UNDER HIS RULES

On the nights when Beatrice slept in Sam’s room, an overwhelming fear enveloped her. She woke up several times, worried that the room’s owner would enter and ambush her. Considering Sam’s previous actions, it wasn’t impossible for it to happen again, right?

However, it seemed that God was very kind by allowing Beatrice to sleep soundly for the past three days.

Her only companions were Anne and Ute, who occasionally visited her. Even then, their conversations were limited because they had other tasks to attend to. Meanwhile, Beatrice could only pace around the room, grumbling with frustration. The walls of Sam’s room served as witnesses to her angry muttering.

“Hey, Beatrice,” Anne greeted cheerfully. She held a bag with the logo of a well-known mall in the Southern District.

“Thank goodness you’re here, Anne.” Beatrice immediately welcomed the girl whom she considered a friend here. Who else did she know in this house and was familiar enough with? “What did you bring?”

Anne simply showed off her row of white teeth. Her response made Beatrice suspicious.

“Anne?”Text property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Hugo asked me to give this to you.”

Beatrice knew who Hugo was, thanks to the stories from Anne and Ute. There were three trusted individuals who held considerable respect in Sam’s organization: Hugo, Eland, and Jack. They all had crucial roles and supported Sam, but Hugo was the one who often stood by Sam’s side.

“What’s it for?” Beatrice asked, her gaze filled with suspicion.

“Just see for yourself,” Anne chuckled. She also helped Beatrice unpack the contents of the bag and found several comfortable clothes and shirts that suited Beatrice.

“Not bad,” Beatrice commented briefly. “Why did Hugo give me these clothes?”

Anne shrugged. “Usually, Hugo is instructed by Sam when giving something. So, it’s likely that this was ordered by Sam.”

Upon hearing that, a sense of dislike appeared on Beatrice’s face. She no longer wanted to touch the shirts and other clothes in the bag.

“I feel like I’m in prison, Anne,” Beatrice complained.

“No, you don’t understand how enjoyable it is here.”

Beatrice furrowed her brow. Her eyes immediately locked onto Anne, who now appeared serious in response to her gaze.

“I’m serious. It’s enjoyable here. Even though you see a bunch of vague thugs, the sense of solidarity is high. You’ll come to know the meaning of family here.”

“Where were you before you ended up here?” Beatrice asked cautiously.

For a question like this, Beatrice couldn’t be careless. She was afraid of offending her conversation partner. Here she was, alone. She didn’t want her words to make her feel even more isolated. It was good to get to know Anne and Ute, even though their conversations were never long.

“Me?” Anne pointed directly at her chest. “Um… I used to be at the police station. Almost had my hand chopped off.”

“Huh?” Beatrice was extremely surprised. “Why?”

“I was accused of theft, even though I didn’t do it. As poor as I was living in that shack, I had no desire to steal. Even though those pencils were displayed so nicely at the bookstore, I still felt too ashamed to have them, Lav.”

Beatrice’s gaze turned melancholy.

“I lived in a slum. I used to live with my mother, Beatrice, but she passed away about two years ago. Even though I was poor, I didn’t want to soil myself by stealing. I’d rather go hungry, Lav.”

Beatrice chose to remain silent and listen.

“Unfortunately,” Anne whispered softly, “Maybe because of my poor appearance, I was immediately labeled as a thief when I entered that bookstore. Even though I was just seeking shelter. The rain was pouring heavily.”

The story unfolded, causing Beatrice to keep her mouth shut. Her eyes glazed sympathetically at the girl with shoulder-length hair.

“If it weren’t for Bang Hugo, I would’ve definitely lost my hand.”

“Why was Hugo there?”

Anne chuckled bitterly. “To make Sam free.”

Beatrice scoffed. “Once a thug, always a thug. They always find trouble, don’t they? They wouldn’t get caught if they didn’t cause trouble.”

“I didn’t cause trouble, but I got caught,” Anne said bluntly.

Those words felt like a repeated slap to Beatrice. “Oh my God! I’m sorry, Anne. I didn’t mean it like that.” Beatrice deeply regretted her previous words.

Indeed, Beatrice had no other intention with her words. In fact, Beatrice herself condemned the police’s reckless accusations and the store’s apparent disregard for Anne’s account while seeking shelter there.

“It’s okay,” Anne smiled faintly.

“I… I truly apologize.”

Anne gently patted Beatrice’s shoulder. “I’ll go back to my post now, alright? I don’t want my work to be neglected because I talked to you for too long.”

A faint smile appeared on Beatrice’s face, still overshadowed by guilt. “I really am sorry,” she said softly.

“Hey,” Anne smiled widely. “It’s okay. I’m not angry. I know what you meant.”

Beatrice still hesitated to lift her gaze.

“Don’t judge Sam’s behavior too harshly. Despite being rough, appearing arrogant, annoying, bossy, and quick-tempered, Sam is someone who protects anyone here.”

The words Anne just spoke made Beatrice look up and meet Anne’s gaze again. What Anne said also reminded her of the conversations that took place between her and Ute every day. What did they see in Sam? It seemed like everything Sam did was already heroic. They praised him so much.

Meanwhile, for Beatrice, Sam was nothing more than an arrogant thug she despised.

“Think about it, Beatrice,” Anne said while patting the stack of clothes placed on the table. “Sam could have just let you wear whatever clothes you had. But he thought about you, right?”

Beatrice fell silent.

“Someday, you’ll realize that Sam really cares about the people he brings into this house.”

Those words continued to resonate in Beatrice’s ears until Ute arrived with lunch. A plate of rice with delicious spiced fish was able to clear Beatrice’s mind. Why should she think about this tiny bit of Sam’s goodness? Everyone who claimed Sam was good had something owed to him. But Beatrice? There was no debt between her and Sam. She was collateral.

