Chapter 3: The Reality of Living in a Book
1597 Words
CHAPTER 3: THE REALITY OF LIVING IN A BOOK
She came back to reality with an aching head. The forceful reread she went through and the sudden influx of Nathalie Ortega’s memories were too much for a human brain to take at once.
She opened her eyes. She was still in Nathalie Ortega’s room. However, in addition to her, there were two more people in this room— a girl not much older than herself, which she assumed was the owner of the feet who came in earlier before she passed out, and a handsome middle-aged man sitting on her bed.
Seeing her opening her eyes, the man immediately asked worried, “How do you feel?”
Delving into Nathalie Ortega’s memories, Den immediately confirmed that this man was Nathalie’s father, Francis Ortega. She flashed her Oscar’s Best Actress Award-worth weak smile, “I’m fine.” She thought, considering the amount of her talent fee, this smile should be around a million dollars.
Francis Ortega sighed in relief, “I was worried sick when Nicole suddenly rushed to me and said that she found you lying on the floor and unconscious. I already had our family doctor checked you earlier and he observed no problems.” Then, he suddenly became hesitant, “*Lie, I know you’re still grieving about the death of your mother but—”
“Nathalie!” The girl who was being forgotten in the corner suddenly shouted. Her appearance could also be considered beautiful. Compared to Nathalie’s innocent face, hers was leaning towards seductive. “Thank God, you're okay.” She tearfully said, like a really worried to death sister.
Being an actress, Den was more sensitive towards the real emotions of other people. This girl, Nicole, was just acting. She might be able to fool others, but not a veteran actress like her. Den showed a look of appreciation, “Thank you for the concern, sis.”
According to Nathalie’s memories, this Nicole was her older half-sister. When Nathalie’s mother died half a year ago, a woman with a girl suddenly came to their door and demanded to see her father. Turns out, this woman was impregnated by Francis when he was drunk and had Nicole.
Nathalie’s parents were already aware of this incident and Nicole’s existence long ago. Previously, because of Nathalie’s mother’s oppression of these two, they were not allowed to show their faces in front of Nathalie and in exchange, was given a large amount of money and child support every month.
For some reason, her mother’s death gave Annie, Nicole’s mother, the courage to make their existence known and demanded Francis to marry her, in the name of having Nicole bear the title of a legitimate eldest daughter she “rightfully deserved."
Their sudden appearance shocked Nathalie, the little pampered girl who always believed that she had a perfect family. She never expected that her father had a child outside marriage. Along with the death of her mother, she was deeply disappointed with her father.
This disappointment could easily be solved if Francis apologized and explained the whole situation. However, ever since the two came to live with them, the apparent shift of attention, the presence of strangers (stepmother & half-sister), the sudden distant attitude of her father, and the fuelling of fire by the mother and daughter pair behind the scenes— all of these made Nathalie grow distant from her father.
Den internally sighed. This gradual estrangement of their father-daughter relationship was one of the factors why Nathalie Ortega miserably died in the original novel. She also thought, Nathalie was only an extra in the love story between the billionaire male lead and the bubbly little girl, she didn’t even appear alive in the novel, why did her life have to be so dramatic?
Good thing that Den came to this novel when her relationship with her father was still somehow good. She still has a chance to salvage things. Therefore, she looked pitifully at her father, “Dad, may I talk to you alone?”
This greatly alerted her half-sister Nicole. “Nathalie, you don't have to be embarrassed. I’m your sister, maybe I could help if you have any problem.”
Den wanted to roll her eyes. What a hypocrite!
She only silently looked at her father, indicating that she really only wanted to talk to him alone.
Her father nodded, “I’ll just talk to your sister for a while.” Implying that Nicole should go out.
Nicole wanted to strangle this half-sister of hers. She couldn't let the relationship between this father and daughter be better after all the things she did with her mother just for them to grow distant from each other!
