Chapter 4.

Celine's POV.

The ride back to Carter's mansion was filled with utter silence. Abel had his head rested on the headboard of his seat with his eyes tightly shut. Probably avoiding any conversations with me. I desperately wanted to talk to him; I felt like it was my fault that he lost the woman he loved. If only he hadn't been forced into this marriage, he would probably have been proposing to Taylor. But deep down I was glad that Mr Carter made this decision. I wasn't sure if I could take Abel marrying another woman.

We arrived at the mansion thirty minutes later and Abel was the first to get out of the car. He didn't say a word to me and instead headed straight inside without a single glance in my direction. His actions stung a little, but I assured myself that someday he would come to realize just how much I adore him.

"Are you okay, miss Celine?" I was so drowned in my own thoughts that I didn't notice the concerned look Jerry was throwing at me.

"I'm fine" I replied with a small smile.

Jerry sighed, obviously not believing me "Sir Abel can be a jerk sometimes, miss, but he's a really nice person. The marriage arrangement was a shock to him, but don't worry, he'll come around soon."

"Thanks Jerry". I felt a little better at his words. I have no idea why he decided to comfort me, but I knew that his words really did help ease my mind a bit.

"You don't have to thank me, miss. You're a nice person and what you did for that little boy shows just how amazing you are. Sir Abel doesn't deserve you, but thanks anyway for agreeing to be his wife."

Here was someone else telling me how Abel doesn't deserve me. They just didn't know the wrongs I have done to so many people in the past, including my family.

As Jerry walked me to the entry I thought hard about something to say. Perhaps, start a conversation, but I don't know how. I wasn't the social kind of person, and I was just lucky enough to have two friends, like Selena and Angel. "How long have you been working for Mr Carter?" I was thankful I came up with something. But I was also really curious about his answer. He looks young; probably in his late twenties.

"Five years" he answered with a smile "I'm an orphan and Mr Carter took me in when I was eight years old. He sponsored my high school and college education, and I'm now working as his driver in hopes of repaying his good deeds. I seriously do not know where I would be now if Mr Carter hadn't come into my life."

His voice was filled with gratitude for the man who changed his life. I have heard of Mr Carter's generosity, but this is the first time I've seen someone who can vouch for it.

We neared the entry and I realized that there was no going back. This is my home now. My new life with Abel. It could probably be hell or heaven, but no matter what, I would endure until Abel comes to accept me as his wife. "Are there a lot of maids?" I asked Jerry already feeling my nerves surfacing. The mansion was very huge, and I figured there must be maids around to take care of it.

"It's just Martha and her daughters, but don't worry, they are very nice, and they will take very good care of you, but I must warn you; the girls can be a handful sometimes, and I'm hoping you don't come out of their clutches with an ear bleed."

I chuckled at his warning, already excited about meeting them, and that was the moment Abel decided to go out. He was dressed in fresh new clothes, and it seemed like he was going out because he had his car keys in his hands. He threw us a look of disgust. "If you guys want to flirt, then do it in doors"

My heart jumped at his words. Surely he wouldn't think I could do such a thing as flirting with another man when I had just married him.

"Abel, it's not what you think" I tried to explain, but he only rolled his eyes at me.

"I don't care. I'm just saying that it's disgusting to watch you both flirting, so next time go get a little more privacy"

He walked away, heading to his car, and I felt my eyes glaze over in tears. I've tried really hard for years not to get affected by his insults, but I couldn't. They hurt no matter how much I tried to ignore them.

I watched Abel's car pull away, and a painful thought came to my mind. Was he going to see Taylor? He couldn't even wait for tomorrow. Jerry was giving me a sympathetic look, which was the last thing I needed right now, and before he said anything more, I bid him goodbye and walked into the mansion.

The inside was more beautiful than the outside, and its awesome beauty managed to distract me from the ache in my heart.

I looked around in awe at the beautiful designs that filled the room. There were a lot of paintings on the wall, which gave it a more welcoming feel.

"Welcome Mrs Carter", someone said behind me and I turned around to find an elderly woman and two younger ladies. They look to be seventeen or eighteen and their almost identical looks startled me for a second.

"Um... Hi" I replied nervously. What if they didn't like me? I've never tried to make friends because people avoided me like a plague anyways. But the grin on their faces made me feel at ease.

"We'll be in charge of taking care of you from now on, miss. That was Mr Carter's orders before he left."

"Okay" I replied, unsure of what else to say. "You can just call me Celine though. The formalities aren't necessary"

If possible, the woman's grin widened "I'm Martha and these are my daughters. Cara and Carin."

"Hello" they chorus with huge smiles on their faces and I could see the excitement rolling out of them in waves. I have a good feeling about them.

They were the chatterbox Jerry talked about, but he didn't mention that they were twins or were they not?

"Carin will show you to your room and you" she turned to Cara who was pouting as her sister smirked victoriously at her and she glared back. "Come with me", Martha ordered, and Cara sent me a smile and a small wave before following after her mum but not before sending another glare at her smirking sister.

