Chapter 29
Celine’s POV
A yawn escapes my mouth as the alarm wakes me up at exactly 4:30 am. I had slept early and purposely set the alarm so I can be right on time to prepare Bryan’s dress for the day.
Last night, after he left in embarrassment, I couldn’t help but smile. I saw the soft part of Bryan for the first time in four years.
The last time I saw this side of him was that night; the night of passion between us. I saw it all, the drunkness, the fear in his heart, and the hurt. I saw how hard he was trying to hide everything but I didn’t understand until now.
I used to be extremely curious, wanting to know everything about him and everyone else in this house but Bryan killed that curious side of me. He forbade me from talking to any of the domestic staff and I could not satisfy my curiosity.
All the questions I have been keeping away since I was his secretary were left unanswered even when I was married to him.
I thought that one year of marriage would serve as an avenue to know more about my boss and why he behaves the way he behaved but I was wrong.
I was his secretary for only a year and we were married for only a year. I got to realize that Bryan isn’t as strong as he looks that night. I saw his vulnerable side and I got a feeling that Bryan had a dark past haunting him.
Before I could find any answers, I discovered I was pregnant and the only resounding word that kept coming to my ears was to flee. From his wrath. From his grasp. From his home. From his cruelty.
I ran with a pounding heart, with the unanswered questions turning into fear of him instead. He was unpredictable, I had no idea what he would do to me when he gets to know I was pregnant which is against the contract. I blame myself for letting the sex happen but it was beyond me.
One good thing about being here again is the freedom to talk to the domestic staff and it gives me joy.
Even if I am not allowed to talk to any other person but Camilla, it is quite satisfying. Another good thing about being here is because of the hot ready water for bathing.
This is something I lack in my apartment. In fact, I lack a lot of things that are readily available here in my apartment but the hot water makes me happier, especially because of Jason.
In my apartment, we are always out of water most times and when it comes, it is usually cold.
Within four years, I had gotten used to the extremely cold water in the tub. But coming back here, I am reminded of the enjoyment surrounding this mansion I call prison.
Even though it is figuratively a prison, it isn’t cold but homey.
I always look forward to sitting in the tub for several minutes, enjoying the warm feeling of the water on my body, and thinking about my life. I usually use the shower whenever I am in a hurry but I still prefer the tub over and over again.
I let out a sigh when I realize I am still laying on my bed, without any attempt to go to Bryan’s room and have his dress for the day sorted out. I quickly climb down from the sofa and glance over at my son’s sleeping body before walking out.
Jason had woke up last night after Bryan left. I asked if he was hungry and he said yes. I quickly went to get his food and we ate. After eating, I played with him for a while before we retired for the night.
I saunter into Bryan’s bedroom, careful not to wake him up. As soon as I close the door quietly, I stride to the other room.
The moment I enter, my gaze falls on the wall clock ticking loudly and I gasp when I realize I had spent almost half an hour on the bed doing nothing after waking up. I have just a few minutes to get his dress sorted out because he is going to be awake soon.
Without wasting much time, I get to work. I pull the closet open and scan the entire clothing, thinking of which to pull out.
Camilla had briefed me about his daily activities and I am already getting used to this new role. I am at least happy I am helping Camilla out.
My eyes shift to a blue suit and I drag it out. This suit looks like the one I saw him with the night he came over to my apartment to pick Jason up.
I stare at it for a while before deciding to get it out for him, taking a deep breath. That incident felt like yesterday and I remember how I felt.
My throat burned with heat and I felt like my whole existence was crumbling. The feeling was bad and I wish to let go of them all; all the bad memories.
I have to accept Bryan this way. He is my boss now and I am going to get more harsh words from him if I am not careful enough. I know how much he detests clumsiness.
I never knew I was clumsy until I began to work for him as a secretary. I guess that clumsy part of me came out because of the anxiety I always beel whenever he was around.
At first, I thought it was normal since he was my boss and I was expected to be scared of him but as time goes by, I realize what I feel is more than that.
I finish up my work hurriedly, praying silently for Heavens to keep Bryan deeply asleep till I am done. I will be in for good morning insults if he catches me till getting his clothes ready.
As soon as I am done with the suit, I move to the shoe sections and select matching suede shoes. I clean it up and get it ready.
With a deep satisfying smile, I grab both and walk back to his main bedroom. I open the door to the bedroom and walk in. I am surprised to see Bryan still sleeping on his bed soundly and not sitting or making an attempt to wake up and go to work.
I glance up at the wall clock and it is a few minutes to the time he usually wakes up.
I shrug nonchalantly thinking he will wake up at exactly 5:30 am.
I am sure he will wake up, I say inwardly.
The Bryan I know is punctual and wouldn’t want to miss going to work today. He looked tired last night when he slept on Jason’s bed and I guess this is why he is still in bed.
Watching him, I keep his dress and shoes on the flat sofa opposite his bed. This is where Camilla instructed me to keep it. His laying figure looks different today. He is curled up like a child and I keep watching with a lot of questions popping up.
I examine his expression and notice his brows are creased in a frown. Realizing that I am watching and I am going to get caught watching, I snap my head away stubbornly and begin to stride to the door.
I pull the door open and purposely slam it shut, hoping the noise will wake him up. I stay outside for a while, waiting to hear the ruffling of his comforter as he drags them away from him so he can climb down from bed but I hear nothing.
I turn back to the living room area and debate whether to wait up for him or not. Bryan has another living room attached to his bedroom. It is the first place he comes across before entering the main bedroom and the other chamber where his clothes are kept.
It dawns on me that if I don’t wake Bryan up now, he would be late for work. I turn the doorknob and enter, without giving much thought to what he will think of me waking him up. I doubt if anyone has woken him up before. Throughout my short time here, Bryan is always off to work even before I am awake.
I walk in to see him in the same position. The frown is off his face now and he looks cute just like Jason. He is sleeping soundly and I am tempted to let him sleep because he deserves enough rest. He is such a workaholic. But I know if I don’t wake him up, I will get scolded for it.
I amber closer to the big massive bed and bends down a little to tap him. I don’t know where to tap him. His hands are around his legs and his stomach is hidden.
I decide to tap his left shoulder and I did. He did not move. I suck in my breath and try again. I only hear a murmur and nothing else.
I curse beneath my breath as I feel the perspiration on my forehead. I lean forward and decide to call his name.This content belongs to Nô/velDra/ma.Org .
“Bryan”, I tap his shoulder again softly like a brush of a feather. He stirs, murmurs again and turns to the other side. I exhale deeply and peek at his face. His back is to me now and he is still curled up. I decide to tap harder.
“Bryan, wake up. You are going to be late for work”, I tap him continuously until he shakes and his body suddenly becomes stiff. I take my hands off him immediately I know he is awake.
I am still leaning over him and before I can stand upright and leave the room in a hurry since I have achieved my aim, I feel a pair of strong arms encircling my waist and dragging me to the bed.
I let out a soft scream and gasp at the sudden impact of his body on mine and his action surprised me.
The bed shakes and I turn to watch him with my mouth hanging open in shock. His looks are dreamy and he watches me intensely for a while before it turns into an icy glare.
I know immediately that I am in trouble.