The Cold War
Hills castle- Richard's resident
"Tania, could you please open the door?
Let's talk about last night."
Richard stood in front of the white door, staring blankly, waiting for a reply that never came.
She must be really mad at me, he thought, a frown settling on his handsome yet stern face.
"She doesn't want to talk to you…
Then leave."
A voice suddenly cut in.
He turned, surprised to see Stewardess Madeline standing in a corner, her expression unusually serious. He had never seen her like this before.
"Stewardess Madeline…" he called, as though confirming he wasn't imagining things.
"If you don't mind, I have a few things to share," she began.
"We could sit over a drink while we discuss."
Without waiting for his response, she turned and walked away.
"Ah… not bad," Richard muttered, trailing behind her.
But then he paused.
"A drink?" he thought.
"I don't think Stewardess Madeline's health would agree with this."
"You've got nothing to worry about. One bottle won't kill an old hag like me," she joked, as though reading his mind, gesturing for him to sit across from her in the cellar.
"It's been a while since we did this together," Richard said, recalling old memories. He shook his head slightly.
"Yeah… it's been forever. These days, you overwork yourself—trying to heal from the past by building walls around you and hiding your true nature behind that stern personality," she pointed out.
"Stewardess Madeline, please… not now.
Can we not do this? Especially not that topic. I don't want to discuss it."
His tone was calm, yet carried a heavy, restrained weight.
"I see. But how long are you going to keep living like this?
Fine, if you don't want to discuss that… then let's talk about Tania—your wife."
She didn't miss the flicker of displeasure in his eyes.
"Aunt, please… I'm not in the mood to discuss that—especially not Tania," he said, unable to hide his discomfort.
"Did I hear that right? It's been a long time since you addressed me like that.
Well… that doesn't matter."
She leaned forward slightly.
"Listen, I'll keep this as simple as I can. It's up to you to take it or leave it."
Richard could feel the seriousness in her tone.
"First of all, you're married now—legally, in black and white. And if I'm correct, this is supposed to be a nominal marriage… one that doesn't deprive either party of their freedom."
"Yes, I'm very much aware—even you don't need to remind me," he replied, giving her a sharp look.
"Did Tania—" he paused, surprised.
"Not at all," she cut in.
"Tania isn't that kind of person. In fact, she's a good girl. I like her… and I think she would make a better wife for you."
"Hahaha!" Richard burst into laughter.
"The fact that you like her doesn't mean I should keep her. Are you aware this union is only meant to last two years?"
"None of my business," she snapped impatiently.
"You listen—I know what I'm saying."
"Which is what?" he gestured for her to continue.
Richard wasn't one to take advice from just anyone. But Stewardess Madeline wasn't just anyone—she was more than an employee. She was a mother figure.
She had been the only one by his side when his parents fell into their own cold war. Back then, he became invisible to them. All they cared about was themselves—not him.
It had been the worst period of his childhood.
Living alone.
Fending for himself.
That was why he grew up craving love and affection.
He found that in his childhood sweetheart, Zakira—Zayley, as he fondly called her. She entered his life when he needed care the most. He loved her deeply, forming a bond he believed would never break.
With her by his side, nothing else mattered.
His greatest fear was being left alone.
He never imagined Zakira would be the first to walk away.
He had overestimated her feelings for him.
"I heard Zakira is back."
Stewardess Madeline's words snapped him back to reality.
"Mmm," he hummed in acknowledgment.
"So you're just going to let her back into your life after everything she did? The silence… no calls, no messages all these years?" she pressed.
"I can't believe this. Don't tell me you're this gullible," she hissed, folding her arms.
Richard took a sip from his glass and sighed.
"I'm not letting anyone back into my life. You don't think I'm stupid, do you?" he said, casting her a knowing glance.
"We just happened to run into each other at a restaurant the other day. Unfortunately, Tania saw us and misunderstood everything."
He paused briefly.
"Yeah… we had a small argument yesterday. And then she blew it out of proportion—hence the cold war."
"What do you expect?" Madeline shot back.
"What sane woman wouldn't react that way? She told me—her words, not mine—you both signed an agreement, and that was part of it. Which you broke."
"I swear on my life, it wasn't intentional. I never meant to breach the contract," he clarified.
"Well, that's exactly why you need to avoid Zakira like the plague. We all know she came back with a purpose."
She leaned in slightly.
"If she didn't return all these years… why now that you're married? Doesn't that ring a bell?"
"Aunt, you seem to know a lot. I'm quite shocked," Richard said.
"Driver Raymond told me everything. Otherwise, I wouldn't have known something this big was happening right under my nose."
"Driver Raymond…" A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes.
"Hey, hey—he's just looking out for you. People like that are hard to find these days," she quickly defended.
"Yeah… you're right. He was also the one who told me about Tania showing up at the restaurant—and how she left after confronting Zakira."
He shook his head slightly.
"Honestly, I wouldn't have known. So she told you too?"
"That explains the disgust in her eyes when I saw her that day… you should have seen her," he added.
"Of course. I had to keep pestering her before she opened up," Madeline said.
"See? A problem shared is a problem half-solved. Now… how do you feel?"
"I don't know," Richard admitted, rubbing his temple.
"I feel like my head is about to explode."
"Hahaha!"
Stewardess Madeline burst into laughter, clutching her belly lightly.