Chapter 43

She gave a last look for the mansion she grew up to before entering the pick-up. All her belongings were in the back of the car and the car stereo was ringing loudly. In fact, her ears were almost shattered by the noise but she remained silent and stared out the window.

The driver glanced at her in the rearview but did not waste his saliva to ask if she was okay. That's better. Jewel was not in the mood to speak. A part of her wanted to go back to the mansion but there was also part of her who wanted to go back to Gideon's house. She was confused.

The part that wanted to go back to Gideon's house was partly afraid of what she found out earlier. And the part that wanted to go back to the mansion's the part that's ashamed of what she found out -- the truth of those strange red marks on her skin.

She was confused, didn't know if she regret that she put on the camera or be relieved because she knew no one's raping her every night?

The volume of the music lowered. "Maam, same house in Cansanit?" the driver asked.

Jewel nodded.

The driver contemplated for a moment and asked, "Your husband didn't come to fetch you, Maam Laine?"

She just closed her eyes. But eventually opened them, afraid that if she'll fall asleep, she would undress in the backseat giving the driver a heart attack.

"Maam," the driver called again.

She frowned. Why was he so noisy? Jewel sighed and answered without emotion. "He's busy."

A few more minutes and they reached Gideon's house. She stepped out of the car and saw the driver putting down her suitcase on the ground.

"I'm leaving, Maam."

She just nodded and watched the vehicle run back to where they came from. When the car disappeared from her sight, she only felt the scorching heat of the sun on her skin.

Jewel immediately rang the doorbell. She waited for a few minutes before Dalya came out of the main gate.

The woman smiled at her. "Miss!"

Her finger pointed onto her other belongings lying on the side of the road. "Please just bring it inside," she said before pulling the suitcase and passing by the woman. She stepped straight into the yard.

But Jewel don't know the reason why when she stepped into the main door, she suddenly fell down. Her body laid down on the cold tiled floor.

"Miss Jewel!" it was Pedro's voice.

She felt her body rose from the floor and was carried onto the air, laying her down on a soft thing. Jewel opened her eyes and the ceiling was the first thing she saw. She's in the living room. Pedro must had laid her down on the sofa.

"She fell down. I don't know the reason," Pedro confessed.

"You failed to catch her? What if she hit her head on the floor? Pedro, you worthless thing!" Dalya yelled.

Jewel closed her eyes tightly. Her vision was spinning and bile's rising up, as if someone had dug into her stomach. She covered her mouth to avoid vomiting on the floor.

"Miss," Dalya said worriedly. "Sir Gideon isn't here yet. He'll be home later. What did you eat earlier Miss that you fall?"

She took a deep breath and slowly sat up. Dalya helped her. "The weather is too hot. Umm. Did you get my things in?" she asked, changing the topic as she looked away.

Jewel also didn't know the reason why she fell. Maybe she's fatigue? But she didn't work too hard while staying in her dad's mansion so it's not that reasonable.

"Yes, Miss."

"Good. Just help me bring them in my room ---"

"That, Miss..." Dalya bit her lower lip. "Sir doesn't want to open your room anymore. I don't know where the key is so until now your room is still closed."

Her eyes squinted. "What? And where will I sleep?"

"In Sir Gideon's room, Miss. He instructed us, to tell you'll sleep there from now on so he can watch over you."

Jewel gulped, hard. And slightly coughed. Pedro quickly ran to the kitchen to get a glass of water. "Here, Miss." He handed the glass to her.

She accepted it and took a sip, then she returned her gaze to the two. "He's kidding, right?"

"That's what he told us this morning," Dalya said.

She sighed. If her husband invited her last time, she would actually agree to sleep in Gideon's room. But because she found out her habits of undressing herself while asleep, she was hesitant to accept the offer.

What if he'll find out her secret? It's embarrassing by any chance!

But she was no longer in the Mansion. Maybe she won't undress while sleeping?

"Miss?" called Dalya.

Jewel blinked then shook her head. "No. Call Tang." She stood up and stepped up the stairs. "Get the key ---"

And she did not know what happened then. A few hours later, she woke up in a familiar room with gray ceiling.

