Chapter 6: A Nightmare

Nathalie Wrights's P. O. V.

I was just there, sitting and waiting for Kyrie to say something else, but instead, he remained silent until my secretary knocked on the door and pushed it open. She really has no idea that Kyrie is here, her reactions did prove it. She was too surprised and confuse when she saw Kyrie, standing in front of me and just watching me with a blank face.

I fake a cough to get his attention more before I smiled at him like nothing just happened. "Mr. Menzel, I would be glad to personally introduce you to other investors, but that won't be today. You see, I have a lot on my plate right now so I'll take care of this first." I stood up again before I motioned the door to him. "You may take your leave now." I turned to my secretary. "Please, assist Mr. Menzel out, then, come back here."

"Yes, Ma'am," my secretary nodded at me before approaching Kyrie. "Sir, let's go?"

I looked down when I felt that I can't hold his gaze anymore. Seconds later, I heard footsteps so I looked up, thinking that they were finally leaving, but I was mistaken. Kyrie was on my side and he leaned down before placing an unexpected kiss on my forehead.

"If that's what you want. Take care, love. I'm not done with you yet.." He callously whispered to me, making sure that his voice would leave an enough amount of worry to me.

I hitched my breath for some time until Kyrie and my secretary finally leave my office. And when the door closed behind them, I unconsciously drop on my swivel chair, feeling so down about what just happened. It's still morning, but I already feel so tired and stressed. What's more for this whole day? I closed my eyes and massage my head when I felt that throbbing pain again. I also feel so cold and weak. I think the medicine that Mia gave me last night is now rubbing off and I forgot to bring one that I'm supposed to drink for today!

"I want to rest now..." I whispered to myself before I leaned back in my chair.

My head keeps on throbbing while I was reviewing the papers that were submitted to me, and when my secretary came back, we immediately headed to the HR Department and proceed with the plan to reduce my employees. I felt bad when some of them beg me not to remove them, but there was nothing I can do. In the middle of talking to some of my employees, I couldn't endure the pain anymore so I just instructed them instead to proceed without me.

"Make a report for today and submit it tomorrow. I will review it," after saying that, I headed out of the building and went back home.

On my way, I was trying to call Mia, but she wasn't picking up the call so I just decided to stop. She must be busy with her own job. I sighed and stop my car at the nearest restaurant. I need to eat later when I get home and I know that I won't be able to cook for myself because of my condition so I'll just have a take-out.

"What's your order, Ma'am?" The restaurant crew asked me behind her table.

I looked up and saw the menu. Those were Australian foods.

"Just give me the chicken and sweet corn soup and beef stroganoff," I told her before handing my card to her for payment.

When she told me to wait because they'll still prepare it, I sat at the nearest table and waited there, but after two minutes, I saw a figurine of a man beside me so I looked up to know who it was.

"Renz?" I called out in surprise when I saw him.

"I'm glad that you still remember me! Is it an achievement for me now?" He smirked at me before he motioned for the chair in front of me. "Mind if I join you?"

"Yeah, sure. I won't stay long, anyways." I forced myself to smile at him. "So how's Mr. Coin, your dad?"

"Well.." He sits down in front of me. "He's currently busy doing some business with the Menzel's Empire. Why? Do you have an appointment with him?"

I was taken aback when I heard what he said. 'Are they signing the contract now?' I asked myself while remembering Mr. Coin's offer to me yesterday. I also remembered what Kyrie told me last night.

"By the way, Nathalie." Renz's voice woke me up from my reverie. I shifted my attention to him again and waited for him to speak. "Why do you look so pale? Are you sick?"

I was about to open my mouth to answer him when I felt someone tap my shoulder and I flinch in an instant as I cover myself using my arms. I anticipated that someone would hit me, but seconds had passed yet nothing happened so I slowly looked up and saw that both Renz and the waitress were looking at me with confusion in their eyes. That was when it sink to me that the waitress was the one who tapped my shoulder to give me the paper bag that she was holding, it was probably the food that I ordered.

After I regained my composure and calm myself, I sat straight and gave them a forced smile.

"Sorry for that. You shock me," I looked at the paper bag that the waitress was holding. "That's mine, right?"

The waitress who was just staring at me and watching me, suddenly smiled before she handed me my order. "Yes, Miss. Thank you and enjoy your food!"

After saying that she left so I stood up and turned to face Renz. "I'll go now. Sorry again and thanks for your company."

I didn't wait long to hear out his answer, and instead, after bidding him goodbye, I turned around and left the place without looking back. When I got into my car, I plunged my head on the wheel with my hands. That was embarrassing. I can't help but sigh. Sometimes, even if years had already passed, I can still feel that fear without an enough reason.

THE MOMENT I entered my house, I felt when my head spin so I hold on to the wall and took support there to prevent myself from falling. I was very careful to put down the paper bag that I was holding before I slowly sat down on the couch. I know that I couldn't make my way to my room anymore so I just lay there and close my eyes to rest. I was half-asleep when I heard my phone ring, but I don't have the energy to answer it and darkness consumed me.

In my dream, I saw myself hitting on the wall after someone pushed me hard while holding my shirt's collar. His eyes were full of anger for me, there were a lot of men around whose backs are on us and they never dare to look in our direction and make even the slightest noise and movements, but I know to myself at that time that they were pitying me and wanted to help me.

