Chapter 45

SYBIL was feeling anxious while pacing back and forth inside her room. Yes, Chase had vowed to protect her from any harm that would come her way, no matter what. However, it was his family she would go against, if ever. And that thought of it already made her feel bad. Sybil wasn’t ready for that.
She plopped down on the bed. Whenever her mind was restless, she always felt exhausted. All she wanted to do now was to sleep peacefully, and perhaps a miracle would happen, and she would wake up where everything was fine.
Sighing, she grabbed a pillow and hugged it tightly. But even before she could fall asleep, she heard consecutive knocks at the door. She buried her face in the pillow and groaned.
“Come in,” she said in a muffled voice.
“How can I get in when the door is locked?” Chase said behind the closed door.
“I bet you have the master key!” she countered loudly.
“Come on, Sybil. Do you really want me to summon the butler just to open this door?”
She exhaled sharply and left the bed to open the door.
“What is it?” she asked nonchalantly the moment she pulled the door open.
He arched a brow.
“And why are you acting in such a way?”
She peeked at the hallways and closed the door. Sybil held him by the armed and tugged him toward the bed. They sat there face to face.
“Tell me, what is this about, hmm?” Chase cupped her cheek and looked into her eyes with worry. “You know you can always confide with me whatever bothers you. I didn’t bring you here with me to lock yourself in this room, Sybil.”
She felt his sincerity in every word that he said.
“I…” She let out a sigh. “I’m just worried about our future.”
His thumb gently brushed her cheek.
“What is there to worry about in our future?”
“Chase… don’t speak as if you didn’t hear what your mother had said back in that retreat house this morning. I know she doesn’t like me, and I know that your father—”
“I told you, I’m here for you. It’s just that I haven’t talked to them about us.” He held her hands. “Just bear it for a while, Sybil… And please give me some time to sort this out with my family. I know it’s hard, but everything will be fine. I promise….”
She bit her lower lip, for she felt guilty. What she did only added to his already heavy burden. However, she didn’t mean that. Perhaps it would be better if she kept her thoughts to herself next time.
“You trust me, don’t you?” Chase pressed his forehead against her. “Just trust me, and there is nothing that we couldn’t do.”
“Hm.”
Sybil snaked his arms around his waist and rested her head on his broad, sturdy chest. She listened to his heartbeat as he stayed still for a little longer before speaking again.
“As much as I want to stay like this, we need to join Mama and Ruth at the dinner table. Chase moved away and tucked the loose strands of her hair behind her ears. “Let’s go?”
He held her by the hand and stood up.
Sybil let him tug her downstairs until they reached the dining hall, where his mother and sister were waiting for them. Cynthia didn’t say a word and kept a straight face. Meanwhile, his sister rose from her seat and rushed to her immediately.
“So, this is your girlfriend.” Ruth smiled at her. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Ruth, Chase’s prettiest sister.”
“Don’t believe in her. She’s my only sister,” Chase countered.
Ruth’s face turned sour, and she turned in his brother’s direction with a scowl. Chase just laughed at that and ushered her to her seat.
“When is Papa coming home?” Ruth asked after they were all seated.
Cynthia gracefully picked up the glass of wine and took a couple of sips.
“He will be here, perhaps, a couple of days.”
When Chase’s mother looked at her in the corners of her eyes, Sybil instantly felt her body trembling.
“That’s good. Then we can settle matters about Prudence and Julian as well. Right, brother?” Ruth looked at his brother, making his jaw clench.
She couldn’t help but wonder what his sister was talking about to make him react like that.
“You shouldn’t concern yourself about someone else’s problem, Ruth.” Chase picked up his glass and held it tightly. “Julian and—”
“Don’t say that. I’m your sister, so why wouldn’t I be concerned?” His sister countered. It seemed that Ruth wouldn’t just give up the argument.
“Enough, children,” the mother said authoritatively. “Please be reminded that we are in front of the food, and we have a guest. Gah, you two make me lose my appetite.”
Cynthia wiped her lips with the table napkin and stood up.
“Please be seated, Mama. Don’t leave the table yet. I’m sorry for what happened,” Chase said, stopping his mother from leaving.
Family drama. Sybil should teach herself to bear seeing a lot of family drama inside the Whitewoods mansion because there was no way she could escape that. She might always be involved in some ways, especially now that Chase had introduced her as his girlfriend.

CYNTHIA summoned his son to the study for a talk a few minutes after dinner, leaving Sybil in the garden. Now she was alone, sitting on the bench, contemplating.
Did she make the right decision coming along with Chase?
What if she would only cause trouble?
She was suddenly pulled out of reverie when Ruth sat beside her.
“A penny for your thoughts?”
She turned in Ruth’s direction and found her smiling at her. She smiled back wryly and looked down at her feet afterward.
“I haven’t thanked you yet.”
“For what?”
Sybil looked at her again.
“For your warm welcome.”
“Oh! That… it’s no biggie, so you don’t have to thank me.”
“Well, for me, it matters. You are the only one who welcomed me so warmly.”
“Ah. I bet Julian gave you a cold stare.” Ruth waved her hand. “Don’t mind them. As long as you have Chase on your side, you two will be fine.”
“Is it okay if I count you in?” Sybil cocked her head to the side.
“Eh?”
“Since you and I are fine with each other, perhaps… we can be friends?”
“Sure.” Ruth beamed widely.