128 Shining Star
Day Twelve…
~~*****~~
Nathan didn’t know how he would respond to Stephen’s remarks. Stephen’s words had never crossed his mind. Did he really care about Abigail? He might be reacting unconsciously but he didn’t want to admit it.
“You are just overthinking, Stephen. I am only doing this because of Ethan. It’s Ethan who cares about her.” Nathan blatantly denied Stephen’s assumption by using Ethan for his argument.
Stephen let out a soft chuckle as he could tell that Nathan was just in denial.
“Are you sure, Nate? Is this all about Ethan? Or is it you? Your personal feelings are getting involved now,” Stephen insisted, looking at Nathan with a teasing smile.
Nathan narrowed his eyes at Stephen, glaring at him. “You are talking nonsense, Steph. Just leave me alone.”
“Fine! I won’t tease you anymore. Besides, I’m just stating what I have observed for today and for the past few days.” Stephen shrugged his shoulders.
Nathan just shifted his gaze back to Phantomflake. He realized that he had no time for these distractions. He had to focus on getting his revenge. He could no longer wait to see Phantomflake waking up.
It did not take long when Dr. Doreen entered the ward. She was surprised to see Nathan and Stephen. She thought Veronica and Nathan were enjoying their moments in White Paradise Resort.
“Mr. Sparks, you are here already. Where’s Dr. Veronica?” Dr. Doreen asked Nathan in puzzlement. Stephen was still in his beachwear while Nathan changed into his usual clothes.
“She left without a word a while ago,” Stephen replied.
Nathan’s face grew hard at the mention of Veronica’s name. She showed some attitude and she was not so welcoming when Abigail, Kathleen, and Stephen.
Dr. Doreen wondered what happened to their beach trip. She decided to call her doctor friend to inform her that Nathan was already in the hospital.
“I’m going back to the hotel first,” Nathan said, saying goodbye to Stephen.
“Where is your hotel?” Stephen held his elbow. Stephen, Abigail, and Kathleen hadn’t checked in yet into a hotel.
Nathan stopped when he heard that. He almost forgot to ask Stephen and Abigail where they were going to stay here in Country F.
“Ramenx Crowne Hotel,” Nathan immediately responded. He wanted them to book a room in the same hotel. “How long will you be staying here?”
“It depends on the Ladies. I’m just here to accompany them as their bodyguard.” Stephen chuckled as he recalled how Kathleen invited him.
“Where are your luggage? Bring them to Ramenx Crowne Hotel. Let’s go back together.” Nathan suggested to Stephen. He was thinking of going back to Country M together with Abigail and Stephen.
“Hmm, do you want us to join you again?” The way Stephen was looking at him seemed like he was telling Nathan ‘See. I told you. You care for her. You want to be with her.’
Nathan just ignored Stephen’s meaningful glances. “Yes. There are lots of vacant rooms in the Ramenx Hotel. Stay there.” Nathan said in his commanding tone. He didn’t even consult them. He just told Stephen to stay with them.
“Go and check Kathleen and Abigail. Just relay to them that you are going to Ramenx Crowne Hotel,” Nathan added.
He didn’t wait for Stephen to reply. He just walked out of the VIP ward. Nathan wanted to be alone and reflect on Stephen’s words. What was Abigail to him? Why was he acting strangely when it came to Abigail?
Nathan proceeded to the hotel. When he entered the room, he slumped his body on the bed, looking at the ceiling blankly. He blinked several times and took a deep breath.
He felt like something was wrong with him. He wondered why Stephen could tell that his emotions were being affected by Abigail. Was it so obvious? He didn’t even realize that he was acting that way.
“Abigail Scarlett… What did you do to me?”
He was still lost in his deep thoughts when he heard the sound of his doorbell.
*Ding Dong Ding Dong!*
The sound of the doorbell snapped him out of his deep thoughts. He lazily dragged his body up and traced his steps towards the door.
When he opened it, Veronica’s upset face came into his view. She looked so frustrated about something.
