Beneath His Armor

Chapter 5: The Morning After (SOFIE)

The morning light crept into my room. Oh how I hated light curtains. I preferred dark curtains over light ones, the made better darkness. I woke up to a light feeling of fine silk against my skin and a smell of mint mixed with wood? Huh? I am not sure as my mind is fuzzy at the moment. I turned to the other side of the bed to find it empty. Honestly I doubt anyone slept there because it was just as I remember it last night. The room was cold from the silence that filled it.

Regardless I got up and headed for the bathroom. Wow. I was astounded. The bathroom is huge, massive, you name it.

It was a masterpiece.

At the center of the room was a stunning freestanding bathtub, carved from a single block of Carrara marble. Its smooth, rounded edges and deep basin invited relaxation. The glass was frosted for privacy. The view outside was amazing. The landscape and the garden was in perfect harmony creating a serene atmosphere. There is a lot but more but I’m running out of time. I don’t want to be late for my first breakfast with Adrian.

After doing all that was necessary, I went to the closet room to pick a dress. I didn’t have much to choose from as I left most of my clothes at my maternal home. I will go shopping for some clothes later. I choose a simple and elegant sari dress, a thin necklace with matching bracelets and earrings. I didn’t bother with makeup.

I made my way downstairs to the dining room.

The table was set and the house staff moved efficiently placing all foods prepared on the table. I took a seat at the table and watched as the food was served.

Adrian came in later and took his seat far across me as if to distance himself from me, not that I minded though.

He did a sign with his hand and the servants started to serve the food on our plates. I stopped the maid, Marie as was written on the name plate that was plastered on her chest from serving me. “No I insist Milady, let me do it for you” she said in a hushed tone. “No please I am fine. Thank you” I said to stop her but she still insisted that she dish out my food for me. My hands were perfectly fine, I thought to myself.

“Is there a problem?” Adrian voice stopped us from our little interaction. “Is the food not to your liking, Sofie?” Sofie, my name. There was something about the way he mentioned my name. “Marie?” He looked at her after I failed to answer. She tensed immediately. “ Everything is alright Adrian, I just wanted to dish my food out myself, that’s all”.

“I do not recall allowing you to address me as Adrian. It’s Mr. Blackwood to you, Sofie” I was dumbfounded. Excuse me? What did he just say? And did he have to say this in front of all the present house staff? I stared at him in daze as my mind was still registering what he had. It wasn’t much of a big deal honestly but are we not married? What is wrong with calling him by his first name?

He dismissed the servants and we begun eating. The was silence all the way until I broke it. “Mr. Blackwood, if I may—”.

“Were you not taught table manners, Sofie? No talking whiles eating” he said blatantly and continued eating.” What the actual heavens?

“A party is being held at the Stantheets later this evening. We are to be there as Mr. And Mrs. Blackwood. You will do as expected of you. Be ready by 6.” With that he removed the napkin off his lap and left the table. Well shoot my life.

Needless to say I finished two plates of food before leaving the dining room. The food was delicious. I checked the time and it was only 10:37 in the morning. The party was at 6. What am I supposed to do before that? Urgg. Shopping. I could go shopping. Yes I would go shopping. I went to my room to pick a bag and stuff it with a few things before heading out of the house. Upon reaching the door I was greeted with scowl on the face of a bulky, hunky, crusty looking man. Huh? Regardless I proceeded to make my way out when I was stopped by the man.

“Is there a problem” I asked utterly confused.

“The Master instructed to not allow you out of the house.” The man stated.

“Excuse me?” I asked no one in particular.

The man looked at me, his expression indifferent.

“What do you mean I am not allowed out of the house?” I inquired.

The man looked at me not knowing how to respond. I picked my phone, about to call him when I remembered that I did not even have his number. I looked at the man in front of me and asked, “ Do you have your Master’s phone number? May I have it?”

He hesitated for a moment before speaking, “ I do not have the Master’s personal number, however I do have his work numbers. I hope that is okay.”

“Yes yes yes that will be good”

He gave me the first number to call . I called, no answer. He then gave me another number and said that the first one was for his home office number. I dialed the second number thrice. Futile. He didn’t answer any of it. WOW. Just WOW. After trying to convince the guard to let me out, he refused to let me go and said that it was his Master’s orders. At least he was loyal.

I dragged my feet back to my room and sat at the edge of my bed. I checked the time again and it was twenty three past twelve. Shoot. What can I do? What can I do? What can I do with my life? I screamed in my head. I turned on the television and started to watch a movie. After a moment I felt thirsty and go out of bed to get myself some water and maybe something to drink as well.

The kitchen was grand. Why is everything in this house soo grand? The high ceilings bathed in natural lights from the large windows and wait where does that glass door lead to? I headed towards the glass door and opened it only to have my breath stolen. It was a beautiful garden with all kinds of flowers of different unique colors and shades. The view was amazing. Coming back to the kitchen, there was a large working space right at the center where a white and gold marble counter stood.

