Chapter 301: Masquerade
Nathan’s words were laced with a threat, ’’If you can take them all down and subdue them, you will become their new master. But if you cannot, then there will be... mayhem.’’
Ryle’s gun did not budge and Nathan did not move from his position.
It was almost as if both of them had confidence.
Nathan was confident that his threat would intimidate Ryle. But Ryle was just as firm in his stance. One more word against his people and he would pull the trigger, regardless of the consequences.
Hence, this time when Nathan opened his mouth, he did not mention Ryle’s mother or Daisy.
Instead, he said, ’’Father is gone. I will fulfill his last wish, train you into his heir and arrange the best marriage for this family. But in a month, I will get my marriage with Si Yena registered too.’’
’’I know all about the past grudges between you and I couldn’t care less about it but in the future, she will be your mother. So, I will see to it that you behave well.’’
After Nathan left, Daisy pushed aside the blanket and climbed down the bed. She locked the door, and walked back to Ryle.
They had not talked about it before. They had avoided mentioning it as if everything would be alright if they chose to ignore it.
Ryle hugged Daisy, burying his face in her stomach.
Daisy stroked his hair gently, allowing him to remain in that position. He did not say anything and she did not urge him.
’’Raelynn is my sister’s real name. They said the mother had an affair and the child was not this man’s. They pushed her to the brink of death.’’
Ryle had seen his mother struggling with her mental health. It was not obvious but he could see her falling into an abyss gradually. She needed help, attention, and care.
They gave her none. She was neglected.
Lock in a room. Sometimes abused physically and sometimes mentally tormented.
Perhaps it had been then. Then had been the first time when Ryle had stood in front of the mirror and found the reflection hateful. He had hated himself starting then.
And his mother’s last straw was his sister’s proclaimed death.
Daisy hugged him tightly and wordlessly and slowly, she felt a wetness on her clothes as the man in her arms trembled.
Daisy’s eyes burned with a vicious fire. She closed them. This grudge, she would write it down for Nathan Kingsley.
...
That night, Daisy was laying alone in the room. Maria was nowhere in sight when she came back after meeting Ryle. She had found the perfect opportunity to slip away from Ryle’s room without noticing anything.
Both of them talked about some things and skimmed over some matters. Both of them did not bring up Si Yena consciously.
Daisy tossed and turned on the bed, feeling rather uneasy about the whole affair. She had been so reluctant to leave Ryle alone earlier and right now, she wanted nothing more than to sneak back in but if they wanted to keep their cover, it was not ideal.
At least, not at this hour.
The door opened and Maria walked inside.
’’Are you feeling better now?" Daisy asked the woman, ’’Did you go to the hospital?"
’’Ah... I... Yes, I did... I just feel a little tired,’’ After speaking, the woman walked off to the bathroom.
The next morning, the breakfast proceeded as usual and Si Yena was more active than she had been the day before. ’’I have a full plan in mind.’’
’’Mhmm. Tell me more about it,’’ Nathan said aloofly.
’’You want me to arrange a blind date for Ryle...’’
’’Are you worthy?" Ryle dropped his remark and then he continued eating nonchalantly.
Pretending like Si Yena had not caught a single word, she continued, ’’After giving it some thought, I realized that it would not be very good to force them into some lavish restaurant or something.’’
’’So, what do you suggest?"
’’A masquerade party.’’
Nathan nodded thoughtfully before he went silent.
Daisy squinted. There was something amiss with this man. He had not even flinched when Ryle shot him but today, he was absent minded for most of the breakfast. Something was up on his end and as much as he was trying to keep it down, it was obvious.
Daisy turned to look at Ryle who was eating his food like a good child and she had a nagging suspicion in her heart.
The breakfast ended rather quietly. Si Yena’s suggestion was approved by Nathan.
After breakfast, Nathan went to the Master bedroom and glanced at Si Yena who had just laid down on the bed. He loosened his tie and climbed on the bed, ’’I will be leaving to attend some important matters in a while.’’
Si Yena helped him remove his tie but when he leaned into her lips, she shoved him back. The man narrowed his eyes and grabbed her wrist till the spot turned white and a faint ’crack’ was heard.
Si Yena’s face turned pale, ’’That’s painful...’’ she winced, ’’We are still in mourning. It is not ideal for us to...’’ As his grip loosened a bit, she looked at him with tearful eyes, ’’Father did not really like me when he was alive. But for me, I have always seen him as my elder. With him gone, I don’t want to disrespect him like this. I am living the way did, I even cut off meat from my meals, how can you expect me to...’’
Nathan sighed and leaned back on the headboard of the bed, ’’Why are you so silly? What can I even do with you?"
Si Yena bit her bottom lips, hesitated for a moment before speaking up, ’’I love you, Nathan. I can’t wait for us to get married,’’ she raised her hand and stroked the side of his head, ’’By then, you can continue doing whatever you want to do with me forever.’’
