We had entrusted Ava Woods to check whether the handwriting of our blackmailer matched the handwriting of any employee on the property. Poor Frank had whored himself for getting that favor. He didn’t exactly sleep with her, but the third kiss was too sloppy to watch. I would have puked if I had watched the whole thing.
Since we weren’t fools and she could be the culprit herself, we checked her handwriting. She wasn’t the one, and her handwriting was as terrible as a kindergartener's.
That had happened two days ago. Frank and I were still on the hunt for the blackmailer. Ava hadn’t given us any good news. The engagement party was postponed for an uncertain period, and I hadn’t seen a glimpse of Nathan or his parents. Were they even in the estate? I would have guessed no if many servants hadn’t confirmed that they were indeed present on the property.
As Nathan’s fiancé, I had the right to reach the family, but as a chicken person, I didn’t have the guts to go against their will to ease my curiosity.
I waited patiently, spending most of my time with Frank, until one day, news came from someone.
“Miss Walter,” a servant approached me during my evening tea with Frank. “Master Nathan requests your presence in his room immediately.” My face instantly lit up with pleasure, and I got a head rush from standing up too fast. At last, Nathan wished to see me. It could be good or bad news, but I was happy to learn something.
“Look who is glowing at the mention of her fiancé,” Frank teased me after the servant had left. “Someone is being too easy. Men don’t like that. I suggest you show him some attitude and make him wait.”
“That’s horrible advice. It’s Nathan. He has called for my presence after a few days. It would be foolish to say no,” I said.
“Why did he make you wait then? Has he changed his mind? Don’t you think it’s time to show him your worth?” Frank advised. He was either being sarcastic or playing the role of a supervillain in my life.
“Nathan was very upset the last time we saw him. We don’t know what happened between the father and son after we left,” I defended him.
“Someone has already picked a side. It’s better to always listen to your super wealthy fiancé. You’ll get whatever you want,” Frank spoke, crossing the height of sarcasm.
“What is the matter with you?” I snatched the cup from Frank’s hand. “Are you jealous of my relationship with Nathan? By any chance, do you have a crush on him?”
“Oh, please.” Frank left his chair in a raging haste. “I have standards. Ava Woods is crushing on a stunning gay man like me. However, I have enough brains not to go after an insolent straight man. That person already is the monster in my nightmares. I prefer to keep seeing him in the daytime to a minimum.”
“Then what is it, Frank? You were nice to me until the servant delivered Nathan’s message. What is the reason behind your drastic change in mood?” I asked politely.
“I don’t know.” Frank moved away, turning his back on me. ”Things aren’t changing as expected. I still don’t have a mirror or nightstand, Amelia. How can I be ecstatic about this? Nathan is the nicest to you. The rest of us are still suffering. Can’t you try to do something about that?”
I hugged Frank from behind. “If Nathan isn’t planning to break up with me, I promise to win your furniture back. I am not evil or selfish. I am only careful around him since our relationship is extremely new. Who knows him better than you?”
After a little more reassurance, Frank allowed me to leave. I didn’t cross the knocking rule while entering Nathan’s room. Who knows where our relationship stood? He had ignored me for more days than the entirety of our engagement. He may have experienced a change of mind regarding me. No one knew what went on in Nathan Sinclair's brain. His mind should be declared one of the greatest mysteries of the world.
“Come in.” Nathan allowed me to enter his room in a neutral tone. I checked on my flashy engagement ring before entering the room. It was a reminder that I was indeed his fiancé for now. I couldn’t say it didn’t matter to me at all if he broke up with me. Only in a few days, I had gotten addicted to the comfort of sleeping well at night, knowing I was protected from all dangers.
I crossed the threshold, and our eyes instantly locked. He was the same Nathan, but something had changed. Once I came closer, I noticed a sadness and a longing in his eyes. Also, the clutches were back at his bedside, and a blanket was over his legs. Had he lost his ability to walk again? And what was he so upset about?
“Amelia,” Nathan began. He lowered his head and hesitated to finish his sentence.
“What is it, Nathan?” I thought of going closer to hold his hand but stopped.
“I can’t do this alone,” Nathan continued. His dazzling hazel eyes were wetter than usual. Had he been crying? “I want you here with me. Come.” He pointed at the space next to him. “I want you to spend the night with me. The loneliness is getting to me. I don’t wish to be alone.”
Nathan was asking me to sleep in his bed. Frank had deemed that impossible. He must be genuinely upset to break one of his rules, or he just wanted more action to distract himself.
Whatever it was, I had to join him in bed to find out.