ELENA'S POINT OF VIEW
As I stepped outside my building that morning, Alex's sleek black car was waiting at the curb, its engine purring softly like a contented predator. My heart raced, an uninvited flutter that I tried to suppress. The tinted window of the back seat was lowered just enough for me to catch a glimpse of him. Alex sat there, an unreadable expression etched across his sharp features, as cold and distant as ever.
The early sun cast a gentle glow on the world, and a light breeze brushed against my cheeks, but I was acutely aware of the clammy heat rising in my palms. My mind felt like a heavy fog, weighed down by everything that had transpired in the past few days. The turmoil surrounding my mother had finally found some resolution; she had been discharged from the hospital just yesterday. All the arrangements, the new apartment, the nurse, and even managing the bills, had been orchestrated by Alex, who, despite his silence, seemed to move mountains for our sake, as if the effort cost him nothing.
When my mother first laid eyes on the new apartment, I'll never forget the way her breath caught in her throat, the sheer disbelief washing over her as she wandered through the spacious, immaculate rooms. She ran her fingers over the surfaces as though they might vanish at any moment. The kind nurse Alex hired immediately put her at ease, and to see my mother smile so radiantly filled my chest with a relief so profound, I worried it might just burst open. I had kept the details to a minimum, only half-heartedly mentioning that Alex was helping us, urging her to relax and not to dwell on the weight of everything.
And now, here I was, staring down the polished exterior of the car that held the man who had turned my life upside down within a week
With a deep, steadying breath, I approached the vehicle. The driver stepped out, opening the back door with an air of formality. "Thank you," I murmured as I climbed inside.
Alex didn't spare me a glance. His jaw was clenched, and his gaze remained fixed outside the window, lost in a world I couldn't access. When I offered a timid greeting, he briefly shifted his gaze, but his indifference hit me like ice.
"Good morning," I managed.
He chose to ignore my connection attempt. Instead, he commanded the driver in a chilling tone, "Drive."
As we pulled away from my building, I sat quietly, my bag clutched tightly to my chest. My heart raced, not from excitement, but from the anxiety of guessing Alex's mood. Each of his words felt like a carefully measured point on a scale, and I was discovering all too well the weight of my breaths.
Upon our arrival at the magnificent Reyes mansion, the gate swung open, and a staff member was quick to assist me out of the car. I stepped out, gripping my small bag as I fought to mask the nerves bubbling within me.
Waiting at the entrance was Victoria, wearing a beaming smile that could warm even the coldest of hearts. The moment she spotted me, she glided over and enveloped me in a welcoming hug.
"There you are," she said softly. "How have you been, dear? I've missed you since we last met."
I managed a small smile, my words a mere whisper in response as she led me inside.
The living room was just as elegant as I remembered, cold perfection wrapped in beautiful design. Seated in one of the armchairs was Alex's father, Richard Reyes. He acknowledged me with a nod, a silent greeting that felt heavy in the air.
Once the obligatory pleasantries were exchanged, Victoria turned to me, her smile unwavering. "You'll be staying here in the mansion until the engagement," she announced. "After that, you and Alex can move into his home together."
My breath hitched in my throat.
Live with Alex? Alone?
The very idea sent my heart racing for entirely different reasons. I hadn't even begun to contemplate what that would entail or how it would feel. I forced another smile, unsure if it reached my eyes.
"I understand," I whispered, though nothing felt certain.
Victoria touched my arm gently, an anchor in the storm of my emotions. "You do not have to be afraid. You will get used to everything."
Get used to what? The icy glares? The sharp, dismissive tones? The sensation of being utterly unwanted?
Before I could spiral further into those thoughts, footsteps creaked on the stairs. Alex appeared, one hand casually tucked into his pocket, his expression as blank as freshly drawn snow. He offered no glance at his parents, no warmth, his eyes only finding me.
"Elena, come to my study when you're finished here," he instructed, his tone devoid of softness.
"Yes," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
With that, he turned and left the room as though our conversation had not even happened.
Victoria, still smiling, urged me to finish my tea. "Let me take you to him."
I nodded absentmindedly, though tea was the last thing I wanted. My stomach was twisted in knots, no place for food or drink.
After a few heavy moments, Victoria led me through the long hallways until we reached a grand wooden door. She knocked twice.
"Come in," Alex's voice sliced through the air, sharp and commanding.