I smiled at them "did you guys have a fight or something?"

"Nah. We made a bet and she lost. Now she owes me ten dollars."

"What's the bet about?" I asked as she leads me up the giant stairways.

"I told her I'd be the first to talk to you when you arrived, but she disagreed, so we made a bet, and now I won."

"You guys made a bet on me". It sounded weird to me. I mean they don't even know me.

"Yeah. JC talks a lot about you and ever since we've been dying to see who finally captured our old man's heart."

"JC" I frowned, not recognizing the name, but then it clicked, and my eyes widened. "You mean Mr Carter?"

"Yes" she answered freely.

"You call him JC?" That's too formal for a maid.

"Well that's what he told everyone here to call him. Only Mum calls him Mr Carter."

She went on talking about all that Mr Carter had told them about me, and I was beyond shock. He knows a lot about me, and I've only met him twice. One, at Selena's birthday party a few years ago and the second time was when he suddenly popped up at my house to discuss the marriage arrangement with my dad.

It seems like there is more to Mr Carter's reasons for this marriage. Something deeper than business.

"Here we are" Carin announced as she pushed open a huge door to reveal the most beautiful room I've ever seen. The floors were completely white and flawless, and I almost felt the need to take off my shoes. There was a huge queen-sized bed in the middle of the room which was neatly made. The room consists of two doors; one leads to the closet and the other was the bathroom.

The room was way bigger than any room in the Graysons' mansion. My room would be a rathole compared to this.

"This will be your room and Abel's from now on" Carin informed me and I looked over at her a little nervous.

"D...does Abel know we would be sharing a room?"

She didn't seem the least bit surprised by my question, as I expected. Instead, she gave me a small smile "he knows. JC made sure that this room would be occupied by both of you. He made Cara and I his secret spy". Her eyes widened as she realized what she had just said. "oops, I shouldn't have said that. It was supposed to be a secret."

"Its fine" I assured, although I wasn't sure if it was. I mean I just found out my father-in-law has been stalking me for a long time, and now he's spying on me and his son. What exactly is his motive?

Cara walked into the room dragging my luggage behind her. Oh, I totally forgot that it was still in the car. "What are you doing here Cara? You're supposed to be helping mum make dinner" Carin said looking annoyed.

"Well, mum changed her mind" Cara smiled triumphantly. "She asked me to help Celine unpack, and she wants you to help her in the kitchen". Her eyes landed on me and a huge scary smile appeared on her face. She suddenly rushed forward and gave me a hug.

She released the hug and I watched her eyes sparkling with excitement. I was shocked at her informal welcome. It was like I was her long-time friend even though we've only just met. "Its so great to meet you Celine. JC talks a lot about you and I've been dying to meet this 'rare gem of his for a long time" Now I am beginning to think that Mr Carter really does have some other reason for getting me married to his son. "And by the looks of things, he wasn't the least bit wrong about you" she continued staring intently at me.

I wanted to reply, but Carin cut in with a scoff "quit acting like some die-hard fan and help her unpack. Do your job already"

Cara glared back at her. "What about you? Shouldn't you be in the kitchen helping mum make dinner?"

"I'll leave when I want to."

"And I'll also help unpack when I want to so shut up."

"I'm just saying. I think Celine would prefer to start unpacking than listen to your blabbering all day long"

"I don't see her complaining"

"That's because she's being polite. I wonder how she could even stand your annoying high-pitched voice. My ears are about to come off from years of listening to it"

"Yeah, yeah. You're just jealous of my voice. Everyone knows your voice sounds like some gruff dude"

Carin was red with rage at Cara's words. I had a feeling this wasn't the first time they have been having an argument about voices. "For the last time, I don't sound like a man" Carin snapped. Her eyes glared daggers at her sister.

Cara smiled sweetly, obviously enjoying Carin's anger, but sadly the show was cut short by Martha walking in. "Didn't I tell you to help Celine unpack?" She scolded Cara "You guys are arguing again, isn't it?"

"She started it" Cara jumped in defense while Carin glared at her but said nothing.

Martha sighed and gave me an apologetic smile, "sorry about them Celine. They can be such brats sometimes."

"Its fine. It's actually amusing to watch twins bicker"

No way!" They both snap, startling me. "We are not twins. Its bad enough that she's my sister" Carin cringed as if the very thought terrified her.

"Yeah and I'm older, so you should give me some respect" Cara shot back in anger and I watched Martha palm her forehead in frustration. I guess Jerry wasn't wrong after all.

"You're older just by a year, and you don't even act like the older sibling. You're so immature."

"You..." Cara tried to get to her, but Martha was quick to grab her ear. "Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!"

"That's enough now. I think Celine is fed up with your blabbering mouths for the day"

To be honest, I wasn't. It was entertaining to watch them.

"You too come here" Martha grabbed Carin's ears as well and dragged them both out of the room after apologizing to me once again.

I could hear their whiny protest down the hallway and I shook my head in amusement.

I'm definitely going to like it here.