UNDER HIS RULES

Beatrice’s smile never wavered. These recent days have been the most enjoyable for her. She never imagined she would reach this point, where she could relax and talk comfortably with Sam. Without too much fear or hesitation, although Beatrice often restrained herself from asking what she really wanted to know.

“Sam,” she called out while carrying a plate of grilled shrimp. It was the catch from yesterday that she patiently waited for. Ah… not for Beatrice, though. Sam’s patience turned out to be short-lived. Fishing, which supposedly required patience, was mocked mercilessly by Beatrice. How could it not? After only waiting for twenty minutes at most, Sam became impatient.

The result? They still relied on the supply from the nearby fishing boat. Beatrice didn’t consider it a big deal. Besides, their catch was still relatively fresh. Sam didn’t protest at all. Including now, where the menu consisted of grilled shrimp and squid.

“Is it done cooking?”

“It didn’t take too long. It might not taste good if it stays on the grill for too long.” Beatrice placed the dish on the table. “I’ll get some rice first.”

Sam let Beatrice enter the campervan. They had been there for five days already, but Sam never grew tired of distancing himself from the chaotic life he had. Hugo and Jack still bothered him, though. Maybe Eland had been warned not to disturb or knew better than to do so. His trusted person rarely provided updates.

As long as Hugo said that Eland wasn’t causing trouble, Sam didn’t mind. Maybe Eland was indeed busy.

“Well, let’s eat.” Beatrice smiled widely. “It’s delicious when enjoyed while it’s still warm.”

“What about you?”

“I’ve said it since morning, right? Stop today.”

Sam just laughed. “No fish?”

“No.”

“So, what should I eat?”

“Just the shrimp and squid. There’s plenty of it, you know.”

Sam sighed softly.

“you said if I cook, you’ll finish everything, right? Where is it?”

“Yeah.” Sam took his portion of the plate. “I’ll have double the rice.”

Beatrice smiled widely. She always enjoyed eating together with Sam. There were no more complaints since she improved her cooking skills. Although, well… it did feel tiring. But if Sam devoured it like that, Beatrice didn’t mind exerting her hands in the kitchen.

“Please grill the fish for me later.”

Beatrice frowned. “Do you like fish that much?”

“I never get tired of grilled red snapper. Even if I have to eat it every day, it’s not a problem for me.” Sam placed the peeled shrimp on Beatrice’s plate. “Eat a lot. I told you, you’re too skinny, right?”

The black-haired girl blinked slowly. A thin smile appeared on her face. “So, you like it when I gain weight?”

“Not too much weight. But not as skinny as you are now. You look malnourished, even though I feed you.”

Beatrice chuckled. “I can’t eat a lot, Sam. Besides, I get full easily.”

“Get used to eating a little more and increase your portion. Don’t even think about dieting.”

Her hastily tied hair swayed with the movement of her shaking head. She had no intention of doing that, either. Throughout her life, being able to eat well was a rare occurrence for her. Due to frequent financial constraints, Beatrice’s stomach wasn’t accustomed to eating too much. She used money sparingly to meet her daily needs.

“What will you eat later, Sam?” Beatrice widened her eyes as several pieces of shrimp and squid covered in sweet and sour sauce moved. They no longer remained on the man’s plate, but instead ended up on Beatrice’s.

“Eat,” he commanded firmly.

“How about you?”

“I’ll eat fish.”

“Okay, in that case, let me grill the fish.” Beatrice prepared to go back inside, taking the fish she had marinated with spices and was ready to put on the grill outside. She intentionally set up a portable grill that was always ready for Beatrice to cook.

“Sit down,” Sam interjected.

“But…”

“Sit, I said,” said Sam with a final tone. “I’ll do the grilling. Just enjoy your meal. It’s on me.” Then the man stood up and walked wide into the camper van. “In the cooler, right? The fish?”

Beatrice couldn’t let Sam work alone. She didn’t believe that Sam could grill the fish himself. “Oke,” she followed Sam’s movements.

“Why don’t you listen? What did I ask for?”

The girl blinked weakly. Her eyes pleaded with Sam. Those eyes had long made him submit. And now, with such an adorable gaze? Initially, Sam didn’t want to disturb Beatrice’s meal and wanted her to enjoy her lunch, but now she was behind him.

“Okay, you can help. But don’t bother me.”

Beatrice grinned widely.

“I can’t believe you don’t listen to me.”

“You won’t continue eating if I don’t help. It’s not enjoyable, Sam.” She imitated Sam’s steps back to the grill.

“Just say you don’t believe I can grill the fish, right?”

The girl burst into laughter.

“Once in a while, I should show this skill.” Sam felt proud. He raised the temperature of the grill until it felt right. Then, one by one, he gently placed the marinated fish on the grill. The sound of sizzling smoke mixing with the wet skin of the fish and the seasoning created a strong hissing sound. Plus, the aroma that emerged for some reason smelled so delicious.

