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22.22% Forever His (N_C) / Chapter 4: Chapter 4

Capítulo 4: Chapter 4

There was an island in the middle of the room that separated them. She thought he was going to cross the island and approached her. This small thought with his unpredictable personality made her wobble backward in slight terror. Fortunately, he stopped at the island and opened a top drawer.

Abigail let out a sigh of relief. Her spine recoiled and she lowered her shoulders. Could it be that it's all in her head? Her imagination was running wild to think that he would attack her.

"You've gotten skinnier."

The statement held no emotion nor sympathy. It just sounded like a comment. She may have lost a few pounds but she had always been a skinny, frail girl with long wavy hair. Her pearly white skin was even mistaken for being pale or sick.

"I'm sorry?"

On the top drawer of the island, he took his tie, rolled it up, and neatly placed it in. He batted his full lashes and looked at her with the same expression as before. The coldness and emptiness in his irises made her question everything she was doing from her words to her breathing pattern.

Without ever leaving eye contact, he started to remove his outer jacket and placed it on the island. Then, he attempted to unbutton his white collared shirt. She saw a glimpse of his rock-hard chest of bronzed caramel skin that looked like it had been in the sun.

Suddenly, there was a flash of ripped abs.

"Wh--what are you doing?" Abigail muttered and looked away. She was still cornered in the back of the room.

"Are you questioning why I'm changing in my closet?"

Her mouth opened but she couldn't say anything. She hated how he could turn everything she said against her.

There was a short silence that made her body start to heat up. From the corners of her eyes, she saw him tear open his shirt, exposing his flawless torso of defined muscles. She didn't want to see more than what she already did and turned her body around to face the corner.

"You are welcome to leave at any moment." Lucas's low voice rumbled with annoyance.

As soon as Abigail heard this, she bolted for the door and didn't bother to look back. She never retrieved the rack. She raced out of there, still in fear that he might be on her heels. It took her a full minute to make it out of the wing and only then did she feel safe. The amazing thing about being in this giant castle was that she could easily pick a room and hide herself in.

When she regained control of herself, her back was against the wall in a small office on the first floor.

Her body temperature was hot and her heart was racing fast. She felt lightheaded and her mouth was parched. She was telling herself not to panic repeatedly. Her eyes were closed as she took deep breaths. Heat crawled up her neck and blushed her cheeks. It took her a few more minutes but she managed to calm herself from shaking. She decided to stay in that room for a while until her heartbeat was reduced to normal.

When she felt like she'd had enough time to herself, she brought herself out and that's when her pager went off. She took it out. There was a small message to attend the meeting with the chefs she was supposed to have two days prior. The rescheduled meeting was a crucial part of the event.

With that person in town influencing the possibilities of the future, she prayed that all goes well.

The meeting lasted the rest of the day with a tad of eternal exhaustion to it. The large kitchen staff consisted of seven Michelin-star chefs. Each chef had their own team but they all worked together to prepare the hundreds of fine dining dishes needed.

She went over many of the details to make sure everything was as perfect as can be.

It's fair to say that ever since Abigail's Mother passed away, she was the acting Head of Housekeeping. Despite her young age, everyone in the Manor listened and catered to her every need.

Abigail did work hard to earn that respect, however. She learned everything that had to be done diligently. During the day, she attended the academy and in the evening, she would finish her schoolwork as quickly as possible before studying the housekeeping book record. She would ask the maids, chefs, groundskeepers, and even her Father further questions to deepen her knowledge.

Abigail barely had memories of her Mother and if not for pictures, she would've forgotten what she looked like. Everyone also knew that Sir Barrington doted on Abigail ever since she was a little girl, giving her the nickname Missy. The Barringtons hadn't had a daughter in the last several generations, so she would be the closest one they could ever have. Maybe that was why she was specially treated with favor.

A blue notebook was closed with a thud and Abigail stood up. She stretched from her seat, followed by the sound of chairs pulling apart.

"We will do our very best, Missy," Chef Brian nodded with a quick smile.

