CHAPTER 12. A DIVE IN HIS POOL.
1184 Words
Lila watched the old man shuffle back inside, his posture still heavy with worry.
Even he was still worried. “What have I done, did I just taut Damien’s order? Am I trying to fix this whole situation or make things even worse” she thought.
She took a deep breath and turned towards the front door, her heart pounding in her chest. The thought of facing his wrath again this evening made her feel sick.
Standing outside the mansion, she hadn't had the chance to look around, since after the wedding.
The estate was fenced roundabout with varieties of flowers, it felt like a park. “Hmm, this doesn’t match his personality,” she murmured to herself, tilting her head. “Contrasts deeply with his cold and ruthless demeanor.”
Just then, she noticed a guard had been quietly following her ever since she came downstairs.
“Hey, good afternoon,” she called out, trying to get his attention.
“Good afternoon, ma’am,” he replied, standing tall and attentive.
“You can just call me Lila.”
He didn't give a reply to that, just a facial expression that said "I can't"
“Are you following me?” she asked, curiously.
“I’m supposed to be guarding you, ma’am.”
“Guarding me? By guarding, you mean making sure I don’t escape, right?”
The guard hesitated, then nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Those are my orders.”
Lila sighed, her frustration bubbling to the surface. “What do you think I’m going to do? Run away? I can’t even if I want to.”
“It’s not for me to say, ma’am. I just follow orders,” he said, his tone respectful yet firm.
She took a step closer. “What’s your name?”
“Jonathan”
“Jonathan, would you keep someone here against their wish because your boss asked you to?” she asked, her eyes searching his for any sign of empathy.
Jonathan’s expression softened, but he maintained his stance. “It’s not for me to question. I’m just here to ensure your safety.”
“Safety,” Lila scoffed. “I don’t feel safe. I feel trapped.”
He shifted uncomfortably, clearly conflicted. “I’m sorry you feel that way, ma’am. But I have my orders.”
“Well, if you’re going to guard me, at least do me the courtesy of some company,” she said, gesturing for him to follow her to the pavilion in the middle of the garden.
He hesitated, then slowly walked behind her. Lila urged him to sit, and for a moment, they sat in silence.
“Jonathan!,” she began softly, “do you have a family?”
“If by that you mean if I am married, I’m not ma’am. Neither do I know my siblings or parents” he replied.
“Hmmmmm, how is that?”
"I have lived here ever since I can remember. I started off working for the young master's father."
“How do you feel not knowing your family? or being stuck here, don’t you feel suffocated here?” she asked, her tone gentle but probing.
He looked down, clearly troubled by the question. “I do know what it feels to be suffocated, I have lived here all my life,” he said finally.
“It's beautiful here” She changed the topic.
“Yes”
“What’s that?” she asked, pointing up at what seemed like an office. The window stretched from the floor to the ceiling, offering a clear view inside.
Jonathan followed her gaze. “That’s the young master’s swimming pool.” He answered, looking at the rooftop swimming pool instead.
“No, I meant that”
“Oh that’s the young master’s study”
“Wow, there is a rooftop swimming pool here,” she asked in excitement
“Yes Ma’am”
“How do I access it?”
“Through the elevator”
“There is an elevator? How come I haven’t seen it?”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea going up there ma’am”
“Why?” she blurted out
“The young master is a bit too overprotective about his private space” he replied
"Well, I am his wife, I should be an exception," she declared. "Besides, when he listed the places I should avoid, he never mentioned the pool," she thought to herself.
"Could you please show me the way to the elevator?" she asked, pointing upward with a playful grin.
Jonathan hesitated. “I’m not sure it’s a good idea, ma’am. The young master is very particular about his privacy.”
“I understand, but as his wife. I should be able to explore my own home.”
Jonathan sighed, clearly torn. “Alright, ma’am. I’ll show you the way, but please be careful.”
“Thank you,” Lila said. She stood up, and he reluctantly followed suit.
They walked through the garden and into the main house. Jonathan led her down a corridor she hadn’t noticed before, stopping in front of a nearby hidden door.
“The elevator,” he said, pressing a button. The doors slid open silently, revealing a sleek interior.
Lila stepped inside, and Jonathan followed right behind her. He pressed a button, and the elevator glided up smoothly. The higher they went, the more her excitement built.
Finally, the doors opened to a gorgeous rooftop. An infinity pool sparkled under the sky, stunning city view, with lounge chairs and beautiful plants all around.
“This is incredible,” she whispered, awestruck.
“Yes, ma’am. It’s one of the young master’s favorite places,” Jonathan said, his voice softening.
Lila went over the edge of the pool, dipping her fingers into the cool water, she felt the morning’s stress floating away. Then a flicker of guilt hit her—her father was in police custody, and here she was, just thinking about taking a swim. Oh well!
“Hang on, i need to go get my swimsuit” she rushed back to the elevator.
She was so excited, she couldn’t wait to dive into the water. Swimming was one sport she enjoyed but she never ever had the time for it.
In her room, she quickly rummaged through her things, but her heart sank as she realized she hadn’t packed a swimsuit.
“Ugh, of course!” she groaned, rolling her eyes. Her gaze landed on the clothes occupying the walk-in closet. Curiosity piqued as she walked in. Inside, she found a selection of clothes that weren’t hers. Among them, a bikini hung on a rack, perfectly suited for a swim.
“This will have to do,” she muttered, grabbing it. She slipped it on, feeling a mix of awkwardness and thrill.
“Am I going to wear this to the pool?” she questioned herself, uncertainty flooding her mind.
What if Damien saw her? He had already called her a slut; what worse could he say? The thought twisted in her stomach, but she pushed it aside, trying to shake off her doubts.
- Writer
