Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Eliesse’s POV

The moment the grand doors of the hotel lobby opened, it felt as though an explosion had gone off. Blinding flashes from countless cameras immediately greeted us, one after another. The sudden burst of light was so intense that I might have tripped over my own gown if I hadn’t been holding on to Zavier Castellano’s arm.

This was when I truly realized just how much influence the man beside me possessed. Reporters from various prominent television networks and newspapers were practically fighting their way toward us, eagerly extending their microphones in our direction. Their voices overlapped, creating an overwhelming commotion that made it almost impossible to distinguish one question from another.

“Mr. Castellano! Is it true that the wedding will happen before the year ends?”

“Ms. Sarmiento, how does it feel to be engaged to the city’s most powerful bachelor following the university scandal?”

“Are the rumors true that this relationship started long before the scandal broke out?”

The entire place was in chaos. The media frenzy was terrifying, and I could feel my heartbeat quickening with every question they threw at me. They were clearly looking for something controversial, something they could twist into another scandal that would damage my reputation. It felt as though I were standing in the middle of a storm, with everyone waiting for me to make a single mistake.

I was beginning to feel dizzy, but Zavier remained perfectly composed. Not even the slightest change crossed his expression. His large hand rested firmly against my waist, making it clear to everyone that he was protecting me. Whether it was intentional or simply another display of his authority, his gesture sent a message that no one dared to challenge.

Four enormous bodyguards quickly formed a barrier between us and the reporters, creating a clear path toward the black Mercedes-Benz waiting near the entrance. They pushed back the crowd without hesitation, preventing anyone from getting too close.

“No comments for tonight. Thank you,” Atty. Marcelo said coldly as he suddenly appeared beside us to escort us toward the vehicle.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally managed to get inside. The moment the doors closed, the deafening noise outside disappeared. The thick windows and sealed doors separated us from the chaotic world of flashing cameras and relentless paparazzi.

I settled at the far end of the spacious leather seat, deliberately putting as much distance as possible between myself and Zavier. I could feel sweat forming on my forehead, and my palms were slightly damp. The interior of the vehicle was luxurious, almost excessively so, but the atmosphere felt formal. There was so much space between us, yet somehow, I felt as though I had nowhere to escape.

The car began moving, and with it came an uncomfortable tension that seemed to grow stronger with every passing second.

I turned toward the window, watching the city lights disappear behind us. I could see buildings, streetlamps, and passing vehicles, but my mind was occupied by something else entirely. I had spent the entire evening pretending to be the perfect fiancée, smiling for the cameras and standing obediently beside a man who seemed to have complete control over my life.

I couldn’t keep pretending.

There were so many things I wanted to ask him, and now that he was sitting right in front of me, I wasn’t going to waste another opportunity.

I turned my head toward him, “I want to see my parents.”

Zavier didn’t move. He remained leaning against the backrest, his eyes closed and both hands resting over his lower abdomen. He looked completely uninterested, as though my request were nothing more than an insignificant interruption.

“No.”

My eyebrows immediately knitted together.

His refusal came so quickly that it sent a wave of irritation through me. I couldn’t understand why I was being denied even the simplest privilege of seeing my own parents. What possible reason could he have for keeping me away from them?

“Why not? You promised that they would be safe and that their lives would return to normal. If everything has already been settled, why can’t I visit them? I need to see them, Mr. Castellano. I want to spend more time with them.”

Zavier slowly opened his eyes.

His dark gaze settled on me, and for a moment, he simply stared without saying anything. There was something unsettling about the way he looked at me, as though he were carefully deciding how much information I deserved to hear.

“You are my fiancée now, Anneliesse. Your world is here, with me. The more you associate yourself with your previous life, the more vulnerable you become in the eyes of my enemies. Your parents are being monitored for their protection. They’re doing well. Seeing them will only ruin the illusion that you have completely moved on and accepted your place in my household.”

“Illusion?” I repeated, unable to believe what I had just heard. “You’ve kept me inside your mansion for an entire month! I still don’t understand why I have to cut ties with the only people who have genuinely loved me just because of your political games!”

