The New Life of Amaya

Chapter 19

It was dinner time and I sat at the table as Andreas went to the kitchen. Rex was lying in the corner of the dining room. Suddenly a light caught my attention from in front of me so I rose to go look out the window. The light almost seemed to be like a flashlight, though I couldn't be too sure. The guards aren't usually super close to the house though they do often stay within a decent amount of distance from the house so in case of an emergency they can get here in a matter of minutes. 

"Amaya?" Andreas asked coming close to me and making me jump a bit from his voice suddenly being next to me. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I was just distracted," I said with a small smile.

"Come, sit and lets eat." Andreas led me to the table and held the chair out to me for me to sit before taking the seat at the head of the table.

Just as we sat the kitchen staff started bringing out. As they placed all of the various dishes down on the table I couldn't help but smile because it was nothing but food from across Asia, mostly focusing on Korea, Chinese, and Japanese. Three of my more favorite places for food. 

"I promised you this for dinner. I hired a few chefs to help pull this off." He said as way of explanation to my silence as I stared at the food not knowing where to start.

"Thank you." I smiled as he nodded. 

I watched as he prayed over the meal then looking up at me, "I hope you like the food."

"I'm sure It's all going to taste great." I looked down and grabbled the chopsticks.

Silence between us filled the room as he checked his phone for something. Soon though, I couldn't keep the question that has been buzzing around in my mind from coming up. I finished the bite that I had in my mouth then took a deep breath.

"Why do you want to be with me?" I asked making him stare at me as he placed the phone down on the table. 

"That was a more blunt question than what I was expecting you to say." He cleared his throat, "As I said earlier I fell for you at the diner."

"Is that why you were so nice to me and didn't ship me off somewhere else like the others you save?"

"Mas o menos." He took in a deep breath, "Though I began to fall for you the more you stayed here. "

I nodded finishing another bite, "You mentioned a contract arrangement earlier today. What if I don't feel the same for you, that you do for me?"

"I'll let you go wherever you wish, though for your safety I still request you stay here until we find someone for you to be happy with"

"That easy?"

He nodded, "Si"

"Forgive me if I don't believe you..."

"It'll take time."

I nodded.

"Boss, I'm sorry to interrupt, but there is a meeting being called in the throne room" Zhi said and soon I saw the turtle triplets bouncing in behind him, "I brought the boys to help keep an eye on her."

Andreas nodded, "Boys, enjoy some food, just keep an eye on her for me." He rose, "I'm sorry Amaya, but I must go see what this is about."

I nodded and looked at the triplets who came in and started picking at the food. Andreas left with Zhi. I looked down at Rex who looked up at me then walked over. Rex sat down next and laid his big head on the table.

"Hey! Get your head off." Mikey shouted.

Rex growled.

"Rex, we are only listening to Boss." Donnie spoke.

Leo went to grab Rex's collar and Rex snapped at him. Leo jerked back, "Quick, get him. He lost it."

Soon the three of them were trying to wrangle in Rex. Rex gave them a run for their money as he snipped and barked at them. I pushed my chair back and backed away from the table and to the wall where the secret door was. Rex was distracting them for me and I'm grateful. I looked behind me as I turned and began closing the door to see the triplets look at me. 

"Amaya, no!" They yelled simultaneously.

I walked the corridors as I did the last time and found myself near a staircase. I went up to the top where I opened the door and saw I was on the balcony of the throne room. I slipped out closing the door and crawled on my belly to the railing where I peered down at those on the lower level. Andreas sat on his throne and soon many people filed in on top of those already there. 

"What is so important that has you pulling me away from dinner tonight?" Andreas asked.

"We have concerns regarding the girl who's staying with you your majesty." A man asked. His voice was familiar. "She is not to be trusted."

"That is for me to decide." Andreas spoke

"But Sir, She was owned by the notorious Red. How can we trust her?" The same man spoke.

"Did you just bring me here to raise suspicions about Amaya?" Andreas bit out.

That voice...It sounds like...Ben? But it couldn't be, Ben works for Red.

"You were in hiding for your own safety, right Sir? So you come out when her safety was threatened?" Ben spoke

"Please, someone else speak." Andreas growled, "I don't want to keep talking about Amaya and my coming out of hiding"

"But, my lord, we have to talk about this. We have to be able to address this matter to be able to further address other matters" Another man spoke.

"We need to know if you're really in a relationship with her..." A different man spoke.

"If you must know, I am simply keeping her by my side for now. She will be the reason I can make it to where I need to." Andreas spoke.

My heart clenched hearing that. Maybe he's just doing this to protect me..?

"What will you do with her once you reach the point you are trying to get to?" Ben asked

"I'll send her away to another place." Andreas spoke up. 

"You can't let her live!" Ben shouted

"Did I say I was keeping her alive?" Andreas asked.

I bit my tongue and backed away on the floor

"Now, if that's all, I'm going to get back to dinner. I will see you all back here in three weeks time." Andreas rose.

I slipped back into the hidden passageway and went to the dining hall. When I opened the door to the dining room it was void of Rex and the triplets. I sat down and began eating as if nothing ever happened. Soon Rex came back but the triplets were still looking for me.

"Rex, go lay down. I don't want him suspicious of anything." I whispered.

Rex quietly obeyed and laid down where he was earlier. I told him good boy and continued to eat. Soon Andreas returned. He sat down at the head of the table and gathered the chopsticks in his hand beginning to eat again.

"Zhi, find the triplets." Andreas ordered.

"Please don't be mad at them, I hid in the secret doorway until they left so I can be alone. They are too talkative sometimes.." I mumbled between bites. 

"Did you go anywhere else?" Andreas demanded.

"No, I just hid behind the secret door until I heard them leave. Then I came back out and sat down to eat."

"Good, don't do that again, please"

I nodded and finished eating, "I'm tired, so may I go to bed?"

"Of course, mi paloma"

"Please excuse me.." I rose and whistled for Rex. 

Together Rex and I went to my room and I climbed in bed Rex laying on bed with me. Together we fell asleep leaving the rest for the next day.