Misunderstanding

Chapter 4(Nathalie POV)

The police trawled the ocean floor where Chase's mother had fallen and found her body. A sense of shock spread through the community as they learned of the tragic incident. Whispers of sympathy for Chase. After Chase explained to the Police how his mum had accidentally slipped and plunged into the waters, and requested they didn't investigate(stating it was too much work), he retreated back to his opulent mansion. 

As I stood there, guarded by two imposing bodyguards, Chase barely acknowledged my presence, nonchalantly removing his boots before heading towards the basement. My gaze shifted nervously towards the towering figures in front of me, veins popping from their hands and their shiny, bald heads glinting.

They were two bodyguards assigned by Chase to guard me here.

 I swallowed hard, attempting to suppress my anxiety. How could I possibly earn Chase's trust in this situation? The only reason I wasn't being handcuffed and delivered to jail was because he didn't want Mrs. Smith to be arrested, along with me.

But it was all a terrible misunderstanding! I was not responsible for his mother's death. Perhaps if I hadn't shown my fright in the beginning, maybe the misunderstanding would have been cleared.

I felt my nails digging into my palm. This was the first time I had ever interacted or communicated with anyone outside of the Lord's refuge for years. The boys at the refuge, though respectful, emanated a coldness that kept me at a distance, rendering me silent for the most part. It was only in the company of Anthony that I truly found solace. Anthony, my dearest and only friend, possessed a uniqueness that set him apart — endearing looks, an unwavering determination and formidable combat skills. He was like a brother to me. Would I ever see Anthony again? Was I doomed to remain trapped indefinitely, my mission unfinished, and eventually get killed and forgotten? 

But for Anthony, I had to muster the courage to act.  Maybe I could attack Chase straight away. If successful, I could return to Anthony and the Lord unscathed. And if I failed, as seemed all too likely, I would face arrest and death. Death, after all, will be my fate anyway. Why not embrace the risk?

I wrote on a piece of paper, questioning if I could see Chase, adding that I was worried since he was in a bad bad condition when he entered the house.  I squeezed out a few tears and held the note before the bodyguards, hoping to elicit their empathy. Anthony had always claimed that I appeared like an innocent, adorable kitten in such moments. One of the bodyguards furrowed his brow suspiciously. "What are you planning?" 

Though Chase had refrained from revealing my "involvement" in his mother's death, he had instructed the bodyguards to keep me within close quarters, meaning the bodyguards didn't know who I was or why I was here. 

I hastily scribbled on the paper, saying that Chase and I have been dating secretly for months. I came to visit him today and found out that his mum died.

Bewilderment flashed in the two bodyguard's eyes. "Your his girlfriend?"

I nodded desperately, praying that they would believe me. Come on...

 The two bodyguards exchanged perplexed glances. "I mean, why else would she be here?" I caught one of them whispering. "No," the other mumbled, shaking his head. "We cannot be so foolish. We'll inquire about her identity from Sir Chase later."

I know he's grieving for the loss of his mother, I want to comfort him, I wrote, blinking up at them with innocent eyes.

"Alright, he's in the basement," one of the bald bodyguards grumbled, waving a hand towards the basement. I bowed my head in gratitude and hurried towards the door, my palms sweating.

I came to a halt at the top of the staircase, peering into the pitch-black darkness. Was Chase really down there? I slowly walked down, my hand on the railing.  Slowly, I descended, my hand gripping the railing for support. 

As I reached the final step, I caught sight of a dimly lit bar counter nestled in the corner of the room. Advancing cautiously, I made my way toward the counter, where empty bottles of beer and wine lay scattered on the wooden floor. 

Against the wall, a disheveled figure slumped, indulging in the solace of alcohol.  Chase.

His shirt unbuttoned, revealing defined abs, his hair covering his eyes, his breath ragged. This was the opportune moment to strike. I seized an empty wine bottle from the floor and crept closer, my heart pounding in my chest. 

I gripped the bottle tighter. Once I kill him, I'll be able to return to the Lord and Anthony. 

I raised the bottle over his head. In that split second, his firm grip wrapped around my wrist, forcefully yanking me down to the cold, hard floor. The bottle slipped from my grasp, crashing and shattering on the ground beside him,

"...!"

"Who are you?" he hissed, his breath carrying the heavy scent of alcohol. I lay frozen in fear in his lap. 

"Speak!"

Fear coursed through my veins. Don't be scared, Nathalie, end his life! Then you will be free!

Gritting my teeth, I seized a jagged shard of glass from the shattered remains on the floor, my trembling hand clutching it tightly, and pointed it to his neck. Stab him.. stab him! The words echoed in my mind, urging me to act, to stab him. 

For a moment, his gaze met mine, his head slowly lowering to glance at the menacing glass fragment pressed against his vulnerable neck. And then, a chilling chuckle escaped his lips, an unsettling mix of amusement.