Indebted: A Debt-p*****t Romance (English Version)

Chapter 3: Goodbye

"Come out to the dining hall. They'll be down in a minute," Ate Imelda said hurriedly, almost pushing me out of the kitchen.

After Suzeth and I got here, my only help was bringing the food off the long dining hall table. They didn't let me do anything else because they didn't want me to look sweaty and unkempt later during breakfast. It reminds me of when my mom tried to help the maids in the kitchen during important family gatherings at the mansion. The maids thought it wasn't necessary for my mom, as she was the wife of one of my grandfather's sons. I feel the same thing is happening to me, except I hold no importance to the family.

Nervously, I pinched my hands together as a sign of anxiety while heading to the hall. My heart was racing in my chest. I had no idea what to do. I was about to face Mr. Montevalles again. I can still feel the sting on my face from the slap he gave me yesterday. Suzeth was skilled at using makeup to hide the bruises. She said they looked unpleasant.

Should I show them customary respect despite being forced to be here?

And his son… he is rude, which is unsurprising considering his father. They are as cold as ice and as hard as a stone.

I sighed, trying to relax. All this worrying and thinking isn't helping me. I don't have to be overly kind to them, right? Considering our situation here, I just need to serve them as one of their maids. As long as I do my job right, everything should be fine.

I glanced at Ate Ime, who followed me with a juice tray and drinking glasses. I watched from the corner of my eye as she quietly put it on the table while pretending to busy myself with the utensils. I was about to stand beside her when I noticed an image casually emerging in my mind. He looked bored to death, his body stiff and rigid, with his shoulders hanging low. I quickly realized he was bored out of his mind.

Suddenly, my wild anticipation of meeting the old Montevalles vanished. Fueled by fear, my racing heart instantly stopped as if a wire in my body enabling it to beat had been cut. I became like a statue, gawking at his appearance. It was a moment of silence as I absorbed every detail of his plain, just-woken-up, expressionless face. And those dark eyes. My heart started pounding again.

“Good morning, Barron,” Ate Ime greeted him right after noticing his entrance as if she had been used to it for a long time now. She even gave him a genuine yet tight smile.

He was dressed in a suit, ready for work. I knew I should greet him to show respect, but my lips remained pursed. I watched him approach me, pinching my nails to calm my nerves.

“Good morning,” he whispered in a manly, deep voice. I could even smell the mint on his breath.

I prayed hard that he wouldn't notice me, but it was a futile prayer. My body stiffened when his arm slid around my waist, gently pulling me for a brief kiss on my cheek. I hoped he understood the widened eyes but for a different reason. I stiffened because of his action, but my eyes were wide open as if I had been electrified after seeing his son entering from the hallway.

His son wore a fitted black pullover, ripped jeans, and brown boots. His hair was damp, and his face was expressionless. His dark, intense eyes immediately connected with mine.

As I blinked, Mr. Montevalles had positioned himself at the end of the long table. Panic set in as I tried to figure out where I should be during their meal, but my mind went haywire when the son stood beside me. Around 7 a.m., he also gave me a morning kiss on my other cheek.

“Morning,” he whispered in a raspy morning voice, his lips lingering on my cheek for a few seconds. It was so fast that I could not get a glimpse of his eyes to see his reaction somehow. His alluring smell turned my stomach into something different. ‘It’s dangerous’ was all I could tell myself.

But I couldn't recover from it quickly. My eyes remained fixed on the entrance where the two had just walked in.

"Sit down," Ate Imelda whispered, lightly squeezing my arm to jolt me into motion. When I blinked again, I found myself sitting on a chair—the Don on my right and the son across from me. I was the only one in complete shock. They started their meal as if nothing had happened.

I blinked away the tears forming at my eyes' corners. Not because I wanted to cry but because I had been gawking so much. I couldn't move my neck to look around and away from the two.

Then, my eyes darted to Ate Imelda, who stood quietly in the far corner, looking straight at me as if she had been trying to penetrate the brass wall. Her face showed nothing, but her eyes seemed to speak to me, pleading with me not to do anything foolish.

Is that it? Am I supposed to remain like a statue after receiving morning kisses from the two, as if they meant nothing and were typical for everyone? They wouldn't even know how they have shaken me to my core. I bet they would care if they saw my jaw hitting the ground, my heart pounding in my throat, or my eyes popping out of their sockets.

And why the hell am I sitting at this table with them? What am I supposed to do? How am I supposed to move?