What's unfortunate was that she did not wake up in bed. She woke up lying on the cold floor of Gideon's room. Jewel sat up and held onto her aching shoulder. But she was stunned when she saw herself naked and her clothes where missing. Again!

Jewel was afraid to look at her body. She hastily crossed her arms against her chest to cover herself and looked around.

It was getting dark inside the room and quiet. When she looked at the balcony, she noticed behind the thin curtain the setting sun. By chance it was close to six o'clock at night.

She had to get dressed before anyone could see her naked. Jewel got up quickly and searched the bed for her dress but saw nothing.

Where did her dress go?

And while she was looking for the dress, the door of the room suddenly opened. When her head snapped to the door, the light of the room lit up. Jewel closed her eyes in the sudden light.

"Jewel Laine!" Gideon exclaimed when he saw her naked. He immediately closed the door of the room.

Jewel quickly took the blanket off the bed and covered her body. Her shoulders went up and down as she tried to catch her fast breathing.

"W-What did you see?" She swallowed and averted her eyes from Gideon who was still staring at her in shock. "What did you see!" she repeated.

He blinked. A faint redness colored both of his ears. "You're... naked."

She rolled her eyes and pointed to the door. "Go out. Out!"

"What did you do, Jewel?" Gideon's eyes widened. "What are you searching and why are you naked in my room?"

She took a deep breath. "It's your fault! You didn't give me the key of my room! So bear with it!" Jewel adjusted the tightness of the blanket on her body and bit her lower lip.

'Sh*t!' she cussed in her mind.

Why didn't he open her room? If her room had been open and she had slept there before, Gideon would certainly not caught her in such a state.

And did she know that as far as Gideon's house, bad luck would follow her? Her face turned sour with annoyance. Looks like she needs to tie herself to the bed.

She heard Gideon's footsteps approaching in her direction. Her body stiffened, and breathed a sigh of relief when he picked something up at the foot of the bed.

Gideon stood neatly and showed her a dress. "Is this what you're searching for?"

Her eyes widened as she looked at it. "Y-Yeah." She stepped closer and took the dress from Gideon's hand. "L-Leave. I'll get dressed."

But Gideon just folded his arms and closed his eyes. "Not necessary."

"Excuse me, you're not leaving?" she asked, annoyed.

"No. Just wear that right in front of me. I want to make sure you're not doing foolish things."

"I rather stay in this state than undressing in front of you!" Her two eyebrows met. "You're crazy."

Gideon opened his eyes and just raised an eyebrow. He sat at the foot of the bed nad took off his shoes and socks. "There's nothing to worry about, Jewel. I've seen your body but I'm not in the mood, wife."

"You jerk!" She took the pillow with her free hand and threw it at Gideon. Her cheeks burned hot at what he was saying. "I can't believe you!"

But he just laughed in response. After he took off his pair of shoes and socks, he smiled and looked at her. "I'll leave after an hour. You sleep early tonight."

Jewel was stunned, frowning. "Y-You won't sleep here?"

"No." Gideon's smile widened, teasing her. "I will attend some sort of... conference." He stood up and suddenly took off his T-Shirt. Jewel looked away. "I'll come back after two days. If you need something, just ask Tang. Call me if there's an emergency."

She sighed. She had just returned to his house but he'll be gone for a few days. Even though she's annoyed with him from time to time, she couldn't hide that she will miss her husband even though he reprimanded her and she slapped him hard before.

Jewel closed her eyes firmly. Gideon seemed not someone whose hobby is to condemn because she heard nothing from Gideon. It was as if there was no shouting nor slapping happened between the two of them before.

They're back to being a couple. At least that's what she thought.

"Okay," she whispered and sighed softly.

He walked over to the cabinet next to her, then took a polo shirt, put it on, and turned to her. He stared at her face for a few seconds while buttoning the polo, grinning. "I'm glad you're back."

After buttoning his polo shirt, he walked out the door. "If you don't have plans to change your clothes, might as well don't walk outside of this room. I've married a decent woman, Jewel. Don't make me mad at your nakedness."

Her cheeks flushed as she glared at him. "Are you insulting me?"