Fated to Wed (English)

Chapter Two

I woke up to the feeling of warmth. Theo’s arms are wrapped around me, his body pressed close. It's a rare moment—one where he's not cold, distant, or indifferent. For a second, I allow myself to stay in the illusion of intimacy, even if I know better.

Then, I hear it.

"I love you, Liana," Theo murmurs, his voice soft, almost tender.

My body stiffens, and my heart sinks.

Liana. His ex.

I should have known. Even in these fleeting moments when he shows any semblance of warmth, it’s never for me. I bite down the bitterness rising in my throat and slowly slip out of his grasp, careful not to wake him. The room is quiet, the early morning light casting long shadows across the floor. I stand at the window, staring out at the world, letting my mind drift to the past.

How did I end up here? Married to a man who doesn't love me, raising a child in a home where warmth feels like a luxury. It wasn’t supposed to be like this.

It all started with Linda.

I was an unemployed woman living under the roof of relatives who all had jobs. Everyone in the house contributed, except me. I couldn’t even finish high school, and finding a job had been nearly impossible. Every rejection stung, reminding me of my failure. I could feel their eyes on me at home—judging, even if no one ever said it out loud.

One day, as I sat on the porch, aimlessly scrolling through my phone, Linda came home. Her hair was a mess, her face worn and haggard. She looked like she had been through a battle.

"Where in the world have you been?" I asked with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. "Did you just come back from a war zone?"

She plopped down next to me with a tired groan, wiping her brow. My aunt, Linda’s mom, walked over and looked her over, concern written all over her face. “Did you get fired?”

“No,” Linda said with a sigh, rubbing her temples. “I resigned.”

“What?” I blinked, surprised. Linda’s job had always been a mystery to me, but I knew it paid well. “Why would you do that?”

Linda let out a bitter laugh. “I couldn’t take it anymore. My young master is too stubborn. No one can deal with him.”

“Stubborn?” I echoed. “Like, how bad could he be?”

“Bad enough to make me quit,” she said, shaking her head. “That family’s got money, but the son... he’s impossible to manage.”

I raised an eyebrow, curious despite myself. “So what are you going to do now?”

“I don’t know,” Linda admitted. “But...” She turned to look at me, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. “You’re struggling to find work, right?”

I shifted uncomfortably. “Yeah, you know that.”

“Well,” she began, leaning in conspiratorially, “how about you take my place? They don’t even require a high school diploma, and the job’s not complicated.”

My eyebrows shot up. “You’re serious?”

Linda nodded. “It’s a live-in job. You just have to monitor the young master—Theo Fontalva. His parents are loaded. They pay well and provide accommodations.”

My mind raced. A live-in job meant I could finally contribute, but it also meant stepping into a role I knew little about. “I’ve never done that kind of work before. What if I mess up?”

“You won’t,” Linda assured me. “It’s easy enough, and they’re desperate to find someone. Plus, there’s a bonus... they’ll enroll you in the public school where Theo studies. It’ll give you a chance to finish your education.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A job and a chance to go back to school? It seemed too good to be true. “Are you sure they’ll hire me?”

Linda smiled. “They don’t have many options left. Trust me, just show up tomorrow, and you’ll be fine.”

The next day, I stood nervously outside the Fontalva mansion, a grand estate that looked more like a palace than a home. The sun beat down, and I wiped my palms on my skirt, feeling the weight of anticipation and dread in equal measure. My heart raced as I approached the door, my mind racing with doubts. What if I wasn’t good enough? What if they turned me away?

The door swung open, revealing a stately woman with kind but scrutinizing eyes. “You must be Delilah,” she said, ushering me inside. “I’m Mrs. Fontalva. We’ve been expecting you.”

I took a deep breath and followed her into a vast foyer, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood. As I looked around, I tried to take in the grandeur of it all—the marble floors, the sweeping staircase, and the ornate chandeliers. It was overwhelming.

“Let me introduce you to my husband and Theo,” Mrs. Fontalva said, leading me into a lavish sitting room.

The atmosphere was tense as I entered. Mr. Fontalva sat on a plush armchair, flipping through a newspaper, while Theo lounged on the couch, his eyes narrowed as they fell on me.

“Ah, Delilah,” Mr. Fontalva said, glancing up from his paper. “Welcome.”

“Thank you for having me,” I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

Theo sat up, crossing his arms over his chest. “Do I really need someone to monitor me?” he protested, his tone defiant. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself.”

Mr. Fontalva shot his son a sharp look. “Theo, this is not a discussion. You know how your mother worries. You’ll have someone to help keep you focused.”

“Why can’t I just have some peace?” Theo huffed, rolling his eyes. “I don’t need a babysitter.”

“This isn’t a negotiation,” Mr. Fontalva said, his voice firm. “You’ll have this arrangement, or I’ll cut your allowance.”

Theo’s face darkened. “That’s not fair.”

I stood frozen, feeling like an intruder in a family dispute. The tension in the room thickened as Theo shot me a glare, clearly unhappy about the situation. I wanted to shrink into the shadows, but Mrs. Fontalva’s reassuring smile nudged me forward.

“Let’s start the interview, shall we?” she said, trying to lighten the mood. “Delilah, tell us a bit about yourself.”

I cleared my throat, the spotlight suddenly on me. “Um, I’m Delilah. I’ve been looking for work, and I was referred by my cousin, Linda. I’m eager to learn and... I want to make a good impression.”

Theo scoffed, and I could feel my face flush with embarrassment. His dismissive attitude only fueled my nerves.

“Do you have any experience?” Mr. Fontalva asked, his brow furrowing.

“Not exactly,” I admitted, “but I’m a quick learner. I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

Theo interrupted, “You really think you can manage me?”

I met his gaze, feeling a surge of determination. “I believe I can,” I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. “I’m here to help.”

Mr. Fontalva nodded slowly, considering my words. “Well, the young master could use some structure in his life.”

“I don’t need structure,” Theo muttered, but I could see a flicker of doubt in his eyes.

Mrs. Fontalva smiled at me, her voice warm. “It’s a good opportunity for you, Delilah. And for Theo as well. We hope you can help him find some balance.”

With that, the interview progressed. We discussed the duties I would undertake, the hours, and the expectations. I did my best to impress them, focusing on how dedicated I would be to the role, despite Theo’s evident disapproval.

As the conversation continued, I couldn’t shake the feeling of being scrutinized by Theo’s intense gaze. There was something about him—his dark hair, piercing eyes, and chiseled jaw—that struck me in a way I didn’t expect.

Finally, Mr. Fontalva leaned back in his chair, a satisfied expression on his face. “I think we can make this work,” he said, looking at me. “Welcome aboard, Delilah.”

As I left the mansion, my heart raced with a mix of excitement and anxiety. I had a job. I had a chance to finally start over and regain some control over my life. But in the back of my mind, I knew I was stepping into a world fraught with complications, especially with a young master like Theo.

I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was about to change in ways I couldn’t yet imagine.