Misunderstanding

Chapter 11(Nathalie POV)

"Angelica!" A roar erupted from Chase's bedroom into the silent hallway, the thunderous yell startling me.  Instinctively, my gaze turned towards the closed bedroom door. Is this man alright?

 The bodyguard, Henry, took my elbow to prevent me from opening the door. "Sir Chase prefers to be left alone in this situation." This situation? "He often has dreams about a woman named Angelica," Henry explained. 

 Was Angelica an imaginary person? And he often dreamed about her? Did that mean Chase frequently scream her name? The piercing sound of shattering glass abruptly interrupted our conversation.

"Sir Chase?" Henry cautiously pushed the door open. I followed him inside to find Chase, seated upright in bed, gasping for breath. His once immaculate hair clung to his forehead, dampened with sweat, his eyes wide in horror.

"Sir, did you have another nightmare?" Henry's gaze shifted towards the broken glass strewn across the floor. "I'll take care of the mess and fetch you some water."  Henry seemed calm, as if such occurrences were not uncommon. Chase remained silent, dabbing his flawless face with a tissue before rising from his bed, like nothing happened.  Like he wasn't just screaming some random woman's name, horrified and drenched in sweat. 

 Slowly, his mesmerizing eyes landed on me. "Henry, when was she here?!"

"I had just found her at the park and took her back. However, it seemed that she was accompanied by another man."

 "Another man? So she's having an affair with someone at the park?" A dark cloud of anger cast over Chase's features.

I waved my hands frantically in denial. 

"He was the one who gave you the courage to escape, didn't he?" Chase approached me and  pushing me against the wall with a force that left me breathless.

No, no, no! I hurriedly communicated in sigh language.

"Henry, find that man and bring him to me," Chase growled, gripping my shoulder tightly. Murder flickered in his eyes. "I'll torture that boyfriend of your's in front of your face."

My jaw hung open as I stared at him speechlessly, my once panicky hands falling limply to my side. Torture in front the man that attempted to kidnap me in front of my face? I could only hope I didn't witness blood sputtering and heads rolling off of necks.

Chase pointed a finger towards the bathroom. "Drag her inside the bathroom." Chase stepped away from me, wiping his hands with a napkin in disgust. Henry effortlessly took me into the bathroom, despite my protests.

In one corner, a bathtub stood, accompanied by shelves brimming with shower essentials. Delicate, pale-colored curtains adorned the shower, while a golden-handled sink gleamed against the wall, reflecting a pristine mirror and luxurious bars of soap. "Admiring the bathroom, huh?" Chase scoffed, his presence looming over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught a glimpse of Henry slipping away.

What are you going to do to me, I asked, my heart racing.

"I told you, I can't speak your garbage hand communications."

I glared at the man looming over me, pushing back my fear. How dare he call sign language "garbage". His face is garbage! 

Turning away, Chase nonchalantly began to fill the bathtub with cold water. As the liquid rose and filled the tub, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. Chase turned towards me, the edges of his lips curving upwards. 

Swiftly he grabbed my neck and pressed my entire head into the water. Water rushed up my nose, sending my coughing and sputtering bubbles. However Chase's grip was firm, and he held my head underwater.

 Swiftly, his grip tightened around my neck, forcefully submerging my entire head beneath the water. Panic seized me as water rushed up my nose, choking and gasping for air, futilely attempting to break free from his firm grasp. Helpless and desperate, my hands flailed about, desperately trying to strike Chase.

My lungs burned as my vision blurred, water forcing its way into my mouth. Finally, Chase released his grip, pulling my head out of the water. I coughed violently, water spewing from my mouth. 

I swiped at the wet bangs plastered against my forehead.

However, before I could finish catching my breath, he dunked my head back into the cold, unforgiving water of the bathtub once again. This time, years of Anthony and the Lord's teaching rushed into my mind,  I unleashed a powerful strike, smacking Chase square in the nose with my fist, with full strength, followed by a ruthless elbow to his ribs.

The force of my hit sent Chase toppling over, his face contorted with pain. Gasping for air, I hastily pulled my head out of the water. . As my racing heartbeat gradually steadied and the ability to breathe returned, I stole a glance at Chase.

He was covering his nose, but I could see a glimpse of blood.

He clutched his nose, and I caught a glimpse of blood trickling through his fingers. My heart sank; I had momentarily forgotten my true purpose - to gain his trust. Giving him a bloody nose wasn't going to help. Maybe if I had accepted his punishment and begged for forgiveness, further on he would eventually let his guard down.

Slowly, Chase rose to his feet, his gaze fixated on me. Fear surged through my veins. 

I'm sorry, I communicated.  I swiftly stood up, intending to retrieve the tissue box at Chase's bedside. However, before I could even move, his fingers tightly closed around my wrist.

"Thinking about running away once more?"

I shook my head furiously, fear looming over me. Stop misunderstanding me!

A chuckle escaped Chase's lips, his amusement evident. "I suppose that punishment wasn't hard enough to prevent you from attacking me and attempting to leave once again."

No! No, no!

"Very well then, what would you like as a proper punishment? The belt? No food for a week?" He ran his finger along my jawline with a wicked smirk.