GIANNA RAINE
I stepped out of my room. It was already dark, but the wall lamps gave enough light to see around.
I went down the stairs and headed to the kitchen. I looked for something to eat, but when I saw it, I suddenly lost my appetite.
This pregnancy is so hard. I don't even know what I want anymore. One moment, I crave something, and the next, I don't want it at all.
I just got a glass of water. There's a mini-fridge in my room, but for some reason, I didn't want water from there right now. As if the taste of water in the kitchen is somehow different.
"Gianna?"
I turned toward the voice calling my name. Even though it's a bit dark, I could make out who it was.
He turned on the kitchen light, and I was right-Stone was standing there.
He's still in his suit. He must have just come home from the party Inez mentioned earlier.
"What are you doing here? Why are you still awake? Are you feeling okay? Should I call the doctor-"
"I'm fine." I set my glass on the sink and walked back to my room.
"If you need anything, just tell me, Miss Gianna."
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Stone smile at me. Why is he being so nice?
Even though I am not paying him much attention, he still treated me well. I thought he'd be mad because I pushed him away earlier because of his scent.
Even before, when he was Elliott, he always treated me nicely.
Most of the other staff avoided me because they were afraid, so whenever Gio asked who wanted to watch over me when he left, no one volunteered.
No one volunteered except him. Stone, as Elliott, freely offered to take care of me, even when others avoided me. That's probably why, whenever Gio left and didn't need to take Elliott, he automatically stayed behind with me.
Because only Elliott-or Stone-showed a real willingness to be near me.
That's before, when my brother was still single and not married.
I pursed my lips but said nothing. I just held it in and decided to leave.
Why is it so hard for me to say thank you?
"Stone!"
I froze while going up the stairs when I heard a sharp female voice. I looked down to the first floor and saw a woman leaning on Stone's arm.
"Should we go to your room now? I know you're tired, darling. I can give you a massage."
There was something in every word she said. She was also touching Stone's chest.
I couldn't help but watch her hand slowly stroking his chest.
I didn't intend to stare for too long. Stone probably noticed me watching them. He looked surprised that I was still there, but before he could react, I looked away and walked up to the second floor, back to my room.
That night, I forced myself to sleep, even though my mind felt too busy to rest.
I'm eating my breakfast. I'm thinking of going out later to the nearest mall. I noticed that my clothes are running out. I need to buy some things I can use while I'm here. I could go back to New York for them, but that would be too much hassle.
While eating, I remembered the woman who was with Stone last night. Based on what I heard, it seems she stayed here. I wonder if they slept in the same room.
Other strange thoughts ran through my head. I shouldn't be thinking about what they might have done in the same room. Stone is an adult, and the woman looks legal. Whatever they did, it's none of my business.
"Inez," I called. She quickly came to me, probably thinking I needed something. "Do you know the woman who was with Stone last night?"
Inez paused for a moment, as if she was trying to figure out who I meant.
"If you're talking about his date last night, Miss, yes, I know her. She is Miss Isolde Dixon, the daughter of one of Sir Stone's business partners." Inez stepped closer. "At parties like that, Mr. Roman Dixon, Isolde's father, often talks to Sir Stone to bring his daughter along. I think they hope to pair her with Sir Stone."
I stared at Inez coldly. She blinked and, realizing her mistake, immediately covered her mouth.
"Oh, sorry, Miss Gianna. I know you were just asking about the woman, but I said too much."
I just continued eating. In the few days I've known Inez, she has slowly started to understand my personality.
But that wasn't the reason I kept giving her a cold stare.
I was quietly eating when I heard footsteps. The staff greeted her, and she sat at the head of the table. I looked up briefly and raised an eyebrow when I saw Isolde Dixon.
What is she doing here? Didn't she know the head of the family should sit at the center? Or maybe this is how they do things.
"Hi," she greeted me. The staff immediately served her.
She was still wearing her nightgown. I didn't respond and just continued eating.
"Don't you know that if someone greets you, you should greet back? You're so rude."
I still ignored her. I didn't care if she thought I was rude.
She scoffed when she realized I wasn't going to respond.
"Anyway, who are you? I've never seen you here before, and judging by the fact that you're eating with me, you're not one of Stone's staff."
I still didn't give her any attention. I didn't want to waste time on someone like her.
I noticed her jaw tighten. She was probably annoyed because I kept ignoring her.