“There’s still the chillie, right?”

“Yes, there is.”

Beatrice didn’t move an inch from Sam’s side. Occasionally, she helped him spread the seasoning on the fish to let more of it soak in.

“In the past, when I had trouble eating, Mama always served grilled fish. It was the catch from Papa.”

Beatrice’s motion of spreading the seasoning slowed down. She never once expected Sam to talk about his parents. She herself didn’t know where Sam’s parents were. She had asked Ute, but the woman didn’t know anything about it either.

“Papa’s hobby was fishing in the sea. When I was little, I never forgot the excitement of riding the speedboat with Papa. Mama always warned us not to go too fast because in the middle of the sea, you never know what storm will come.”

Beatrice could feel the profound melancholy in every word Sam just said. Although she heard Sam laughing, it wasn’t the usual kind of laughter. It was filled with loss.

“Papa taught me how to grill fish that tastes good. It never failed to whet my appetite. And it turns out that recipe came from Mama.” Sam looked out at the open sea. “That’s why I’m happy to be around here. It reminds me of them.”

“Where are they…?”

“Maybe in heaven. I don’t know. Every time I ask God, there’s never an answer.”

Those words slipped so lightly from Sam’s lips.

“Mama and Papa had an accident. No one survived the accident except me, waiting for them to come home. I thought their return would be like usual. Busy. Many people visiting.” Sam chuckled. “Little did I know, it was their coffins being brought home.”

“Sam,” Beatrice approached Sam and gently stroked the back of his arm. She leaned in slightly, as if sharing the sudden sadness that overwhelmed Sam.

“I don’t feel anything anymore, Kau. It’s been over a decade.” Sam softly stroked the top of Beatrice’s head. “I’m telling you this because you need to know about them. Someday, I’ll take you to visit them.”

Those charcoal-black eyes blinked slowly. “Really?” she asked, making sure. Beatrice was also afraid she had misheard. She was afraid her heart had already hoped for too much.

“Yes.” Sam briefly kissed the side of Beatrice’s head. “After I take care of some issues at headquarters.”

“Do you want to go home soon?”

Sam looked at Beatrice puzzled. “When did I say I wanted to go home?”

“Sam! It’s getting burnt,” Beatrice shouted as she saw a fire slightly growing and burning part of the fish’s head near Sam. The man quickly flipped the fish. He asked Beatrice to reapply the seasoning. Sometimes he would laugh at Beatrice’s innocent and adorable behavior. Other times, he would get annoyed because the girl was too stubborn with her own desires.

But Sam knew best how to make Beatrice listen to him again.

“Why is there so much meat for me?” Beatrice protested again. “Sam, you haven’t eaten much since earlier.” She returned the portion of meat that Sam had put on her plate.

“Eat,” Sam said, this time still patiently.

“I don’t want to. You should eat. I already ate squid and shrimp, right?” Beatrice now sorted the fish meat for Sam. “Do you want more rice?”

“Eat,” Sam commanded, this time with a firm tone.

Beatrice pouted. “I’m already full, why force me to eat again.”

“Just the meat. It’s delicious, you know. When else can you eat Sam’s grilled fish?”

A smile reappeared on the girl’s face. “But only this much, okay? The rest, you have to finish.”

“That’s easy.”

For whatever reason Sam had, since the first time he laid eyes on Beatrice a few years ago, he had vowed that this woman was the one he wanted to have by his side; Beatrice alone. And now, he had made it a reality. And it turned out to be so enjoyable to spend a lot of time with Beatrice.

Perhaps this was also something new for him. Revealing something he had kept tightly sealed. Not many people knew about his parents. Only certain individuals were informed. Not because he didn’t want to remember, but sharing this heart-wrenching loss wasn’t as simple as giving an order.

There was a slight sense of relief when he revealed the existence of his parents to Beatrice. Including Beatrice’s response, drawing closer to him. Offering comforting gestures that were far more soothing than anything else.

From the corner of his eye, Sam also saw that the smile on Beatrice’s face didn’t fade away. Instead, it grew wider, accompanied by praise for the food served before them.

“Promise me one thing, Beatrice?”

“Promise?” Beatrice was confused by Sam’s previous question. “What promise?”

Sam’s fingers reached out slowly. He touched Beatrice’s slightly flushed cheek due to the afternoon weather. His eyes focused on the girl sitting beside him. He tidied up Beatrice’s slightly disheveled hair, which was being blown by the wind.

“Promise to always be by my side.”

Beatrice’s eyes welled up with tears.

“I’m also serious about asking you to be the mother of my future heirs.”

A single tear fell from Beatrice’s eyes.

“Do you want to?”