Chapter 7

NICHOLAS

As big as my home was, I had no personal office. Well, the house belonged to my father before me. My late mum made sure to convince my dad not to build an office there because she wanted our home to be a place he could let go of all the worries from work. After I inherited the place, I had been tempted to create an office out of the several empty rooms but at such times, I remembered mum’s words to dad.

Therefore, I made the library my workroom. It was accessible only to a selected few to ensure not only my privacy but the confidentiality of the things I worked on there.

I was seated, deep in thought even though my eyes were fixed on my laptop. My thoughts were disrupted by the barging in of Susan. I could tell it was her just from her footsteps. I didn’t raise my head.

“I didn’t ask for you. Why are you here?” I asked calmly as ever.

“You did that purposely, didn’t you?” Susan asked weakly. She must have been crying. I raised my head to confirm that fact. Her eyes were reddish in color, proof that she had been crying indeed. However, I was not one to be gaslighted.

“What did I do on purpose? Keep it short and simple. No emotional blackmail!” I told her.

“Everything…” She replied. “I could have been in the back seat today. I could have been in May’s place. I… Do you know how I felt when you told her to call me for help whenever she was in need? It made me feel live… her slave.”

“You are not her slave!” I replied sharply. “You are an employee of mine and helping May out when she is need isn’t a favor. From now on, count it as your responsibility.”

Susan kept quiet. I glanced at her and when she didn’t respond, I continued.

“Also, let this be the last time we talk about this. You have started to overstep your bounds,” I said frankly. “Now let me know tomorrow’s schedule.”

“I will send it via mail,” Susan began to walk away.

“Stop!” I stood up and watched her turn back. “You will tell me my schedule with your mouth. That, as well, is part of your responsibility. You get paid for that.”

**

“Our wedding will be announced tomorrow. Susan will assist with the preparations, don’t worry,” I said enthusiastically as the food was being served. May only nodded. She didn’t seem as excited as I was.

Mama had a big smile on her wrinkly face.

“Dinner is served,” Mama said excitedly. “This evening’s selection has been curated with your condition in mind, Miss May. We shall begin with a light garden salad dressed in lemon vinaigrette. It is rich in folate and iron.”

I remained calm and watched.

“The main course is grilled wild salmon atop a bed of quinoa and sauteed spinach. As for dessert, a warm apple crumble made with almond flour and a touch of cinnamon would be served,” Mama continued. “Ah, it has no refined sugar. It is naturally sweetened.”

“How sweet you are to everyone but me!” I finally commented.

“I’ve been serving you since you were nine years old, young master. Don’t tell me you’re jealous!” Mama said jokingly.

“I am jealous,” I replied. I frowned playfully.

“Then…” Mama began to look serious. I dropped my fork and gazed at her. “How about you get pregnant, young master?”

That woman! I would have laughed so hard on normal circumstances but for some reason, I wanted to remain composed in front of May. I could see May blushing.

Mama excused us soon enough and we ate in silence. The dining room had no humans except us and when I was full, I decided it was time to talk. May was a slow eater. You know the normal picky princess, she gave off so much of that vibe.

“I’m sure you know already but our contract marriage must never be exposed to anyone. It will affect both of us if it is revealed!” I warned.

“I am aware,” May replied. She was going to talk but I watched her hesitate.

“What do you want to say?” I asked carefully.

“We are going to sleep in the same room, aren’t we?” May wanted to know. It made me blush. Well, I wasn’t surprised. Girls were always attracted to me. If May wanted me that badly, sex with her wouldn’t be bad.

“Well, we have to. That way, no one will notice,” I replied slyly.

“Then, I need you to watch your hands,” May replied.

“Yes,” I replied absentmindedly. When I realized, I ended up shouting, “What!”

“I don’t like you,” May continued. “Even though I am pregnant with your child, it changes nothing. I never slept with my boyfriend… sorry, ex-boyfriend that I dated for several years. Don’t think I will start with you.”

I sighed.

“That’s fine,” I replied as if it didn’t matter.

“I’m done,” May started to walk away. She stopped and turned back now. “If we were going to use the same room, why did you design a new room for me in the first place?”

“I didn’t. Mama did…” I replied as I stood up too. “I will walk you to my room.”

“Our room,” May corrected.

I led her into the room and she looked around. May didn’t know this but she was the first woman I brought into this room. Of course, Mama and a few maids had been here for cleaning up but she was the first woman I brought by myself. Not even Susan had entered.

“I thought we had nothing in common. However, it seems we both like Winchester. You have his paintings everywhere,” May said, admiring the paintings on my wall.

“Oh, it was painted by Winchester?” I gushed.

“Didn’t you know?” May asked curiously. She had piercing eyes and it felt as if she could see through me.

“Well,” I said nervously. “I randomly picked the paintings. I don’t know Winchester. I’m not that interested in art actually.”

“Then we have nothing in common!” May said firmly and turned away from me.

That weird feeling in me began to erupt. I felt as if I just got rejected.