Victoria opened the door and gave me a reassuring smile as she ushered me inside before closing it behind me.
Alex stood near a massive window, his figure silhouetted against the light. He didn't sit; he simply waited for me to cross the threshold and stand before him.
"There are rules you must abide by," he stated flatly.
My heart plummeted as I squared my shoulders, bracing for what was to come.
"First," he continued, "do not touch me. Do not engage in unnecessary conversation. If you have something to say, keep it brief."
I swallowed hard, feeling the dry lump in my throat.
"Second," he added with an icy calm, "you are not to enter my personal rooms. There are certain doors in this house you will not open. You will recognize them when you see them."
I nodded, every word carving deeper into my already fraying nerves.
"Third," he said, his voice low and unyielding, "no public embarrassment. If you do anything to call my family's judgment into question, I will terminate this arrangement immediately, and you will pay every single dime on that very day."
Tension crackled in the air, and my resolve began to wane.
He spoke with an unsettling calmness, his voice almost laced with boredom.
"You are here to play a role. Remember that. This isn't about comfort or relaxation. Know your limits," he stated firmly.
"Yes," I managed to whisper, feeling the weight of his words.
His gaze sharpened, a challenge hanging in the air. "Speak up."
"Yes, I understand," I replied, finding my voice.
"Good." He turned and settled behind his imposing desk. "Later today, you'll be going for a dress fitting with my mother. She'll select something appropriate for the engagement."
I nodded, summoning the courage to respond. "Alright."
"You may leave."
I turned to exit, my legs feeling stiff and awkward beneath me. After Victoria escorted me back to the living area, she smiled warmly and encouraged me to rest a little before the fitting. But as I sat there, my mind raced. I thought of my mother, alone in the new apartment. I imagined the reality of living in Alex's house post-engagement, confined by his strict rules. A heaviness settled in my chest.
Eventually, Victoria returned, and we made our way to the boutique. The car ride was quiet but surprisingly peaceful. She asked me casual questions about my mother and my work, her warmth offering a comforting reassurance in an otherwise tumultuous time.
As I stepped into the boutique, I was awestruck. It was mesmerizing, lights twinkled overhead, and rows of dresses glimmered like treasures fit for royalty. Victoria was my guiding star, enthusiastically helping me choose. She held up dresses to my frame, her eyes sparkling with delight.
Then, I stepped out of the dressing room wearing a soft gold gown, its fabric hugging my figure perfectly. I stood frozen. The dress shimmered under the lights; it was breathtaking. I barely recognized the reflection staring back at me.
Victoria gasped, her excitement infectious. "This is the one!"
I turned to the mirror, my eyes misting over. I had never experienced anything this exquisite or luxurious.
"You look absolutely stunning," she whispered, her voice filled with sincerity.
"Thank you," I replied softly, a smile breaking through my uncertainty.
We finalized the details before heading back to the mansion. As the car came to a stop at the entrance, a weight settled in my stomach again.
Victoria squeezed my hand gently. "You'll be fine."
I met her gaze, but beneath my nod of assurance lay a gnawing doubt.
Stepping inside, the mansion felt eerily quiet. My footsteps echoed softly along the corridor, still buzzing from the fitting when I turned a corner and abruptly froze.
Alex lounged against the wall, his eyes fixed on me with an inscrutable intensity.
Pushing off the wall, he closed the distance between us as I held my breath. He didn't stop when he reached me.
He moved closer.
Too close.
Before I could react, he leaned down slightly, his voice low and edged with an unsettling intensity.
My heart raced for reasons I couldn't grasp. Why is he so breathtaking? His icy eyes, sharp jawline, everything about him screamed perfection.
Lost in my thoughts, I barely registered when he snapped his fingers in front of me, pulling me back to reality.
"I know I'm a little too handsome for you to handle, but listen," he said, his bored expression betraying the seriousness of his tone.
"Our engagement will take place in two days, and you need to be prepared, no mistakes, no embarrassing moments. Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes," I nodded hastily.
Then, to my surprise, I caught him staring at my lips. A flutter of butterflies erupted in my stomach at the intensity of his gaze.
But that sensation quickly dissipated as he stepped back and walked away, heading toward his study with an air of indifference.
"What was that?" I murmured to myself, my eyes lingering on him, bewildered and intrigued.