“Why did you leave me behind?” Veronica complained to Nathan. She could no longer hold her emotions. She found out that Nathan brought Abigail to the hospital. It was Kathleen who informed Veronica about it, taunting her.
“You disappeared on your own. We needed to go to the hospital as Abigail’s eyes got hurt,” Nathan simply explained.
“Why didn’t you inform me? Why did I have to hear it from other people?” Veronica vented out, nagging him as if she was his girlfriend. The driver of their rented vehicle was the one who told her that he saw Nathan leaving together with three people.
“Because it was you who caused Abigail to get hurt,” Nathan sternly said. He was letting this slide because of Monica. Veronica was a very important person to his beloved woman.
As much as possible, he didn’t want to get mad at her. But Veronica was testing his patience. He was not that blind. He could sense that Veronica was sometimes acting like she was Monica. But in fact, she had no power or influence over him. He could feel annoyed if Veronica was acting like she was his girlfriend.
Veronica was rendered speechless as she couldn’t refute that. How did Nathan know?
After her long silence, Veronica spoke up once again and questioned Nathan’s actions. “Why Nathan? Are you getting mad at me because of her? Do you like Abigail? Do you care for her? Is she that important to you? Do you have feelings for her?”
Veronica lost control as she bombarded him with so many questions.
Nathan’s expression darkened as he didn’t want the way Veronica was questioning him right now. She had no right to do that. It was his personal life. Why did she care? She was not Monica.
“Veronica… I’m tired. Just leave.” Nathan was trying to control his temper.
“No. I will not leave unless you will give me a proper answer. Nathan, be honest with me! Are you betraying my sister? Are you replacing her in your heart with this actress?! How could you do that? I thought you would do anything to get your revenge for my sister. Why are you getting close with another wo–”
*Slap*
Veronica was not able to finish her words as Nathan’s palm landed on her face. He failed to control himself and ended up slapping Veronica’s face.
“You don’t have the right to talk to me like that. Know your place, Veronica!” Nathan said to her through his gritted teeth.
Veronica was shocked beyond belief. She lifted her hand to hold her face. She didn’t expect that Nathan would lay a hand against her. That was an unexpected slap coming from him. Then she realized her mistake.
‘Never question Nathan about his love towards Monica!’
Veronica was a witness who could tell how much Nathan loved her late sister, Monica. He would do anything for her!
She didn’t know if this slap was an awakening for her, reminding her how important Monica was to Nathan.
“I. Am. Not. Betraying. Monica!” Nathan emphasized each word to her. “Abigail has nothing to do with me. She is just a stranger who saved my son, Ethan. That’s our relationship. Now, are you satisfied to hear this? Then get out! LEAVE!” He didn’t want to hurt Veronica but she just went overboard with her sharp words.
For Nathan, nothing changed. Monica was still the woman in his heart, although he couldn’t explain why he was being affected by Abigail. He also felt guilty for getting intimate with Abigail. He thought it was just a result of his longing for Monica. He didn’t want to acknowledge that he enjoyed the moment because of Abigail.
Bam!
Veronica dashed out of his room and closed the door with a loud bang. She cried as she ran away from him. She was very hurt because Nathan slapped her. She had never imagined that Nathan would do that to her.
When Veronica left, Nathan felt like his energy was drained. Stephen confronted him a while ago about his feelings towards Abigail. And now, Veronica did the same thing. He was getting mad about this because even he himself was confused about his feelings.
To divert his attention, Nathan walked toward his study area and switched on his laptop. He clicked a certain app that requested his log-in details.
Username: SizzlingAugust08
Password: *Syphiruz*
Complicated emotions flashed through Nathan’s eyes as he glanced at his computer screen. Sadness, longing, love, and anger could be seen on his face.
Nathan opened an old conversation he had with his chatmate, Shining_Star. This was his way of recalling his special moment with Monica ever since the two of them met. Then a series of flashbacks came into his mind.