Chapter 7 Stay Away (Part 2)

• “Oh, wait. What deal are you referring to, Uncle?” Liam folded his hands before turning to Dad, who continued eating as if nothing was happening.
• Now he’s curious. I thought he wouldn’t notice that topic.
• “She will be the one in charge of the company once we retire,” Dad replied with a smile before firmly gazing at me.
• I sighed in defeat and looked away. Here we go again.
• Frowning, Liam turned to me. “Okay? But what’s the use of a deal anyway? Obviously, you are the heiress of Sarmiento Hotel Group.”
• “Yeah. But she kept on insisting before that we should let you take over the company instead, and she will just help you out.”
• Liam’s frown deepened. “Okay. Now, I’m lost, princess. You knew too well that I had our own company to run, right?”
• I took a deep breath before nodding slowly. “I know. But my point here is, I’m not a real Sar—”
• “You’re our family. That’s what made you a Sarmiento. That fact alone explains everything, and nothing can ever change that,” he interrupted, cutting off whatever I was about to say.
• In an instant, his face became emotionless, and his eyes turned cold.
• I decided not to say anything more. There’s no use in arguing with them anyway.
• I bit my lower lip as I suddenly remembered something before slowly releasing the spoon and fork I was holding. I’ve been thinking about this since last night. I just hope they agree with what I want to happen, so convincing my friends will be the only challenge.
• “Is there a problem, sweetie?” Mom asked in her sweet and gentle tone. She’s always like that—the warm and understanding one.
• I smiled nervously and shifted my gaze between Dad and Liam. “I just have a question.”
• “Okay, that made me curious. Let’s hear it out,” Dad said after wiping his mouth with the table napkin.
• “If you’re going to ask if you can now be courted, then the answer is firmly no,” Liam replied seriously, trying to lighten the mood for my parents. Somehow, that lessened the tension that had been surrounding us.
• I admit, he’s stricter when it comes to that topic compared to my parents. I even feel like he’s one of the reasons no one dares court me.
• “No. It’s not about that.” He nodded, so I turned to Dad. “Anyway, I just want to know if it is okay for my friends to work in our hotel.” I looked at him hopefully.
• Dad paused in the middle of taking a sip of water and furrowed his brow, turning his attention to me. I could sense that Mom was also taken aback.
• “Why? Are they leaving the hotel where they work part-time?”
• I sighed. “No. I’m just asking if it’s fine with you, if ever.”
• He glanced at Mom next to me, then cleared his throat. “Well, of course, sweetie. Not because they’re your friends, but because I know how dedicated they are when it comes to their job.”
• I sighed in relief. “Thank you.”
• “Anyway, I already contacted the organizers for the theme and decorations for your upcoming birthday.” Mom changed the topic.
• I don’t know why, but I felt like she wanted to divert the conversation.
• “But, Mo—”
• “Nathalia.” She held my hand on the table and gently squeezed it. She smiled warmly at me. “Don’t worry. There will be no big celebration, as you requested. Just small preparations,” Mom reassured.
• I pouted. “Fine. But just small preparations.”
• “Yes,” she replied with a smile.
• After finishing the meal, they were about to stand up when something came to mind.
• “Dad, I still have one more question.”
• I wasn’t sure if I should ask about this matter, but I couldn’t shake the feeling. I think I can gather more information from Dad about Stephen, aside from what I’ve read online.
• “Spill it,” he said, slightly adjusting his crumpled shirt.
• I hesitated for a moment before softly asking, “What do you know about Stephen Anderson?”
• He suddenly coughed and quickly took a sip of water. Mom’s smile disappeared, and her forehead creased. Liam’s eyes widened.
• “Why are you asking?” Dad asked, surprised.
• I looked at them skeptically. What’s with their reaction?
• “I’m just curious. You know, my friends are working for him,” I lied.
• “Why don’t you ask them, then?” Mom asked, sounding puzzled.
• “I already did. But they didn’t say anything negative about him, just praise. I mean, it’s not like I want to hear bad things about him. I just want to know more about him, especially since he’s one of our competitors.” Okay, that’s partly true.
• I was startled when Liam stood up and lightly slammed the table.
• “Don’t involve yourself with that family, Nathalia. Especially not with that man. You don’t know what they’re capable of. So, you better stay away from them as much as you can.”
• Even though I felt fear from the sudden darkness in his expression, I didn’t show it.
• “Because they’re a competitor?”
• “Yes.” He stared at me intensely, clenching his fist. I noticed how tense the atmosphere became at the dining table. It suddenly felt awkward.
• “Okay. Sorry for asking.”
• I bit my lower lip before excusing myself from my parents, saying that I wanted to rest.
• But before I could fully go upstairs, I couldn’t help but notice the meaningful glances exchanged between the three of them.
• Because of that, I felt even more strongly that they knew something they didn’t want to tell me.
• Of course, they knew something. In the business world, that was a given.
• Once in my room, I immediately headed to the bathroom, heeding the call of nature. Afterward, I washed my face.
• However, my surprise was immense when I heard a loud curse and something crashing from outside. I quickly composed myself and went out.
• My heart pounded in fear when I saw my laptop open, and Liam was glaring intensely at the photo I was looking at just a while ago. If looks could kill, the screen of my laptop would probably be shattered by now.
• He turned his angry gaze toward me. I instinctively took a step back because of the rage I saw on his face.
• What did I do?
• “What the fuck is this? What the hell are you doing?” He pointed his finger at my laptop.
• I was taken aback by the sudden rise in his voice. I didn’t expect that. He had never raised his voice at me before. Not until now.
• It somehow scared and confused me at the same time. I couldn’t understand where his anger was coming from.
• “I... I...” I didn’t know what to say. I just couldn’t find the right words. In an instant, it felt like my tongue was tied.
• He took a few steps closer, closing the distance between us, and lightly shook my shoulders with his hands.
• “I’m telling you, Nathalia. Stop this bullshit! You’re putting your life in danger! You don’t even have a single idea how dangerous that man is!” He pointed to Stephen’s photo on my laptop screen again.
• His words left me momentarily speechless. He definitely knew something, too.
• “Then give me an idea. Tell me—”
• He closed his eyes tightly before releasing me and taking a step back while shaking his head.
• “Stay away from him, Nathalia. That’s all I’m asking. You, stay away.” His voice pleaded, and his eyes reflected concern.
• But before I could respond, he had already turned his back on me. Without looking back, he stormed out of my room, leaving me behind with even more questions swirling in my mind.