I'm supposed to work here; that should be clear. Although Suzeth said I'm not here for that, I want to believe that’s the case.

Why am I wearing this expensive dress and joining them for a meal as if there isn't some sort of deal between my cousin and them? I have so many questions in my mind, but I have no idea how to put them into words or if I even have the right to ask.

"How's your deal with the Reyes?" Mr. Montevalles broke the silence with his question.

I stood straight and pinched my fingers under the table.

"Have you closed the deal already?" he added as they helped each other with their plates. It was like a typical morning to them, and it felt familiar to me—men talking over a meal about business, sports, politics, and business again.

“Yes," his son’s brief answer.

I blinked at the simplicity of their conversation. He had no intention of saying more, and his father didn't demand further explanation. His voice was foreign, but I couldn't place it. It was a baritone. Just like yesterday, it sounded odd; it even felt odd. I thought it was only due to fear and being in a rush to escape my captors, but it still had the same effect on me. Or was it because I still didn't feel okay now?

I shook myself inwardly. I'm probably still in a state of panic. Confusion has taken over me. What the hell is happening here?

They share the same features. It would be hard for them to deny their relationship, especially now that they are sitting next to each other—even their hair. The son has messy dark brown hair, while the father's hair is starting to turn gray. The son has a nice, toned build, while his father has broader shoulders. Mr. Montevalles also has a beard and a trimmed mustache.

It's noticeable how at ease he looks today compared to last night. He seems like a different person from the man I met yesterday. I then glanced at his son. I suddenly had a weird urge to see his eyes again, but he didn't lift his head anymore.

“Why are you not eating yet?” old Mr. Montevalles’ question struck me.

My lips parted as I pondered the proper answer. Now, he noticed me. The son kept his head down, focusing on his food. Why was he asking me as if everything was normal? As if they were used to having me at their table?

After a moment of simply watching me, I caught Mr. Montevalles from yesterday resurfacing. He put his utensils down and gave me his full attention. Danger rang in my head. I was about to blurt out random things when Ate Ime intervened.

“She is waiting if you’d both like the food. She helped us cook everything and woke up early for it.” Her voice came out a little fast and shaky, but she made a great effort not to make it sound too obvious. “Right, Madame?”

I blinked several times. Madame?! She is addressing me in that way too!

Despite the confusion consuming me, I managed to nod. Manang Imelda saved me from something inevitable, so I played with whatever she wanted.

"Really?” Mr. Montevalles raised his brow in awe. It’s frustrating, but I couldn't help but be frozen again.

Why the hell are they acting like it’s all normal? Is it even real, or am I dreaming? Is this a nightmare?

“You don't have to. Ate Ime prepared breakfast too early. You don’t have to get out of bed that early, either. But anyway, this is good.”

A supposed smile came out like I was constipated. He called Manang Imelda Ate. Is that how he called her the head of their staff? I'm still determining.

I followed his gaze when he turned to his son for an answer. He nodded to his father and, without meeting my gaze, nodded at me too.

“It tastes... good.”

I looked at the food on the table. I was sure this was too much for the two or three of us, as I was sure they were used to this breakfast. But where was the guest Ate Ime mentioned earlier? Don't tell me it's me. Am I… a guest here?

“Go eat your food. You can rest in your room after that. I just need to finish something in the office, and I’ll try to be home early.”

I nodded. I slowly took hold of the utensils, wondering if they would try to stop me, but they didn't mind as I started putting food on my plate. It felt like I was an animal in the wilderness, given food as bait while a camera watched. I began eating.

Now I'm sure I'm not here to be a maid. It's more than that. Joining them for breakfast means more than being a maid or guest.

I'm a debt p*****t, for God's sake! I can't find it in me to understand what's happening.

We ate in silence while my mind was filled with questions. Suddenly, a maid walked in from the entrance. I think it was the Lala mentioned earlier. She had long black hair and naturally tanned skin. She had dimples on her left cheek that barely showed when she spoke. She held out a wireless phone as an excuse for her sudden entrance.

“A phone call for Señorito,” she said in a low, hurried voice. Her head hung low, peeking through her eyelashes. Whoever is on the other line looks essential. “He said he’s Architect Rowin and demands to talk to the Señorito.”

I watched their señorito as he wiped his mouth with a napkin and excused himself. He stood from his seat, took the phone from Lala, and left.