Abigail thanked all the staff for their time and effort and adjourned the meeting. She was the last one to leave the room but not before slamming into her brother on the way out.

"Damn it, Abigail! I was looking for you everywhere.

The sister saw a hint of terror in his eyes but it was lifted as soon as he spoke. He was out of breath and wiped the sweat off his forehead.

"For what? Did something happen?"

He composed his body and this time, shrugged his shoulders as if he wasn't in a frenzy just now.

"Nothing. Claire sent you pictures of her dress but you didn't answer. I texted you, but you didn't reply. I just wanted to know where you were.

Almost immediately, she felt around herself and realized that her phone wasn't with her. Beckoning her brother to come inside, they searched every seat in the room until the chairs were pulled out and the floor empty. What's left was overturning the table.

"Call it?" She requested.

He dialed her number and put the phone to his ear. They waited to hear a ringtone but were disappointed by the silent air.

Her shoulders slouched. Her eyes ran back and forth, tracing her steps from today in her head. Losing a phone in a house this big would take days to recover. Where could she have put it?

"Abigail?" John's voice suddenly changed.

She looked up, surprised at the unexpected tone.

"You know Lucas had returned?"

Her sparkling orbs broke contact and naturally trailed down at the mention of his name. She nodded her head. There was a small moment of silence.

"Are you in distress?"

"Of course not," Abigail choked. She forced a smile. "It's understandable why he should be back. Naturally, he'll be there to congratulate you."

John snorted sarcastically. "I would very much prefer his absence if I could. But we can't go against the wishes of the Master. He's our benefactor in every way we look at it."

Abigail nodded. That much was a fact. Sir Barrington had paid for John's higher studies at the most expensive private institution in the whole country. Even now, he was already inquiring that whichever university she wanted to attend after she graduates this year, he will fully pay for it.

"Hey," John muttered. One side of his lips pulled up into a warm smile. "You'll be alright."

She looked at him with crossed brows and grinned back. "Of course. Why wouldn't I?"

"Because you lost your phone already."

She bit her bottom lip to prevent herself from the embarrassment.

"I saw that eye roll, by the way," he joked.

"I'm going to excuse myself from talking with your annoying self, and go find my phone so I can look at Claire's dress."

She purposely exaggerated the eye roll with her whole head and left. Abigail retraced her steps and fortunately, she didn't do much today. The next stop after the small, secluded office was literally Lucas's living quarters.


Capítulo 5: Chapter 5

Abigail was squatting to put the shoes away on a lower shelf when the phone fell out of her jeans back pocket. It landed with a loud thud on the vinyl flooring. She had grabbed it and put it on a higher shelf when she raced out of there and forgot about it.

Abigail, now stared at the doorknob for a good five minutes, refusing to take another step further. She had made it past the main living area and was about to enter the office that led to his bedchamber. She knew he was in the office. She could hear him swearing and keys typing.

Her fingers clamped and unclamped the knob. They were shaking. She wasn't sure if they were shaking from the cold or the nervousness. She wished she didn't have to see him again but god how she needed that phone.

At last, Abigail knocked and announced herself. Suddenly, everything went quiet from inside the room as she waited for permission. The dreadful silence made her think that maybe he didn't hear her. She raised her knuckles, about to knock again.

"Come in." His deep voice seeped through the door.

She took a deep breath and entered the office. He sat at the desk, heavily concentrating on a laptop with a stack of files on one side.

"I… I'm sorry. I think I left my phone here--"

Lucas waved a hand at her, pausing her immediately. His gesture was telling her to get away from his presence and do whatever she came here for.

Luckily, this was in Abigail's favor. She would rather have as little interaction with him as possible until he leaves. Making her way through the office, into his bedroom, passed the bathroom and to the walk-in closet, she went straight to the shelf.

Bare.

Where's her phone?

She bit her nails. She could've sworn she left it right here. Maybe it was a lower shelf. She looked. None. Maybe it was a higher shelf. None.

