Chapter 3: The Man I Met.
There stood the headmaid. The same woman who had led me to Nathan’s chamber earlier, stood at the top of the stairs. Her mouth drawn into a thin line of suspicion as her gaze drilled through me like a spear. “Young lady, what are you doing there?”
My throat tightened as my words tangled. My hands shook at my sides, and for a terrible second, I wondered if she already knew that I wasn’t Elena Cruz at all, but Clara Moretti. A fraud I have engaged in, holding on by a thread or would she asked me about the East wing?
To my shock, she didn’t wait for an answer. “Follow me,” she commanded.
I nodded stiffly. My body trembled as I obeyed. We descended the glass stairway together, my thoughts still shackled to the East Wing as it dawned on me, I had only scratched the surface of the Bishops’ secrets.
As we went downstairs, the lower quarters were quieter. The lights dimmed to an amber glow, the air less perfumed, heavier and almost oppressive. Staff moved quickly, avoiding eye contact and their faces blank like porcelain masks. There was not a word of casual conversation among them and everyone was moving like perfectly wounded machines, only obedience and silence to their duties. I wondered, “Will this be what I will be throughout my stay here?
Living like a manicure?”.
As I gambled in thoughts. A woman I learned was the general, Mrs. Lanier, thrust a uniform and a clipboard into my arms. Her posture carried the dignity of royalty, though she wore no crown.
She spoke with her commanding tone. “Look young lady. Your job here is simple. Just clean and speak less, except when spoken to and if Mr. Nathan calls you, you’ll respond without hesitation. Fail once, you won’t just get a warning, you will be punished and wished you weren't here.” Am I clear?”
“Yes… Ma’am”.
My blood chilled as I responded abruptly. The atmosphere here was suffocating. As I made my way to leave, another staff member brushed past me. Her breath grazed my ear as she whispered something quickly to my ear. “Listen to me, don’t ever go close to him.” Her tone steeped in jealousy and fear.
I froze.
“Who?”
I asked, though my voice betrayed my panic as she glared at me with an envious look this time.
“I’m talking about the boss, Nathan Bishop. Don’t ever cross your boundary with him. Stay in your lane, else you will have yourself to blame”. She said, with a smirk curling across her lips.
How would she even think I have anything to do with Nathan? I mean no one wants to be a friend to an arrogant rumored billionaire. Or is she an ally?
She didn't even wait for my response as she walked away, not looking back.
My thoughts raced in my head as her warning clung to me like smoke.
The Bishops were rumored to be ruthless, but could one man be worse than the devil himself?
That evening, the dining hall glittered like a palace banquet. Chandeliers rained light upon crystal glasses like polished silver that gleamed like weapons. The long mahogany table stretches endlessly, and its silence is as intimidating as the man standing at its far end.
Nathan.
His broad shoulders framed a commanding silhouette as he spoke into a phone. His voice was smooth but edged with lethal threat. I noticed his hair, long, dark, and impossibly resisting, spilling across his back, the kind of beauty that should have belonged to an angel or a woman, but instead, cloaked a monster.
A lady stood near him, dressing his long hair or rather caressing it. She stood near him, her whole body begging and longing for a look from Nathan who obviously didn't notice her oogles.
“No!” he said coldly into the phone to an unknown number. “Tokyo’s numbers aren’t enough. I don't want that, Shut it down!” His words rolled out of his mouth like commands carved into a stone. Who knows who he is talking to. Maybe, his business associates? I didn't care about anything at all right now as I was already lost in his striking handsomeness.
I lingered at the threshold, clutching a tray of linens with well tendered Spicy Rigatoni meant for his evening meal. Holding it against my chest as if it could shield me from the weight of his presence. My pulse skittered in my veins, heat rising unbidden to my cheeks.
Then he turned, and for the second time, I noticed his golden eyes again smoldered, seductive and merciless.
It struck me instantly this time. Oh my! How could a young man be this beautiful?
“You,” he commanded. “Come here.”
I jittered, as the tray trembled in my hands. I snapped out of my thoughts immediately. My knees weakened at his voice, but I forced my body forward, with each step dragging me closer to him.
He hung up the call, putting his hands slowly down, as his glare still struck on me and never letting go. The silence that followed was worse than his words. It was the silence of judgment and power. Of a man who could destroy the world with a whisper.
His eyes locked onto me, unblinking and consuming.
And for the first time, I wondered if my biggest mistake wasn’t taking Andrey’s deal, but daring to step into Nathan Bishop’s orbit.
Immediately, as if sensing my fear, he noticed something as he curved his lips into a devilish yet warming smile. Then he said slowly. “Tell me, young lady. Do you always tremble like this when a man looks at you this way?” he asked softly.
He wondered how a girl could be this beautiful yet tender. He loved the way she trembles before him or rather answers his question and also throws the same at him. Most of his staff has been trained to act robotic, only answering to his beck and call. But there is something different about this new staff before him.
Then suddenly, as if snapping out of his feelings. His face turned into something else that looked like fury. He has never acted this strange or melted in front of his staff before and it won't begin from me.
“Are you all right, sir?” The words slipped out of my mouth before I could stop them. I was concerned about him.
Nathan’s eyes snapped back at me, sharp as a blade, locking with mine again. He never expected such a question. None of his staff has ever dared to care. So, who is this girl?
“Interesting,” he murmured. “So you speak without being asked?”
“I…I’m sorry, sir,” I stammered with heat rushing to my cheeks. I never meant to ask. I just wanted to know if he was okay.
“Listen, young lady”. He continued. “You’re not here to care. Just focus on your duties” His interruption was swift, cutting through my nerves. My blood boiled. I wasn't expecting such an arrogant response from him. Not while I'm concerned about him. Yes, he is my boss, but shouldn't I care?
