Chapter 5

ELYRA.

I walked into the large mansion, clutching my bag nervously as the movers took in my bag. It had been a week since I signed the marriage certificate that now binds that arrogant asshole and me.

I had tried to make him see facts; that we had no reason to live together since we could barely stand each other but he remained as stubborn as a mule.

The idea of running into him more than I needed to was not something I looked forward to.

"You must be Mrs.Elyra, "A voice called my attention and I turned to find a lady standing beside me. She had a black suit on, her hair in a formal bun.

"I'm his secretary. The maids could do this but he told me to show you to your room," 

Before I could reply, she turned and headed upstairs. I took a deep breath walking behind her.

This was all for my family.

“Radiel says to feel at home,” she muttered, shutting the door. I stared at the large room in front of me. It screamed elegance and wealth with the lush pillows, polished floors, and the balcony at the edge.

I sat on the bed and it sank down due to my weight. My heart felt numb, everything felt like a strange drama from Nick's mistress to divorce, and now my second marriage.

An empty laugh left my lips and I ran a hand through my hair trying to calm the shaky nerves but it did nothing. A tear slid down my cheeks and I wiped it away with the speed of light.

I couldn't cry.

I had no time for that but my mind had other plans as another slid down followed by another then another. My body shook with sobs and I bit my bottom lip hard trying to stop.

My eyes hurt from the tears and I could already sense the ghost of a headache. Soon the sons died down and melancholy was replaced by exhaustion and the cold arms of sleep took me

I peeled my eyes open, holding my aching head. I felt headed but a cold shower fixed it. Putting on a robe I headed downstairs for a glass of water. My stomach rumbled but I ignored it.

The sun had set and I couldn't help but wonder if Radeil was home. A part of me prayed he probably had an apartment elsewhere but I knew it was too good to be through.

Taking the same route the secretary had shown me I had turned only to meet a pair of cold grey eyes staring at me. Speak of the horned devil.

He sat at the dining table with a sinister smile on his face. Needles pricked my skin suddenly feeling exposed.

He on the other hand sliced through his steak meticulously. I had expected him to say something but when nothing came I pushed a strand of my hair behind my ear walking towards the kitchen.

"Ma’am, I'll have dinner down," a masculine voice muttered and I turned to find a man who seemed to be in his early thirties staring at me.

"Oh no. No need, I'm not hungry. I explained trying to find the fridge or something.

"I just need water. I'm a bit parched. He stared at me with a questionable gaze before turning away. He walked into the other end of the kitchen coming out with a bottle of water not long after.

“Here," he muttered and I took the cold plastic off his hands with a smile.

I walked out of the kitchen not sparing Radiel a glance. My hand had barely made contact with the stair railing when his voice tore through the thick silence. I wanted to ignore him or throw him a hard glare but I only sighed turning to face him.

"Yes? What is it?" I asked giving him a tired look. "Would you at least be more excited talking to your husband?" He asked, placing his wine glass down. His smile seemed to grow every minute and so did the urge to scrape it off with a punch.

I refused to honor his words with a response but he refused to take the hint. "The kitchen told me you've had nothing to eat since you moved in."

For some reason, I was tense at the observation and the flick of his eyes told me he noticed it. It had to do anything without him noticing.

"You don't plan on starving yourself do you? Because that won't gain an ounce of my sympathy."

"Too bad I never planned to," I answered him for the first time turning to head up. I had only watched him talk for a few minutes and my headache had intensified.

"I didn't say you could go," his voice came out this time harshly and I stopped for the sake of my company.

"Take a seat," he took a spoonful of his rice, his eyes not leaving the fine. I thought of arguing but I took the seat maintaining eye contact.

A maid came in with a few plates later and I picked up my fork, poking the meat. My weak appetite had shrivelled at the fact that I would have to eat with him.

"I know this may be a dream for you but you have to know I don't look forward to eating with you. If anything I don't want much to do with you. Except for my amusement

"Then why have me sit here?" I forced a slice of steak through my lips. "Well, my secretary had not drafted the rules, so I decided to give them to you."

I raised an eyebrow waiting for him to finish. He ran a hand through his hair before speaking. "I had agreed to hand over the company since you agreed to sign the papers but that can still be changed.

Among the mix of emotions that flowed through me, shock wasn't one of them. "You will do as I say, accompany me to any event or party, and shall not involve yourself in any project that may cause scandal."

"Now that we have that out of the way. I'll take my leave," he got off the chair taking his jacket. "But of course, the list goes on so my secretary would still send that draft.”

My grip on the fork was so tight that it was a miracle it had no dent. I took a deep breath trying to calm my racing heart. If Radiel wanted a game I was going to play as well.