Chapter 12 " No one is getting into trouble , April ; relax . " 0 1 blink up at Nathan . The sound of my name on his lips feels like a warm hug . " You remember my name , " I whisper , unable to hide how awestruck I am . His hands drop from my shoulders , and it takes all of my self - control not to cry out in protest . He looks confused like it was a given . " Of course , I remember your name ; I know the name of all the ladies in the competition . " I deflate . " Right, of course . " He cocks his head to the side and furrows his brows , and I get the feeling he's trying to remember something . As much as it stings that he doesn't remember me , the idea of him actually remembering me makes me panic , so I scramble to distract him . " Um , about Jessica and Lucy- " Nathan waves my concerns away . " They won't get in trouble , don't worry . I just don't want any contestant going to any needless trouble while they're here . " He glances at the bed - at June , who hasn't stirred once since they came in . " Especially not you ; you already have a lot on your plate . " " Right . " I duck my head , feeling embarrassed . " Thanks . " Just then , the door opens , and Isaac returns with Jessica and Lucy in tow . The two girls instantly bow their heads to Nathan respectfully before turning to me . I smile sheepishly . " I'm sorry to bother you , " I say , stretching out the hanger to Lucy . " Could you help me unpack ? " " Of course , " she answers , taking the hanger from my hand . She and Jessica move to the closet and continue from where I left off . " Now . " Isaac draws my attention to him and his iPad . " Your needs ? " So , with Jessica and Lucy working in the closet and Nathan's keen eyes boring into me , I tell Isaac everything June and I need - especially June . I wait for a protest , for him to say some medication or the other that she needs is unavailable or a ridiculous request , but he says nothing of the sort . When I'm done , Isaac nods . " We'll get everything to you ASAP . " I sigh in relief . " Thank you . " I turn to Nathan , and our eyes meet , sending my nerves haywire all over again . " Thank you . " He nods once before he starts to move towards the door . " Bye , April . " After Nathan and Isaac leave , I feel inexplicably drained . My earlier interaction with Peter is immediately replaced by the one with Nathan . With nothing to do but watch Jessica and Lucy silently work , I sit on the bed , shuffling up on the large mattress till I'm close to June . I lovingly stroke her hair , feeling relieved and happy at the prospect of not having to worry about her meds for the time being . " If nothing comes out of this competition , " I whisper . " Even if I go back home empty - handed , it's worth it that I can take care of you . " June stirs , leaning into my touch with a content sigh , and I don't hesitate to wrap my arms around her and kiss her forehead . Jessica and Lucy finish with the closet and step out . " Is there anything else , Miss ? " Jessica asks politely , keeping her voice low . I shake my head . " No , that's all . Thank you both so much . " " What about dinner ? Do you have any specific requests ? Any food you don't like or are allergic to ? " 1/3 13 12.39 PM P Chapter 12 I start to shake my head when I remember a piece of crucial information I skipped over . " Oh ! " Without disturbing June , I climb out of bed . " There's actually something I forgot to inform Isaac . " " You can come with us , I'm sure he's still around . " inform So I follow Jessica and Lucy out of my room , shooting June one last glance to ensure she's still fine . We head down the hall of the east wing , down the grand stairs , and towards the massive kitchen . Just before we enter , I hear voices that stop me in my tracks . " Those two are nuisances , " I hear a female voice insist . " They are not worth it , Master Ashford . We should not be going to this much trouble for them ! " " Watch your mouth , Anna , " a voice - unmistakably Nathan's - replies . " They are guests of this family and shall be treated as such . " They shouldn't be- " " But they are , " he cuts her off instantly . " My father has made the decision to let the Farrah sisters stay and we will accord them the same respect as we do the other contestants . I expect you to see to all their needs without any prejudice , or you will have to answer to me . And trust me , Anna , you don't want that . " Even before our name was mentioned , I knew they were talking about June and me . What is shocking is how fervently Nathan is standing up for us . Before I can gather my bearings , I hear a shuffle , and the next thing I know , Nathan is at the kitchen's entrance , standing before me . Jessica and Lucy immediately make themselves scarce . " Oh . " Surprise flickers over his features - and then concern . " Is everything okay ? " I feel my face burn . " I'm sorry , I didn't mean to eavesdrop . " He shakes his head and turns , shooting Anna a pointed look . " There's no problem , everything has been sorted . " Then he turns back to me , and his gaze softens . " What do you need ? " " Um ... " I glance nervously Anna , and her cold eyes make me want to squirm . " I forgot to mention that June is deathly allergic to garlic and- " " Garlic is a staple spice in our meals , " Anna interrupts sharply . " Do you expect us to cook a completely separate meal for your sister ? " She says ' sister ' with the same regard one would say ' foot fungus . ' " That's exactly what will happen , " Nathan interjects , shooting Anna another warning glare . " If I hear that June Farrah has an allergic reaction , no matter how minor while she's here , you will find yourself out on the streets , Anna ; don't test me . " The head maid bristles and I feel like crawling into a ball under the weight of her contempt . " Understood ? " Nathan asks . " Understood , " she replies through gritted teeth . Nathan turns to me , places à hand on my back , and leads me out of the kitchen . It's a struggle to focus on anything else but the sensation of his hand burning a hole through the fabric of my dress . " Thank you , " I say when we're a few steps away from the kitchen . His hand drops from my back , and it feels like I can finally breathe again . " You've had a long day , " he says . " You should get some rest . The next couple of weeks are going to be ... eventful . " The next couple of weeks . It hits me then , like for the first time , that the competition starts tomorrow . Today was just the beginning , and I have no idea what the coming weeks have in store for me . 2/3 Chapter 12 All I can do is hope I come out with my sanity intact . Chapter Comments Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!