Abigail heard footsteps behind her. She turned around just in time to see Lucas walking past the closet entrance and heard a faucet turned on. Her chest tightened and her breath caught in her throat.

She saw the image of Lucas. She blinked. Her heart rate fastened. Her breathing rapid. He filled the whole doorway. He got closer and closer. His stature loomed over her. She backed up. His eyes were bloodshot.

"I've killed before," they said. "You're mine."

She squeezed her eyes shut, wanting to scream, wanting to get out of here as soon as possible. Her head felt dizzy and her breathing was short and quick. Heat rose up her neck as if strangling her.

"Hey." A voice called from across the room.

Abigail opened her eyes and looked up. Lucas peeked a head inside the closet. He wasn't even by the doorway. His face was freshly washed with shiny dots of water dancing on his gorgeous face. His body came into view and he held a small towel, drying his hands and dabbing his cheeks.

She had imagined all of it, and she wasn't feeling well. Even a little perspiration had appeared on her forehead. Her eyes were wet but not noticeable from this distance. Without saying anything, she dashed out of the closet.

"You looking for this?"

Lucas held a phone in his hand. She turned and looked at it. This stupid device almost gave her a panic attack. She took the phone and thanked him. It was best to leave right away than to stay and have him question her strange attitude.

"Before you leave, who's been keeping my quarters?"

She halted in her trails again. Unable to face him, she answered without turning around.

"Your Housekeeper, Maid Harriet."

"Have her change the entire office with the new equipment I just ordered. I want everything in here out. Supplies will arrive tomorrow morning. My secretary will be of assistance to her as soon as she lands."

As he said this, he made his way back to the desk in long strides. She followed suit and waited patiently in front of him until he finished, though she could barely hold herself up. Her face was drained of colors.

"You may go." He batted at her from underneath. His eyes showed no concern for her wellness.

~~~~~~~~

John Campbell had never hated anyone as much as he hated Lucas Barrington. His very existence irritated John to the deepest part of his soul. The guy could drop dead tomorrow and it wouldn't make a difference in the world. That was why he could care less if the Young Master made it to his wedding or not. Very much preferred his absence, though.

As much as they were father and son, Lucas and Sir Barrington could not be any more different. The Campbells owed their whole lives to Sir Barrington's generosity, while the Young Master put them through hell.

Growing up, Lucas was against John in every possible way. They squabbled frequently as children, always over petty toys and slick comebacks. John, always getting lectured by his Father afterward, and Lucas, leaving without so much as a warning. The privilege of being born with a silver spoon could not be any more true.

As much as Sir Barrington loved John and Abigail, he adored his only child even more and that gave him an overbearing personality. There was never a time when Lucas didn't get what he wanted. The newest toys would be his first, then passed down to John when he got bored of them.

What's truly evil was when he came back for those he already gave away. The son-of-a-bitch knew the exact moment when John had gotten attached to a toy and will purposely retrieve it.

And then came sweet, sweet Abigail. When she was born, John was seven and Lucas was nine. The minute John saw her, he knew he loved her. And he had to protect her from the same hell of the Young Master.

Abigail was his savior from the tyrant rich kid. He would avoid Lucas if he babysat her in the nursery, and he knew Lucas would never come to the nursery. Abigail was his ticket to freedom. In her own little way of being born, she was protecting him. And he later protected her.

John hadn't seen Lucas in three years, and damn, it was a great three years without him in the Manor. Why did he have to break the streak now?

John thought it would be better to seek the man rather than an unexpected encounter for their first meeting. At least in this way, he had control of the situation.

He was told by the maids that they saw him out back on the patio. The sun was rather bright but gladly hiding behind white clouds. The summer breeze was still in the air at this time of year. The first week of August usually had the best weather. It was a small reason why he chose this date.

When John got to the patio, he didn't see anyone there. With hands on his hips, his eyes scanned the table still daddled with light refreshments.

"The bastard just left," he commented. "Glad he saw me coming."

His feigned disappointment cleared when his phone rang. He saw the screen and the corner of his lips pulled up. Claire had arrived.


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