His name was Nathaniel

11

Adaliya stood in front of her mirror, gently adjusting her box braids. The braids were long and neat, swaying slightly as she moved, each one a testament to hours of careful work. She smiled at her reflection, satisfied with the way they framed her face. The moonlight filtered through the curtains of her room, casting a soft, silvery glow on everything it touched. Her heart raced with anticipation as she prepared to meet Nathaniel at the shore once again, the place that had quickly become their secret haven.

She had taken extra care with her appearance tonight, choosing a light, flowing dress that she knew would catch the wind as she walked. Her outfit was simple but pretty, designed to make her feel confident and, she hoped, to catch Nathaniel's eye. Not that he ever said anything about her looks, but there was something about the way he observed her, as though she were the only person in his world. It made her want to look her best, just for him.

Satisfied with how she looked, Adaliya grabbed her small bag and quietly slipped out of the house, careful not to wake her parents. The night was cool, the air crisp with the scent of the nearby ocean. As she walked toward the shore, her thoughts were consumed by Nathaniel. He had been on her mind constantly lately, their stolen moments together replaying in her head like a favorite song. She couldn't help but wonder if he felt the same, if the connection she felt between them was as real for him as it was for her.

Reaching the shore, Adaliya found the spot where they had sat together last time and settled down on the sand, her eyes scanning the darkness for any sign of Nathaniel. She wrapped her arms around her knees, a soft smile playing on her lips as she imagined what they might talk about tonight, what new secrets he might share with her.

But as the minutes ticked by, that smile began to fade. Nathaniel was usually punctual, always there before her, waiting with that quiet intensity that made her heart skip a beat. They had no way of contacting each other—no cell phones, no messages—so every time they met, it was a leap of faith. She checked the time on her watch—still no sign of him. The hour passed slowly, the excitement she had felt earlier slowly giving way to worry. Where could he be?

Adaliya bit her lip, trying to push away the creeping doubts. Maybe something had come up, something important that had delayed him. Or perhaps he was simply running late. But even as she tried to reassure herself, a knot of unease began to form in her stomach. Nathaniel had never stood her up before. It wasn't like him.

She stood up, pacing along the shoreline, her eyes fixed on the path that led from the mansion. But as the minutes dragged into an hour, her hope began to wane. The waves continued their rhythmic dance against the shore, but the night felt colder now, the chill seeping into her bones. After waiting another ten minutes, she finally decided to head back, her heart heavy with disappointment and worry.

---

Meanwhile, inside the grand, imposing walls of the mansion, Nathaniel's night had taken a much darker turn. He had planned everything as usual, timing his departure perfectly so he could meet Adaliya at the shore without anyone noticing. But just as he was about to slip through the hidden passage that led to the staff quarters, a hand grabbed his arm with a grip that was both firm and cold.

Nathaniel froze, his breath catching in his throat as he turned to see Greg standing behind him. Greg's face was serious, but there was a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes, a silent apology that Nathaniel understood all too well. Before Nathaniel could even begin to form an excuse, he heard the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps approaching. His father stepped into the dimly lit corridor, his presence commanding and intimidating as ever.

"Nathaniel," his father's voice was low, laced with a dangerous calm, "where do you think you're going at this hour?"

Nathaniel's heart pounded in his chest. He hadn't expected this, hadn't anticipated being caught in the act. He had been so careful, so meticulous in his planning. But now, under the piercing gaze of his father, all of that seemed to crumble away.

"I was just—" Nathaniel began, but his father cut him off with a sharp gesture.

"Enough," his father snapped, his eyes narrowing with anger. "Do you think I'm a fool, Nathaniel? Do you think I don't know when something is going on under my own roof?"

Nathaniel's mind raced, desperately searching for a way out of this situation. But the more he thought, the more trapped he felt. He could see Greg watching him, his expression strained as he tried to maintain his usual formality in front of his employer. But Nathaniel knew—Greg wasn't as indifferent as he seemed. There had been moments, small ones, where Greg had shown kindness, had even hinted at his disapproval of Nathaniel's father's harsh methods. But now, in this moment, Greg could do nothing but stand by and watch.

"Who are you meeting?" his father demanded, his voice growing colder, more menacing. "What could possibly be so important that you would risk your health to sneak out in the dead of night? Answer me, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel clenched his fists at his sides, his nails digging into his palms. He couldn't tell his father the truth. He couldn't put Adaliya at risk. But the weight of his father's anger pressed down on him, making it hard to breathe, hard to think.

"I wasn't meeting anyone," Nathaniel finally said, forcing the words out through gritted teeth. "I just wanted to get some fresh air, that's all."

His father's eyes narrowed further, and Nathaniel knew he wasn't convinced. "Don't lie to me," his father hissed. "You think I don't know when you're lying, boy? You're hiding something, and I will find out what it is. You will not leave this house without my permission again, do you understand me?"

Nathaniel swallowed hard, nodding silently. He knew it was useless to argue, useless to try and explain. His father had already made up his mind, and there was nothing Nathaniel could say that would change it.

"Greg," his father said, his voice icy, "I want you to ensure that Nathaniel stays in his room for the rest of the night. He's not to leave, no matter what."

"Yes, sir," Greg replied, his voice as formal as ever, but Nathaniel caught the slight flicker of regret in his eyes.

As they turned to leave, Nathaniel could feel the anger and frustration boiling inside him, but he forced himself to remain silent. He couldn't let them know how much this hurt, how much he hated being under his father's thumb. But more than anything, he couldn't let them know about Adaliya. She was the one thing he had, the one person who made him feel alive, and he would do anything to protect her.

Nathaniel was led back to his room by Greg, the door shutting behind him with a finality that felt like a prison cell closing. Greg hesitated for a moment, standing in the doorway.

"Nathaniel," Greg said softly, just above a whisper, "I'm sorry. Truly, I am. But there's nothing I can do... You need to be careful."

Nathaniel nodded, unable to trust his voice to respond. The door closed, and he was alone. He sank down onto his bed, his mind racing. He knew Adaliya was probably waiting for him, wondering where he was. The thought of her standing alone on the shore, confused and worried, tore at his heart. But there was nothing he could do.

He had to protect her, even if it meant keeping her at a distance. Even if it meant enduring his father's wrath alone.