Novel Storm
45
Naya walked to the room with a sullen look on her face.
She still couldn’t forget what happened just a few minutes ago, Rhys acting heartlessly and cutting off Walter’s finger despite all the pleadings.
She knew he was ruthless but not this heartless.
She had walked away from the room, as she couldn’t bear to watch and luckily, Rhys did not stop her and just allowed her to leave.
She walked into her room and banged the door behind her loudly.
“Oh fuck!” Naya cursed as she rested against the door helplessly.
It was kind of her fault, she escalated the issue, but Sophia was at fault as well for being so proud and cocky.
As Naya’s back rested against the door, her breath came in ragged, unsteady gasps. The scene played over and over in her mind, the sickening snap of bone, Walter’s pained cries, and Rhys’ cold, indifferent expression.
She sank to the floor, her knees unable to hold her weight any longer. The guilt weighed heavily on her, like shackles around her ankles, pulling her down into the abyss of her own making.
“It’s my fault,” she whispered, her voice barely audible amidst the storm of emotions raging inside her.
“No it’s not” she muttered again in confusion, but then…
She lifted her gaze to look at the bed. The salesgirl had already brought the clothes she supposedly brought from the mall.
She signed looking away, clothes were not her problem. She only selected them because of Rhys, not that she actually wanted it.
Her plan was to send some to Zara, Zara would appreciate it.
“Forget about it Naya, there’s nothing left to do anymore..” she said to herself as she sat up from the ground.
“Get a grip of yourself..” she sighed walking over to the bed.
Her eyes raked through the bunch of clothes, shoes, bags and jewelry.
Now it was up to her to arrange them in the closet before Rhys arrived.
She immediately began to put everything together.
Naya’s hands moved mechanically, folding and stacking the clothes, placing shoes in the closet, arranging bags and jewelry with a precision borne of desperation.
With each item she placed, she was reminded of the stark contrast between her life now and the one she once knew. A life where laughter came easily and where family meant more than designer labels.
She paused for a moment, her gaze drawn to a delicate necklace, a single teardrop diamond catching the light and refracting it into a kaleidoscope of colors.Text content © NôvelDrama.Org.
“It’s pretty..” she smiled, admiring the necklace. It was going to suit Zara perfectly.
“I’ll give her this..” Naya stayed, keeping the necklace aside for her sister.
After she was done arranging the clothes and putting everything in order.
It was time to freshen up, just a while ago, Naya felt hungry but she had lost all her appetite, she just wanted to sleep and rest her head.
Naya let out a tired sigh, her shoulders slumping as she surveyed the now spotless room. A shower, she thought, that would help. At least, it would wash away the grime and sweat, if not the weight of her burden.
She shed her clothes, letting them crumple into a pile on the floor, then stepped into the hot spray of the shower. The water ran down her body like a thousand tiny needles, prickling her skin and dragging her back to the present.
“Focus on the task at hand,” she reminded herself. “Find a way out.” She added. Walter was the least of her problems.
After showering, Naya got dressed in her night wear.
The room was still empty. Rhys was not yet back and that was a big relief to her.
She immediately climbed the bed to have a good night’s rest.
Naya slid into the bed, the cool sheets offering little comfort against the chill that had settled deep within her bones. She rolled onto her side, pulling the covers up to her chin. It seemed like sleep was eagerly waiting for her as she fell into a deep sleep immediately after.
…..
The night was cold and silent, the only light in the hallways was the light from the fire torches.
Rhys walked like a predator in the darkness, looking like the devil himself.
He held a stoic look on his face.
The hallway stretched out before him, each step a drumbeat of retribution. Rhys’ gaze was cold and unyielding, his jaw clenched with purpose. With every step, his anger mounted, fed by the memory of Naya’s defiance, her soft-hearted nature that had betrayed him.
He finally stopped at a point as if sensing a presence.
“What?” He asked, bringing out a cigarette from his pocket which he lit.
“Your sister is coming over to shadowvale..” The voice announced as Draven emerged from the shadows.
“And I guess you’re pleased about that..” Rhys scoffed in sarcasm, puffing out smoke from his mouth. His sister and Draven had history together. Not that he cared.
“I have no business with her Rhys..” Draven drew out lazily.
Draven’s words, as casual as they sounded, did not slip by Rhys unnoticed. There was a hidden weight to them, a history that he was well aware of, and one that he had no desire to revisit.
“Stop her from coming. I don’t want her here..” Rhys said in a stern voice.
“She should continue being a mommy’s girl and remain in Britaris..” Rhys added.
“You know Rhea, Rhys she never listens..” Draven drew out as Rhys rolled his eyes.
Rhys’ brows knit together, his jaw clenched with frustration. He knew all too well that his sister, stubborn and headstrong as she was, would not be easily dissuaded from her course.
“Rhea has always been a thorn in my side,” he spat, turning away from Draven and pacing the hallway.
“Fuck! She’s only going to make trouble..” Rhys stated. He knew fully well that there was no stopping Rhea.
She was hotheaded, a trouble maker and he was sure that his father had sent her. To do what? Persuade him? Rhea was the last person he’d ever listen to.
“Let her come and she’ll fuck off just the same way she came..” Rhys said in a low voice.