KATALINA
“Where the hell is my phone?”
I snapped at the empty bedroom after searching for several minutes.
This sham of a wedding was done in a hurry. I didn’t have my things with me. I wanted to ask Emilia to help me bring some of my stuff. Especially my skincare and sanitary products. Huracio had filled the walk-in closet with female clothes and many things, but I wanted my own sanitary products.
“knock, knock!
Someone knocked on the door.
“Come in!” I snapped exasperatedly.
The door opened and Rosa poked her head in.
“Madam, Master Huracio said he is waiting for you.” She said in a steady, strong voice. It sounded sanctimonious and principled. It instantly hit on my nerves. Knowing a woman who sounded like my high school disciplinary committee’s head,- works for a horrendous person like Huracio pissed me off. She definitely knows the kind of person he is, yet works for him. How dare she sound so uptight and decent? I clenched my hands and took a deep breath.
“Will be right there.” I snorted without sparing her a single glance.
Walking was painful. I wobbled, holding my legs apart to prevent my thighs from brushing against each other.
When I got downstairs, I found him at the dining table. A few dishes were spread out with two sets of plates and cutlery. One was in front of him, and the other was placed right beside him.
The moment I saw the food, my stomach did a flip and grumbled.
Startled and embarrassed, my hands went round my tummy, before I could stop myself. The last meal I had was from the previous day. That was a cup of hot chocolate and two waffles, with a scrambled egg.
“I can’t find my phone.” I scoffed, intent on ignoring the food.
“It’s with me.”
“I need it.” I frowned, pissed that he even touched it without my permission.
“No. You don’t.”
My heart skipped at his words.
“What do you mean?”
“You will have no access to your phone or anything until you learn to be a good pet.”
“I am not a pet!” I yelled as tears cascaded down my eyes. I didn’t want to cry, but I couldn’t stop it either.
“You are whatever I say you are. Prove your obedience by accepting that you are a pet.” he casually shrugged.
“Why? Why are you doing this to me? I already said I will be obedient. How did I offend you?”
“They are your best dishes. Braised Salmon, braised Broccoli with mushrooms, coleslaw, and a bowl of rice noodles in clear soup.”
He ignored my questions and started introducing the dishes. As he named each dish, he opened the bowls, and their aroma slowly spread around the room. When they hit my nose, I nearly doubled over because my stomach started biting me.
“Obediently sit down and eat like a good kitty. If your performance pleases me, I might reconsider.”
I initially had the intention to refuse the food, but my will was weakened by his words. Completely helpless, all I had left was my rage. But it was also useless. I wiped my face with the back of my hands and wobbled over to the table.
Rosa hurried to the designated seat on Huracio’s right and drew out the chair.
Sitting down was an ordeal, and having Huracio and Rosa there to witness my pain and discomfort was infuriating as hell.
Huracio picked up a tong and used it to grab a slab of salmon.
“Rosa used your mother’s recipe to prepare the salmon. Try it.”
“I can serve myself!” I snapped and shifted my plate away from him as he tried to drop the fish in it.
“…”
Silence descended on the room, but I was too angry to care.
“Madam, let me serve you. Just tell me whatever you want.”
Trying to diffuse the tension, Rosa stepped forward with a motherly smile.
That sanctimonious tone gritted on my nerves. I slowly lifted my eyes and gave her a deathly glare.
Shocked, she paused and quickly took a step back. With a slight bow, she cleared her throat. “My apologies, ma’am.”
Rolling my eyes, I turned back to the table, only to find Huracio glaring at me. The tong was still suspended in the air, and the juice from the salmon was dripping down.
Ignoring him, I picked up an extra fork and vehemently stabbed it into the tray of soft fish slabs. The one I targeted scattered instantly, making a mess.
The tension heightened.
Twitching my nose, but refusing to feel bothered, I gathered the scattered fish and used a spoon to gather it into my plate.
Well, stabbing that fish was quite satisfying. I wished it was his dick.
Having not eaten for such long hours, though my stomach was revolting, it wouldn’t be able to take much. So after getting some fish, I just served myself some clear soup, leaving the noodles out.
As I started sipping the hot soup, warmth returned to my body. I started feeling alive again.
The meal was concluded in silence. Once I was done with the soup, I stood up, ready to leave.
“Wait!” Huracio broke the silence.
Clenching my dress by the helm, I huffed and sat down.
Now what?
“Apologize to Rosa and thank her for the meal.”
“Hm? You said?” Befuddled, I glared at Huracio in surprise. That was what he wanted to talk about. Is he crazy or something? “Why?” I continued.
“Though Rosa manages the affairs of this house, she is like a mother to me. You have to give her such respect.” He replied in a low voice. I could feel the intense rage brimming on the surface, needing an excuse to burst forth.
But I am Katalina. Gentle on the surface. Easy going, but defiant to a fault. It’s like my mother didn’t tell this guy the kind of person I am.
Saying sorry for being wrong is easy for me. But asking me to apologize, when I didn’t do anything wrong?
Preposterous!