Chapter 5

Kaelia's Pov

The wedding was a very private affair.

There were not many guests. Just Freddy's inner circle and his father, William who stared at me from the front pew as if he would rather be at a funeral than his son's wedding.

Then there was the couple I had paid to act as my parents.

They'd nailed the part so much, I made a mental note to give them a bonus.

“Mrs. Russo” even went as far as dabbing her eyes while her husband walked me down the aisle, wearing a proud smile.

“You look so beautiful,” Freddy said to me when I reached where he stood.

I couldn't tell if he was just playing his part or giving me a genuine compliment so I just smiled.

I couldn't believe I was about to marry him. The days leading to today had been terrible.

The only thing I had on my mind was if I had made the wrong decision. But whatever it was, I was too far to back out now.

The vows were a blur of rehearsed lines. I didn't think it was all necessary since this was anything but a real marriage.

But then, Freddy and I were the only ones who knew.

Once I said ‘I do’, Freddy slipped a diamond the size of a golf ball onto my finger. I appreciated the effort he was putting to make this look real but I thought it was too much.

Well, he could afford it.

The officiant's voice cut through my thoughts, “You may now kiss the bride.”

My stomach plummeted on hearing those words.

I looked at Freddy, panicking as he leaned in.

“Just for the show.”

His lips brushed mine lightly and stayed there for a couple of seconds.

It wasn't even a real kiss but my heart beat wildly.

The small crowd clapped, Freddy's friends whooped, “Mrs. Russo” wiped her tears again and I almost laughed.

I pulled back, flashing an awkward smile as the photographer's flash blinded me.

The reception was also a quick affair.

My “parents” mingled telling anyone and everyone who cared to know about their “baby Lilyanna”.

I was getting sick of everything so I sat on my own, counting the time until Freddy came to tell me it was finally time to go.

The ride back to Freddy's mansion was silent.

My wedding dress suffocated me. My pinned-up hair was like a vice and the boulder in my hand in the name of a ring didn't make things better.

I wanted to ask Freddy about his relationship with his father because their conversations back at the wedding venue had come off as tense to me.

However, I remembered the terms of the contract, no personal questions.

The mansion, in the middle of nowhere, glowed against the night. It was breathtaking.

I'd seen wealth at the Montgomery Grand but this, this place screamed power and privilege.

A butler, dressed in a crisp suit, opened the door on my side.

“Welcome, Mrs Montgomery,” He said with a smile.

I stumbled out, still gawking at the mansion, “Uh…thanks!”

“I'm Edmund. Head of Staff.”

He bowed and led us into the grand sitting room.

It was a cathedral of wealth and I felt tiny against it.

Three servants stood ready, waiting for us: A housekeeper, a chef, and Sundae who was supposed to be my personal assistant.

Their smiles were warm but mildly assessing.

“I'll show you to your room, ma'am,” Sundae said, as the other women turned and left.

“I'm Kae…Lilyanna.”

She smiled, “Miss Lilyanna.”

As I followed Sundae out of the grand sitting room, I looked back to find Freddy staring at me.

Scared he could suddenly see through my act, I hurried to catch up with Sundae.

I followed her up a staircase, my gown bunched up in my hands as I took each step.

The mansion's beauty unfolded as we walked down a corridor - art-lined walls, and doors to rooms I knew I would never belong in.

Sundae talked nonstop about schedules but I was too busy taking in the mansion’s beauty to care. She paused when we reached a door that looked a bit different from the others.

“Your room, miss Lilyanna” Sundae said as she opened the door to reveal the most beautiful room I had ever seen.

A king-sized bed stood in the middle with light blue silk sheets, and curtains that matched the color of the sheets ran from the ceiling to the floor.

The scent of lilies filled the room from a glass vase.

My suitcase which contained a few of my clothes looked like trash next to all these.

But what excited me the most was the balcony.

It overlooked the environment in a truly beautiful way.

I wondered if Freddy had chosen this room for me by himself.

“I was in charge of decorating. It's good to see you like it.” Sundae said.

She had been watching me and the way I admired the room like a commoner.

I looked away, embarrassed.

She walked to a door at the far left and opened it, revealing a walk-in closet almost as big as the room.

“I chose the outfits too. Best designers. The very best for Mrs Montgomery.”

She picked a black dress, casual but not so casual, and placed it on the bed. Then she grabbed a pair of Hermes sandals and placed them next to the dress.

I was so sick of the wedding dress that at the moment all I wanted to do was bathe and lie naked as I always did in my apartment.

As if reading my thoughts, Sundae said,

“You’ll be having dinner with Mr. Montgomery in an hour. I've prepared a bath so just dip in.”

Then she gestured towards a silver switch that I had not seen initially.

“Ring this bell if you need help. I should be helping you dress but I have to pick the last batch of clothes for you.”

More clothes?

“But, I'll assign someone to attend to you.”

She watched me for some time before I understood that she was done speaking and needed to get dismissed.

“Oh yeah, thank you so much…Sundae.”

When she left, I threw myself on the bed, ready to pass out.

Freddy was somewhere in this mansion, probably closing deals while I sank in silk and lies.

My eyes went to the wall clock. Sundae had said I had an hour.

Better to get to work.

I striped down till I was in my birthday suit then I walked into the bathroom which was even more beautiful than the actual room.

I stepped into the tub gingerly and sank in till the warm water touched my jaw.

I sighed and rested my head on the pillow area.

Then I closed my eyes.