The Promise of Happiness (Natalie and Samuel) novel Chapter 182

Chapter 182
Not a single ray of light permeated the darkness of the pitch-black room. Although the icy cold water was only up till Mandy’s waist, what truly sent shivers up her spine was the unknown slimy objects that she sensed swimming about her feet.
“Ah! What’s in the water? How can it be swimming about like this? Let me out of here at once!” screamed Mandy in fear as she thrashed about in the water in a vain attempt to reach for safety.
Billy shot Mandy a cold glare as he snarled, “So now you’re afraid? You’ve hurt someone that Mr. Bowers cares deeply about! This is just the beginning of what awaits you!”
With that, Billy barked out a few curt instructions to the men watching over Mandy before he turned and took his leave.
Still trapped in this flooded room, Mandy found herself spinning about haphazardly to evade the unidentified creature swimming about and bothering her. In her despair, she wailed, “Don’t leave! Please don’t leave me here all by myself! You can’t treat me like this! I’m from the Watsons family after all!”
Even though Mandy screamed frantically until she had gone hoarse, no one paid her any heed.
After taking his leave earlier, Billy headed back to the Bowers residence and updated Samuel on the current situation.
“Sir, everything has been done as you’ve requested,” stated Billy.
“Excellent! Let’s let this woman stew in the water for some time with those water snakes before we hand her over to the police,” replied Samuel as his lips curled into a faint smile.
“Understood.”
“You may go now,” stated Samuel dismissively.
Just as Billy was about to take his leave, Natalie strolled into the study.
“Hello, Ms. Nichols,” greeted Billy with a formal bow.
Startled by Billy’s sudden gesture, Natalie was about to return the bow when she suddenly felt Samuel hug her tightly from behind. He had such a tight grip that her spine was pressed firmly against his muscular chest with nary a gap between.
They’re too intimate!
In his embarrassment, Billy couldn’t bear to witness the scene unfold any further and hastily took his leave, making sure to close the door firmly shut behind him.
“Samuel! You-” began Natalie before she abruptly cut herself off. She had wanted to chide Samuel for his behavior, but she knew that her efforts would only be in vain. Furthermore, there was also a good chance that her words would have enraged Samuel further, and she would have to go to great lengths to cajole him just to calm him down.
After a brief silence, Natalie finally spoke, “Now that you’ve pretty much recovered from your illness, I’ll be moving back home to stay starting tomorrow.”
“Sure,” replied Samuel.
Something’s wrong. He agreed to that way too easily…
“You’re okay with that?” asked Natalie in surprise.
At this, Samuel’s lips mischievously wandered about her ear before it finally settled on her earlobe. Natalie couldn’t help but let out a soft gasp. Deep down, she hated herself for being so sensitive to Samuel’s touch. From where she stood, that she reacted this strongly in response to his flirtatious advances was nothing more than her body’s betrayal.
As his heavy breathing tickled her ear, Samuel whispered, “Of course, your request comes with a condition you have to fulfill on your end before I agree. You have to take Franklin and Sophia home.”
Natalie was again taken by surprise at this recent development. As she struggled to conceal her glee, she asked, “You’re asking me to take Franklin back? Are you messing around with me, Samuel?”
“I’ll be rather busy dealing with some important matters during this period of time. I’ll also be away on a business trip. No idea when I’ll be back. Since Franklin and Sophia like you, it only makes sense for me to leave them with you. Sophia
especially, since her aphasia has gotten much better ever since she stayed with you,” explained Samuel as he continued with his flirtatious motions.
As Natalie was extremely fond of Franklin and Sophia, she was thrilled at the very thought of being able to take them home with her and to live with them. She couldn’t help but fantasize about how beautiful her life would be living with them and Xavian.
“All right then, that settles it! I’ll take Franklin and Sophia back with me tomorrow,” declared Natalie.
Samuel’s body stiffened, and he gripped Natalie’s chin with his rough fingers. As he turned Natalie’s head to face his, Samuel asked tersely, “Are you glad that I’ll be away on my business trip?” His face had suddenly tensed, and his eyes darkened with an unfathomable emotion.
Startled by the sudden change in atmosphere, Natalie carefully probed, “Should I… Should I be very upset or something?”
At this, Samuel gradually tightened his grip on Natalie’s chin and whispered, “Oh, you insatiable ingrate…”
The next second, Samuel’s lips planted themselves firmly and aggressively against Natalie’s bare skin. Nobody could tell if he was punishing her or simply taking out his frustrations while making his move on her.