Chapter 49

Natalie POV

Lucy and I were sitting on a bench in the garden, enjoying the rare sunshine. We had managed to get done with our routine that morning before the other maids. But we knew we had only a few minutes before we would be summoned back to our duties by the ever demanding Puertelas, who never gets satisfied, even if we had to work our socks off.

“How has your relationship with Ava been?,” Lucy asked me, her ears and eyes fixed on me, as if I had called for a press meeting.

“It's just like every other, nothing special,” I said.

“I know she still has eyes on you.”

“I don't really give a fuck if she does, for I have no business with her brother. They can both have him for all I care,” I just said. I was already tired of always having to talk about Tristan every time Lucy and I had a conversation.

“But I know you…”

“Please can we talk about something else, Lucy?,” I pleaded with her.

“If you insist,” she said, sounding resigned.

We were so engrossed in our conversation that I did not notice Puertelas approaching us. It was Lucy who drew my attention to her.

“Hey, look who is coming our way,” she suddenly said to me, looking in her direction. “She looks fired up,” she added, observing as she edged closer to us.

“What does she want?,” I asked, not sure I could make anything of her sudden appearance.

“I don't know, but it surely doesn't look nice. Maybe she demands more work from us, as she always does,” she sarcastically said.

Finally, she walked up to us, and interrupted our conversation with a snarl. She looked at us with contempt and disgust, and she spoke with a voice that was cold and cruel.

"Leave us alone," Lucy said, grabbing her by the arm and pulling her away from me.

“You're hurting me, Puertelas,” Lucy gasped in pain and fear, and tried to resist, but Puertelas was stronger and faster. She dragged her to the other side of the garden, and threw her to the ground. She glared at her with a warning, and then turned her attention to me.

Holy smokes!

I swear, I have never seen her act in such a manner. Clearly, she looked fired up!

I was shocked and, for a moment , looked scared by her sudden aggression. I wondered what she wanted, what she was going to do, what she was going to say. I stood up from the bench, and faced her with a defiant expression. I tried to hide my nervousness, my anxiety. You know, my father had once taught me to be brave, even when fear was stronger. I tried to act brave, to act calm, to act confident. I tried to be ready for anything, to be prepared for everything, to be alert for nothing.

But she said nothing to me.

"Why do you stand before me with no words?," I asked, growing increasingly impatient.

And then, she walked closer to me, and looked at me with a sneer. She tilted her head, and raised her eyebrows. She smiled, but I didn't need to second guess to know that it was not a friendly smile.

"Well, I guess you already know what I'm about to say. Your lover boy has asked that the tables be turned in your favor, so he can drill you as he always does," she said to me in a mockful manner, her eyes fixed sternly on me.

“I have no idea of what you speak of,” I said to her, confused.

“You can pretend not to understand, I don't give a fuck about that. Lucy shall serve Ava's table tonight.” She stormed out, leaving me gasping for words. My mind races with thoughts, as I sought to understand what she meant, and why Tristan would ask for the tables to be turned.

As soon as she left, Lucy came back. "What happened?," she asked.

I told her everything Puertelas had said.

"Tristan will never give up until you are his," she said, smiling.

"It's not funny, Lucy," I reminded her.

"I know, my friend, but he leaves you with no choice."

"Well, not if I say."

“So, what are you going to do?,” she asked me, looking curious.

“Watch me,” I said and walked away.

"Tristan," I breathed his name that night. “Why did you ask Puertelas to... change things?”

Tristan's expression softened, a flicker of sadness crossing his features. He took a step towards me, closing the small gap between them.

Gosh! He's just too hot to resist!

"Natalie, I love you, can't you see?," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of regret.”

Well, love is not enough, he must understand.