Chapter 9 The Proposal (Part 1)

• Nathalia’s POV
• I was just staring into space until the van we were riding in came to a stop. I slowly started feeling exhausted due to my continuous crying earlier. My eyes were swollen, and my voice became hoarse from begging, but it was all in vain. They seemed deaf to my pleas and blind to the fear enveloping me.
• I remained silent as Stephen’s righthand man, I presume, pulled me out. He held my arm tightly, as if I could still escape from this place.
• I am sure this man is not just a simple henchman of Stephen’s; I overheard one of his colleagues calling him the boss earlier.
• However, I held my breath as I saw men in black suits guarding the surroundings, their holstered guns ready to fire at any wrongdoing.
• When I looked up, a mansion loomed before me. It was tall, seemingly reaching up to the fifth floor. Each window had what seemed to be attached and poised guns, ready to fire at the slightest misstep.
• I involuntarily gasped at what I saw. This mansion looked like hell to me.
• “Good morning, Sir Ace,” the servants greeted the man next to me politely as we entered. They stood in line near the entrance, all bowing their heads.
• Now, my suspicions are confirmed. This man was not ordinary at all.
• So his name is Ace.
• Suddenly, I froze. His name sounds familiar.
• I turned to look at him and stared intently. He smiled at the servants as if he had done nothing wrong.
• I gasped the moment I finally recognized who he was. He was one of Stephen’s business partners who was present in an interview for an article I read!
• Does that mean he is involved in whatever illegal activities that man is doing?
• “Good morning to all of you as well!” he cheerfully greeted them as if it were just another normal day.
• Then he turned to me and dragged me along. I just let him take me wherever.
• I’m already tired of begging and fighting. Besides, they have the lives of my loved ones in their hands, so even though I really want to break his bones, I can’t. I’m sure my friends and even my mother are frantically searching for me.
• But even before we could fully pass the servants, they looked up. I couldn’t miss the pity in their eyes.
• I gave a bitter smile because I knew that all they could offer me was pity. Even if I wanted to ask for their help, I couldn’t. I’m sure their lives would be in danger too.
• Because I know that, like me, they were also at Stephen’s mercy. They have no choice but to stay here and serve. To remain loyal and continue to live.
• I know that’s how it works when you’re working with this kind of person. My conscience won’t allow me to bring harm to them just because of me.
• “What took you so long? Anyway, he informed me that an emergency happened, so he went out of the way.”
• We paused in our walk as we were greeted by a sophisticated and tall woman descending the stairs with a furrowed brow. She was wearing black stiletto heels and a red halter dress. She even had fair white skin, fitting for someone who could play Snow White in a show.
• Wait, what did she say? An emergency? So that’s why I didn’t see him when we got off earlier.
• “I’m sorry. Traffic happened. So, where will I put her?” Ace yawned as if he was bored.
• The woman shifted her attention to me and scrutinized me from head to toe before crossing her arms.
• “Take her to the guest room. Who knows? This might be her last day to live. If so, then you might as well give her the privilege to enjoy her life for the very last time.” She smirked.
• Instead of feeling scared, I burst out laughing at what she said.
• Enjoy my life? Is she kidding me?
• Both of them gave me a confused look.
• “Is there something funny?” The woman raised an eyebrow.
• I almost cried from laughing before I shook my head slowly. I never thought I could laugh in a situation like this. If I were someone else, I might have fainted from fear.
• “Nothing. I just realized something.”
• “What is it?” Ace asked with a furrowed brow.
• Ever since that tragedy happened in my life, I forgot what it means to enjoy.
• The woman in front of us sighed.
• “You know what? You’re weird. Seriously, I don’t really know what he saw in you. Nothing’s special in you anyway.” She rolled her eyes.
• I was confused by what she said. “What do you mean?”
• “Shantel,” Ace warned with his voice.
• The girl named Shantel shrugged. “It’s not my story to tell.” Then she turned to the man beside me.
• “Take her now. I’ll tell one of the servants to bring her some food.” She continued walking, leaving us behind.
• “What did she mean by that?” I asked Ace once we were alone again.
• Because of what Shantel said, I began to suspect that there might be another reason why I’m here.
• Ace smirked. “Save your questions for later. Just like Shantel said, it is not our story to tell.”
• Again, I just let myself be dragged along by him as he pulled me up the stairs. I didn’t say anything anymore because my thoughts became even more chaotic.
• We stopped on the third floor and were faced with a long corridor. We followed the path until we reached the farthest door.
• He entered the key and opened the door. We went inside, and he motioned for me to sit on the edge of the bed, which I did.
• Soon enough, a maid arrived carrying a tray with various delicious dishes.
• My throat suddenly felt dry, and my stomach growled at the sight. I had eaten early in the morning, but the long journey probably made me feel extremely hungry now.
• But my forehead furrowed when I noticed that all my favorites were served: chicken tinola, boiled beef, pork menudo, and even dessert with graham and salad.
• “Eat well. Anderson will be here shortly.”
• Ace was about to turn away from me when I quickly stopped him by grabbing his arm. Once again, reality slapped me with the possible consequences of being in this house.
• “Please. Don’t kill me and my loved ones.” A tear rolled down my cheek.
• Lord, please don’t let history repeat itself. I couldn’t do anything for my parents in the past, but now I hope you give me a chance to save my loved ones.
• He shook his head and forcefully removed my hand from his arm.
• “It’s not my decision to make.”
• Defeated, I slumped down as he walked out of the room and closed the door, locking it from the outside.
• Once again, for the countless times, tears fell, which I had been trying to hold back earlier. I thought I had already shed all of them, but apparently not.
• I was so hungry and tired. So, despite my reluctance, I started eating the delicious food before me.
• Who knows if this is really the last time that I’ll eat like this? They say they’ll feed you well before your execution.
• I smiled bitterly. I didn’t even get a chance to say a proper goodbye to my family and friends. Is it really going to be the end for me when Stephen and I finally come face-to-face?
• And to think he had to kidnap me on my birthday, of all days. How pathetic. If it happens, my birthday and the day of my death will be the same.
• If only I had asked for help from Dad earlier. I know they have a lot of connections. The Sarmiento’s are one of the most powerful clans in the country, anyway.
• But I don’t want to involve them in my mess. It’s my fault that I’m in this situation now. So I need to find a way to get out of it myself.
• After finishing my meal, I slowly lay down on the soft bed. My body and mind were extremely exhausted. I’ll think of a plan to escape this place later.
• I closed my eyes and tried to rest for a while.
• But minutes later, I heard familiar voices shouting outside. I tried to recall whose voices they were, but I eventually fell into a deep slumber.