Chapter 8

Reina’s POV

After what felt like a few hours, the door opened. Corinne walked in, looking disturbed. I rubbed my eyes, climbing out of the bed.

I quickly grabbed the paper and pen she had dropped on my table before she left and wrote…

What happened?

“I’m so sorry, Reina, but the Don wants you to serve dinner.”

What?

“Don’t worry… just go out, serve him. Don’t look at him… okay?” she said, worry clear on her face.

I shook my head, saying no. I couldn’t face him, I couldn’t dare to stand in his presence without my legs getting weak and my heart beating fast. At the mere mention of his name, he already had that effect on me.

“Go on, dear, we are left with no choice,” she told me, straightening my clothes and nudging me forward with a small smile.

I walked slowly out, clenching my hands.

I got to the kitchen and was immediately given food to serve. I held onto it tightly and made my way to the dining area.

I felt his presence before I saw him.

And when I did, I swallowed.

Don’t look at him… don’t look at him.

I screamed it in my head like a mantra.

I laid the food down, putting some on his plate. I could feel his eyes on me, it burned through me. I could feel his intense stare and it took everything in my willpower not to look back at those cold eyes.

My hands shook as I poured his wine. It looked like I had a tremor.

My hand slipped, spilling wine.

I sprang back, making what sounded like a small yelp before finally looking at him.

His eyes were on me like they never left.

He didn’t seem like he noticed I spilled any wine, even when the other maids came to clean it up.

He still looked at me.

He slowly picked up a fork, stabbing one piece of meat, then slowly brought it to his mouth.

My eyes followed the movement, landing on his lips.

My eyes stayed there.They felt different from him.

Like it was the softest part of him.

Plump and pink.

I met his eyes again.

He was still looking at me.

I quickly looked away, my hands trembling.

“Who made this?” he suddenly asked, his voice deep.

“I did,” Corinne said, stepping forward.

“Not her?” he pointed at me with his fork.

“Sir… she just started…”

“There’s a reason I put her on kitchen duty, Corinne. You don’t get to defile my orders, do you hear me?”

“I know that, I just thought…”

He suddenly banged the table and I flinched.

“Do. you. hear. me, Corinne?” he asked, his voice edged with warning.

“Yes, Boss.”

He took one last look at me and pulled his chair backwards, walking out.

I took a deep breath that I didn’t know I was holding as I looked at his meal.

It was still full.

“Are you okay, child?” Corinne asked me as the other maids cleaned up, packing the dishes away.

I nodded.

She led me back to the kitchen.

“Let’s eat,” she said, bringing a different kind of meal.

“You need something warm. I made this soup for you. Here…” she placed it in front of me. “Eat.”

I robotically held the spoon and started eating, realizing I was so hungry.

I hadn’t eaten for days.

I rushed my food, choking on some of it before I was handed water.

I was halfway through my meal when two guards came in.

“You’re coming with us.”