The NHL Star Is My Patient

I MAKE THE RULES, YOU DON'T!

Chapter 04.

I MAKE THE RULES, YOU DON'T!

Natalie's POV.

Although, I heard the sounds of footsteps approaching, but I paid no attention to it. Before long, James walked into the sitting room, took the plates of meatloaves, and tossed them in the waste bin.

“What the—” I righted myself from the couch, and sighed as I swallowed the piece in my mouth. “What was that for?”

My voice dropped.

“Here,” he said, handing me a note.

“What is this?” I asked, looking at the note in his hand. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“Why don't you go through it and see for yourself?” he shrugged a shoulder. “I am sure you'll love it.”

“Very well then,” I received it from him, and then glanced at the note.

As I read through, my heart shook at the words.

“I-I don't understand.” I stuttered, lifting my face to him. “What is this? What does this mean?”

“I don't think I need to tell you what it means.” he said, shaking his head. “It is exactly what it means.”

“No, you've got to be kidding me.” I scoffed. “What do you mean I need to take permission from you if I want to step out of the house?”

“No, I'm not kidding you.” he said, looking me straight in the eyes. “Besides, I'm sure you can see the consequence written next to it if you don't.”

“Yes, of course. I can! But this doesn't make any sense!” I yelled, holding the note to his face. “What are you trying to do, uh? Or better still, what are you trying to prove?”

“I own this house, not you.” he said, shaking his head. “And so, I make the rules. Not you.”

“Can you even listen to yourself right now, huh?” I asked, raising my voice. “This isn't making rules, this—this is some kind of punishment. I'm not some property you own.”

“And I'm not some kid you can order around!” a flash of temper lighted his eyes. “I am an adult, and I know what's best for me. However, if you leave without getting permission from me, then get ready to find somewhere else.”

“No, no this isn't happening.” I pushed my fingers through my hair. “I didn't come here on my own. The club asked me to come here. Do you think I want to stay here?”

“Well, the club should be ready to provide you another place when you eventually leave without telling where you're going.” he said with a cynical smile. “I am sure that's the least they can do for you.”

I closed my eyes for a moment as I tried to think. I knew that he would retaliate, but not like this. I mean, who does that? I'm not some kid that needs to take his permission before leaving. What if it's urgent, and he isn't around, so I'm supposed to wait for him till he gets back before going where I want to? And what if after waiting for him to get back, he still refuses for me to leave? What then?

I drew in a deep, calming breath and opened my eyes, then I looked at the note again. Just then, my eyes caught something I didn't think I saw before.

“Wait… what do you mean I can only come out of my room at some certain hours?” I asked, raising a brow. “What is that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, I thought you'd never see that.” a hint of sarcasm edged his lips. “Well, like I said, it's exactly as it reads. I don't need you walking all around the place. So, until I need you, you stay in your room.”

“What? Do I look like a maid to you?” I asked, making a face. “Or are you trying to turn me into one?”

“I am sure you can see the consequence written right next to it if you don't keep to the rule.” he said with a smile. “I don't mean to do any of this, but I need you to know your place.”

“You are going too extreme with this.” I said, shaking my head. “It doesn't have to be this way.”

“Well, I'm sorry, but it has.” he said, pushing a strand of hair behind my ear. “You are not the only one with something at stake here. My peace of mind is also at stake too.”

“Is this some kind of joke what?” I asked, blinking my eyes in shock. “This is funny to you, isn't it?”

“Well, it's not.” he shook his head. “But I have to do what needs to be done.”

“Get your hand off me.” I took his hand off my face. “You want me to get permission from you before leaving the house, you want me to stay in my room until you need me,”

I paused, and glanced at the note again.

“You don't want me near your kitchen or any other place,” I continued, blinking back tears. “How then am I supposed to do my job? How then am I supposed to help you get fit in a month.”

“You don't.” he said with ice in his voice.

The look in his eyes, and the manner in which he said those words to me made cold drops of dread run down my spine.

“What?”

“You heard me, Natalie.” he said. “You don't help me get fit in a month. I know what I'm supposed to do to get back in shape. And I'll do just that.”

“No, no, you don't understand.” I said, my voice breaking with tears. “I am supposed to give daily reports about your progress. How am I supposed to achieve that?”

“Like I said, you don't.”

“James!”

“Make up some report, and send it to them; they'll believe it!” he shot back, glittering with anger. “However, if you don't think you can, and if you don't think you can cope with these rules, then make use of the door.”

“T-This is some kind of joke to you, right?” I asked, trying to suppress the tears rising in my throat. “Why do you have to be this cruel?”

“You don't get it, do you?” he asked, shaking his head. “You should have rejected this offer from the onset, but you decided to accept it.”

“Because I need the money.” I said, speaking through my teeth. “I need the money, James. That's why I agreed to do this.”

“Well, you can ask the club to get you your own apartment.” he said, shrugging a shoulder. “I am sure they'll be able to do that considering how quick they hired you. But this?”

He took a step forward.

“This isn't going to work.” he whispered the words into my ear. “Accept this truth, and leave.”

My heart seemed to plummet into my stomach as he said those words. Meanwhile, every nerve in my body cringed as his breath stirred against my neck.

“So, this is it, huh?” I sniffled, wiping off the tears on my face with the back of my palms. “You are just going to act like you don't care.”

“I am not 'acting' like I don't care.” he said, doing the air quotes. “I actually don't care.”

That said, he turned around and began to head to his room. I watched him for a few seconds, and then glanced at the note in my grip. Aside from the ones I mentioned, there were still some rules which I couldn't deal with. I squeezed the note in my hand.

“James!” I stomped the floor, going after him.

“Whoa! Stay right there.” he said, holding out a hand to stop me from coming any closer. “Did you not check rule number seven?”

I glanced at the note, and then scoffed as I read what was written.

“Yeah.” he said, dropping his hand. “You don't come into my room unannounced. What was it you said again? Right! This is just the beginning.”