Chapter 9 : what should I do now
After four days.
The four of them looked unusually cheerful this morning, as if a heavy cloud had finally drifted away from the mansion.
"Uhh, finally the four-day hell is gone. What a relief," Jack sighed dramatically, stretching his arms.
Hmm… why are they happier than me? I wondered, narrowing my eyes at them. I'm the one who suffered, not them.
"Guys, now we can finally eat our lunch in peace," Smith said with a peaceful smile, almost glowing.
"What do you mean?" I asked, glaring. "You're talking like all of you didn't eat properly these last four days."
Don't you forget something Smith i asked him with side eye
"I—I didn't forget anything. No. Nothing at all."
I leaned a little closer, folding my arms. "Are you sure, Smith?"
"Yes. Absolutely. One hundred percent."
A low, devilish voice came from behind us.
"Hello there. Looks like everyone is very… happy."
Smith stiffened. Slowly… very slowly… he turned around.
Natasha was standing there, arms crossed, giving him a stare that could make a lion cry.
Smith swallowed hard. "Ah… hi, Natasha. How…how are you?"
She said nothing. Just stared.
I leaned close to Smith's ear and whispered, "It's better for you to quit while you can."
"It looks like someone is going to die today," Jack commented with a wicked grin.
"To be honest, it's nice. I haven't been to a funeral in a long time," Johnson added casually.
Everyone burst into laughter—except Smith.
He finally tried to smile but his face looked like a dying fish. Natasha sighed and suddenly said, "It's okay, Smith. I'm not mad at you."
Smith blinked in surprise. "Really?"
He studied her face carefully and let out a tiny, relieved smile. "You look… beautiful when you laugh."
Everyone stared at them. Natasha's cheeks turned red instantly, and Smith looked away shyly.
Leo cleared his throat. "But wait… you're on your periods, right? You don't look like Realiana at all."
Natasha nodded. "Every girl's body is different. Some get pain so bad they feel death is better than cramps. Some get mild pain, some get cramps that come and go, and some girls are God's favourite… they get no cramps at all."
"Oh," Leo said thoughtfully. "So Realiana belongs in the death-like pain category?"
"Yes," Natasha answered without hesitation.
"And what about you?" Smith asked softly.
"I'm number three," she said. "Sometimes I get pain, sometimes not."
Before anyone could continue, the chef arrived with trays of food.
Lunch smelled heavenly.
After eating, I leaned back and patted my stomach. "Ahhh… today's food was amazing."
"Yes," everyone agreed happily.
"It's because during these four days you hardly ate properly," Natasha said.
"We four too," Johnson added, pointing at himself, Jack, Smith, and Leo.
"Me too," Natasha said, raising her hand.
After cleaning up, the boys stood. "Okay, we're going now. See you later."
"Bye," I said, waving.
I walked toward my room. When I opened the door, something immediately caught my eye
A folded sheet of paper lying on my table.
I frowned. "Huh? I didn't write anything… and Natasha was with me the whole time."
Curious, I picked it up and unfolded it.
Inside, a neat handwriting filled the page:
Inside the paper :
Realiana, did you forget something?
It looks like you don't want to leave this place.
Are you in love with this mansion?
Or do you not want to become an independent woman anymore?
Are you planning to stay here and become a burden to these people?
Dear… focus on your goals.
Leave this place as early as you cany as you can
---
My breath hitched.
As I read the note, something in me shifted—like a reminder awakening inside my chest.
I had forgotten.
Forgotten my goals.
Forgotten why I came here.
Forgotten that this place was never meant to be permanent.
These people… they were too good. They made me comfortable. They made me laugh. They made me feel safe.
Maybe too safe.
But the message was right.
It's time to leave.
I don't belong here forever.
The fun was beautiful, but the journey must continue.
But one question echoed in my mind—
Who wrote this?