Diana
The rain taps on the car’s roof as we drive down the empty highway, and I look out the window, barely seeing anything since it’s pouring. “Is the temperature comfortable, ma’am?” the driver, Timothy, asks, and I catch his reflection in the rearview mirror. “It’s a bit cold outside, so if you need it, there is a blanket beside you. We should reach our destination in five minutes.” Despite his cheerful tone, his stoicexpression doesn’t crack. The guy must be in his sixties, with a gray beard, wiry hair, and various wrinkles marring his features. “Matilda is already waiting for you.”
“Matilda?”
“Yes. She takes care of the mansion. You can say we are all under her rule.” He skims his fingers through his whiskers. “She has a lot of strict rules that keep the mansion running.” He glances over his shoulder. “She despises chaos and has little patience for a mess.”
Matilda sounds like a pain in the ass, but I keep that bit to myself since my emotions have been all over the place for the past hour and a half.
After our short ceremony, where Rafael snapped a few photos and informed us about sending them to a few big gossip tabloids to spread the information faster, we got our marriage certificate. Orion called for Elizabeth, who happens to be a nice woman, even if she doesn’t smile at all. In a flash, she had a driver ready to take me to the Wrights’ family mansion.
The woman in a two-piece suit enters, carrying a white envelope, and gives it to the judge, who adjusts his jacket and frowns in confusion. “This is my thank you for helping us out on such short notice.” He grabs the envelope, looks inside, and shakes his head. “I’ve heard you enjoy fishing.”
“I do, but this is too much.” He taps the envelope. “I don’t need an expensive resort to indulge in my favorite hobbies.”
“Your wife might appreciate it. Fishing isn’t her favorite activity, is it? This way, you can both enjoy a little vacation without arguments.”
The judge smiles and nods. “Hard to argue with that. I’ll accept this gift, then. Wishing you a happy married life, and I expect to be invited to the christening.” He must read the shock on my face as he clicks his tongue. “No need to fret, darling. If you don’t want any children, that’s fine too. I’m just joking.”
Rafael places his hand on the judge’s shoulder and points at the door. “Let me walk you out.” He salutes me. “Welcome to the family, Diana. It’s crazy and fucked up, but you might actually like it.”
Blinking in surprise, I mutter, “Thanks.” The cousins share a long look before Rafael and the judge exit the office.
“Elizabeth, please call Timothy. He will take Diana home.” Elizabeth types something on her tablet without missing a beat. “Also, we need to arrange movers to take care of her things.”
I’m so flabbergasted by the order that it takes me a second to react. “I don’t want anyone going through my belongings. Why can’t I go back home now and meet you once the movers come over?” I prefer to seek solace in my own home, even with the landlord knocking on my door every other hour to remind me of the missed payments. Father promised to cover that as part of our deal.
“You’re my wife, Diana, and you will live in my house. If you want to be there when the movers arrive, be my guest. As long as you’re my wife, you sleep where I do. Is that clear?”
“I have to pay my landlord for a few months. He’s expecting the money today, or he’ll throw my things away.” I wish the ground would open up and swallow me whole to avoid this embarrassing confession, as this man probably has no idea what it is like to struggle for money. “So I have to?—”
“Elizabeth.”
“Consider it done, sir.”
His green eyes darken for whatever reason when they land on my hands, and I quickly put them behind my back, wondering if he judges my bare nails or something. I didn't have time to put any color on them, but he’s probably used to more sophisticated manicures. “I’ll take care of everything, andtomorrow, you can retrieve your stuff. End of discussion. I’ve wasted enough time on this useless conversation as it is.”
I didn’t even bother arguing, as my reaction to his touches and words caused enough havoc to hightail my ass from there and use the first opportunity to escape his company.
“Do you have a lot of people working at the house?”
Despite his stoic demeanor, Timothy is chatty as hell. “Yes. Most of us were hired by Orion’s late mother, Miss Angelica. She was a beautiful soul.” I hear traces of sadness in his words, and it rubs me the wrong way. “However, we hired some new maids and gardeners. Our families have worked for the Wrights for generations, so we have our houses built on their land.” He winks at me, and I force a smile for him. “We’re all very close. Don’t worry, ma’am. You won’t ever feel lonely. Our job is to make your life easier.”
Right.
I grew up with staff as well, and while they make sure to stay away from you, they always lurk in the background, and you learn that walls have ears too. It’s also a chess game in a sense since their alliances depend on how you treat them, and some of these alliances might be beneficial and vice versa. If you cross one of them, they can make your life unbearable.
Judging by the information I have so far, they really loved Orion’s mother, and this loyalty transferred to him, which means they would keep an eye on me for him.
I won’t be alone, but I will be lonely, no matter what Timothy says.
Another thing I decide not to comment on.
“That’s nice to hear,” I reply, just as my phone vibrates in my purse. I snatch it out, groaning inwardly at my father’s name flashing on the screen.
Did you marry him?
Why aren’t you answering your phone?
