From Frying Pan to Strange Fire

It felt like part of the burden in her heart had been taken away after Joan ended her over thirty minutes call with Grace. If there was one thing in her life she was grateful for, it was the fact that she had a friend like Grace. The girl had always been her pillar, listening ear, adviser, partner in crime, and defender since high school.

Letting out a long sigh, she looked around the room again, then moved to the bed and plopped her butt down on it. The mattress moved slightly under her weight, signifying it was the perfect balance between soft and hard.

She sent Grace a text with a list of things she would bring when coming with her the next day. Knowing she would get to see her friend soon, if she survived the night, gave her some relief.

After sending the text, she dropped the phone on the bed and stood up, deciding to explore the room. The bathroom which was the first place she checked didn’t disappoint. It was one befitting of the house and room. The closet, which she checked out second, surprised her the most. It was filled with clothes, female clothes, and they were all brand new judging from the labels still attached on them.

Her hand moved to take one of the dresses, but before she could touch it, a knock echoed around the room, startling her. Without thought, she shut the door of the closet and turned around sharply, fixing her eyes on the door.

When the person knocked for the second time and did not make an attempt to open the door, Joan moved to the door and opened it. Her brows creased slightly when she saw the smiling young man from earlier. And even then, he had a smile on his face.

“Its me again, Madam.” He said as if reading her mind.

“Hi,” Joan simply said, wondering what he wants and why he was there.

“I’m here to inform you that dinner is served and boss wants me to escort you to the dining room.” He stated his reason for being there.

“Thank you, but kindly tell him that I’m not hungry.” Joan refused as her mind instantly suggested that she might be poisoned if she eats anything they offer.

Right on cue, a rumbling sound was heard and it came right from her stomach as if it was protesting her decision.

The young man, who was already wearing a worried expression returned the smile to his face. “I think your stomach disagrees, Madam. Also, I can’t leave here without you. Boss will not be happy and he might take out his anger on us. The kitchen staff, who put all their effort in preparing a wonderful and enjoyable welcome buffet for you will be disappointed to see their efforts go to waste. So you see, you have to listen to the voice of your stomach. It means well…”

Different expressions passed through Joan’s features as she heard him talk. Before she could settle on one or ask any question, he was already saying something else that elicited a different expression. He spoke so fluidly and gave off a friendly vibe, a total opposite of the other three men she had met. His voice was so pleasant, she wouldn’t mind listening to him speak all day.

“… Food is good for you. You need it for strength, energy and nourishment. What am I even saying? You already know all this since you are a nurse.” He completed his speech and pressed his lips together. Joan wasn’t sure if he did that as a habit or if he was trying to stop himself from speaking any further.

“What is your name?” Joan asked him.

“I’m Daniel, Madam. Daniel Frazer.” He answered.

“Well, thank you, Daniel. You’ve managed to lecture me on the importance of food. How old are you?” Joan probed again.

The question caught Daniel off guard and a complicated look flashed across his eyes which lasted for only a second and disappeared before Joan could decipher what it meant.

“I’m 21, Madam.” He answered.

“You seem to be quite close to your boss. Would it be okay if I ask you a question?” Joan asked, suspecting she would get something from him judging from how much he talks.

“Of course you can ask me anything. I’ll answer your question.” He answered, nodding in an assuring manner.

“Do you know why your boss married me?” Joan asked.

“It’s because he likes you a lot, Madam.” Daniel answered in a breath without hesitating or thinking. He answered it so casually that Joan almost believed it. But who would believe such nonsense?

“That’s not true. You can’t like someone you don’t know. I don’t even know him. How can he like me?”

“I don’t know the answer to that question. What I do know and am sure of is that boss really likes you. I’ve never seen him smile so much and as genuinely as he has done this evening. He is like a changed man. It’s a miracle.”

Joan let out a soft sigh. She couldn’t believe it. No one would believe it. It’s impossible. They must have planned everything including Daniel’s responses.

Her stomach let out a louder rumble again, and she wished she could tell it to shut up.

“Shall we go now?” Daniel asked.

“One minute.” Joan answered, recalling that the envelope containing her travel documents was in plain sight. She rushed back into the room, shut the door behind her, and hid the envelope under the sheets.

She came back out and followed Daniel as he led her downstairs toward the dining room. Her breath hitched when from a distance she caught sight of Williams at the table with Roman and Trevor. Why was he still there? Does he live there? She wanted to ask Daniel, since they were still a distance away, but she decided against it.

“You took quite some time, Daniel. Is there something I should worry about?” Roman’s voice reverberated when they arrived at the dinning and Daniel shook his head, bowing.

“All is well, boss.” He answered, pausing his steps for a bit before advancing to the chair beside Roman.Ccontent © exclusive by Nô/vel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Come, my darling wife. Come sit beside your king.” Roman gestured for Joan, who paused a short distance away from him, to sit on the chair Daniel pulled out beside his chair by the right side of the table.

Joan swallowed and nodded. She took one step after another toward the seat and halfway there, her eyes diverted to Williams, only to catch him staring at her in an unsettling manner.