Misunderstanding

Chapter 5 (Nathalie POV)

A whimper escaped my lips as he swiftly knocked the glass out of my hands. "Tell me... who sent you here?" His voice was gruff, laced with anger and suspicion. He shoved me forcefully, my body colliding with the hard wooden floor, causing a jolt of pain to shoot through my back. As I lay there, watching as he panted as the alcohol began to kick in.  "You're sent by the same person who sent someone to kill my father, right?!" 

Chase didn't recognize me? Someone was sent to kill Chase's father? A pang of guilt tore at my heart; his father was killed, his mother died by drowning and now I was going to kill Chase?

Surely the Lord would forgive me if I returned to the base, apologizing deeply about how I couldn't kill him, right? I knew Lord has never allowed any "failures" to return back to the base, and I knew I wasn't Lord's favourite, but he would understand, right?

I knew deep down that I couldn't fulfill the Lord's wishes. I couldn't bring myself to harm this man, to take away the precious life that had already suffered so greatly. Instinctively, I attempted to push him away, but he wouldn't budge, despite his heavy eyelids. 

"Who-"

I clasped my hand over his mouth and with all the strength I could muster, I rolled away from him, managing to slip out of his grip. Stumbling backwards, my body aching, I made a beeline towards the staircase. As I glanced back towards the bar counter, I spotted him lying unconscious on the floor, the alcohol finally rendering him defeated. Without hesitation, I bolted up the staircase. Thankfully two scary bodyguards had already left. 

I twisted the handle of the front door. Unlocked.

My heels clacked against the gravel path as I fled.

***

I arrived at the refuge, a secluded haven nestled in the picturesque countryside. It was concealed behind a series of grassy mountains, its entrance carefully concealed by a scattering of stones. Despite my bruised and bleeding feet, I had made the journey on foot. As I stumbled towards the entrance, clutching my heels in my hands, I slowly pushed the stones aside and descended the staircase.

The hallway was deserted, but I knew where to find the Lord. As I took another step, I found myself falling forwards,  only to be caught by the outstretched arms of a familiar figure. 

It was Anthony. "Nathalie! Have you completed your mission?" Anthony's eyes widened with surprise as he recognized me. 

No..., I communicated in sign language.

Shock flickered across Anthony's face. "Then...why are you here?"

All trust was lost between us; he mistook me for the murderer of his mother when he first saw me. I can't kill him. I really tried! I said in sign language.

"Oh, Nathalie..." Anthony clasped my hands. "It's okay, we'll plead to the Lord to let you return with an uncompleted mission. Come on." But as he took a step, he noticed me wincing. "Nathalie, your feet!"

I'm fine, I insisted, but Anthony gently lifted me into a bridal carry, surprising me with his strength as he carried me down the hallway and towards the Lord's throne.  

 The Lord sat upon his ostentatious throne, savoring a glass of wine as we entered. "Nathalie? You've returned? I didn't hear the news of Chase's death." 

Anthony lowered me onto the ground, allowing me to hold him for support. "She couldn't do it, it was too difficult. Please forgive her! There was a misunderstanding between Chase and her-"

"Misunderstanding?!" The Lord interrupted, smashing his glass of wine. The Lord had always been known to be hot-tempered. "Then you should have cleared it!"

"Lord-" Anthony started.

"Enough! Nathalie, you just made the misunderstanding deeper by running away! Return immediately, apologize, do anything you can to gain his trust!"

Why do I have to kill him anyway? What did he ever do?! I said in sign language. 

"You dare question me?!" The Lord bellowed.

"Lord, please allow me to complete the mission for Nath-"

"The reason I sent Nathalie was because she's a woman! If there were more attractive female, I would have never sent her!"

I gasped. The Lord sent me because I was a woman? So I could flirt and seduce Chase, before killing him? I glanced up to see Anthony's face flushed with anger.

"Lord, please," Anthony's voice softened, "by sending Nathalie you are putting her in danger..."

"I'm. Not. Going. To. Repeat myself!" The Lord rose from his throne. "Nathalie, you can stay for tonight in your bedroom. Take a shower, take care of yourself, get some sleep. Suitable attire and makeup will be provided before your departure in the morning."

Suitable attire and makeup will be provided before your departure in the morning."

"Nathalie! You can't keep acting like a frightened kitten, you are going to be murdering Chase!" The Lord settled back onto his throne. "When I saw you on the streets, I had already planned this day. After killing Chase, you can be free from the refuge or whatever."

But I don't wanna be free from here! This is my home, my base! I said.

"Stop talking back! Go, now!"

The Lord settled back onto his throne. When the Lord rescued me, was it only because he was going to use me all along? He never thought of me as a daughter, only a tool. Did the Lord have no kindness in his heart?

I burst into tears and ran out of the throne room, ignoring the pain in my wounded feet.