บท 13: You insane woman!

"I believe in give and take. Whatever you do to me, a repercussion of it you've to face. I don't like to use violence and I expect the same from you, Suzy. Most importantly, your body doesn't interest me, so I will never initiate anything intimate with you," Chris asserted, a threatening glint in his eyes.

"Step away from me and release my wrists," Suzy implored, her tone urgent.

"I'm not finished," Chris declared, his words leaving Suzy intrigued about his next move. As their eyes locked, he pressed on, "Divorce me as early as you can. I have been lenient on you till now, but I won't be anymore."

His fingers slowly eased their grip on her wrists, and he shifted to the other side of the bed, allowing distance to settle between them. With a deft motion, he reclined on the bed, turning his back towards Suzy. A simple double clap and the room plunged into darkness, save for a faint glimmer from the balcony that cast a partial illumination, painting a fragment of the space.

As the racing cadence of Suzy's heart gradually subsided, she turned her head to observe him. Amidst the shadows, she found herself captivated by the one quality he deliberately chose not to go close to her against her wishes.

Unavoidably, her thoughts wandered towards the mischievous tendencies of Chris. He was not the sort of man content with silence. She speculated that he might seek her company to conjure up delightful disturbances—circumstances she was determined to stave off. Amid the subdued lighting, her gaze stumbled upon an enigmatic tattoo etched at the center of his nape, though its full form remained elusive. With time, her eyelids grew heavy, and the embrace of slumber overcame her.

~~~~~~~~

The next morning, Suzy stirred from her slumber with the first light of day. A consistent routine dictated her awakening, for regardless of the hour she retired to bed, her eyes would unfailingly open by the stroke of six, or sometimes even prior.

With a languid stretch, she extended her arms, her gaze falling upon Chris who remained nestled in sleep. His countenance was unveiled before her, and a fleeting spark of surprise ignited within her as she noticed the unfastened buttons of his shirt, revealing his bare chest to her still-naive eyes.

Suzy promptly moved her eyes away only to succumb to curiosity's pull and cast another fleeting glance in Chris's direction. Shaking her head to banish such thoughts, she carefully swung her legs over the bed's edge, the weight of her gown a palpable presence as she stood.

Her steps led her towards the door, her gown's fabric cascading around her as she moved. Gripping the doorknob, she tentatively turned it, her heart skipping a beat when it yielded and the door swung open. With a mixture of surprise and curiosity, Suzy stepped out of the room.

Descending the stairs, her intent centered on encountering Lionel and inquiring about the availability of comfortable attire for a change. And as if on cue, Lionel emerged into the living room, his presence marked by a luggage bag he carried.

"Good morning, Young Mistress," Lionel greeted with a respectful nod, his voice warm and deferential. "You woke up early," he said with a surprising tone.

Reciprocating the greeting, she said, "Yes, I am a morning person." Suzy engaged Lionel, inquiring if the bag he held contained the clothing she sought. The previous day's hurried departure had left her with no opportunity to pack her belongings, and the need for a fresh set of clothes was paramount.

"Certainly, Young Mistress. The bag contains the clothing you'll need. I'll place it outside your room," Lionel informed, his steps purposeful as he maneuvered the bag towards the staircase. Grateful for his assistance, Suzy nodded his appreciation before ascending the stairs once more, accompanied by Lionel.

"I confided in you to use my name, Suzy. The formal title feels rather uncomfortable," she revealed, her tone genuine as she shared her preference. She further implored Lionel not to heed any contrary advice from Chris.

"Forgive me, Young Mistress, for not complying. Upholding my responsibilities demands a level of formality," Lionel expressed with a respectful tone, regret lightly coloring his words. Politely delving into a more casual dialogue, he inquired about her rest, a touch of concern underscoring his query. "I trust the Young Master didn't cause you any undue distress?" he ventured, a hint of curiosity in his voice, seeking insight into the events of the previous evening.

"Indeed, I rested well," Suzy affirmed, memories of Chris's considerate gesture allowing her a peaceful night's sleep.

Coming to a halt outside her room, Suzy and Lionel shared a moment. "Young Master Chris has been absent from the college for a week now. I trust the Young Mistress can ensure his attendance moving forward. Master Arthur has conveyed this directive," Lionel conveyed, his words holding a mix of duty and concern. Suzy nodded in acknowledgment, signifying her understanding.

"I'll see to it that he returns to college," Suzy asserted, gratitude evident in her tone as she addressed Lionel's update. With a slight bow, he took his leave, disappearing from her view. Left to her own devices, Suzy maneuvered the luggage bag into her room.

Kneeling before the bag, Suzy unzipped it and discovered an assortment of attire neatly arranged within. Alongside the formal ensembles were various other clothing options. Swiftly selecting her choices, she made her way to the washroom.

An hour and a half later, she reentered her room, a renewed sense of freshness enveloping her. Depositing the gown onto the table, her eyes shifted to the remnants of last night's dinner still adorning the surface. Determined, Suzy collected the dishes, arranging them on a tray before descending to the kitchen.

Gently settling the tray onto the kitchen counter, Suzy retrieved a glass jar and filled it with cool water from the refrigerator. At that moment, Lionel entered the kitchen accompanied by the female chef, Doris, their conversation centered around meal preparations. Upon spotting Suzy, their attention shifted.

"Is there something you require, Young Mistress?" Lionel inquired promptly.

"Ahh, nothing. Please continue," Suzy said and exited the kitchen.

As the clock ticked away, Suzy arrived at the bedroom, her steps leading her to Chris's side of the bed. The morning had progressed to 7:45 am, yet he remained entrenched in a deep slumber. Taking action, she unscrewed the lid from the jar, its chilly contents poised for action. In a daring move, Suzy directed the cascade of cold water first onto Chris's face and then onto his chest.

In an instant, a cacophony of startled shouts erupted from Chris's lips, a symphony of surprise as the frigid water found its mark, rousing him abruptly from his sleep.

"Good morning, Chris," Suzy greeted, her lips curling into a broad smile that radiated playfulness.

"You insane woman!" Chris bellowed at her.