However, the silent intent look being given by her father made her shut up and obediently leave.
Finally left with Nathalie’s father, Den immediately went into a “spoiled little girl seeking love” mode. She pounced on her father, hugging him tightly on the neck. “I dreamt about Mom.” She tearfully said.
Her father immediately went rigid.
“She said… she doesn’t want to see our family become like this. Dad, I’m also your daughter, why do you no longer spoil me like you used to? Don't you love me anymore? Do you only love sister Nicole? You weren’t like this before! The way you treat her ever since they came here, it seems like she's the only daughter you have...” She lied without batting an eye and mournfully cried.
Hearing her say that, Francis Ortega immediately felt guilty. How could he say that it was Annie who said that Nathalie would never mature if he would continue to spoil her just like in the past? Nathalie might feel that they are underestimating her. Although he would love it if his daughter would stay spoiled and dependent on him, just like Annie said, it would never be good for her future.
Just like Caroline — Nathalie’s mother and his forever love — and he always did, he wanted Nathalie to forever be protected from harm and pain. If the future was bleak, then he would willingly use everything to prepare a bright future for her daughter borne by her beloved woman.
However, Annie got a point. No matter how much he prepared, he could never completely ensure a painless and smooth future for her daughter. Thus, he decided to be a little strict and restrained, a small method for Nathalie to learn how to be responsible and independent.
Den could more or less guess what Nathalie’s father was thinking. She once read this novel years ago and in addition to the forceful reread of the story she experienced earlier, she had a perspective almost similar to a god in this world.
She thought, **Uncle Francis, that Annie advised you not for Nathalie’s sake, but it’s for you to stop being biased and shift your attention to her daughter instead!
She continued to act like a spoiled and dependent little father’s girl, which Nathalie’s dad always loved. “Dad, do you no longer love me? And mommy?”
Francis guiltily shook his head. “I had and will always love you, *Lie. You and your mother…” Pain flashed in his eyes. “I will always love you both.”
“Then why?! You act cold to me while warm to sister Nicole to the point that it seems like she's your only daughter. Since the day they lived together with us, you no longer paid attention to me.”
Acting all wronged and neglected, Den won Francis’ remorse, pity, and love. “No, no, no. Shhhh. Dad will no longer act cold, we’ll go back to the past, okay? Even though Caroline is no longer with us, we still have each other, and your new mom Annie and sister Nicole.” Francis tightly hugged her daughter.
Den wanted to roll her eyes. It was almost fine. Why did you have to mention those bitches? You’re too oblivious to the schemes of those two.
“Really, Daddy?” She left his embrace and wiped her tears.
There’s a determination that could be seen in Francis’ eyes. “Really. I promise, Lie.”
Francis still wanted to have their family doctor check Nathalie again, but Den adamantly refused. In the end, Francis left after repeatedly telling her to drink her medicine on time and immediately tell him if ever she feels uncomfortable. Den nodded again and again, like a chicken pecking on rice.
Once alone, she quickly called, “System?”
[I am here, Ms. Hernandez.]
She sighed. “I’d always wanted to call you earlier.”
[You can always talk to me, Ms. Hernandez. Just direct a thought or a message to me and I will immediately perceive it. It is not necessary for you to speak out loud.]
Den’s eyes immediately brightened. This is awesome! At least she won’t look like a fool talking to herself. Let her give it a try…
‘System 143?’
[I hear you, Ms. Hernandez.] Despite not saying anything out loud, the Google Translate-like voice of this AI called System 143 still sounded in her mind.
‘I never expected that the little character, Nathalie, would have so much drama in this story. The reality of living in a book only dawned on me when I personally saw and experienced the love and hate between her father and sister. This is interesting. After all, one of the reasons why I left a bloody comment in this story on w*****d long ago was because of the cliche content and overused plot elements. The only catch is that it was the male lead…’
She paused. Uh-oh, she almost forgot about the male lead.
- Writer