"Are you deaf or mute? I'm talking to you, but you're not answering me. Really now?"
At this point, I knew she's pissed. I could feel her irritation growing because I refused to respond.
I heard the sound of a chair moving. She stood up and walked toward me, holding a glass of water.
Isolde stopped beside me. "Do you know what people who ignore me usually get?"
She poured the cold water on me. I froze at what she did.
The maids gasped after seeing it. Some tried to approach Isolde, but she seemed to threaten them with her glare.
As much as I hate interacting with people, I don't tolerate disrespect.
"There. Maybe now you'll pay attention to me-"
I grabbed my cup of coffee and poured it on her. She screamed, obviously because the coffee was hot.
I quickly pulled out the small knife from the holster on my leg and threw it beside her. The blade was sharp, and when it grazed her hair, it cut some strands and scratched her neck. Her eyes widened at how fast it happened.
The knife hit the wall.
"If people aren't paying attention to you, take the hint and leave them alone."
Isolde held her bleeding neck, glaring at me. She raised her hand. If she tried to slap me, I was ready to ruin her pretty face in return.
"How dare you!"
Before Isolde could slap me, someone grabbed her wrist. I stayed seated, not flinching. I wasn't going to avoid her slap but she should know what would happen to her if she tried.
"What are you doing?"
Stone got my attention the moment I heard the sharpness in his voice. He was staring at Isolde, and even if he tried to hide it, he was clearly angry with her.
"Stone-" Isolde quickly fixed her expression, pretending to look pitiful.
I looked at her with boredom. Here comes the victim card. So annoying.
If Constantine De Graaf took her side, I would not hesitate to leave his house. I only accepted his offer to find out whether he was connected to the father of my child or... if he was the father himself.
"She poured hot coffee on me! Look at my neck-it's burning! And there's a scratch from the knife she threw at me! This b***h-"
Stone harshly let go of her wrist, almost making her lose her balance.
"Get out of my house." His voice was calm, but sharp enough to cut.
"What-"
"You heard me. Don't make me repeat myself. Out."
The woman's eyes widened. "You're going to regret this, Stone."
"The only people who will regret this are your family, Isolde, once I stop sponsoring the Dixon family. Don't you dare disrespect my guest again."
That stopped Isolde. She looked at me, but I kept my expression neutral.
"I hate you!" She marched off. I didn't care where she went.
Stone turned to me, and his previous harsh expression softened. "Are you okay, Miss Gianna?"
I looked into his eyes and felt something strange again, so I quickly looked away.
"I'm fine. You should be asking her that."
Stone sat beside me. He quickly grabbed a clean towel, and as he was about to dry my hair, he hesitated.
Maybe he thought I wouldn't want to be touched.
I didn't move, keeping my gaze straight ahead. I felt the soft towel gently touch my head as he started drying my hair.
I let him.
Normally, I don't let anyone touch me easily, so it was a little surprising that I allowed him to do this.
"I'd like to apologize for what ha-"
"You don't have to," I interrupted. "I poured hot coffee on that poor girl; we're even."
I looked at Stone. He paused what he was doing, and we made eye contact. I couldn't hold it for long, so I quickly looked away again.
Why do I keep avoiding his gaze?
"I need to go to the mall later. I'm just letting you know since I'm staying under your roof."
He nodded. "I'll come with you."
I frowned at him. "I don't need you babysitting me, Stone. I can manage on my own."
Stone smiled at me. "I know that very well, Miss Gianna. I just want to go with you because I know you're not familiar with the place. And you're pregnant. I want to take care of you as best as I can while we haven't met the father of your child."
Something caught in my throat, so instead of speaking, I stayed silent. I think this is the first time Stone and I had a proper conversation. Most of the time, he mixed it with jokes or teasing.
I looked away again and pretended to finish my food, even though I had lost my appetite.
Out of the corner of my eye, I could see Stone staring at me. Feeling uncomfortable, I looked back at him.
"Why are you looking at me? Stop that."
Stone smiled at me but didn't look away.
"That's an order, Elliott. Stop staring."
He flinched when I used that name. After a moment, he laughed and grinned at me.
"Yes, Ma'am." He stood and straightened himself. "I'll see you later."
He said something to Inez and left. I watched Stone until he was gone. I couldn't explain why I could watch him leave without a problem, yet I struggled to maintain eye contact with him.
