CHAPTER 4 - BREATHLESS

Natalie’s POV

This felt more than just a regular punishment, I just stared at him in disbelief, The darkness casting his large shadow over me…

“Aren’t you going to leave or…”

“I’m going creep” I was still trebling but I had to put myself together, I really didn’t think he would take the punishment seriously when a family member was involved but he’s just as ruthless with everyone else family or not… I walked slowly towards the door.

I was almost slipping out the door, he stood so close to the door making it impossible to go out without bumping into him

“Excuse me?” I muttered when I was close enough so he could hear me, he backed away slowly so I can squeeze through, he still had that cold and heartless look on his face and it worried me, I knew more days like these are yet to come with him around

“Try not to get on my bad sides again else it would be worse” I didn’t respond to what he said then I pulled me by my waist and his grip got tighter by each passing second “Do you understand natty?”

he let out a low growl and gripped my waist tighter…I finally answered with a slight nod before pushing his hand away and leaving the study.

I ran back up to my room to prevent the discussions from getting any more intense, I could still feel his gaze on me as I went upstairs.

I sat at the edge of my bed trying to forget the trauma I went through in there, but it seems to just stick even when I want it gone.

I looked around my room like it was the only safe place he couldn’t harm me, there was a note lying at my pillow I picked it and flipped it open, it was a letter but the person’s name wasn’t stated in it, just a short note written and it read ‘I know what happened to your mother it was just random shooting, it was a planned attack’ I was dumb founded as I finished reading the letter.

I didn’t know what to think anymore, what does this letter mean, it scares me to even try to find out because that would mean that I’m digging up the past.

I don’t care how she died besides it was all her fault, now I’m stuck with this asshole I call a brother…

“That isn’t a very nice thing to call your sweet and loving brother now is it natty” I didn’t even notice him standing at my door, I should really consider looking my door every now and then.

“Stop…sneaking up on me like that, you scared me, how long have you been standing there?”

“Long enough to know you were speaking ill of me, what’s in your hand?” I didn’t want him bothering me about more things so I hurriedly threw the letter out the open window, I might go searching for it later but for now I needed it far away from me as possible.

He walked into my room calmly like nothing ever happened earlier and it freaked me out…

“What do you want from me now? Haven’t you done enough?” I said as I stopped him halfway into my room, he looks straight at me with that cold gaze again that made my blood run cold.

He smirked before asking once more “What’s in your hand? I asked you before, don’t act dumb… and you are” He paused before forcing my eyes back at him by tilting my head up “You are a very bad liar

“I said it’s nothing now fuck off”

“I knew you had something on you” his gaze got sharper “And I hate it when you lie, I could see through your lie”

“There’s nothing to see, just leave”

“It’s my house you know?”

“Thanks for reminding me, I’ll leave you to it…” I said angrily before storming towards the door, but he stopped me halfway.

“No, you can stay, I’ll leave”

“Good” I added before pushing him out the door and slammed it hard enough he took it as a warning not to come in ever again.

I picked up my phone to call Amelia to come over, I needed something or someone to clear my head from all the Lucien drama, I was going to lose my mind if I spent one more second with him.

I dialed her number; it rang for some minutes before she finally picks up the phone

“Hey gurl”

“How you doing?”

“I’m good, what’s up?”

“Nothing much. Could you…” I paused a minute because I thought I was asking too much from her, besides she was her last week too and I didn’t want to bother her any further

“Come over? Sure… thought you’d never ask? Is your hot bro…”

“Yes he is, gross”

“What? Just saying, no need to get so worked up about it”

“I don’t just know what you see in him, he’s a freak and doesn’t have a sense of humor, haven’t seen him smile for the 3 years I’ve been in this house”

“I’m sure he has, don’t over exaggerate, I’m sure he’ll be happy to have me over.”

“He barely even remembers your name, don’t get your hopes up”

“Don’t be such a buzz kill, I’ll be down there in less than an hour”

“Thanks a lot” I hung up and laid on my bed with frustration, it didn’t take too long, and Amelia had already come and she was already standing outside my door, she knocked twice before opening the door slightly “Come on in”

I welcomed her in a bear hug as she sat on my bed…

“So…”

“So what?”

“Where’s he?” She asked smiling widely

“Who?”

“You know who I’m talking about…Your hot mafia stepbrother”

“Please don’t”

“What? I’m being honest, those tats make him look even hotter”

“Suit yourself”

“I know he’s your stepbrother, but you can’t deny the fact that he is good looking”

“Enough of all of that, I called you here to get my mind of him, but you’re still blabbing about how good he looks, are you kidding me right now?”

“Ok I’m sorry, I’ll stop”

“Good” I murmured as I sighed a sigh of relief

“So what should we do for fun, since am already here”

“You tell me”

“You’re the one who invited me over, so I think that’s your duty”

“Yeah yeah I didn’t think it over before I called, how about we go swimming at the pool behind the mansion?”

“You know you don’t know how to swim right?”

“I know, I’ll sit and watch you swim”

“Then how do you enjoy the moment?”

“I just needed someone to keep me company that isn’t insane like the rest, so I’ll just watch you alright?”

“Ok if you say so”

I picked out my favorite swimming suits for both of us then we headed to the pool. Amelia swam happily while I watch her from the edge of the pool, just a moment of peace and quite without Lucien creeping me out.

After some time, she was done swimming, she went to get something from the kitchen while I waited at the pool, I stood up to go and get my phone to call amelia because she was taking forever to get back.

My legs were still wet and when I stood up I slipped and fell backwards and into the pool, I couldn’t swim so was drowning, the water rose up to my eye level and I couldn’t see a thing or call for help.

I was already losing breath underneath then I sank to the bottom, I didn’t think I would make it, worst place to die.

Just when I thought I couldn’t hold my breath anymore, someone grabbed me by my waist and pulled me up then everything went dark

He performed CPR then I woke up coughing hard, water rushing out of my mouth as I gasped for air.

As I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw is Lucien, kneeling beside me and soaked from head to toe. for a second our eyes met then he stood up abruptly, didn’t ask any questions, no comfort, nothing

“Lucien?” I called out weakly, but he didn’t answer, he just turned and started walking back to the house

I watched him leave, still shaking, right before he reached the door, he stopped

“You owe me one” He said without looking back, then he left .

For the first time I wondered if drowning would have been the easier choice.