THE UNWANTED BILLIONAIRE'S WIFE

CHAPTER TWO

After the long hours of driving, they got to Damain's mansion.

The car stopped in front of the tall iron gate that opened slowly as if it was instructed or remotely by someone.

Aria looked as the gate opened. She couldn't hold it but let it out: this was not where I met you earlier today.

Damain said as he pressed his phone. That is my relaxation spot.

“Relax spot”? Aria asked in disbelief but Damain didn't say a word.

Aria looked through the car door and she couldn't close her mouth in amazement. She said to herself,” How on earth is someone this rich?”

The mansion was very big; bigger than the one she saw. Earl Damian Mainin Stone is indeed a billionaire.

The driver stopped the car and came down to open the door for his master. Afterward, he went to the other side of the car and opened the door for Aria.

Aria had been carried away by the luxury and how perfectly the mansion looked.

“Welcome home, Mrs Cole! The driver said with a polite smile. That was what brought Aria back.

“Oh, thank you! She responded with a pretend smile. She said quietly to herself as she came down to meet Damain where he was standing, Did he just call me Mrs. Cole?

A few hours ago, I was battling with my rent, my job and how to pay off my dad's debt. Here I am, the new bride of the youngest billionaire in New York.

Despite that the marriage is a contract marriage, the honour is real from the workers.

“Bring it, ma”, a maid stretches her hand to help Aria with her small bag.

She wanted to say No! But, she saw Damain looking at her and she didn't want to act like a commoner.

She handed over the bag to the maid and said, “Thank you”.

She walked close to Damain and they walked hand in hand through the tall door. Everything she sees seems like a dream.

An old woman came to meet them with a warm smile.

“Welcome, Mrs Cole”. She said with a warm smile, and Aria quickly responded, “ Thank you, ma”.

I am the head housekeeper, and my name is Evelyn. Welcome to your new home, Mrs. Cole. She said calmly.

Aria smiled again. Thank you, Mrs. Evelyn.”

Evelyn shook her head with her hand showing disapproval of the response.

Evelyn! Just Evely,n dear!

Aria nodded gently, and Evelyn led her to her room.

They climbed a staircase that was wide and curved. It seemed like something she had only seen in a movie.

On the walls are some framed paintings hung; some are drawings, some are strange, and as they proceeded, Aria saw a beautiful drawing of a woman, but her face was blurry in the picture.

Out of curiosity, she asked Evelyn, Mrs Evelyn…Evelyn looked at her in a polite but disapproving of how she was addressed. She quickly corrected. Sorry, Evelyn!

Why are all the paintings in this house looking mysterious, aside from the nature painting?

Evelyn smile but didn't say a word.

When they got to the top floor, Evelyn turned to the left side, and there was a large white door that was shining as if no one had ever touched it.

This is your room, Mrs Cole. Mr Cole's room is at the end of the hall. If you need anything, there is a bell hanging beside your window.

Once you click the button, the maid will be at your door.

Aria thanked Evelyn, and Evelyn turned to proceed with her other activities.

Aria was about to open the door when Evelyn called out gently. “Oh! There is something I forgot to tell you.”

“What”? Aria asked.

There is one rule you should follow.

“What rule?” Aria quickly asked. She was curious.

This time, Evelyn was not smiling. She said it with a mild yet firm tone. Don't go to the east wing of this mansion!

It is forbidden!

In fact, Evelyn added,” It is a warning, not a rule.

Aria couldn't help but ask why.

“Because I said so,”

A deep yet calm voice intercepted. Damain Stone walked closer to them with his two hands in his pockets.

Evelyn looked down, and Damain waved at her. Then she left the two of them.

“Everything you need is in your room, and remember what she told you, don't go to the waste wing of this mansion”.

She wanted to ask why, but she quickly composed herself. After all, I am just a contract wife. She said to herself.

Then, she nodded to show that she understood everything.

Dinner is at eight! Don't be late! Damain said, then turned and walked away.

Aria stood some minutes after Damain had left, then she opened the door to her room.

She almost fainted because everything seemed perfect: the curtain, the set of cloth, her gold box.

