CHAPTER TWO

ISLA POV

 

I hummed along with the song as I swirled happily. After all, my longtime crush turned husband was finally coming back home.

After freshening up, I wore a red floral dress that hugged my curves perfectly. My makeup was light and I brushed down my wavy strawberry blonde hair.

A knock on the door and I granted whoever it was permission to come in. 

"Good morning ma'am Isla," a junior maid greeted, flashing me a cheeky smile.

I sighed, "good morning Kiara and for Pete's sake, don't call me ma'am anymore. Isla is just fine."

"And risk losing my job? No way!” She rolled her eyes. "You're now the daughter-in-law of the Rhodes family," she added.

I shrugged, "fine. Do whatever you want.”

She giggled, "thank you, madam". 

I opened my mouth to protest, but closed it. Shaking my head. I walked into my walk-in closet and soon came out, wearing a pair white Hermes slippers.

Kiara was making the bed. She turned to me when she felt my presence, "you look beautiful ma'am. I bet Master Zale won't be able to resist this beauty.” She fanned her face dramatically.

I blushed, my eyes all lit up. 

"Awwn, she's blushing," she teased me.

I smacked her arm lightly. "Shut up" before rushing out. With every step I took, I reflected on how far I've come and how my life has changed.

There's nothing special about me. I'm from a humble background, stopped my education at high school because of lack of money. Until a few months ago, I was a lowly maid in this mansion.

My pace slowed as I walked down the stairs when I heard voices. It didn't sound like a normal conversation.

Quietly, I stood at a corner. My brain screamed for me to leave, but I couldn't when I saw the back profile of the third person.

Zale Rhode. My husband. When did he arrive? How would I have known when I spent so much time getting dressed to impress him?

For the past one year, I had admired him, even though I saw him only once.

"Isla," Mrs. Rhode suddenly called out to me. I snapped my head in bed direction and found her smiling.

I returned the smile, but it widened when Zale turned to look at me. But nothing prepared me for the disgust and anger that radiated off him.

His eyes were cold as ice, void of emotions that it sent shivers down my spine, which caused me to stagger backward.

Unable to hold his gaze, I looked at Mrs. Rhode, who still maintained her smile. I didn't understand why she was beaming. Can't she sense the tension in the room, or are they pretending not to notice?

Mr. Rhode stood up and walked up to Zale and whispered something in his ear. His shoulders stiffened immediately. The stormy silence was loud.

He looked like he was about to explode or murder someone, but he held himself.

"Come here darling," Mrs. Rhode urged me, stretching out her hand for me to hold, and I did.

She caressed my hand. "Your husband is here now. Your father-in-law and I will leave you two to talk and get to know each other better." A wide smile tugged on her lips.

I gripped her hand more, not wanting her to go. She somehow pulled out her hand, and she left with her husband, leaving alone with Zale.

The pace of my heartbeat doubled. With shaky hands, I wiped the beads of sweat that formed on my forehead.

I stood rooted. None of us said a word to each other.

Calm down Isla. He has every reason to be angry. This is still new to him, so the least I can do is at least try to be cordial. Friendship is a great start. One step at a time.

I closed my eyes and steadied my breath before speaking, "Hi, Zale," I whispered, smiling nervously as I sat opposite him.

His head hung low, but when he finally looked at me, I just wished I could disappear. 

I clutched onto my dress. No one was around to save me. When I accepted his parents’ proposal to get married to him, I knew it would take some time to make him get comfortable with me.

This hatred is what I least expected.

"Come," his voice was sharp, jolting me out of my thoughts before walking away. My legs wobbled as I trailed behind him like a lost puppy.

Several thoughts rammed through my mind as I walked. My movement came to an abrupt stop when my head hit something hard.

"Ouch" I groaned, looking up and realized it wasn't a wall but Zale's back.

Someone help me. You're so clumsy, Isla Fisher.

"What do you want?" He groaned, his fists clenched.

I tilted my head, trying to understand what he meant, "I... I don't get your question," I replied sincerely.

"Is it money? Fame? What is it?"

Now it was my turn to control myself. My nose flared, muscles tensed as I felt the anger course through my veins, "I don't need anything," I seethed.

"Don't test my patience. I hate it when gold diggers try to deny what they are"

"I am not a gold digger, Zale.” It was as if that sparked something in his head. He turned around suddenly, startling me.

He raised his hand to hit me, but it got suspended in the air. Lowering it, he gripped my arms, that I winced in pain.

"What kind of woman sells herself to a man she barely knows? Only cheap women do that," a sly smirk plastered on his face.

I flinched at his cruelty. Pissed off, I kicked his leg, and his grip loosened. Indeed, I'm a soft person. That doesn't mean I'm weak.

"I didn't marry you for your money or the status I stand to enjoy"

He scoffed, "so why did you agree to the ridiculous offer?"

"I.. I..."the words got stuck in my throat. How do I tell him that I agreed to the arrangement because I like him?

He grabbed my chin roughly, "cat caught your tongue, huh? I don't care about what my parents promised you. Remember, we are only married on paper. I'll never love you and you will forever be a maid," he pushed me and walked away.

Tears rolled down my face I remained on the floor. Is this the beginning of my doom?