My voice rose slightly as my frustration finally got the better of me.

I couldn’t understand his reasoning. To me, it seemed like he simply wanted to control every aspect of my existence. He had already taken away my freedom, my privacy, and my ability to make decisions for myself. Now, he was even deciding when I could see the people who had raised me.

What else did he intend to take?

“You don’t need to understand, Anneliesse. You just need to obey,” he replied smoothly, his tone flat but unmistakably authoritative. “The discussion is over.”

I stared at him in disbelief.

That was it? He had made his decision, and I was simply expected to accept it without another word?

I turned back toward the window, blinking repeatedly as tears threatened to fall. I was furious, but I refused to let him see how much his words had affected me. I pressed my lips together, trying to control the emotions threatening to spill over.

If he thought I was as easy to command as the people working for him, then he was gravely mistaken.

I was not one of his employees. I was not one of his bodyguards, and I certainly wasn’t another person who would lower their head whenever he issued an order.

I had my own mind, my own feelings, and my own rights.

I would not allow him to dictate every single aspect of my life. He might have the power to control the people around him, but that didn’t mean he could control me completely.

If he refused to give me what I wanted through a reasonable conversation, then I would find another way to get it. Besides, I knew this wasn’t entirely about protecting my reputation. He could keep giving me excuses about his enemies, political alliances, and the safety of my parents, but I wasn’t stupid enough to believe every word that came out of his mouth.

There was something else behind his decision. Perhaps he simply wanted to make sure that I had no one else to turn to. Perhaps he wanted me to become so dependent on him that I would eventually stop questioning his authority and that was something I would never allow to happen.

The rest of the journey passed in complete silence. Zavier didn’t attempt to continue our conversation, and I didn’t bother looking in his direction again. I kept my eyes on the passing scenery, silently making plans in my head. By the time we arrived at the mansion, my irritation had only grown worse.

The moment the car stopped, I immediately reached for the door. I didn’t wait for Zavier to offer his hand or even acknowledge his presence. I stepped out and walked straight toward the entrance, lifting the hem of my gown slightly to avoid stepping on it.

I could hear his footsteps behind me, but I refused to slow down.

The servants greeted us as we entered, their eyes briefly moving between Zavier and me. I ignored them and continued toward the staircase.

“Anneliesse.”

I heard him call my name, but I didn’t stop.

I walked straight to our bedroom, entered, and immediately shut the door behind me. After locking it, I leaned against the wooden surface and released a frustrated breath.

I didn’t even bother removing my jewelry or changing out of my gown. I simply stood there, staring at the door as though I could somehow keep the entire world on the other side of it.

“Anneliesse…” he called again from outside.

I closed my eyes. I wasn’t going to answer him. For once, I wanted him to understand that I was not always going to respond whenever he called. He couldn’t expect me to smile at him after spending the entire evening treating my feelings as though they were irrelevant.

I heard him approach the door, “Open the door.”

A few seconds passed, but I still didn’t move. My fingers tightened around the fabric of my gown as I listened to the faint sounds coming from the other side.

I knew Zavier wasn’t accustomed to being ignored. Men like him were used to getting immediate responses, unquestionable obedience, and absolute control. He probably couldn’t even remember the last time someone deliberately refused to listen to him but tonight, I didn’t care.

He could be the most powerful man in the city. He could own corporations, control universities, influence politicians, and make powerful men tremble with a single phone call.

However, he wasn’t going to decide whether I deserved to see my own mother and father. That decision belonged to me and if he refused to understand that through words, then I would find a way to make him understand.

I slowly walked away from the door and headed toward the bed, finally allowing the tears I had been holding back to fall.

I missed my parents and no matter how luxurious the mansion was, no matter how expensive the clothes they gave me were, and no matter how many people bowed whenever I walked past them, none of it could replace the warmth of being with my family.

I was engaged to Zavier Castellano, but that didn’t mean I had willingly surrendered my entire life to him.