new rules

He got out the fruit juice blender and threw in the fruits and soy milk.

Ming-May could have done it for him, but he needed to keep busy to get his mind off Amelia. He didn’t like how she kept dominating his mind. After drinking his smoothie, he went to his office, situated on the upper floor, an open concept that allowed him to keep a close eye on Amelia. From where he sat, he got the perfect view of Amelia’s bedroom, or the guest bedroom to be precise.

He started work, but found his mind kept wandering back to Amelia. He couldn’t understand why he threw her into the guest bedroom. Amelia wasn’t a guest. She should be living in a place far less luxurious than this.

But no matter what excuse he came up with, it just wasn’t reasonable enough to justify him putting her into that room. And he was still struggling to find an answer now. Thankfully, work took over and he was able to concentrate on the task at hand. It wasn’t until around five in the evening that he realized he was hungry.

Ming-May didn’t come to offer him coffee. That was his routine. He didn’t like interruption. If he needed a break, he’d grab the coffee himself.

Lorenzo walked down to the dining room, the smell of sweet and sour pork making his stomach rumble.

He wasn’t surprised that Amelia wasn’t with Ming-May. Was she still in her room?

“Oh, Master Niko,” Ming-May said, turning around to meet him when she heard him approach. “I wasn’t expecting you this early. Dinner should be ready soon.”

Lorenzo pulled out a chair and waited.

Ming-May didn’t know what to do. She was fiddling with her apron.

“Would you like something to eat first before dinner? I could whip you something quick.”

“No. I can wait. Once you are done, call Amelia over.”

“Amelia.”

I heard Ming-May calling me from across my bedroom door. I rushed to open it and let her in.

“Yes, Ming-May. Do you need help with anything else?”

“No, dear. You’ve helped me enough today, even though you were not supposed to.”

I smiled. “I would rather help you with housework than be stuck in this room doing nothing.”

After escaping from Lorenzo, I came back to my room to collect myself. And since staying in this room was so boring, I went to find Ming-May to see if I could offer her any help. It ended up that we bonded over lunch together and doing housework.

I was so grateful to find a friend in Ming-May. She understood me, and I liked that. For this new life, I couldn’t imagine I would find someone who I could share my problems with.

“Master Niko wants you at the dinner table,” she said, and I sagged back on the bed.

Ming-May was very perceptive of me. She knew I didn’t want this.

“Come on, dear.” She patted my arm. “I made sweet and sour pork. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“Can you leave some for me?” I asked her, on the off chance I could get out of this. “I can eat later.”

“It’s not that easy, Amelia. You know he’s going to come into your room if you don’t go to him.”

“I know. Do you know why he wants to see me?”

Ming-May shook her head.

I nodded, relenting at last. “Okay. You go ahead first. I’ll be there in a second.”

Ming-May offered me a warm smile and left.

Why couldn’t Lorenzo just leave me alone? I knew he hated me. In fact, we both hated each other to the bones. So why must we keep seeing each other?

I was already convinced he was a madman. I mean, how could he be so furious just because I entered his garden? And why was it forbidden? It was just a simple garden with many rose bushes.

I stared at the red flower resting on the bedside table. I picked it up and brought it to my nose. It was intoxicatingly aromatic. A sense of pleasure rushed over me, followed by a sinking feeling of guilt.

Maybe he got mad because I picked his rose. Maybe that rose garden was a special place for him, like a sanctuary, and he didn’t like people intruding.

I understood that feeling all too well. There were also aspects of my life where I refused to let people in. Even with those close to me, like Jenny and Gian. Some things were just best kept a secret.

I got to my feet and exited the door, determined to apologize to Lorenzo. That was my intention anyway, until I spotted him sitting at the dining table. From this vantage point, he resembled a king sitting at the head of the table. His presence alone seemed to dominate the entire room, making it appear smaller than usual.

Tension rose in my belly the closer I got to him. Ming-May was the first to see me, and I was so grateful when she smiled warmly at me.

“Ah, Miss Amelia, you are here. Come sit down.” She gestured to the chair opposite Lorenzo.

I stole a quick glance in his direction. He had on his cold indifference face again.

“Master was waiting to have dinner with you,” Ming-May rattled away, bringing all sorts of food to the table.

Waiting? What? I was supposed to have dinner with Lorenzo? I thought it was only going to be a small chat. I thought I would apologize, he could tell me off, and then we could both go our separate ways. But this… I was nervous. I quickly slid into my chair and pulled one out for Ming-May.

“Here, Ming-May, you can sit next to me. Let’s have dinner together, too.”

“Ming-May, you may leave when you are done serving,” Lorenzo said sternly.

“Yes, sir.”

Ming-May nodded and was about to leave when I stood up and latched onto her arm.

“Ming-May. Don’t go.”

I clung to her for dear life, my soft voice pleading. I couldn’t possibly sit here alone with Lorenzo without us tearing each other’s throats out. And after that incident with his rose garden, too, I just didn’t have the courage to apologize to him without her here as my support.

“Please. Eat with us.”

Ming-May understood the message behind my gesture. She softened and smiled, her eyes also smiling like half-crescent moons. She patted my arm.

“Miss Amelia—”

“Ming-May. Leave. Now,” Lorenzo repeated, and this time Ming-May quickly obeyed, nodding once before leaving the room, leaving me all alone to fend him off by myself.

“Amelia. Sit down,” Lorenzo barked out again.