Chapter 7.

The ride to Alex’s house was long and suffocating, even though we rode in two separate cars. I sat stiffly in the backseat letting my mind wander, staring blankly out the tainted window as the city lights blurred hazily. 

My wedding gown, as beautiful as it was — bless Rose, felt like a shackle pressing down on my chest making breathing a chore. The ceremony went performatively. The guests cheered and wished us a happily wed life as we plastered fake smiles on our faces. 

The tension between both our families was hard to miss, but they tried their best to mask it. Rose looked tired, Arthur had a clipped expression throughout while supporting his wife. Father ignored me completely — not that I was expecting his attention anyway. Veronica had a smug suspicious look throughout the wedding, she didn’t look too happy, like she was expecting us not to go through with the wedding. James and Lexi couldn’t look more bored.

Who could’ve possibly sent those pictures…? Veronica? Lexi?

I wouldn’t put it past those two, but I don’t have evidence to back up my claims if I speak up or confront them.

The cars finally pull through tall wrought-iron gates and up the driveway, my eyes widened at the sheer size of the mansion. It was way bigger than my father's with dozens of windows glowing in the night like watchful eyes. It was grand, immaculate and terrifying.

Alex emerged first, his tall brooding frame casting a long shadow across the marble steps. He didn’t spare more than a fleeting glance before speaking.

“The mansion has two wings. I stay east, you stay west. No one crosses over to the other's side.”

“So…that's it? We go on living in the same house but in different spaces?”

“I think you're finding it difficult to understand that this isn't a real marriage. We. Are. Strangers. Living together for formalities. Let's keep it that way.” he says coldly.

“Do you plan on cutting this marriage deal off anytime?” I say, clutching the folds of my gown tightly. 

He didn't answer.  Didn't even pause to look at me again. Instead, he turned away from me and strode up the stairs of his wing. Disappearing into the shadows, leaving me on my own like a nuisance dumped at his doorstep to figure out this big prison. 

For a moment I just stood there, the night air cold against my bare shoulders, my heart beating louder than the silence that he left behind. My wedding night. My wedding night…

I almost laughed. The sound bubbled in my throat, bitter and so freaking hollow. Great. What a way to spend my wedding night. I thought sarcastically.

I had never dreamed of marriage, not after what my mother went through in her so-called loving marriage with my father. I watched her crumble everyday under father's cruelty until she managed to escape.

I swore to myself not to let anyone drag me into something like that. And yet, here I was. Married to an arrogant prick.

My heels echoed loudly as I took hesitant steps into the vast marble foyer. The chandeliers glittered coldly overhead. I had no idea where I was heading. 

Just as I was about to give in to my frustration and wander aimlessly, a soft feminine voice reached out to me.

“Madam this way please.” A girl who seemed my age, called out. Judging from her uniform, I could tell she was a maid here.

Her eyes were downcast as she led me towards the west wing Alex had so generously ‘assigned’ to me.

The hallways stretched endlessly like a maze field. I was beginning to get dizzy when she stopped in front of a heavy oak door, which she opened with a bow.

“Your room madam.”

“You can call me Mrs Hazel,” I said smiling at her, “Madam feels too hard, what's your name?”

“Nora, Mrs Hazel.” Nora says, lifting her head up looking shocked with her eyes widened. Norah had a cute round face and a button nose. Her eyes were light blue and it complemented her braided brown hair perfectly.

“Well, thank you Norah for showing me to my room,  I really appreciate it. Good night,” I tell her as she bows softly again and turns to leave. 

The space inside was huge. Undeniably luxurious and tastefully furnished. My fingers brushed the silken sheets of my bed as I scanned the room. A velvet armchair, polished furnitures, long curtains that stretch forever, they oozed wealth but felt foreign — cold, nothing like home.

I slipped out of my gown and collapsed on the bed, the drama from today was enough to weigh me down for ages.

I stared up at the ceiling, biting back the tears that burned my eyes. I've been holding back a lot of tears today, huh? “This is my marriage, my life now.”  I told myself.

¤¤¤¤¤

It's been three days since I got married. Three days of wandering these long halls while missing the comfort of my apartment…my home.

My body felt heavy as I dragged myself from the bed. I do my routine tiredly and get dressed carefully for work.  I desperately clung to the one thing that gave me hope and strength: My work, my sweat. 

If Alex and my father thought they could destroy that fire in me, they have another thing coming.

The moment I walked into the building, the air shifted. The normal polite greetings and light chatter was replaced with hushed whispers and people shuffling through quickly, almost frightened. Strange.

My suspicions were confirmed when Freya rushed towards me, almost breaking into a sprint and panting heavily.

“Hazel!” She nearly gasped, looking pale and frantic. “Oh thank goodness you're here today! I've been trying to reach you since morning, but you haven't been easy to get to,” she stopped and lowered her voice. “The chairman's here.”

My heart dropped to my stomach and for a second, the air I was breathing turned to ice. Sharp. Cold.

“Why?” I demanded.

“I don't know but he summoned the whole board of directors and he's with James—"

“The conference room right?” I cut her off. The sound of my blood rushing, blocked my ears. What stunt is my father trying to pull this time around? The thought made me shudder.

“Yes.” Freya looked up at me, helplessly with a guilty expression etched on her face. I wanted to tell her that I'm alright and that she shouldn't feel guilty or worried but my mouth remained sealed on impulse. 

I didn't wait to hear more as I made my way towards the elevator that'll take me to the fifth floor, where the conference room that held my father and his tactics was.