Love Under the Hut

CHAPTER 8

I peaked at the ground floor and saw the busy workers running here and there making up their chores.

Oh, it seems like his big day today.

Well, am I invited? Every once a year, Latham's family and his corporate clients will gather to celebrate their trademark contour of his family's cultures and commemorate their employees and the corporate partners.

This is their 100th anniversary.

“Going to be a fabulous party tonight…”

Yes, it has always been his legacies to continue the family's businesses for centuries…

And that power shall be given to my children in the future.

After all, this Layla is not interested.

All I want is to meet Norche tonight. If he is coming to see me.

He wasn’t sure last night.

I took my bath, wore my low neck yellow blouse and a short cute skirt, and for the very first time in my life after I got married, I tried to walk out of the room and looked out, standing in the middle of that huge living room’s entrance door.

What chaos here?

I was searching for Norche.

He did tell me last night, he’d be there till dawn.

I just want to look at him. I know I can start my day wonderfully.

“Your grace, you look beautiful. Would you like to have something to eat, please?”

There she goes again.

Matilda scares me from behind.

Since I was very joyous today, I am not going to yell at her.

“Yes, please. I would love to have some tuna sandwich and watermelon juice”

While following her to the kitchen.

I saw a beautiful grand ballroom, with long tables, filled with varieties of food.

“Royalty”.

I said. Matilda looked at me and said,

“By the way, your grace. This is a monarchical hall. Count Latham only meets his best friends, his favorite cousins, and the noblest partners, and his corporate clients. It is an important place that he would love to be when he meets people who offer great deals and with someone really important”

“Oh… nice.”

I smiled and walked away, dragging my eyes to the little hut where Norche and I were rooting for each other. Matilda nodded and ran to the kitchen to prepare my breakfast.

I got to say, I am being treated like a princess in this house or castle. Whatever that means.

“Oh, look who showed up.”

Beretta interrupt. Oh no, this woman again. Must have something to say.

“Hi… Beretta.”

“No. You don’t ‘hi’ me here, Layla. Know your place. A stupid poor piece of shit.”

I was shocked. She just called me a piece of s**t. What a dead wish she is asking there.

“Did you just called me a piece of s**t?”

Beretta knew my face turned red and I was really angry.

She has starting to feel uneasy and fear of what could happen next.

All this while, I was a quiet girl.

I never speak up or never talked to anyone.

“You do know who you’re talking to right, Beretta?”

“You, Layla.  Out of nowhere came into this family and trying to seize all his money and property. Your father is a selfish man, let his daughter walk away with a stranger for money!”

That moment when she talks so ill of papa, I broke into tears.

My heart was broken and I cannot hold the pain.

I was angry. Frustrated and I am going to kill her.

I ran towards her and I jumped on her back and bite her arms and her neck!

I was angry!!

Oh Beretta, do anything, say anything but NEVER BRING IN PAPA!

I pulled her hair and started beating her.

She was crying for help.

I almost pulled out a whole bunch of hair.

“Help!! Help!! Layla has gone crazy and she is trying to kill me!!”

The workers, Beretta’s mom, Mrs. Beth, and the maidens rushed to the hall.

I didn’t care about any of that. I was still attacking her.

I want to!

“Your grace, calm down...” Matilda cried.

“No, I won’t until I pull out every bit of her hair!”

I was vicious and furious.

I never really knew I can be this angry.

“You can have the count if you want! I don’t need him!” I screamed. I cried.

“My dear, calm down.”

That was the count’s mother.

Mrs. Beth, humble and a wonderful woman yet very strict. I became slowly too angry and I heartfelt a warm feeling within when I hear her voice.

It was like mama.

I stopped and I got down from Beretta and stood there.

Embarrassed, angry, and broken.

Beretta ran away from and stood behind the tables as if she is trying to run away from a wrathful beast.

I couldn’t hold my tears.

I can’t.

First, I was married to an old count, I locked myself like a prisoner for months.

Then I fell in love with a stranger and made out with him and now these people talk about papa! Too much to handle, I can’t!

Mrs. Beth approached me.

She took out a few tissues and wiped my face.

Tears were all over my face.

She wiped softly and I was there standing like a little girl, angry and annoyed.

I looked at her. She was like…like… mama.

“Mrs. Beth…”

“It’s okay, dear. You have all the rights to be angry. Not everyone has a beautiful heart like you.”

She whispered. She smiled.

I couldn’t hold my tears.

I break into a loud cry and hugged her.

Beretta seems to be concerned about the way I talk to her earlier. I could see the fear in her eyes.

She swallowed her saliva and tried to be nice to me.

As Norche said, I can easily be frightened.

But thanks to Norche again.

His love made me feel confident and strong now.

But I didn’t want to entertain her anymore.

The count was on his way to the hall to check on what happened.

“I don’t think it would be nice if you still stay here, Beretta. Latham would be very angry if Layla tells him about it. Go for now.” Said Mrs. Beth to Beretta. She nodded and walked away.

I do feel a little scared of everyone around me.

They are strong and powerful for years.

They are well-known and most feared in the town.

They are big shots and many strong-armed men to back them up.

I know I should not go to that extend but I am aware that I am going to be in trouble for betraying him.

I do know she has always been an asshole. She never liked me.

I don’t know why she is always here like I do know she likes my husband but don’t she has anything else to do? I do get frustrated looking at her in my house.

Nobody has the right to chase her except the count or his wife. Nevermind. 

All I know, I am becoming a woman now.