Chapter 12 Intruder
~ NALA’S POV
Day one in the mafia house. I don’t know how to feel. It’s still all overwhelming to me. I’m married and now I live in a mansion I know nobody, if this doesn’t scream danger I don’t know what will.
A sudden knocking at the door startles me badly. Before I could say anything, the door was abruptly pushed open and a maid walked in, she had a bright smile on her face. "Miss Nala, It seems like I scared you, It wasn’t my intention."
"It’s okay," I said
"Alright, well I’m here to tell you that breakfast is ready."
"Okay," I murmured, my gaze shifting to the empty side of the bed. Carlos wasn’t there.
I turned to the maid. "Is Carlos at breakfast?"
"No, he’s not home," She replied casually before turning on her heel and leaving the room.
Once she was gone, I climbed out of bed and headed straight for the shower. I kept it quick—just enough to rinse off the heaviness of sleep. Afterward, I slipped into something comfortable and stepped out of the room.
In the dining hall, the maids greeted me quietly. They served the food, and I began to eat. The silence in the room was thick, only the faint hum of voices drifting from the kitchen broke it. Somehow, that made the loneliness worse.
I finished quickly. As a maid reached for my plate, I asked, "When is Carlos coming home?"
I have no intention of meeting him nor do I even want to see him especially since he trapped me here but given he’s the only familiar face in this place, I had to ask.
"I don’t know, ma’am," She answered softly.
"Okay," I said, rising from the chair.
With nothing else to do, I decided to step outside for some fresh air. But the moment I reached the door, two guards blocked my path.
"You’re not allowed to leave the house," One of them said firmly.
"I just want some fresh air, that’s all," I replied, trying to keep my tone calm.
"It’s an order from Sir Carlos. You are not to leave the building no matter what."
I rolled my eyes, irritation bubbling beneath the surface. "Fine."
Turning around, I stormed back to my room and slammed the door behind me, the sound echoing my frustration.
Trapped. Again. I hate this place.
I grabbed my phone and dialed Fiona’s number, hoping and praying she’d pick up but just like the last few times, it didn’t go through. I tried Richard’s number but no response.
Frowning, I dropped the phone onto the bed and collapsed beside it. Something wasn’t right. Fiona always answers my calls but now it seems like something is blocking us somehow— maybe deliberate interference from Carlos or his people.
A heavy sigh escaped my lips as I got back up and walked toward the window. I was bored. Restless. Unsettled.
I hated this feeling—doing nothing, being no one. Back home, there was always something to keep me busy. The poultry. Fishing. Books. Anything.
Books…
The thought hit me like a jolt of electricity. Reading. I could read.
I quickly walked out of the room and began wandering through the hallways. The house was massive but I’m sure there’s a library somewhere in it.
I pushed through multiple doors until I finally found the library. Shelves lined every wall, books stacked high. It felt like home.
I walked in and started looking through the books, loving and eager to read them all at once. I picked up one of the novels, opening it I heard a voice behind me. "That’s an interesting story, you’ll love it.”
I turned my attention to the voice, it was Papa, Carlos’s father. "You’ve read the book?" I asked
"I wouldn’t have said what I said if I didn’t read the book, would I?"
"You’re right," I said with a small smile
"Come sit with me." He said pointing at the chair next to his.
I sat down and he asked, "You’re a lover of books right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Finally, someone to relate with." He said, his tone light. "Most people in this house care only about business, loyalty, or control. But books…." He paused, looking at the shelves as if they held memories. "Books speak the truth no one dares to say aloud yet many don’t hear it."
I didn’t say anything, but I understood. And for the first time since being here, I felt a quiet sense of connection.
"Anyways since it’s your first time here, I’ll leave and give you some privacy, enjoy your book." He said
"Oh no, you can stay."
"Nonsense." He brushed me off "I’m a reader and I know readers love to have the whole place to themselves so enjoy. I’ll tell the maids to give you some space so no one disturbs your reading," He said with a small smile
"Thank you," I replied.
He gave a small nod, then left, closing the door behind him.
I settled into the silence and began reading. There is nothing more I love than the comfort of books, the quiet around me, the words echoing in my mind. Page after page, I sank deeper into the stories.
I didn’t notice the time passing until the sunlight shifted, casting a warm glow across the floor. By then, I had finished reading four books.
I stood to return the books to the shelf, but just as I reached for the stack, the library door burst open.
Carlos stormed in, breathless, eyes wide with panic. "There are intruders here. We have to leave," He said.
Filled with confusion, I asked, "What are you talking about?"
"You’re in danger!"
"What!" I panicked
He didn’t say a word and grabbed my hand, pulling me with him. "There is no time to explain. We are leaving now." He rushed me down the stairs while I tried to keep up, completely confused.
"But can you at least tell me what’s going on?" I asked, breathless.
He stopped abruptly and turned to me, eyes wide with urgency. "There are people in the house. Dangerous people. We have to go."
My heart skipped. "Then we need to tell the others. Your dad is here, we have to warn him too."
"They’re not after my dad or anyone else," He said. "They’re after you…. Just you." His attention moved to the staircase when footsteps were heard, his eyes bulged without another word, and he pulled me outside with him.