Chapter 14

MAY

I took a deep breath. I knew what would happen if I followed Nicholas into the room now. He would probably shout and nag about my decision until his lungs expired. Well, what could I do? He was obviously desperate and he had the need to protect my baby. His protectiveness was cool but not when it conflicted with my decisions.

“It appears my young master is angry…” Mama muttered.

“I can tell,” I replied. “That’s why I’m still here even though he wants me to come to our room.”

“Are you scared of him?” Mama asked calmly. She looked into my eyes like some fortune teller possessed by ten spirits.

“I’m not scared of him. I know he will never hurt me, not while I carry his precious child,” I replied.

“You don’t understand him, I guess,” Mama sighed. “I don’t know what reputation he has in the public but as someone that watched him grow, I can tell you that he isn’t that bad a person. If you think he will hurt you after giving birth to his child, I will be very disappointed in you.”

Mama looked like she was in pain. She sat down beside me and I took a deep breath.

“What should I do?” I asked her.

“Go and meet him. You didn’t explain the details of the matter to me but you owe him an explanation. I believe he is a reasonable man. He cares about that baby you’re carrying. Remember that!” Mama told me carefully. I nodded and smiled at her. Afterwards, I left the sitting room. I was almost in our room when I remembered I forgot to pause the movie I was watching. Part of me contemplated going back to pause it before I missed too many scenes. I was going to turn back when Nicholas appeared before me.

“Where are you going again? Did you forget the way to our room?” He asked. I put on a big smile and walked into our room. He followed me and locked the door after he entered. I wouldn’t lie, my heart skipped a beat. What was he trying to achieve by locking me in a room with me?

I got uncomfortable, I mean it.

“So you…” Nicholas started.

“Let me explain!” I interrupted with my right hand raised. Nicholas said nothing for a few seconds. He seemed to be thinking.

“Go ahead. Keep it short and simple!” Nicholas told me. I stood up from the bed I was sitting on and Nicholas went to the exact spot. I stood before him and it felt like those days in high school when I stood before the audience and presented a speech.

“The culprits were my stepmother and stepsister. If I had exposed them, a huge scandal would occur regarding my family and I don’t want that. It might be the end of my family name. It will affect the hospital as well,” I told him carefully. My heart was thumping for a reason I didn’t know. Was it fear or something else?

“Okay,” Nicholas didn’t sound surprised. “You care more about that family business than your unborn child?”

“No, that’s not it. I went over to the family house and warned them never to try such a thing again. They won’t do it again, the family’s name won’t be smeared, and everyone is happy,” I replied pleasantly. Nicholas’s facial expression didn’t change. His calmness made me afraid. It also felt as if he was intentionally making me anxious.

“I understand…” Nicholas stood up and began to leave.

“That’s all?” I asked, stunned by what just happened.

“Yes,” Nicholas replied. “But tell your stepmother and stepsister than the next time they try such, they will deal with me instead of you. I used to date an actress. She had this diehard fan who seemed obsessed with her. He was like a stalker. He attacked her when he found out she was dating me. Do you know what I did with him afterwards?”

“I’m not curious,” I answered but that was a lie. I wanted to know badly.

“My men abducted him and beat him up three times a day for thirty days. He had two slices of bread a day. They force-fed him when he didn’t want to eat. You know how? They chewed the bread and spat it in his mouth!” Nicholas said, his eyes glaring.

I cringed. Now I really didn’t want to hear anymore.

“But those first thirty days were good days for him…” Nicholas continued.

“I don’t want to know!” I shouted. However, he didn’t stop.

“He ended up in a mental hospital afterwards. He is still in one till date. If he ever recovers, which I doubt, he will never try it again. That is how I teach people lessons,” Nicholas told me. “I have people willing to do the dirty job for me. I have money and I know how to use it to get what I want. Make sure you tell your family that if they mess with me, they will have themselves to blame.”

I said nothing. I watched as Nicholas changed his clothes in the same room with me. He didn’t mind being naked before me so I didn’t let it bother me as well. Rather than look away, I stared at his body instead. When he was done, he stared at me too.

“Let’s have dinner together,” Nicholas told me. “I’m sure Mama has finished the preparations by now.”

“You should shower first,” I walked up to him. He was wearing a T-shirt now. I felt like removing two buttons and touching his chest. He was well built and so, I desired to touch him.

“Do I smell badly?” Nicholas asked as he moved from me. He didn’t give me the chance to do what I wanted.

“Yes,” I replied while frowning.

“I don’t care. Dinner first, every other thing can come after,” Nicholas winked at me. He unlocked the door and went out first.

Somehow, I felt he wasn’t that bad. Mama was right.