I was shouting in anger whenever the man would say something to accuse me, I tried to defend myself but his ears were covered with his own belief. He never dared to give me a chance to speak out. I was so scared and hopeless. I wanted to scream and beg for help, but I didn't do it because it'll be a waste of time. None of the people with us would help me. They all fear him and I am just like them.

So instead of begging them to help me, I beg for this man to let go of me instead. I was continuously begging him as he was speaking, but no matter how loud his voice was for him, I just couldn't understand whatever he was saying.

"S-Stop, please..." I whispered while watching myself to beg harder while sitting on the floor, eyes full of hopeless tears. "No, don't.." I wanted her to hear me, to know that I was there and I can help her if she'll just look at me.

I tried to run and help her, but even before I can reach her, everything went black and there was no one else in there but myself. I was so confused and scared at the same time. 'What happened? Where am I?'

I was about to run somewhere when I heard a loud thump from behind me. Shaking in fear, I decided to slowly turn around and look at what was behind me, but I ended up regretting it when I saw him, holding a metal stick in his hand while his eyes were like sharp daggers while looking at me. He was so livid.

I unconsciously took a step back, but the moment I did it, he hurriedly ran to me and tried to reach me.

"No, don't!" I shouted at him, but he didn't listen. "Stop! Stop! Stop it!"

I was so thankful enough that even before he managed to reach me, I felt a pair of hands shaking me to wake me up and when I did, I was trembling in fear and was crying so hard in someone's arms.

"Hush now, Nathalie. It's just a dream. A nightmare," I heard Mia's voice from beside me, but I couldn't look at her.

Because instead, I turned to my left side and look up at him. I was astonished when I saw him, but because I was still feeling the fear inside me, I didn't say anything when Kyrie pulled me and embrace me in his arms. Mia held my hand too and caress it.

"Are you okay, Nathalie?" Mia asked me, but I wasn't in the right mind to answer her, because, behind her, I saw that man again.

He was the man in my dream and he was more furious right now than he was in my dream. I sobbed and looked away from him. I hide my face between Kyrie's neck and shoulder while crying.

"Please, tell him to go away.." I beg them. "Please..."

"Who, Nathalie?" Mia's voice sounded confused and I felt Kyrie was stiffened.

But I didn't answer her or mind Kyrie's presence and just drown myself to sleep again.

THE NEXT MORNING, when I woke up, Mia was beside me and the sun had already risen. I don't know why Mia is in my room right now, she has her own room downstairs.

When I tried to get up, a dried towel fell from my forehead so I took it and place it on the side table. 'Did my fever worsen last night?' I asked myself.

I can't remember anything much other than I drove home and sleep on the couch. My eyes widen before I looked at Mia. 'Did she call Uncle and told him that I had a fever? Was he here last night? Was he the one who carried me here?' Oh, no! He must be worried right now. He's already worried about me because of my company and now this happened!

"Nathalie?" I heard Mia call my name in a sleepy voice. She got up and face me. "Are you okay now?" Mia placed her hand on my forehead and when she got contented, she smiled at me with teary eyes. "I'm glad you're okay now. I was so worried about you last night, I thought we'll need to bring you to the hospital."

"Why? What happened?" I asked her before I leaned back to my bed, still feeling a little weak. "How did I end up sleeping here, Mia? Wasn't I sleeping on the couch?"

Mia hug me from my side before she whispered to me. "It doesn't matter, just take your time to rest here, okay? And don't make us to worry again.."

"Was Uncle here?"

"Nope, he wasn't. Just forget it, Nathalie. It's better for you not to remember anything. Trust me.."

I just nodded at Mia and didn't dare to ask again, it was obvious that she won't speak anyway. While we were both resting, my eyes landed on the table under the television. The box was still there. Mia put it there on that same night that I received it.

"Mia?" I called out to her, not removing my eyes from that box.

"Hmm?" She moved her head to look at me.

"Did you see the face of the man who dropped that box here?" I asked her, trying to hide my fear.

"I said left," Mia sighed before speaking again. "He intentionally left it, Nathalie."

"Whatever! So, did you see him?"

"No, I didn't. He moved too fast.." She said. "But I know that he's a black.."

A black person? I was relieved when I heard her answer. He's not a black person, he's a Filipino with a pair skin. At least, it wasn't him. But the fact that he knows where I am living is what's creeping me out. I know that man too well. He's a psycho, just like... I shake my head to forget the thoughts before I let out a deep breath. After years of trying so hard to move on and start a new life, after a lot of nightmares and mental check-ups, why do they have to come back now that I'm finally healing myself?

"Why, Nathalie?" Mia moved away from me before she sat straight and looked at me with so much seriousness in her eyes. "You haven't told me yet what's with those letters."

I looked away from her. "I don't wanna talk about it---"

"Tell me!" I was taken aback when Mia raised her voice at me. "Nathalie, last night you keeps on... waking up and.." She wanted to say something but stopped herself and just sighed. "Nevermind. We both know that it's my brother that you only trust the most with your problems.."

"It's not like that, Mia.." I held her hand and squeeze it. "It's just too difficult for me to say it, Mia.."

"Does it have anything to do when you first came here to us and you were seeing a doctor?" Mia asked and I don't know if should I say yes or just ignore her question. "What happened to you when you were still in the Philippines, Nathalie?"