His name was Nathaniel

20

Nathaniel's father stood over him, his eyes cold and calculating as he watched his son crumble under the weight of the situation. He seemed almost to relish in Nathaniel's desperation, savoring the control he had over him. The room was heavy with tension, each second stretching out like an eternity. Nathaniel's heart pounded in his chest, his mind racing with thoughts of Adaliya-her smile, her laughter, her warmth. The thought of her being in danger was unbearable.

His father took a step closer, his voice low and menacing as he began to speak. "You really don't understand the lengths I'm willing to go to, do you? If you won't give me what I want, Nathaniel, I'll take it by force. I've already found out everything about her—where she lives, who her parents are, every little detail!."

Nathaniel's breath hitched, his worst fears coming to life with every word his father spoke. He felt like the floor was falling out from beneath him, and he was powerless to stop it.

"Do you know how easy it would be to make her disappear?" his father continued, his tone almost casual, as if discussing the weather. "A car accident, perhaps. Or maybe a drowning-people do tend to be careless near the water. I could even have her parents meet with an unfortunate incident. All it takes is a single call, and it's done. No one would ever question it."

"No!" Nathaniel gasped, his voice trembling. "Please, don't do this. Don't hurt her or her family. She hasn't done anything wrong."

"You've made her a problem, Nathaniel," his father hissed, his eyes narrowing. "And I don't tolerate problems. Especially not from someone as insignificant as her. You brought this on yourself."

Nathaniel's mind was spiraling, desperation and terror colliding within him. He couldn't let this happen-he couldn't let Adaliya pay the price for his mistakes. His father's words echoed in his head, each one a dagger to his heart. The image of Adaliya, lifeless, or her parents gone, was more than he could bear.

"If you hurt her," Nathaniel said, his voice breaking, "I'll... I'll end my life. I swear it. If anything happens to her, I won't be able to live with it. I'll kill myself, and you'll lose your only son."

His father froze, the room plunging into a deadly silence. For a moment, there was no reaction, but then a flicker of something dark crossed his father's face-anger, disbelief, and something close to fear. But it vanished just as quickly, replaced by cold fury. "You're bluffing," his father growled, but there was an edge of uncertainty in his voice. "You wouldn't dare."

Nathaniel looked up, tears streaking his face, his body trembling. "Try me," he whispered, his voice filled with raw, desperate conviction. "I'll do it, I swear. You can take everything from me, but you won't take her."

His father's eyes darkened, and in a flash, his hand struck out, slapping Nathaniel across the face with a force that sent him sprawling onto the floor. The sound of the slap echoed through the room, sharp and unforgiving. Nathaniel's cheek burned with pain, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the anguish in his heart.

"Enough of this nonsense!" his father thundered, his voice laced with contempt.
"You think you can manipulate me? Threaten me? I will not be controlled by a lovesick boy! You will tell me what I want to know, or I will deal with this situation in the way I see fit."

Nathaniel lay on the floor, tears blurring his vision as he clutched his stinging cheek. He felt broken, shattered by the weight of his father's power and his own helplessness. But even in this moment of despair, his resolve hardened. He wouldn't give up Adaliya, no matter what his father threatened. He would protect her, even if it meant sacrificing everything.

His father stood over him, breathing heavily, his hand still raised as if considering striking him again. But then, he let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head.
"You're pathetic, Nathaniel," he sneered. "To think that I raised you to be this weak.

Fine. If you won't cooperate, I'll take matters into my own hands. But remember this: whatever happens next is on you."

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him with a final, resounding thud. Nathaniel was left lying on the floor, his heart pounding, his face throbbing, and his mind consumed by a single thought-he had to find a way to protect Adaliya.

But how?

Nathaniel lay on the cold, hard floor, his mind racing even as his body trembled with the aftershock of the slap. The taste of blood lingered in his mouth from where his teeth had cut into the inside of his cheek. His father's words rang in his ears, echoing like a sinister chant that refused to be silenced. Pathetic. Weak. Lovesick.

He closed his eyes, willing himself to calm down, but all he could see was Adaliya—her smile, her laugh, the way her eyes lit up when she talked about something she loved. The thought of her in danger because of him was unbearable, a pain far worse than anything his father could inflict. He had to protect her, but how? He had no control, no power—he was trapped in this gilded cage, and his father held all the keys.

A knock on the door jolted him from his thoughts. Greg entered, his usual calm demeanor faltering as he saw Nathaniel on the floor. He rushed over, kneeling beside him.

"Master Nathaniel," Greg said softly, his voice filled with concern. "Are you all right?"

Nathaniel slowly sat up, wincing as he touched his swollen cheek. "I'll be fine," he muttered, though he didn't believe it himself. "It's nothing."

Greg's eyes narrowed slightly as he examined the bruise already forming on Nathaniel's face. "It's not nothing," he said quietly. "What your father is doing... it's wrong."

Nathaniel looked away, ashamed and frustrated. "I can't let him hurt her, Greg," he whispered. "He found out about Adaliya. He threatened to... to make her disappear. And there's nothing I can do to stop him."

Greg sighed deeply, his expression torn. "Your father is a difficult man, but even he has limits. I don't believe he'd actually harm her."

Nathaniel shook his head vehemently. "He's dangerous when he's like this—when he feels like he's losing control. He'll do whatever it takes to get what he wants, and right now, he wants Adaliya."

Greg frowned, his hand resting on Nathaniel's shoulder. "If he knows who she is, what's stopping him from going after her?"

Nathaniel swallowed hard, his throat dry. "He hasn't made a move yet, but he's watching, waiting for me to slip up again. I have to stay strong, Greg. I have to keep her safe."

Greg's eyes softened, and he nodded. "I'll do what I can to help, but you have to be careful. Your father isn't someone to be trifled with. If he sees that you're willing to do anything to protect her, he might use that against you."

Nathaniel nodded, his resolve hardening. "I know. I just... I don't know how much longer I can keep this up. He's wearing me down."

Greg stood, helping Nathaniel to his feet. "Then don't give him the satisfaction of seeing you break. We'll find a way through this, but you need to stay focused. Don't let him push you over the edge."

Nathaniel took a deep breath, nodding again. "Thank you, Greg. I don't know what I'd do without you."

Greg offered a small, reassuring smile. "I'm here for you, Sir. Always."