TWENTY SIX. Logan's Gifts
The next morning, Riley woke up with a box of chocolates and a red rose next to her bed. She picked up the box and found a note underneath.
Hope you like my gift. And I need you to behave tonight.
Logan. That was the only name that came to her mind. The message was thick with a commanding tone. Just like Logan's style.
But how did Logan sneak into my room?
Riley glanced warily at her bedroom door. She locked the door and closed it tightly. There was no way Logan could sneak into her room. Riley suspected that Logan had a duplicate key to her room.
But why does Logan want me to behave? What is Logan planning?
When Riley was busy thinking, suddenly there was a soft knock on her door. Kaella's shrill voice rang out in front of her room, screaming for her to get up.
“Riley, are you awake? It's me, Kaella. Please open the door. I brought you something."
Riley put the gift from Logan on her bed, then staggered to open the door for Kaella. She almost tripped over the thick fur carpet because she was too hasty.
"Hey, am I bothering you?"
"Nope. I happened to be awake. Well… I just haven't gotten ready for breakfast yet.”
"Good thing you're awake. Look what I brought you."
Riley barely noticed what Kaella was carrying in her right hand because she was too focused on seeing Kaella's face, which was so cheerful and fresh. If they hadn't shared the bitter story last night, she wouldn't have guessed that Kaella had such bad experiences in the past.
“A dress? What for?"
Kaella carried an ankle-length gold dress with crystal stones sprinkled on the bra cup. She pushed Riley's shoulders into her room, then closed the door behind her with her heel.
"Mr. Hatcher asked me to give this beautiful dress to you. Oh my gosh, Riley! How lucky you are. Check out this beautiful, expensive dress. Mr. Hatcher gave this dress to you!”
"Oh, what's going on? He also gave me a box of chocolates and a rose," Riley exclaimed flatly, pointing at her gifts that were sinking in the pile of blankets.
"What? Mr. Hatcher gave you a box of chocolates and a rose?"
Kaella walked over to Riley's bed. She threw the pretty dress on the couch, then dug into Riley's blanket to see the box of chocolates and a rose Riley had mentioned.
“How did this gift get into your room? Mr. Hatcher came to your room?”
Riley shrugged nonchalantly. “Maybe he sneaked into my room while I was sleeping. I don't really know when the gifts came here. And they didn’t come alone. He also left me a note.
Kaella took the paper lying on the blanket. She skimmed the message, then her eyes turned to the golden dress lying on the sofa.
"I think Mr. Hatcher will take you to a party or something. Mr. Hatcher wants you to wear that pretty dress to accompany him to the party."
“Oh, I’ve never been to a fancy, classy party before. What if I embarrass him?”
"You won't embarrass him. Cheer up and be happy because Mr. Hatcher is going to take you to a fancy party."
"I am not sure. I could have messed up the party with my stupid, shameful behavior."
Kaella looked excited, while Riley was the opposite. She wasn't at all impressed with Logan’s gift. Her expression did not convey any joy at all. Instead of feeling happy, Riley looked confused and dazed.
"Oh my gosh my sweety. Leave all those silly thoughts behind and think about being the single most beautiful woman on the show. You know what I mean, right?”
"No. I don't know what you're saying. I'd rather stay home tonight. I'll tell Logan."
"Why?" Kaella asked sharply.
"You have to go to the party with Mr. Hatcher. He will be angry if you don't come to the party with him."
"I feel like it's not my party. I've never been to such a fancy event. What if I embarrass Logan?”
"It won’t happen. I'll give you a quick lesson about lavish parties and such. I will also dress you beautifully.”
“Well, that is the main problem. I can't dress up. I don't have a makeup kit like my friends."
"Well, I'm not surprised. Your face is naturally beautiful. You don't need a touch of makeup on your face."
Kaella pulled Riley's arm forcefully toward her mirror. She pushed Riley so she could see her reflection clearly in the mirror. A girl with round brown eyes, smooth white skin and full natural pink lips who looked amazing. Her cheeks had a natural blush that could make any girl envious. Without a touch of makeup, she was indeed very beautiful. But she couldn't possibly be seen without makeup when accompanying Logan tonight. If they went to classy events with different types of guests, she might run into Logan's ex-girlfriends or Logan's business colleagues, who were prettier than her.
“You need a little touch of makeup on your naturally beautiful face.”
