Novel Palace
Family Dinner
NATHANIEL’S POV:
TWO DAYS LATER:
It was now the weekend and I had been in my home office checking my blueprints all morning exercising and drinking a smoothie. Everything had been going so well after chaos with Jenny, God rest her soul. I was still in disbelief that she was dead, so her life just ended like that. But that was what she wanted for my Lydia. On some days, I would just open one of our old albums and check old pictures of us. I realized we had indeed grown up together and shared our lives together. Why wasn’t she okay with us being just friends? Was Lydia right that Jenny’s love for me had her doing crazy things? Was it something with me?
I kept thinking about how almost everything was my fault especially after a long day after work. But on another hand, I was trying to do everything I can as death can come at any time. I want to do right by Lydia and make her love me as much as I love her, make her happy as much as just her facial expressions made me happy. I want to share my life with her and I want her to not be hesitant to do anything with me. I just wanted her but it was slowly turning to a need.
I couldn’t focus at work sometimes as I wondered what she could be doing, had she eaten, and hoped work wasn’t too much on her. I missed her when she wasn’t around me and when she was, I just wanted to touch her even if it’s just holding hands. I couldn’t wait for things to be perfect between us and she becomes my girlfriend.
The thought had me excited that I had found myself about to call her.
I picked up my phone but my smile fell as soon as I got a call from my mother. With a sigh, I answered as I knew she was suffering so much with the death of Jenny.
“Hello? Nathaniel, thank goodness you picked up. Umm, can you come over to the house for dinner? I would like to introduce you to someone I think will be the right person for you.” She said and I sucked my teeth sharply.
“I’m not interested.” I spoke plainly about hanging up but her next words made me halt.
“Rachel is meeting with Jason’s family, her in-laws, in two weeks. Wouldn’t you like to be here to support her? And I know she won’t say anything but I know she misses you and needs you. So come for her.” I just hung up as her tactics weren’t right at all.
She did not care for Rachel in the slightest and it hurt me to see my younger sister in so much pain and I felt genuinely helpless.
Flashback to a month ago.
Before the news of Jenny’s death.
The sound of the bell to my door kept ringing urgently as if the person pressing the button needed to be in this instant. I lazily rose up from my bed groaning and glanced at the time on my stand seeing it was 4am, about an hour before my rising time.
I cleaned my eyes when the person stopped clicking the bell but began to knock on the door like someone was chasing him or her.
“Who is it?” I checked through my camera and saw it was Rachel in a black trousers and a black long sleeve shirt covered up with a black furry coat. She also had on glasses, which had me questioning things.
“What’s going on?” I asked immediately I opened the door but she paid me no mind, heading straight into her room.
“Rachel, what’s going on? What are you doing?” She began to pack her clothes in her box and I wondered why she was still wearing her dark shades. So I grabbed her by her wrist making her stop, wincing like she was in pain.
I frowned, dragging up the sleeves of her shirt and saw bruises on her wrist.
“What happened? Jason did that to you? Answer me!” I yelled, making her jump then snatch her arms from me.
“I’m into BDSM, that’s why. So we often tie each other up and do stuff, you want me to go into details?” She tried to be funny but I’m certain she didn’t even find it funny as she didn’t crack a smile. Rather she sounded sarcastic.
“Where are you going?” I snapped and she sighed.
“I’m going back to mum’s house. I’m sick of your controlling ways, I just want to be able to….” She exhaled shakily then said, “I just want to be able to free and love Jason as much as I want to. Maybe even get married to him.”
My heart dropped and my countenance fell. I feared removing her glasses because of the thought of horrific things he might have done to her.
“I’m going to kill that man.” I spoke with rage heading straight to my room but she held onto my hand.
“Nathaniel please I’m begging you, don’t talk to him or meet him. Just leave us alone! We are okay, he explained why he hurt me in the past, we are working on it. Just please…. I’m begging you, please mind your business.” Her voice was stern yet I could hear the fear in her voice.
I was at cross roads, I did not know what to do. Can a man who abuses a woman have a reasonable reason why? Can he ever change? Was it BDSM they were truly into or it’s just a cover up? Do I mind my business…nah I can’t. I would have to die before I see my younger sister marry that psycho.
I would never leave her alone, security and I will be next to her.
End of flashback.
I had to go and I would do all I can to make sure they don’t get married. The reports from the security was she had been cooped in the house, and only been out twice. With work, Jenny’s passing and Lydia, I hadn’t gone to the house to check up on her and she ignored my calls.
My goal for tonight was to bring her here and have a heart to heart conversation with her again.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.
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EVENING AT 7.
I arrived at 7pm sharp as I didn’t want to be earlier or late. I was dressed in a simple white shirt leaving two buttons open and I matched it with a black trousers accessorizing with a diamond encrusted watch. My hair was combed out rather than being slicked down. I alighted out of my car grabbing my phone and a bouquet of flowers. I overheard her gushing over lily flowers one time so I stopped and got her yellow lily, the arrangement was so beautiful as they were in circular shape.
I noticed the fleets of cars and security around the mansion making me scoff. The Wilist family was…intense and no matter the amount of opportunities working or collaborating with them will bring, I believed we were better off.