She quickly reminded herself that it would only last a year. She walked slowly to the window side, slightly shifted the curtain and looked out.

She could virtually see the larger parts of the mansion, and everywhere glowed with light despite that it was night, except the east wing, which was dark.

Gradually, she saw a faint light in the east wing with a strange soft breeze, and a woman's faint voice whispered, Help me…then the light went off again

Aria looked intently but quickly closed the window curtain.

She moved back with fear…what could be the secret in this east wing that made it forbidden?

Aria lay on the bed, and she covered herself with a duvet. Her eyes were fixed on the ceiling, and she kept wondering about the whisper she heard

“Help me…”

She started reasoning that maybe what she saw earlier from the painting was what made her think she was talking from the east wing.

But, she said to herself. “ My eyes saw that dim light, and it went off again. If I think I didn't hear the voice, but I saw the dim light.”

She was there thinking when she fell asleep, and she was woken up by the sunlight that slipped into the room through the long gold curtain.

She yawned and stretched her body. The mansion looks different in the daylight. Everywhere looked calm, the flower, the painting.

She smiled faintly, and immediately she remembered the incident before she fell asleep; her fear came back. She stood slowly and walked towards the window. She pulled the curtain slowly and peeped at the east wing side.

“Knock, knock… A gentle knock came at the door. She calmly dropped the curtain.

“Good morning, dear!

Mr. Cole said I should remind you that breakfast is served downstairs in the next ten minutes.

Don't be late!

Aria smiled and yawned faintly. “Thank you, Evelyn.

Evelyn responded, “You are welcome, and make sure you don't go to the east wing”.

Then she left.

Aria's curiosity rose again, and she wanted to know why the east wing is a forbidden side in this big mansion. She quickly freshened up and put on a simple yet fine gown.

She went to the dining room, and Damain was already there.

He sat in a chair that looked like the one meant for the king. He was reading something from his tablet.

“Good morning,” Aria said in a calm voice.

“You’re late.” He replied.

Aria checked the clock, and Damain continued,” I said breakfast in ten minutes but you're late.

Successful people don't joke with time. Every count means a lot to them. A second lost can never be retrieved,” Damain added.

Aria quietly sat in a chair opposite him.

The table was filled with food and different juices, and fruits.

What should I serve you, ma, the maid who was standing asked with a calm smile.

Aria smiled and asked the maid to leave them so that she could have some privacy.

After the Maid had left, she asked; Why so many rules?

“Because there is a need for orderliness, and that can only be achieved if there is a rule”. He said in a firm, calm voice

…and the east wing”? Aria asked in a calm voice.

Damian looked up slowly and said in a mid tone that shows he is angry.

Don't question my order! I have placed the rules down for you to follow, not to query.

If you break any of the major rules, this contract ends, and there is a huge penalty for you to face. I hope you read the agreement letter before you signed it.

Aria was mad too,” Are you threatening me?

He walked towards her, but not looking at her.

I am not threatening you. I am warning you. He said and left her in the dining room.

Aria felt cold. She didn't know what to do or say. After the misunderstanding, she went to her room.

In the afternoon, she was taking a stroll in the mansion. Looking at its beauty. Every part of it has its unique beautiful ness that was carefully made to suit the eyes.

She smiles as she walks from one place to another, admiring the painting and the settings.

But she was observing that anytime she turned, she felt like someone was watching her. When she looked around, she saw nothing.

When she passed the east corridor, she felt something different. The air and the way she felt as she passed there were different.

She got to the end of the corridor, and she saw a big old wooden door. She got closer and tried to open it, but it was locked.

“I warned you, didn't I?” Damain said in a lower but firm voice.

Aria's heart pounded as she quickly turned around.

I…I…was just taking a walk. She said, stammering.

I believed I was audible enough when I was telling you that I have rules. Damain said as he walked closer to her.

“Remember why you are in this,” he turned and left.

Aria felt like someone was talking to her. She quickly turned back, but she saw nothing.

She kept looking, and it came like a flash that a shadow moved under the door.