Rules

{Elara’s POV}

The gate opened slowly 

I held my breath as the cars drove in. And just like my expectations, his estate was as dark as I had imagined. 

My finger tightened around my dress as the car drove through a long driveway.

I turned my head towards the window, watching the tall buildings being surrounded by armed guards and black vehicles parked in perfect lines. 

The car pulled up in front of a massive building and before I could react, the door was opened. 

“We’re here madam,” Zeke said calmly as he held the door ajar.

I stepped out, holding my breath as I stared at the mansion. It looks so huge and magnificent. 

I didn’t have time to take it all in when Dorian stepped out from the other side.

The moment his feet touched the ground, the guards straightened immediately.

No one spoke or moved and I noticed it.

This man isn’t just respected, he was feared.

“Follow me,” Dorian said as he walked past me. He didn’t even spare me a glance

‘How cold’

I gulped and quickly followed behind him.

We walked into the building which was even more intimidating 

Black marble floors, high ceilings. Everything looked expensive… but lifeless.

Our footsteps echoed as we walked, and all I could think about was how I would escape. 

Yes, I had planned to escape but only after I had gained understanding of the building.

Suddenly Dorian stopped, causing me to almost bump into him.

“Pen.” He called. His voice echoed throughout the room.

Immediately, an elderly woman in her late fifties walked in

“You called, sir?” she answered, her head bowed down respectfully.

Only then did Dorian spare me a glance, his piercing blue eyes meeting mine.

“Show her to the west wing, I’ll be there shortly.” 

“Of course sir, as you wish.” 

Without another word, he walked away, taking the stairs while I trailed his back till he disappeared from my sight.

“Please come with me ma’am,” Pen said pulling my attention and gesturing her hand forward.

I looked back at the stairs and signed before following behind Pen.

We walked through a quiet hallway until Pen stopped before a wide wooden door.

“This is your room,” she announced, then opened the door. 

The room was elegant and very masculine. But what pulled my attention the most was the black upright piano near the window.

Its surface was glossy and untouched, like it was more of a decoration than something meant to be played. Everything about the room screamed him.

My heart thudded.

“This is… his room,” I whispered before I could stop myself.

Pen nodded gently. “Yes, ma’am. The young master instructed that you stay here with him from now on.”

What!!? I had thought I would have my own room. 

“Please make yourself comfortable ma’am. The young master will be here shortly,” Pen bowed slightly before walking out leaving me alone in the room

I stood in place for a long time then my eyes drifted back to the piano again before I finally walked towards it. My fingers hovered above the keys. I hesitated then I pressed one key softly and quickly pulled my hand back when the sound echoed throughout the room. 

The door suddenly clicked open and Dorian’s image came into view. I turned immediately, moving away like I had been caught doing something wrong. Dorian scoffed at my reaction and walked in.

I watched him pour himself a glass of wine before setting the bottle down. 

“You’re in my house now,” Dorian said calmly, as he approached me, “so let’s get something clear before you get… comfortable.” He walked past me slowly, and glided his fingers on the piano

“There are three rules that you must follow,” he continued, 

My palm fisted into a ball. “And if I don’t?”

He paused then turned to face me. The way he stared hard at me felt as though he hated that I had interrupted him.

“You will.” He said, with an absolute certainty like his words were final

Silence settled between us as we held each other's gaze.

“Rule one,” he said, and looked outside the window, “whenever you leave the house, you are expected to return back before 8pm, any minute late and there will be consequences.”

My lips parted slightly but I didn’t say anything.

“Secondly,” he continued, “you must never tell anyone that you’re married to me. Under no circumstances.” He turned to face me looking dead serious. “Not even by accident, until I announce it myself.” 

He paused, “Is that clear?”

Judging by the tone of his voice, I could tell he was serious. 

“Ye…yes.” I answered, looking down at my feet.

“And lastly,” he stopped in front of me and lifted my chin, so I had no choice but to meet his gaze. “Stay out of my way. Don’t meddle in my business, meetings, or anything that does not concern you.”

“And since you are so fond of speaking back, don't make me cut that tongue off.”

With that, he let my chin go like I meant nothing. My jaw tightened but I said nothing. 

He lifted up his glass and drank the remaining content before setting it back down on the table. Just like that, he took off his tie and unhooked two of his shirt buttons 

“Now my dear wife,” he said, and settled on the couch in the room. He sat with effortless authority, his legs spread apart, looking like a king. He leaned back then motioned for me to walk over.

“Come here.” He said calmly. His gaze locked on my face.

I stood there silently, unsure if I should obey or not. The way he was staring at me was so intense that I almost chose the latter. But I had seen the way the men outside treated him. The respect. The fear. The unquestioning obedience. 

Perhaps resisting him might not be the smartest choice. Soon, his expression darkened when I failed to move.

“Don’t make me repeat myself,” he said, his voice dropping into a dangerous tone that sent chills down my spine.

So hesitantly, I moved my feet. Step by step. His gaze never left mine till I finally stopped right in front of him.  

“On your knees.” 

His command landed like a punch. I hesitated again, fear tightening around my chest as I looked at him. Every cell in my body was screaming for me to resist but they were weak compared to the reality sitting before me.

Slowly, I lowered myself to the floor. But the moment my knees touched the ground, his hand immediately found my neck and gripped me firmly.

My breath hitched as panic flooded my face.

“Listen to me, Elara.” He said leaning in closer to me. I could feel the warning in his voice.

“I didn’t buy you from your uncle so you could hesitate when I speak.” His fingers tightened slightly.

“If I give you an instruction, you obey without question. You don’t hesitate. You don’t interrupt. You listen.” 

Fear coated my entire being, as my heart hammered against my chest.

“The moment your uncle signed those papers, you became mine. Mine to use. Mine to do as I please. 

His words struck me like lightning.

“Your body belongs to me, your mind belongs to me. Your soul belongs to me. You’re a robot, Elara, and I’m with the remote.” 

His hand remained around my neck as he studied my face.

“Got that?”

My throat felt tight. Every part of me hated the answer he expected, hated the power he held over me. But I quickly responded, hoping he would at least let go of my neck, because I couldn’t breathe.

“Y-yes.” I struggled for breath and just like that, he pushed me back releasing my neck in the process and I immediately gasped for air. Coughing.

“Now,” he said, casually leaning back on the couch as if he didn’t almost kill me just now. 

“Take my belt off”