Beauty and the beast

12

Nadia's POV

I woke up alone, Mateo wasn't in bed anymore. I got up and walked out to see that his laptop and stuff were gone.

He left.

I sighed as I walked to the kitchen to start preparing breakfast. I made chocolate chip waffles with bacon and eggs. I served Cassandra and me before I walked to her room to wake her up.

I knocked on her room door and slowly open it to find her sitting at her desk. She had her headphones in and she was sketching something on the iPad Mateo got her. She looked so focused on whatever she was drawing. Her eyebrows furrowed slightly. Her tongue rubbed the inside of her cheek. Her nose scrunching to keep her glasses up. She looked like it meant a lot to her.

I called out her name but she didn't turn so I assume she didn't hear me. I repeated it but still no reaction. I picked up a squishy ball from the floor and threw it at her with no force so I don't hurt her. She was startled and turned to glare at me.

"What, you weren't answering. Breakfast's ready," I stated and left her room again. 

I went back to my room and made my bed. It was clear that two people slept in it. Mateo's side was still dishevelled, proving that he was indeed here and I wasn't drunk. Last night's sleep was one of my most peaceful nights of sleep. I slept like a baby.

I walked back to the kitchen to see Cassandra eating her breakfast with guava juice. I watched her as I ate my own breakfast. She seemed a bit weak, barely being able to hold her knife and fork up. As if she sensed my concern she looked at me and smiled.

"I'm okay Dia, probably just the medicine," she stated and I nodded, trying not to ruin the mood.

"What are you sketching?" I asked watching her shift in her seat.

"It's a surprise. You'll see it soon,"

She smiled a sad smile and stood up. I was about to ask her about her unfinished breakfast but she claimed to have had cereal when she let Mateo out. I let it go and I cleaned up the house.

I vacuumed, mopped, dusted and wiped every surface in the house and by lunchtime, it was squeaky clean. I did laundry next, tackling two weeks worth of washing and folding. There was no need to make lunch since there was leftover ravioli and meatballs in the fridge.

I exhaled as I crashed down onto my bed after nearly five hours of cleaning and washing. I was exhausted. My phone chimed on the nightstand and I crawled up to see who texted me.

It was Mateo.

Mateo: Check your emails, I need a report on it first thing tomorrow morning.

I groaned and opened my laptop to see what I needed to do.

This man is insane. He sent me files on a project that has nearly 200 pages. It's 16h56, what time will I finish reading all this and write a report on it? My phone chimed again as another text from Mateo came in.

Mateo: Henry will be there to pick you up at exactly 06:45 from tomorrow onwards. Don't make him wait.

I stared at the text in confusion. When had I agreed on this arrangement?

Me: I will get your report done but I'm more than capable enough to take the bus to work. Like I do every morning.

I sent it and he immediately started typing back.

Mateo: I don't doubt your capability to take public transport. Henry will be transporting you for your own safety and that's final.

I huffed out air at the nerve of this man. I was about to start typing my feelings but he sent another message.