Chapter 2 - Under his roof
1489 Words
“I have business to attend to,” he said, his voice final. “Breakfast is over. Don’t waste your teacher’s time.”
And just like that, he was gone, his tall figure retreating down the corridor with that unshakable calm that infuriated her.
The afternoon sun spilled through the wide windows, painting streaks of gold across the family lounge. Georgina sat across from Kelvin, her younger brother, who was practically buzzing with excitement about his upcoming business trip.
“Georgina, can you believe it? Father finally let me handle a real deal. In Dubai of all places!” His grin was wide, his voice boyish despite the new suit he wore.
She smiled, though her heart clenched at the thought of them leaving. “That’s great, Kelvin. But… remember, not all partners smile because they like you. Some smile because they’re calculating what they can take from you.”
Kelvin blinked. “Where did you get that from? You barely go out of this house.”
She tilted her head, words flowing faster than she expected. “I don’t need to. People are predictable. Watch their eyes, not their mouths. That’s where the truth hides.”
Her brother laughed nervously, trying to brush it off, but Nathan, who had been quietly reviewing papers by the window, lifted his gaze. His sharp, wolf-like eyes lingered on her a second longer than usual, faint approval flickering in them.
Georgina felt the weight of that look all the way to her bones.
"Kelvin let's get going", Their father called standing next to the car taking them to the airport.
Georgina feels really sad but hides it with a smile while escorting Kelvin to say goodbye to her father. She hugs them tightly, 'Please stay safe two of you.' She said these with concern in her eyes
"Don't worry darling", her father assures her while laying a kiss on her forehead. Her father and brother heads towards the car and zooms off.
She heads back to her room, Nathan comes swiftly as if he was with her the whole time.
She looks at him dead in the eyes, " I know still have some lectures but can you just give me a break?".
He smirks, "Okay then, but don't waste your teacher's time".
After lessons with the strict home tutor, Georgina flopped onto her bed, exhausted. She thought she had earned at least a few hours of freedom — until a knock sounded at her door.
She sat up. “Who is it?”
The door opened, and Nathan stepped in, hands clasped behind his back. “You have horse riding lessons. The stables are waiting.”
She groaned. “Seriously? After three hours of boring lectures?”
His expression didn’t shift. “Discipline doesn’t bend to your moods, Georgina. Meet me outside.”
She muttered something about tyranny under her breath, but when she looked up again, his lips were twitching — almost like he’d heard her and found it amusing.
By evening, the environment was cool, the garden bathed in silver moonlight. Georgina slipped out of her room, her heart racing with excitement. She adjusted the strap of her bag and quickened her pace toward the side gate where her girlfriend was waiting. Just one evening of laughter, of freedom — far from rules, far from Nathan.
But as soon as she reached the gate, a tall shadow detached itself from the darkness.
“You’re not going anywhere.”
His voice was calm, steady… but cold enough to freeze her in her tracks.
Her pulse spiked. “You again?” She clenched her fists. “What are you, my shadow?”
“I told you before,” Nathan stepped forward, the moonlight catching the sharp angles of his face, “I’m here to guard you.”
Her jaw tightened. “Guard me? Or control me? Because right now it feels like you’re trying to chain me down.”
His eyes flickered, sharp as blades. “Where were you going, Georgina?”
Her lips curved into a smirk, part defiance, part provocation. “To see someone. A friend.”
Something unreadable flashed in his gaze. “At this hour? What kind of friend waits for you at midnight?”
She hesitated, then lifted her chin stubbornly. “A girlfriend. Not that it’s any of your business.”
The silence that followed was thick, almost suffocating. Nathan’s eyes darkened, surprise rippling through his usually composed demeanor. His lips parted, but for a moment, no words came.
When he finally spoke, his voice was rougher, deeper. “So that’s what this is.”
Her heart hammered. “And what if it is? Are you going to report me to my father? Lecture me about what’s proper?” She stepped closer, fire blazing in her chest. “Because guess what, Nathan — I don’t care.”
His expression shifted, something fierce flickering in his eyes. Not judgment. Not disgust. Something more dangerous. Possessive.
“I’m not your father,” he said, his voice low, almost a growl. “And I’m not here to police who you love. But sneaking out in the middle of the night, unguarded, while enemies are circling—” He stopped himself, his fists clenching at his sides.
She blinked. “Enemies? What are you talking about?”
“Go back inside.” His tone snapped like a whip, commanding, final. But beneath it was a thread of frustration he couldn’t mask.
“No,” she shot back, breathless with anger. “You don’t get to decide for me. You’re not my keeper, Nathan!”
For the first time, his composure cracked. He stepped forward, closing the distance, his towering presence forcing her to tilt her head up. His voice was low, raw.
“Then stop making me feel like I am.”
The air between them vibrated, heavy with unspoken words. Her breath hitched, her defiance warring with the strange thrill that rushed through her veins.
And just like that, Nathan turned abruptly, retreating into the shadows. “Inside, Georgina. Now.”
She stood frozen, her heart pounding as if it wanted to burst free. Her body trembled — from anger, from confusion… and from something far more dangerous.
Late that night, restless again, Georgina wandered into the vast family library. The silence was heavy, the chandeliers flickering strangely above. She trailed her fingers across the shelves, pausing at a thick leather-bound book.
When she touched it, a strange hum stirred in her chest. The air crackled faintly, as though responding to her. She froze, eyes darting around the empty room.
Then—soft steps. She felt them before she heard them. Someone was approaching.
Her head snapped toward the door, but it was still locked. Her pulse raced. “Who’s there?” she whispered, backing away.
The handle turned. Slowly, the door creaked open. Nathan stepped inside, his sharp gaze sweeping the room.
“Why are you here?” she demanded, her voice shaky.
“I could ask you the same thing,” he said, his eyes narrowing. His nostrils flared slightly, like he was sensing something invisible in the air. He stepped closer, gaze fixed on her trembling hand still pressed against the book.
His voice dropped lower, rougher. “You felt it, didn’t you?”
Georgina blinked, breath catching. “Felt what?”
Nathan’s eyes darkened, wolf-like instincts stirring as realization settled in. He straightened, his tone carrying an edge of both awe and fear.
“You’re awakening.”
Much later, as the estate grew quiet, Georgina lay awake, his words echoing in her skull. Awakening? What did that even mean?
Through the walls, she faintly heard Nathan’s voice on the phone, low and serious.
“They’re already circling. If they realize she’s close, it will be too late. She doesn’t know who she is yet… but when she does, everything changes.”
Her chest tightened, fear and curiosity battling inside her. She turned to face the ceiling, her heart racing.
Everything about her life had just shifted — and she wasn’t sure whether to be terrified… or thrilled.
---
While lying hopeless on her bed, she started reminiscing of how she was with her mom and always at peace.
"Mom when I grow I just want to be powerful just like you!" little Georgina said boldly to her mother. Her mother smiles with utmost joy; "You're going to be more powerful than any witch in this clan, but that'll happen when you're fully awakened." she snaps out of it, with tears escaping her eyes rolling slowly to her cheeks. "Why did you have to leave ......", she murmurs while crying more.
Knock. knock. knock
'I don't want to see anyone!!!' she said while cleaning her tears.
Unknown to her, it was Nathan. He decided to let her be for the night, while walking away he murmured to himself, "I hope she's doing well."
- Writer
