Kapitel 20: Chamomile Tea

Michelle knew that she had feigned her cough to avoid her question. She was so clever! Initially, she thought she was easy to get rid of, but after what happened, she knew that she was wiser than she thought her to be.

She felt her husband hold her free hand which was on her laps and squeeze it lightly. He saw what had happened, but he didn't say a word;

Nicklaus was really pushing him, and he wasn't sure of what he could do once he was over the cliff.

After the meal, Nicklaus waited awhile before he told grandpa that he wanted to leave;

''Oh no, are you leaving so soon? We haven't even gotten to know your girlfriend yet.''

Grandpa said, looking over at Tiana.

''Don't worry grandpa, I'll come some other time, and we'll spend quality time together. ''

Tiana said with a beautiful smile on her cheeks;

''Oh, that's sweet! '' Grandpa replied with a smile.

''Nicklaus, I prepared this for you to help with your sleep. Its chamomile tea. ''

Grandma said as she walked over with a thermos flask, she gave it to Tiana;

''Make sure he takes it; it'll help with his sleep. ''

''Grandma, I'm fine; you need not worry yourself. '' Nicklaus said, and Grandma turned to him;

''I'm not worrying myself; I'm just taking care of my grandson. Besides, you really need to stop taking all those sleeping pills; they are really not good for your health! ''

Grandma warned, her brows creased with worry.

''Don't worry, grandma; I'll make sure he takes it. ''

Tiana assured, and she nodded.

''Alright then, have a safe trip back home. ''

Tiana waved at them, after which she left with Nicklaus.

She heaved a sigh of relief when they were finally outside. They walked to the passenger's side and Nicklaus held the door out for her, when she was safely inside, he walked to the other side of the car and entered, starting the ignition, he drove out of the estate.

Once they were finally out of the estate, Tiana slumped back to the seat. She couldn't believe that she could pull through to the end, although she made some minor mistakes, it was not noticeable. The farther they drove away from the compound, the colder the car became; and until they reached Nicklaus' mansion, none of them talked.

Nicklaus drove to the front of the mansion and finally stopped. He did not put off the ignition, so Tiana thought he was about to say something. He was staring straight at the mansion, his face back to the cold and aloof expression he always had.

When she saw that he wasn't saying anything, she figured maybe he was going somewhere, and he needed her to leave the car.

She looked at the thermos flask in her hand and wanted to say something but then decided against it; she would give it to a maid to give it to him later. When she turned to the car door to open it, he finally spoke;

''I hope you don't make those careless mistakes ever again, you're lucky that you didn't get caught, next time you might not be so lucky and you know what is involved. ''

He said, still not looking at her; Tiana's eyes drooped and her lips thinned into a straight line;

''It won't ever happen again. '' She replied. Not looking at him.

Quickly, she tried to open the door, but it was locked; ''the door, please ''

She was in a hurry to get away from the car, away from him; the air was so suffocating, she couldn't even breathe.

Nicklaus unlocked the doors, and she immediately jumped out of the car. Without glancing back at the car, she hurried off into the house.

Nicklaus watched her retreating figure for a moment; after some time, he took out a cigarette box and began smoking;

He knew she did her best at the dinner, but he couldn't bring himself to tell her that. He had never said something nice to anyone; he couldn't even bring himself to. After smoking to his fill, he came out of the car and strode into the house.

Tiana pushed open her door and locked it behind her; she slumped down beside the door, her eyes shut tightly. She wasn't surprised about his attitude, not at all, in fact, she had expected worse. What bothered her was how much longer she had to do this. She was just beginning and she was already tired.

She sat there for a moment before she stood up and undressed; after changing into her pajamas, she fell on her bed and slept off; her face still filled with makeup.

The next day; she woke up late, after taking her bath, her eyes fell on the chamomile tea that grandma had put for him, and her jaw fell in shock; she had forgotten to give it to a maid the previous night.

She quickly picked it from the ground and opened it; luckily it was still hot, so she dressed quickly and came out of the room.

She searched around for Ma Lee and when she saw her; she explained what happened and gave her the tea.

Ma Lee stared at her and at the bottle in her hands;

''Take it to his fridge upstairs. '' She commanded and turned to walk away;

Tiana's ears stood erect; she should what? Up where?!

''Ma Lee! please... I can't go up to his room ''

Tiana stuttered before she could stop herself; shock mixed with fear written on her face;

Ma Lee turned to look at her; her brows creased;

''What did you just say? ''

She asked, but Tiana did not reply;

Ma Lee narrowed her eyes as she stared intently at her;

''You'll take it up to his room and put it inside his fridge; next time you'll do what you need to do on time. ''