First Night

“What?”

I scoffed.

No, I laughed.

Aunt Claire?

My aunt Claire?

She was a sick woman. Frail in a way that made even breathing seem like effort. Barely stood on her own without support

And I was supposed to believe she had sent Adrian Blackwood to me?

“With all due respect,” I said, my laugh sharp and disbelieving, “do you hear yourself, Mr. Black?”

He didn’t react.

No smile. No nod. Just staring at me.

That steady, unsettling stare, like I was a problem he’d already solved.

“Adrian,” he corrected calmly. “We can’t afford anyone overhearing my wife calling me by my last name.”

My breath hitched.

Did he just- ignore everything I said?

“You move in with me tonight,” he continued, already pushing his chair back.

“Tonight?” I stood so fast the chair scraped loudly behind me. “My rent is paid. Six months in advance!”

“Forget it.”

Two words. Flat. Final.

“Mrs. Black cannot be seen living in a tiny rented apartment,” he added, almost scoffing, as if the thought offended him.

My chest tightened. “You paid my rent just to what? Parade me around?”

He was already turning away.

“Rowan will escort you to my villa,” Adrian said. “Your belongings will be moved tomorrow.”

See you at home,” he finished casually, like this was a dinner plan and not the erasure of my independence.

Then he walked past me, straight toward a sleek black car I hadn’t noticed when I arrived.

The door opened for him.

And closed.

This man really annoyed me, the way he spoke like his words were final, I scoffed who did he think he was?, “He was The Mr. Blackwood” I reminded myself, biting my tongue.

I sat back down slowly, my head spinning a little.

What did he mean my aunt sent him?

Why did he pay my rent just to make me move in with him the next day?

None of it made sense. And he was so damn arrogant!.

“Come with me, Mrs. Black.”

Rowan’s voice cut gently through my thoughts.

Then there's his assistant, disappearing and appearing at will.

“Can y'all stop calling me that?” I muttered, rising on shaky legs.

A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips. Gone almost immediately.

“It’ll get easier,” he said

I rolled my eyes

The drive was silent, but still it wasn't long before we arrived, I stepped out. This wasn't a house, It was a damn mansion! I knew he was rich, but I thought wrong, this was pure wealth. I had been to Mila's house lots of times, but it wasn't even a quarter of this

I forced my expression into indifference, refusing to let my awe show, I felt my jaw drop as Rowan led me inside, past the angel shaped fountain outside and through the steel doors.

Inside, the air smelled faintly of wood polish and something expensive I couldn’t name. The ceilings were high enough to swallow sound. My footsteps felt too loud, I felt small, both literally, and figuratively.

Rowan led me forward.

“This way.”

A middle-aged woman appeared near the staircase, her posture straight, her smile warm and practiced.

“This is Mrs. Black,” Rowan said.

Her eyes softened. It seemed she was staff.

“Welcome home, ma'am,” she said kindly.

“Elera” I corrected, I couldn't have a woman twice my age calling me ma'am.

She smiled. But didn't mention my name.

“My name is Margaret. I oversee the household,” she added. “Your room has been prepared.” She said, going straight to the point, reminding me of Rowan.

I smiled back and followed, turning around I couldn't find Rowan, Great, I thought, “he's disappeared again”

The bedroom was massive.

Soft lighting. Floor-to-ceiling windows draped in sheer curtains. A bed so large it felt excessive. Everything in muted tones, cream, silver, charcoal.

And the silence.

I stood in the middle of it, suddenly feeling very small.

Margaret showed me the bathroom, the wardrobe already stocked with clothes I hadn’t chosen.

“When will Mr. Blackwood- uhh Adrian…” I started.

“Mr. Blackwood doesn’t retire early,” she said gently. “But he requested that you be settled comfortably.”

After she left, I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at nothing.

This was real.

I showered mechanically, letting hot water run over me, washing away the smell of the outside world. I slipped into one of the silk robes hanging nearby,it fit too perfectly.

Of course it did, I checked the closet, full of clothes, all my size, clothes fit for royalty, I hate to say but I was impressed, he did really prepare thoroughly for me.

“Eventually, exhaustion dragged me into bed.

The sheets were cool. Too soft.

As I drifted toward sleep, one thought echoed relentlessly in my mind:

What did my aunt do… to send a man like Adrian Blackwood into my life?

—-

The light that peered into my room woke me up. I stretched my hand to the small table beside my bed where my alarm clock usually was, wondering why it didn't go off.

I tapped,

Nothing

I couldn't feel my table, I jerked awake this time, finally opening my eyes to reveal the strange room I was in, my tense shoulders relaxing, as memories of last night flooded my head, hell, it felt like a fever dream.

He didn't come last night.

How rude

What was I thinking?, that he'd welcome me bridal style?, with flowers? who was I kidding.

Beep beep. My phone notification made me pick it up, I just received an email.

"We are pleased to inform you..."

I gasped, the laughed, then screamed

I got the job!, I felt like jumping on the bed like a little girl out of excitement, that would seem so childish of me, I didn't care, I did it anyway, besides, I had earned this.

I freshened up and picked out a corporate fit I found in my closet, sleek and simple. it fit.

I stormed downstairs, I would stay here all year like a decorative wife, I had to work. I smiled, I didn't care about breakfast, I would skip it. I was bag in hand, ready to step out the door...

“Where do you think you're going”-