His name was Nathaniel

10

Nathaniel thought he was being careful. Every time he snuck out of the mansion, he meticulously retraced his steps, ensuring that nothing was out of place, that no one would suspect his midnight excursions. He had become skilled at evading the staff, slipping past the cameras, and making it out to meet Adaliya under the cover of darkness. But what he didn't know was that his every move had already been noticed.

That night, as Nathaniel slipped back into the mansion after his late-night swim with Adaliya, he was unaware that two pairs of eyes were watching him from the shadows. His father, Lord Donovan, and the butler, Greg, stood in the dimly lit corridor near the entrance to the staff quarters, hidden behind a curtain. They watched as Nathaniel crept silently through the hall, thinking himself unseen.

Donovan's face was a mask of fury, his eyes narrowed with anger. He had always been a man of strict discipline, with little patience for disobedience. He had suspected that something was amiss with Nathaniel for some time now, but tonight confirmed his suspicions. His son was sneaking out, defying his authority, and breaking the rules that had been laid out for him since childhood.

Greg stood by his side, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of concern in his eyes. He had served the Donovan family for decades and had watched Nathaniel grow up under his father's strict rule. He knew the consequences of crossing Lord Donovan, and he feared what would happen when Nathaniel was confronted.

"We will confront him the next time he tries to leave," Donovan whispered, his voice cold and commanding. "I want to catch him in the act, so there's no room for excuses."

Greg nodded silently, his heart heavy. He knew that this would not end well for Nathaniel, but there was nothing he could do to change his master's mind.

---

The following day, Adaliya was still reeling from the kiss she shared with Nathaniel. She couldn't stop thinking about it, replaying the moment over and over in her mind. The way his hands had felt on her waist, the way his lips had moved against hers—it was all she could think about. But she was also anxious, wondering what it meant for their relationship and whether things would change between them.

Needing to talk to someone, Adaliya decided to visit her best friend, Lola. Lola was always a source of comfort and wisdom, someone who could offer perspective when things got confusing. And right now, Adaliya needed that more than ever.

As she arrived at Lola's house, she was greeted with a warm smile and a tight hug. They made their way to Lola's room, which was a cozy space filled with warm colors, posters of their favorite bands, and stacks of books. They settled down on the bed, and Lola wasted no time in asking what had been going on with Adaliya lately.

"So, what's been going on with you? You've been so distracted lately, and I'm dying to know why," Lola said, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Adaliya took a deep breath and started to tell her everything—how she met Nathaniel, their late-night meetings, the tension that had been building between them, and finally, the kiss they shared last night. As she spoke, Lola listened intently, her expression shifting from surprise to excitement to concern.

"Wow, Adaliya, that's... intense," Lola said when she finished. "But are you sure you know what you're getting into? Nathaniel's family is... well, they're not like anyone we know."

Adaliya frowned slightly, sensing the hesitation in Lola's voice. "What do you mean? He's just a boy who's trying to break free from his father's control. It's not like he's dangerous or anything."

Lola sighed, running a hand through her hair as she tried to find the right words. "It's not Nathaniel I'm worried about—it's his father. Have you ever heard of Lord Donovan? He's known for being ruthless, controlling, and cold. People in the city talk about him like he's some kind of tyrant. And that mansion? It's practically a prison for Nathaniel."

Adaliya felt a chill run down her spine. She had sensed that Nathaniel's father was strict, but she hadn't realized just how deep his influence went. "I knew his dad was harsh, but... why haven't I heard more about this?"

"Because people are scared of him, Adaliya. And there's more," Lola added, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "There are rumors about what happened to Nathaniel's mother. She died of some unknown disease when Nathaniel was little, and ever since then, there have been whispers that Nathaniel might have inherited it. Some people say that's why his father keeps him locked away—that he's trying to control whatever sickness Nathaniel might have."

Adaliya's heart sank as she listened to Lola's words. She hadn't known any of this—Nathaniel had never mentioned his mother or any illness. It explained so much, though. The way Nathaniel seemed isolated, the way his father controlled every aspect of his life.

"But Nathaniel seems fine," Adaliya said, her voice trembling. "I've never seen any sign of him being sick."

"Maybe it's not something you can see," Lola suggested, her tone gentle. "But it's worth thinking about. If there's any truth to these rumors, it could explain a lot about why Nathaniel's father is the way he is."

Adaliya felt a wave of sadness wash over her. Nathaniel had been dealing with so much, and she hadn't even known. She had been so caught up in her own feelings that she hadn't stopped to consider what he might be going through.

"Lola, I don't know what to do," Adaliya admitted, her voice small. "I care about him, but this all feels so much bigger than I realized."

Lola reached out and took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Just be there for him, Adaliya. He clearly trusts you, and that's something he probably doesn't do easily. But be careful too. You don't want to get caught up in something you can't handle."

Adaliya nodded, her mind racing with everything Lola had told her. She knew she couldn't just walk away from Nathaniel—not after everything they had shared—but she also knew she needed to be careful. Nathaniel's world was full of secrets and dangers she hadn't anticipated, and if she wasn't careful, she could find herself caught in the middle of something far more dangerous than she had ever imagined.