The walls were lined with cupboards. I opened each one of them to find a world of endless eatables. I saw flour and suddenly I wanted to bake. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? My grandmother together with my mother and I used to bake when there was nothing to do. But first I wanted to drink some water. I needed it. I looked around for the fridge and found nothing. He didn’t have a refrigerator? I searched and searched but to no avail. A woman came in with her hands clasped in front of her. She reminded me of Mrs. Mann.

“Is there anything you seek Milady?” She asked me politely.

“Yes I umm I am looking for the refrigerator. I want something to drink.” I replied.

She went to the left side of the kitchen and opened two large pairs of double doors. Hey! I didn’t see that. Or maybe I did? I’m not sure. Woah. That was the refrigerator? More like the frozen stuff part of a convenience store. It was large and stretched from one end of the room to the other. Each section having different things. There was a section for fruits, the was one for vegetables, there was one for frozen meat, there was one for snacks, there was one for drinks and about 4 more sections.

I’m pretty sure I looked stupid from the way the woman looked at me. “Thank you” I said and she nodded.

“You do not have to come down here yourself Milady. You can call for us to come and do what you want. That is why we are here. It is our job to serve you hence we are at your beck and call.” She finished.

I simply smiled and walked past her to the drinks area of the fridge. “ oh umm, what about coking stuff? Like the utensils, spatulas and the like?” I asked after I downed an entire bottle of water. I wanted to bake some good cake for myself.

“The Master forbids us from allowing to cook Milady.”

Oh no.

“What he doesn’t know will not kill him.” I said in an attempt to convince her.

“No Milady. He ordered to not let you lay a finger on anything lest we lose our jobs and depending on what you do, our lives.”

What?

Who threatens people with their own lives?

Knowing she cannot be convinced, I left to my room after taking a few snacks with me.

Knock-knock!

“Please come in.” I said to whoever was at the door.

A staff member I was not familiar with came in with a large box in her hands.

“The Master ordered for this to be delivered to you.”

I looked at the box suspiciously. I wasn’t expecting anything so I was confused. Regardless I took at and dismissed her after thanking her. I placed the box on my head and stared at the label on it. MARBL. I have never heard of it before.

I opened the dress to reveal a beautiful champagne long dress. It was long sleeved and the material was light, perfect for the hot weather.

It was 5:00 pm already. I needed to get ready before someone comes. I got up and headed to the bathroom to get ready.

I did all that was necessary and started with my hair. I pulled my hair in a low bun and left a few strands at the sides. I didn’t bother with makeup and applied a simple lipstick. I came out of the room and looked at the dress Adrian had brought. Nope. I said to myself. I will not be wearing that. I headed for my closet room and chose a brown knee length dress also with long sleeve, just that it had flare at the base of the sleeves as well as the base of the dress. The back was cut a bit low but nothing too much. It was plain but it will do.

I chose a simple silver earring with a matching necklace. After a lot of debates with myself, I chose gold colored heels and a white purse. There. Good to go.

I waited for Adrian until I heard a knock on my door. I opened the door to find a face that was not Adrian’s. “The Master saids to bring you to the Stantheets”.

“He is not going to ride with us?” I inquired.

“I’m afraid not Milady”. He replied.

Ouch. That stung.

The ride was smooth and short.

We got there and took a right turn where the car came to a stop. The door on the other side opened and Adrian came in. He didn’t even bother to look at me and continued talking on his phone.

We drove off and the car came to a stop again. This time I heard noises around. I was about to open the door when Adrian stopped me. I was confused when he got out and that was when I understood what he was doing. The door opened and I came out. Immediately Adrian’s face turned sour.

Was I that ugly?

He offered his hand and I took it. We walked down the aisle and to the entrance when he pulled me to a corner.

“What the f**k are you wearing Sofie? What about what I got for you?”

I looked at him. What was wrong with my dress. He didn’t even give me a chance to answer before pulling me back into the hallway with a smile plastered on his face. Fake much.

We entered the main room and boy was it beautiful. There were all kinds of foods and desserts and A CARAMEL FOUNTAIN! I hated chocolate and I was not common for a party to have a caramel fountain.

We greeted people and Adrian left me to talk to other people. I went to the dessert area and filled my plate. I would have overfilled it had we not been in public. I was eating my desserts quietly when a bimbo came my way.

“Well well, if it isn’t Adrian’s wife” she said the word wife with raised hands quoting, as if she was jealous of my position. Oh honey, if only you knew, I laughed in my head.

I smiled at her having nothing to say.

She scrutinized me from head to toe and came close to my ear “You don’t deserve him” she whispered. I don’t want him I said to myself.

Before I realized, I was holding her glass and my hand was tilted. The wine had spilled all over her.

“Oh my God, what is it with you?” She practically screamed while she was using her hands on her dress in an attempt to clean the wine.

I looked at her confused and looked around. All eyes were on me.

The fudge?

What just happened?