“Ute,” Beatrice said after finishing all the dishes without a trace. “Can I help in the kitchen?”

Ute looked startled. “Oh… no, no. I’m afraid. You were asked to stay in this room only.”

Beatrice’s shoulders slumped weakly. “I feel really uncomfortable, Ute. I haven’t moved at all.”

Ute became conflicted.

“Come on, Ute. Besides, it’s just the kitchen. I won’t go anywhere.”

Beatrice’s eyes hoped that Ute would grant her request. No, Beatrice had no plans to escape because from the balcony of her room, she observed that the security in this house was tight. She still valued her life. She didn’t want what Sam said earlier to come true.

She was treated like a dog’s food in this house.

“Next time, please tell me, Ute.”

Ute’s words made Beatrice smile widely. Well… at least she wouldn’t be stuck in this room anymore. Whatever Ute was talking about, it seemed to have succeeded in getting Beatrice to move out of Sam’s room. Beatrice even screamed with joy.

“Thank you,” she said, half hugging Ute.

Beatrice’s action made Ute laugh cheerfully. Even though there were two people following them from behind, it didn’t bother Beatrice. Whatever their business was that they had to tail her like this. Were they afraid she would escape? Ah… that must be it.

“Oh, by the way, where does Anne work?” Beatrice looked around slowly. There were many people wandering around there. Some had fierce appearances, bare-chested with tattoos, and some seemed to be carrying large bags, who knows what was inside.

“She’s over there. In the right wing of this house.”

Beatrice frowned. “This house has wings?”

“Yes, Beatrice,” Ute said with a little laugh. “We’re in the main building. The right wing is for Sam’s operational headquarters. The left wing is where everyone who lives here stays.”

Beatrice nodded, just listening to Ute’s explanation. While continuing to follow Ute’s lead, they arrived at the kitchen. Beatrice was amazed by the kitchen in this house.

The girl thought that the kitchen would be like a public kitchen used for cooking in large quantities. But she was wrong. Although it looked somewhat messy, the kitchen area and its dining area truly impressed Beatrice.

“Wow!”

Ute smiled happily. “Sam has a passion for food, Beatrice. That’s why when he comes home, his first destination is always the kitchen. This is also where he gathers with all his subordinates. There’s no distinction here, Beatrice. Everyone mingles together, but still, they have respect and reverence for Sam.”

Beatrice fell silent.

“Do you want to help? Can you cook?”

The girl nodded quickly. “Let’s give it a try, then. I won’t die of boredom.”

***[]***

“Did you send what I asked you to?” Sam asked while fixing his black shirt. He didn’t need to look at his interlocutor because he knew his words would be listened to attentively.

“Yes, Boss,” came the reply.

Sam nodded slowly, tidying his appearance as reflected in the mirror. “Why does it always have to be so neat whenever I meet Alfred? Such a hassle!”

Hugo didn’t say much, except for chuckling. “But Boss looks cool in the black shirt.”

Sam glanced sharply at Hugo. “Don’t talk too much. Is my car ready?”

“Yes, Boss.”

“After this, I don’t have anything else to do outside, right? Jack hasn’t given any updates on the bullet we found?”

“Not yet, Boss. It’s a bit difficult to find that information,” Hugo said as he brought over the black blazer that Sam would wear. “After meeting Alfred, Boss won’t have to worry anymore. I’ll take care of the rest.”

Sam nodded in response to Hugo’s words. However, his eyes showed displeasure when he noticed Hugo focusing on his phone. Earlier, Hugo seemed enthusiastic about helping him. “Playing games again?”

“Why do you always assume I’m playing games whenever I look at my phone?”

Sam sighed. “I don’t need to wear a suit like this. I’m not going to meet a religious leader.”

Hugo burst into laughter. He couldn’t contain his amusement, and even the corners of his eyes felt wet. “You… oh my, Bos. Is there a lamer joke than this?” Nevertheless, Hugo still accepted the blazer that he had previously offered to his boss. “I picked it up from the laundry, you know. It’s neatly ironed and smells good too.”

“Enough with the banter,” Sam grumbled unhappily. “Let’s go. I want to go home quickly. Let Ute know and ask her to make a delicious meal for me.”

“Understood, Boss,” Hugo chuckled with a wide grin. “By the way, speaking of cooking, I’ve been looking at this.” Hugo didn’t hesitate to hand over the object he had been observing.

There was a faint smirk on Hugo’s face as Sam took his phone. The screen displayed a photo. It had been taken secretly by someone from an epic angle.

Beatrice was in the photo.

Laughing joyfully with a face slightly covered in flour, Beatrice held a dough that she was rolling. It was unclear what she was doing, but it looked like a lot of fun. And the shy young man who worked as a servant in Sam’s house, doing light tasks while learning things that Sam would later teach him, they all immersed themselves in that laughter, as if kitchen activities were immensely enjoyable.

Sam, fixated on Beatrice, merely pursed his lips slightly. “Send it to me.”

“Okay, Boss.” Although there were doubts lingering in Hugo’s mind about Beatrice, he couldn’t argue too much with Sam.

“Afterwards, delete it from your phone.”

“Why, though?”

“Just delete it, Hugo,” Sam said with a final tone.

“Come on, even before becoming a girlfriend, you’re already so possessive. What if she finds out you’ve had a crush on her for a long time?”

“You can’t reduce your nonsense, can you?”

Hugo laughed again. “I can only give you one warning. Don’t show too much that Beatrice is one of your weaknesses. You’ll be done for, Sam,” Hugo said, patting his boss’s shoulder with sympathy. “Learn from past experiences, women can destroy everything.”