Natti paused and eyed the house, her body quivering with tension. She really should get Seth’s mother to the hospital and let someone look at her. Not play tea party. She wasn’t sure what she to do. “Are you sure you don’t what me to call someone?”
“It’s fine. But my husband will be home soon, and I must start prepare the evening meal for his arrival. Would you be so kind and guide me back into the house?”
Natti gulped, not feeling comfortable about any of this at all. Though she didn’t want to leave Seth’s mother alone, what help would she be if another seizure or whatever had happens? She didn’t have any kind of medical training. Her only hope was maybe, when Mr. O’Keefe returned, she could convince him to get her help.
“Okay.” Natti nodded. “I’ll even stay if you like. At least until your husband arrives.”
Michelle smiled. “That would be lovely.”
Seth’s mother slowly began to walk toward the back of the house, and Natti wrapped her free arm around the woman’s waist to help steady her steps. The grounds along the back of the house were just as impressive as the front. The land was lush green with gardens, flowers, and palm trees. Closer to the house, a giant pool curved like a snake through sand colored concrete and sand colored tiles. A few tables and chairs were set up as if a gathering could take place in a matter of moments. The north and south wings of the mansion extended past the main structure, cradling a massive, wooden deck on each level. Slipping through the beautiful columns that supported the upper decks, Natti and Michelle walked slowly toward three outstanding French doors, each boarded with stained glass. Natti opened the closest to them, about to help Michelle step inside a vast, tiled hallway.
In the distance, a car pulled into the driveway with the stereo blasting. Natti caught sight of the black Jaguar parking along the entrance of the white, converted stables on the far side of the house. It had seven barn like doors and an upper deck surrounding what looked to be an upper level apartment.
“Mother?” The stereo became silent, the car door slammed shut, and Seth’s footsteps approached as he started to charge for house. “NATTI!”
The shrill pitch to his voice took Natti off guard. It was as if he was witnessing her being stabbed to death instead of helping his poor mother into the house.
“Seth!” Michelle beamed. “I didn’t expect you home so soon.”
Seth glanced back in the direction of the stables, and then grabbed Natti’s arm, pulling her away from the French doors. Bastet hissed and growled at him, mirroring exactly how Natti felt at that very moment.
“Hey! What’s wrong with you?” Natti screamed.
Seth’s face was as hard as stone, his jaw set tight as he pushed her toward the garage. “Get into my car, now!”
“Seth, dear, what’s going on?” Michelle asked, flustered.
“Nothing! Natti just needs to get home.” Seth turned his burning eyes on Natti. “Right now!”
Natti set her stance firm, refusing to budge. Who the hell did he think he was? He wasn’t the boss of her. He had no right to tell her what to do.
“Seth,” she hissed, trying to regain some composure, “your mum just experienced a serious dizzy spell a moment ago. I was only trying to help her inside.”
Seth’s eyes softened with concern. “A dizzy spell?” He glanced at his mother leaning on the frame of the doorway. Her eyes partly closed and a hand shading the little sunlight from her eyes.
Natti stepped forward, lowering her voice so only Seth could hear. “I can help you take care of her until your father comes home,” she offered. “Help her get settled. Maybe make some tea. After that, we should probably get her to—”
“No!” Seth snapped his attention back on her. “I’ll get her inside. You get in my car and wait for me there.”
She could believe this! What was his problem? Couldn’t he see his mother was ill? “I don’t think she should be left alone, Seth.”
“You can’t stay here!” He straightened his stance to tower over her, and flung his finger toward the Jaguar. “Now get into my car and wait! I’ll drive you back home in a minute.”
Natti rolled her eyes. She had it. She had it with everything, especially Seth and his bipolar attitude. “You know what, fine! I’ll leave, but you don’t have to drive me anywhere. I can bloody walk home.”
The rage flickering in his turquoise eyes deepened. “The hell you are! You’ll do exactly as I have instructed! Go!”
Natti opened her mouth to argue only to let out a frustrated groan. She was beyond the use of words now. Her temper was reaching its maximum, and if she stayed one minute longer, she would explode. Turning on her heel, she stormed toward the stable, just to get Seth off her back, and then turned around a corner of the house toward the street.