"Aaaargh!!!"
Crackle!
That scream reverberated across the chamber. Gob and Marvin did nothing but keep their mouths shut. The books that were on the shelf scattered across the floor and the ceramicware on the table now shattered into million pieces. This is not the usual Nicholas. He used to be a cold and calm man, but now suddenly became an ill-tempered man.
Marvin looked at Gob that still lowered his face. Both of Gob's hands trembled and it made Marvin smile a little. Yes, this might be the first time for Gob to see Nicholas go on a fit of rage because Nicholas was seen as a rather cold and mysterious man, not a raging person like he saw at the moment.
"What should I do, Nick? I will do whatever you want as long as it can make you happy." Marvin said. Nicholas put his hands on the table and bowed down. Sweat dripped down his chin onto his table. In spite of heavy snowfall outside the building, he was literally in heat.
"What did Grace say, Gob? Can you tell me?" Nicholas asked Gob and ignored Marvin's question.
Gob barely raised his face because he was so afraid of him. His hands were trembling. He was really scared stiff of his master.
"Ms. Hester insists on being allowed to return home, Master. She refuses to eat, all she does for the past few days is cry." Gob barely answered.
Nick was enraged to hear that answer. He kicked the bookshelf next to him and it fell with a thundering noise. All the books inside it scattered all over the floor.
Gob flinched. Cold sweat drenched his body. He was frightened because Nicholas might kill him for doing a poor job at taking care of Grace.
"Fear not, my friend. Calm down. For if you exhibit fear, he will get even more exasperated and that may cost you…your life." Marvin whispered to Gob while smiling viciously.
Gob nodded in compliance. He wiped off the sweat from his forehead. His master, at the moment, is truly the most frightening entity he has ever come to face.
"You need a woman to warm your bed tonight, Nick?"
"Silence, Marvin!" Nicholas yelled and Marvin lowered his face again. Moments later, he take Gob away from that room. What Nicholas needed now was time for himself, not a person. Neither Gob nor Marvin.
After they both got away from that room, Marvin and Gob seated together. Gob still lowered his head and Marvin enjoyed a cigarette. He was smiling when he saw Gob's face that was pale as if he had just seen a ghost.
"You know what, Nick is really the worst when it comes to women. He is the kind of guy with a sexual perversion. I am certain that Ms. Hester is frightened after they do the business. Nicholas should have been a little more gentle. Look what happened now, the little girl he had waited for so long is afraid of him, tch! Pitiful, really."
Gob lowered his face again, then looked at Marvin. He was too afraid to say anything, but he knew that silence would not change anything.
"Ms. Hester is a rather naive woman. When she was gardening in the backyard, she told me of her life and her family to me, Master. She is an orphan that lives and grows with her little brother Korvin Hester. They complemented each other and never left one for another after their parents' untimely demise. Mr. Hester and Ms.Hester really depend on each other. Therefore, when Ms. Hester found out that she has no access to the internet or phone line, she looks so worried. Every night, I saw her pacing back and forth on her balcony or seated in silence. Especially after what Young Master Kyle did to her. I do not know, Ms. Hester's life must be tough now. To be honest, Master, I feel sorry for her. She is just a naive young lady. I could not understand what Young Master Kyle actually wanted. He should find a more gentle way to take her heart."
Marvin could only sigh heavily, then he looked at Gob. It was not as simple as Gob said. There was a very long story behind all these circumstances. This is just the beginning. Marvin could never imagine what would happen if Grace knew about the secret that Nicholas has kept for so long.
"Master, do you wish to have wine or any sort of refreshments? I will get one for you."
"Oh, you don't have to, really! In a moment, I will resume my work, friend. We got a new shipment of drugs by the port ready to be picked up." Marvin replied while winked naughtily at Gob.
Gob nodded and removed himself from the room. When he walked past Kyle family's library, he paused. Gob saw Nicholas slumped on the floor while holding his messy hair. Gob never thought his master would be so devastated over a little girl like Grace, Gob wondered, what was so special about that little girl Grace? He thought his master owned a lot of women who were prettier and more attractive in every way possible.
Gob drew a deep breath then proceeded to the kitchen to prepare something. He had to prepare dinner for Grace and persuaded her to eat. If he failed to do so, that girl would only get weaker and may eventually perish. At the moment, her body is already weak and skinny, her skin went pale, and the wound on her lips did not seem to heal. Truly in opposition to the condition of a luxurious residence with an abundance of resources. Right after he prepared the meal, Marvin came back to see Gob. He laced Grace's refreshment with an unknown powder.
"Do not force her to eat her food if she does not want to. Instead, make sure she drinks this. We do not want her to die in vain, right? Let me help you make her live longer."
"But, Master–"
"Relax, buddy! This is completely safe at the right dose. You do not need to worry. There is no way I would kill Nicholas Kyle's sweetheart, right?"
Gob felt assured and he nodded "You are right, Master!"
Right after that, Gob walked upstairs. He opened Grace's room that he had locked from the outside. Grace was seated in a curled position without any clothes on. Shape of her bones were almost visible from beneath her skin, as if there were nothing on her body but skin and bone. Gob was dumbfounded to see how stubborn she is. Foolishly stubborn.