He walked toward the center of the room, staring at the spacious space. Was this his room? It was probably as big as the living room at the orphanage.
He looked down at his bare feet and felt the cold ceramic tiles beneath him. He needed to find something to wear. Where were all his clothes and shoes?
He searched every corner but found nothing. Finally, he gave up and opened a door he thought was the bathroom. But it wasn't. Inside, he saw lots of clothes hanging neatly.
The room looked like a boutique. He walked in and looked around at the clothes. He didn't know whose they were, and he wasn't sure if he could wear them. On the wall, there was a glass cabinet filled with new-looking shoes.
When he checked the sizes, they fit him perfectly. Could he wear them?
He was quite surprised to see the brand logos on the clothes and shoes. They were all high-end brands. He recognized a few names, while some were unfamiliar.
He felt too proud to wear those clothes, but he had no other choice. He was also surprised because, inside the room, he didn't feel cold at all, even though there was thick snow outside.
Nathan decided to borrow a white shirt, long pants, and a blue jacket. He wanted to take the fur jacket but didn't dare.
He was going to the cafe, no matter what Alexander said. He was sure they wouldn't be crazy enough to drag him back.
But when he left the room, Louis, the bodyguard assigned by Alexander, was already standing there.
Nathan glared at him, as if challenging him to a fight. "What are you doing?"
"Are you going somewhere?" Louis asked politely. The bodyguard was tall and strong, dressed in a black suit. He had blond hair and friendly green eyes.
"It's none of your business," Nathan snapped, walking forward before stopping again. He looked around, trying to get familiar with his new surroundings. In front of him was a corridor with a red carpet running along it. He had passed it before. If he turned right, he would find the stairs.
"Young Master, it's very cold outside. You should wear a thicker jacket," said Louis, following him.
Nathan was annoyed by the man's presence, especially since Louis was still following him when he reached the terrace.
"What do you want? Leave me alone!" said Nathan, trying to stay polite but unable to hide his irritation.
"I've been assigned to look after you. I'll take you wherever you want to go," Louis replied calmly.
Nathan refused sharply, pushing Louis away. "Don't ever try to follow me!"
Louis let himself be pushed back without resistance but immediately followed again when Nathan started walking.
Nathan turned around and saw Louis still walking behind him. He snorted in annoyance. Finally, the man seemed to back off. Nathan walked through the large yard, where several gardens in each corner were covered in snow. It felt exhausting just walking through the garden.
The shoes he wore were very comfortable, though he worried someone might get angry because he was wearing their things. But didn't Alexander say he could use the card he gave him? He had brought it with him, and if anyone complained, he would buy them new shoes.
Nathan focused on the path and the beautiful snow covered gardens along the long walkway leading to the front gate. Suddenly, he heard a car horn behind him, and a few seconds later, a black car stopped beside him.
Nathan was surprised and looked at the car that had suddenly appeared. He was even more shocked when Louis stepped out and opened the back door for him.
"What?" Nathan asked, confused.
"Please get in. I'll take you," Louis said.
Nathan shook his head. "No. I can go by myself. Go away! Don't bother me!"
Louis blocked Nathan as he tried to walk away. "I'm sorry, but I'll have to force you if you don't want to get in the car."
Nathan glared at him. "Listen, I don't like being ordered around, and I won't get in your car!"
"Let me take you, or I'll have to force you to return to the mansion," said Louis. His voice was calm, but his eyes were sharp and serious.
Nathan shrugged indifferently and walked past him, but Louis grabbed his arm.
"Young Master, I have the right to force you. Please let me drive you," Louis insisted.
Nathan pushed his hand away, but Louis quickly pressed him against the side of the car. It wasn't hard, but enough to startle Nathan.
"What are you doing?"
Louis looked at Nathan, this time without his usual friendly expression. The look frightened Nathan.
"I'm responsible for you, so please don't make my life difficult. Do you want to go? Get in the car. If not, go back to the mansion," said Louis, his voice suddenly cold.
Nathan pushed the man's chest, but Louis didn't move.
"I don't care! You can't force me to go with you!" Nathan shouted.
Louis didn't budge. "You only have two choices. Please choose one, Young Master."
"You…"
"My name is Louis," said Louis, leaning closer, making Nathan tense up and push him harder. But Louis still didn't move.
"I'm waiting for your answer," said Louis in a low voice, this time smiling innocently.
Nathan realized the man wouldn't let him go easily, and he didn't have enough room to kick since he was pinned against Louis's broad frame.
Finally, he gave up. "Take me to the cafe!" he said irritably.
Louis immediately shook his head. "I'm sorry, but you heard Master Alex's orders. You're not allowed to go to the cafe to work."
"Then just consider me not working!"
Louis smiled, amused by Nathan's response. He let go and gestured for Nathan to get into the car.
Nathan got in, grumbling. Although it was easier than walking and taking the bus, he didn't like being forced like this. It made him feel like a prisoner. It was as if he had lost to them.
This was a battle between him and all the members of the Salazar family. And he had to win; he couldn't let them control him.
At the cafe, he surprised Daniel, who looked at him anxiously.
"Are you okay?" asked Daniel, looking at Nathan and then turning to Louis, who was standing by the door. His tall and muscular appearance caught the attention of all the customers.
Nathan nodded. "I have a little problem, but I can handle it."
"It seems so, because he's been here since morning. I think he has business with you," said Daniel, pointing outside the cafe.
Nathan looked outside, where a man with a swollen face and bandaged hands sat on a long bench. His head was down. But when Nathan looked more closely, his eyes widened. It was the man who had caused trouble with him last night.
Why was he back? Hadn't Daniel already given him the settlement money?
"What's wrong with him?" asked Nathan.
"He says he wants justice. He says that because of you, he was beaten up and lost his job. He says he wants to take you to court," said Daniel.
Then he added, "He doesn't want to leave."
Nathan frowned. He hadn't even touched the man, so how could he say Nathan beat him up? And how could Nathan have gotten him fired? He had no power.
"Is he looking for trouble again?" Nathan was sure the man just wanted more money.
"I don't know, but he seems serious and upset. Just ignore him. He'll leave once he gets tired. Anyway, Vale said you're transferring schools? He just called, looking for you in case you came here."
Nathan looked at Daniel, then nodded. "Everything happened so fast. But yeah, I'll transfer schools starting next Monday. I'll still go to school tomorrow, though."
Daniel looked at Louis, who stared back sharply and alertly. "What happened? Are you in debt? Are you being chased by debt collectors?"
Louis glanced at himself. Did he look like a debt collector?
Nathan shook his head. "No, it's not that bad. There's a family that will pay for my schooling for the next six months until I graduate from high school."
Daniel's eyes widened. "Really? They're adopting you?"
Nathan shook his head. "No. I'll just stay there for six months. In exchange, they'll send me to school."
Nathan didn't explain the details; he didn't want to acknowledge them as his family. He just thought of them as people who would take him in for the next six months.
"Do they treat you well?" asked Daniel.
Nathan shrugged, glancing at Louis. "Not really. They're annoying, but I don't have another choice."
From behind the counter, Ray waved. "Nath! You're here early this morning. Do you want to play or work?" he called.
Nathan smiled, walked toward the counter, and looked at Daniel. "I can work this morning, right?" he asked.
"Well, I still need you tonight," Daniel said, refusing. It would be better if Nathan worked at night when there were more customers.
Nathan interrupted. "I'll work all day today."
Daniel stared at him for a long moment. But before he could reply, Louis cut in.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let my young master work."
His words left Daniel and Ray stunned. Who was this "young master"?