A day had gone by. People walked past my door like I didn’t even exist. Jonathan had been dead set on locking me up in there.
Spending the night starving made me realize how stupid I was being. He never cared, so starving myself meant nothing. I was only hurting my own body.
I closed my eyes. Looking back, I should have realized I meant nothing to him when he didn’t even show up after I tried to end my life.
I swore I would never do anything that stupid to hurt myself again. Then I opened my eyes and pushed the door open.
A small cart sat just outside the door, with golden food trays covered by lids. I took a few lids off at random, and the aroma hit me right away. The food was still warm.
Without a word, I brought the cart into the room and started eating.
After I had eaten my fill, I heard Gabrielle’s voice coming from downstairs. “Let me in, Jonathan.”
I paused for a moment, then found myself walking over without thinking.
With one hand on the railing, I stepped onto the stairs and saw Jonathan sitting on the couch downstairs. His arm rested on the armrest as he skimmed through the documents like Gabrielle wasn’t even there.
Gabrielle asked, “Where is Elise? Did you lock her up?”
Jonathan briefly glanced at her without lifting his head, his voice cold and dismissive. “She isn’t being locked up. This is her home.”
Gabrielle snickered. “You call this home? Does Alicia get to come and go freely? Why don’t you ask Elise if this place feels like home?”
I knew she was the real one. She totally spoke my mind.
Jonathan closed the folder and tossed it on the table, shooting her an annoyed glance. “Are you done yet?
She clenched her fists. “I want to see her.”
He responded, “Not a chance.”
She fired back, “Why do you think you can control her social life? She isn’t something you own.”
He remarked, “Fair point. Now get out.”
Jonathan was being totally impossible, and Gabrielle couldn’t do anything about it. She was practically
seeing red. “You already have Alicia. Why are you still keeping Elise locked away? Doesn’t it bother you even a little that you’re doing this to her for Alicia?”
He furrowed his brows with something shifted in his gaze. “I’m pretty sure I told you. Don’t act like you’re
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close to Elise.”
Her hands balled into fists. “Elise is my best friend, and I’m not backing down.”
Things were about to get ugly between them when Alicia cut in, “I’m sorry. Did I do something wrong again?”
She showed up out of nowhere, holding a lunchbox. She stood at the doorway, looking uneasy as her eyes flicked between them.
Hearing her voice, I looked over and spotted the fresh bandages on her head. After sizing her up, I giggled and sat down on the steps, ready to watch the drama unfold.
Gabrielle didn’t look too happy when she saw Alicia.
Alicia made her way over, tucking her hair behind her ear to show the bandage on her head.
Jonathan’s eyes dimmed a little when he saw Alicia’s injury. “Didn’t I tell you to stay in bed?”
Alicia protested, “I heard Mr. Ford Senior has been craving–tomatoes lately. Good thing our backyard is packed with them, so I whipped up something for him-”
Upon hearing her words, Jonathan looked a little less cold. “You didn’t have to go through all that. Just ask the housekeepers to harvest them and cook something next time.”
She shook her head. “No. If it’s for Mr. Ford Senior, I have to do it myself.”
Jonathan nodded, and Gabrielle stood at the side like she was invisible.
I rested my chin on my hand, watching the awkward scene unfold downstairs. I couldn’t help but wonder whether Jonathan was blind to his feelings for Alicia or just refusing to admit it.
Or maybe they craved the thrill of forbidden love–like they needed someone to play the villain just to make their love story look epic.
I was looking forward to them ending up together. What kind of look would Jonathan have on his face? Would he feel humiliated?
Or maybe he would dive into a relationship with Alicia and act like he had never said she was just a sister. People like them always went back on their word, but no one was allowed to call them out.