I hadn't realized I was following him with my eyes. I jumped in shock when a hand landed on mine. Mr. Montevalles gently squeezed it. I immediately looked for Ate Ime's eyes, silently asking for her help. She nodded, indicating that I shouldn't worry. But I was already worrying too much since Dion announced my fate yesterday.

“Continue with your food. That's the architect assigned to reconstruct the building we bought for Mr. Reyes,” he explained, although unnecessary. I couldn’t help the confusion building in me, of course.

I couldn't understand why he was explaining this to me when, just last night, he was furious after catching me staring at his son. Last night, I was furious. Right now, I'm just curious.

I tried to smile at him, but I failed. It came out more like a wince. I slowly and cautiously pulled my hand away, and his brows furrowed. Initially, I wasn't aware of it, but I continued retracting my hand because I was becoming increasingly uncomfortable.

Something is wrong here.

I released my hand briefly before he snatched it back and tightly squeezed it.

“What are you doing?” he growled in a small but deadly manner.

I shook my head in confusion and terror. “I...I... my hand…”

We both glanced at our hands, and I noticed how pale he became while gripping mine. I gasped and winced in pain, searching for Ate Ime, who remained in the corner. Her head hung low, her eyes downcast and unseeing, but I knew she understood what was happening.

“Y―You’re hurting, M―Mr. Montevalles.”

“You should!” Now, his voice thundered. He was holding me tight. I was forced to stand when he abruptly stood. “You will get yourself hurt! How dare you deny yourself to me? And what did you just call me? Mr. Montevalles?”

Before I could process or understand his words, his hand flew and backhanded me across the cheek. The chair didn't support me, and we fell to the floor with a thud.

My eyes widened, and tears immediately welled up. My cheek burned against my palm. I noticed Ate Ime jump in shock too. I could see she wanted to help but was afraid.

Denying myself to him? And what's wrong with calling him Mr. Montevalles? Should I call him Don? What the hell?

I was still in awe as I tried to stand up. I let out a loud cry when he grabbed a handful of my hair and forced me to my feet. Now, this was the man my cousin sold me to. His right hand gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his anger-filled gaze.

“Don’t you dare try me, little woman! Why are you avoiding me?”

I shook my head in desperation, tears running fast down my cheeks. “I d―don’t understand. What is―”

“What?!” his voice came out louder. He tightened his hand around my hair.

“I don’t understand anything!” I bravely screamed in desperation. God, I’m going crazy! They are crazy! The way Ate Ime’s eyes went wide did not go unnoticed. We both screamed as Mr. Montevalles gave me another blow, bringing me back to the floor. This time, for trying to be brave!

Suppressing my cries, I looked up at him. At that moment, the son chose to reappear. Not because I couldn't read his face but because he showed no emotion. He wasn't shocked or horrified to see his father mistreating me. He didn't seem to care or give a damn. He returned to his seat and sipped his juice, utterly indifferent to what was happening. He didn't come to see what was going on or to help me. He didn't get involved.

Just becoming an assh*le.

His father acted as if nothing abusive had happened in their kitchen, as if he hadn't ranted about something I couldn't understand.

“I have to go. I need to talk to the engineers,” he said casually, as if there was no scene like this in their kitchen, as if his father was not having a rant about something I could not comprehend.

What am I here? Dion gave me a debt p*****t to be in this house. Why couldn’t they explain to me directly and clearly?

Mr. Montevalles fixed his tie as he looked at his son. “I’ll have to go too. Call me about how your deal goes.” His voice was angry, but he kept his cool for his son’s benefit.

I could not suppress the cry from my lips when Ate Ime helped me. They all act like nothing abusive has happened here, or so maybe I should act the same for my benefit as well.

“We'll talk later,” was Mr. Montevalles's baritone tone. It was anything but a threat.

I did not say anything. Instead, I was once again paralyzed when his lips lay flat on my cheek again. It stings with pain. Both because my cheek is sensitive from his assault and because I am purely disgusted.

I tried so hard to keep the anger from showing, and I prayed they wouldn't notice me glaring at them, especially when the son approached me. I expected him to do the same again. I tried so hard to make my whole system paralyzed, so I would not have to feel anything. I tried hard enough that I thought I succeeded.

With my eyes closed, I anticipated his action. But then, again, I was caught off guard when his lips touched my forehead. What shocked me to the core, though, was something I would never have thought he would say to me.

“Goodbye, Mom."

His words may come as a whisper and rasp, but the message was sent ideally, breaking down my entire world to its core.