off and scoops Karina in his arms.