Under The Same Roof
1173 Words
The car came to a smooth stop in front of the mansion before Adian could come back to reality, the door was opened. She saw staff lined by the entrance waiting, watching or maybe judging.
“ Welcome home sir”. One of them said, bowing her head slightly.
Ethan stepped out first,then he turned and offered his hand to Adian. She hesitated for a second before accepting it.
The moment he touched her hand. She could feel his warmth through her chest.
She stepped out of the car and just like that every eye was on her.
“This is my wife”. Ethan said calmly introducing her to the staff.
“ Welcome, ma'am”. The staff said lowering their head in a respectful manner. Adian blinked “wife!”. The word felt heavy but also protective.
Inside the mansion was breathtaking,high ceiling, beautiful marble floor,soft lighting that gave everything quiet elegance. The decorations were carefully and perfectly chosen and yet to Adian it didn't feel like a home. She is not feeling a connection; it was as if emotions don't exist here.
“You will get used to it”. Ethan told her.
“Your home is lovely” she replied with a compliment.
“It is your home now”. Ethan replied
“Do you live here alone?”
“Yes I do”.
“This house is so big for you alone living here”.
Ethan faces her smiling.
“ That is why I needed you in my home. You see the deal was favourable…to us”.
Adian nodded, agreeing to what he just said without arguing.
A house keeper approached them, bowing slightly “ Sir should i prepare the master bedroom?.
Adian heart froze.
She has never thought that far “a bedroom “. She thought to herself.
“Yes.” Ethan said not hesitating.
The housekeeper nodded and left.
Ethan turned to Adian.
“You didn't think this through?. He asked
“I…I. Never knew it's part of the deal”.
Ethan smirks his lips. He looked at her calmly.
“ You didn't think this through “?
He said jokingly.
Adian looked at him briefly and turned away.
Ethan studied her for a moment.
“Relax. I'm not unreasonable”.
“That is not very reassuring “. Adian said softly.
“There are multiple rooms. You can choose whichever one you're comfortable with”. He said.
Adian looked at him surprised.
“Ooh”.
He turned away.
“But for appearance we share the master bedroom when necessary”.
Adian nodded slowly.
“That makes sense”.
At least for the contract, for the image but still she felt uneasy.
Later that evening, Adian stood in front of her large window in her new room staring out at the large city. Everything changed so quickly. Yesterday she was a bride today she was a wife to a man she barely knew.
She wrapped her arm around herself exhaling softly.
“Overwhelmed.” Ethan's voice came from behind.
Adian turned.
There he was standing by the doorway, his clothes loose. For the first time he looked…human.
“Little”. She admitted to exhaling softly.
He stepped inside, closing the door behind him.
“Don't worry you will get used to it”. He said reassuringly.
“It's not that easy”
“It is for me”.
Adian smiled, fainting.
“Obviously it's not hard to notice”.
There was silence between them
“Why me”? She asked.
Ethan didn't pretend to misunderstand.
“Because you needed help”. He said
“I don't think that is the only reason”.
He didn't respond immediately.
“You could have chosen anyone. Someone more suitable”.
“I don't believe in suitable”. He replied
“Then what do you believe in?”.
Ethan met her eyes.
“Control”.
The word sent a chill through her spine.
“And marrying me gives you the control?”. She asked.
“It gives me an advantage”.
“Over who?”.
Adian asked curiously.
There was a brief pause.
“Everyone,” he said.
She studied him carefully. This man wasn't just powerful but dangerous. Not in a way that physically hurt but in a way that could consume around him.
“And what about me? She asked quietly.
“Am I part of your strategy?.
Ethan didn't look away.
“Yes”.
The truth was harder than she thought.
Adian nodded slowly.
“I appreciate your sincerity “.
“I don't lie” . He said
“ That's rare of you”.
“That's efficient “.
A small laugh escaped her lips. For a moment the tension was eased.
Days passed .
Adian began to understand Ethan’s world. His world was calculative and unforgiving. He handled decisions that affected thousands of people with cold precision. His endless meetings, calls but through all. He never neglected her. Not openly at least.
Expensive and elegant clothing filled her wardrobe. Dresses which are perfect in sizes and well tailor them. Her name started appearing in headlines again but this time not as scandal but as Mrs. Blackwood. People now respect and even fear her.
David's name was beginning to fade on the other hand.
One evening, Adian sat in the living room holding a magazine she wasn't really reading. Ethan walked in and noticed her mood.
“You're thinking”?. He asked
“You should try it sometime”.
She replied.
“I think enough”. He said sitting down.
As he sat down he poured himself a drink.
Adian watched him for a moment.
“What are you doing to David”?
Ethan paused.
“What do you assume I was doing?”.
“Because you're”.
He smiled, fainting.
“You're observant”.
“So I am right.”
He took a slow sip of his drink before answering.
“I am adjusting the balance”. Adian frowned and she was confused.
“That doesn't sound harmless”.
“No. It's not”.
“Are you ruining him?”. She asked
Ethan set his glass down.
“He made a mistake, he underestimated who you would become”.
Adian heart skipped
“And now?”.
“Now… he is learning “.
A strange feeling hit her chest: relief, satisfaction and something else. Something warmer
“You're doing this for me”. She said softly.
Ethan looked at her.
“I am doing this because he touched what's mine and he have to learn”
The word was heavy, possessive and dangerous that it caught Adian breath.
He stepped closer to her so close that they both felt the tension. Something neither of them planned. Her heart began to race.
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