Before the storm

Damien Jaeger dashed into the mansion without waiting for me and I quietly followed behind him. I had worn my heels in the car so I didn't look as homeless as I was looking on the road but the looks from the staff told me that I might be looking homeless. After all, I walked for miles, dripping with sweat under the sun. I didn't need to be told to go upstairs to take a shower.

After a long shower, I settled myself into my bed to relax. The effect of the long trek was slowly creeping its way into my body. Having the room to myself without Darcy for another 4 hours, I thought it better to get some rest. Afterall, today had been quite eventful. I closed my eyes and it didn't take long for me to doze off.

A knock on the door woke me up. At first, I ignored it but the knock came again. I sat up and attempted to get up on my feet but a sharp string made me halt. My muscles had gone sore.

"Who is it?" I asked. There was no answer but the knock came again, "Come in!"

The door opened, revealing the person behind it, "Natalie." I said with surprise, "What are you doing here?"

She walked and stopped in front of me.

She wanted to speak but was hesitating. I waited patiently for her to speak and she finally did, "uhm, I- I just wanted to check up on you."

"The maid said you didn't look so good."

Had I really looked that bad? I wondered.

"Are you okay?" She asked, "What happened to you?"

I was utterly surprised by her concern. Shouldn't she be another rival?

"Nothing serious." I replied and she heaved in relief.

"Thank goodness. I thought something major happened." She said and sat down beside me. But almost immediately, she rose back to her feet, "I'm sorry. Where are my manners."

She chuckled shyly and I couldn't help but smile at her, "You can sit down, Natalie."

She beamed happily at my approval and returned to her position on the bed. "Can I tell you the real reason why I'm here?"

"Uhm, sure."

"I want us to be friends."

"What?" Was she serious?

"Don't get me wrong. I mean I was really concerned about you so I came to check up on you, but aside from that...I want us to be friends."

"If you're cool with it." She added.

"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why do you want to be friends with me? I mean, shouldn't you hate me because your baby's father and I are married?"

There was a confused look on her face like she wasn't sure what I was talking about. Had Damien Jaeger decided to keep it a secret from her? If so, how did Ella find out about it then?

"You know what? Just forget…" I started, trying to dismiss what I just said but Natalie cut in.

"Why would I hate you for it though?" She asked, "Did you do something wrong to me?"

I was stunned. This woman was unbelievable. But her genuinity made me like her.

"It's alright. We can be friends."

"For real?! Oh, that's simply wonderful!" She shrieked like an overexcited teenager and crushed me with a hug.

"Oh, we have a lot to talk about then." She started, "I'm from Tennessee by the way, where are you from?"

"I'm a New Yorker."

"Oh, that's simply wonderful. You met Damien here then." "My daughter, her name is Kira. She's 2 years old."

"Actually, she'll be 3 in December. Have you met her yet? She's asleep in her room. Kira loves sleeping. It's her only goal…"

She talked on and on with her words pouring like a fountain. Anyone else would have been irritated by so much talking but she simply captivated me with such freeness. Her dense lashes fluttered as she spoke, moving in rhythm with her mouth and her hands never remained in one place as she moved them about, describing one thing or another that she was saying.

A knock brought her talking to a halt.

"Who is it?" I asked.

"It's Gray, the manservant. Sir requests for your presence in his room."

Ella flashed me a curious look as the manservant made his announcement.

I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. Why did Damien Jaeger want to see me? Was he mad in his silence? Had he not said anything because he was looking for a befitting punishment for me, and now calls for me after finding the right one?

"I won't be coming to see him. Tell him that I have fallen asleep." I replied, not daring to look at Ella's facial expression that may make me think otherwise.

"But madam…"

"Tell him you were unable to wake me up, Gray!"

A low sigh from the other side of the door, then he surrendered to my answer, "Very well, madam."

After his footsteps faded into the hall, I turned back to look at Ella. She didn't look as animated as she was a few minutes ago.

"Why did you refuse to see him?"

I took a while to answer, "Because I don't know what to expect. And I'd rather not meet him at all."

"You know Damien hates it when people refuse to obey him, right? He gets mad- and when he's mad, things are never good, Mélie."

The lump on my throat was starting to choke me, "Very well then…Let's see what Damien Jaeger can do when he's mad."

My reply shocked her even more than my refusal to meet him, "You're scaring me, Mélie."

I smirked with mischief, "Well, aren't I?"

She didn't say anything else for a while.

"Well, I hope he doesn't scare you as much as you scare me." She rose to her feet, "I should go check on Kira."

When she had walked out of the room and I was sure that the door was closed behind her, I melted like candle wax. 'What have I done?'