“I think so. I have to look good in front of all of Logan’s colleagues and his ex-girlfriends.”
Kaella smiled widely. Riley was horrified by her overly wide smile.
“Well, you have to look stunning tonight. Make all eyes only on you."
“But I don't even know what party I'm going to tonight. It's a formal party or a party to celebrate something?"
"Don't worry, I'll dress you beautifully. Your make-up will suit any type of event.”
“Wow, I think I'm so lucky to have you, Kaella. You're a lovely friend."
"That's my job here. I'm also grateful that you're here and have given this mansion a little color. You know, the first time I stepped foot in this house, the whole house felt gloomy. There was no warmth. It was so cold. And I was so afraid of Mr. Hatcher."
"You know about his mental disorder?"
"Mental disorder?" asked Kaella, confused. Her thick eyebrows dipped down into a frown.
"Bipolar. He has suffered from bipolar disorder since he was young."
"Seriously? No wonder he has such a bad temper. I once saw him throw a glass at one of his men. Mr. Hatcher was furious for some reason. He yelled at his men loudly, then he threw a glass at one of his men. His head leaked! Blood was everywhere. Betty and I had to clean up all the mess afterward.”
Riley frowned in horror. Riley was afraid to imagine her days ahead. She had a deal, and she had to stick with it.
“I worry how he will handle his child later if he has a baby. Will he treat his son the same way he treats his men?”
“Well, that's what Betty and I thought. But right now, it's you we're worried about. You saw his anger that night. So, what do you think?"
"I was so shocked and scared."
She had never seen such intense anger. Logan looked more like a monster than a human when he was angry. His face was red and his facial muscles were bulging. But the worst of all was his actions. Logan could hurt anyone when he was angry. It was worrying because Riley lived under the same roof as him.
"Don’t be afraid. Betty and I will try to protect you. We won't let you get hurt."
"Thanks very much."
They suddenly had no topic to talk about, and they fell silent with their own thoughts. Riley was busy thinking about all the things that happened last night. About Logan's men who might be spies for one of Logan's enemies who plan to take revenge for Brittany's death.
Brittany!
Riley suddenly jumped out of bed and surprised Kaella, who was admiring Riley's beautiful dress.
"What's wrong with you? You surprised me."
"Brittany," Riley said with a strange excitement.
"Brittany? What's with that woman?"
"What do you know about her?"
Riley grew impatient as she watched Kaella think too long to process her words.
"Mr. Hatcher's lover? Betty mentioned it yesterday. But their relationship was long over. I've never met her while working here."
"That's because she's dead," Riley muttered grimly.
"How do you know that woman is dead?"
Suddenly, Kaella became wary. She pulled Riley's hand to sit on her bed, then she locked the door to Riley's room and made sure no one outside Riley's room could eavesdrop on her conversation with Riley.
“That name is forbidden in this house. Betty and I used to gossip about it in our room when no one else was in the house. So we had better be careful when we talk about her.”
“Is it that bad?”
“I don't know the reason, but it must be that bad. Now tell me, how did you know that Mr. Hatcher’s lover is dead? Betty didn't even know she was dead."
Riley then told Kaella all the things she had heard last night. About Logan's men who were secretly calling someone in the yard and about her revenge plan on Logan. Shame, she didn't know the man's name, and she could only identify him from his face.
"You have to tell Mr. Hatcher about this. He's being betrayed."
"I'm not sure Logan will believe me. I'm just new here. And that guy's been working with Logan for a while."
“It is a premeditated crime. You're in danger, Riley. If what you heard really happened tonight, you will be the target of revenge against Mr. Hatcher."
Riley stared at the floor listlessly. She didn't know what she was going to do next. She could talk to Logan, but would he believe her? He would probably accuse her of lying if she told him what she heard last night.
"Don't worry, Mr. Hatcher will definitely protect you."
Riley chuckled bitterly. She ignored the gentle squeeze on her hand as Kaella tried to calm her.
"Thank You. You make me feel better.”
"You're welcome. You had better get ready for breakfast now. Try to talk to Mr. Hatcher in the dining room."
"Okay. I hope he believes me."
"I'll try to ask Betty about Brittany and tell you everything I know as soon as possible."
Riley felt alone after Kaella left her room. The fancy dress and all Logan’s gifts couldn't comfort her from the overwhelming fear she felt.