It wasn't always that bad, her relationship with Caspian. She never had any feelings for him or fancied him in any way. She just knows he's the Don's son and lord of the mansion and she was supposed to smile at him whenever he speaks to her.
Growing up, Evie was more like the princess of the Brown's mansion. Although she wasn't related to them she enjoyed the luxury they enjoy. She went to school in expensive cars, had a beautifully decorated pink room to herself and ate from the Brown's personal kitchen. The Don even employed a maid for her at one point so she didn't have to bother about cleaning her room, grooming her hair or washing her dirty laundry. It all seemed very nice to have everything she enjoyed but Evie couldn't help but worry.
She wasn't allowed to keep friends or invite them over, she was only allowed to go school and go back to the mansion as soon as learning for the day was over. She also could not go to the mall or anywhere else or wander about the mansion. At times when Caspian was around she would accompany him to places in town where they would get expensive clothes or jewelry and head back home.
She was taught to prepare meals that Caspian liked and was taught the Browns family history. She never did any strenuous work in the mansion and she had everything that a fourteen year old girl could ever need.
By the time she turned sixteen she had already grown into a very beautiful young lady. Her features were almost perfect, though she was of a petite nature, not as big as other girls her age, she was quite mature. She had perky breasts that didn't need any support in clothes she wore and a tiny waist that was just perfect for her blossoming hips. Her honey blonde hair also added to her beauty, flowing down her naturally tanned skin and giving grace to her tender facial features.
Two years ago when she and her father moved to Atlanta, she didn't ever dream of looking that pretty. All she could think of was where the next meal would come from or if they could afford to pay for her education. But as luck would have it, they ran into Don Arthur Brown, who happened to be one of the richest business men in Atlanta. The Don who was also a widower like her father, seemed to understand what they were going through, he immediately accommodated them in his luxurious mansion and supported her father with a lot of money to conduct a befitting burial for her late mother.
As if that was not enough, the Don proceeded to enroll her in a very prestigious school in town, the same school his only child Caspian had attended before heading to college. It was heaven on earth for her. She was treated like she was a part of the family.
Although she hardly saw her father since he started working at the Don's sugar factory, she was hardly alone, there was always a maid available to tend to her or keep her company. The maid ensured she had her bath in the mornings before school, and also at noon immediately she returned. She also has a bath in the evenings before finally heading to bed and she would always apply scented and moisturizing lotions on her skin which keeps her looking fresh and keeps her supple at all times. Her hair was also not left out of the routine. The maid ensured to braid her long beautiful hair and apply expensive products to help them grow even longer.
There are times when Evie would be too tired or reluctant for her hair or skincare routine but the maid would always insist and never let her skip them, stating that the Don gave her strict instructions to always make Evie look and smell good at all times. And whenever Caspian was back from college, the routines were even more stricter and would last longer.
"How much more of these do I have to apply?" She sometimes asked the maid looking at the never ending bottles of lotion on her drawer shelf "As many as the Don wants". The maid would always reply her.
It was like she was being prepared to be served as some sort of delicacy. Yes she was living the life every girl would die for, the luxury, the expensive clothes, the jewelry the servants but this wasn't just all that she wanted out of life. She wanted to explore the world, to go wherever she wanted, whenever she wants. To live a life of freedom, to be free to make her own decisions, to choose what to eat, wear and even the freedom to choose who to love.
But this wasn't the case for Evie. She has been chosen to become the bride of the son of the wealthiest business man in Atlanta, Caspian Arthur Brown. A young rich man who doesn't seem to care for anyone, or be pleased by anything. He was a cold hearted charming looking young man. His eyes hold stare's that were far too dangerous and uncomfortable when you look at them for too long, and when he smiled, it was like the world stopped for a second.
When she was first introduced to him by the Don, she didn't know what to expect from the young lord or why they were being introduced."How old are you? Was the first question he ever asked her. "I'm fourteen" she replied shyly looking down at her tiny little feet. And that was the only time she spoke to him until he came home again for her sixteenth birthday. He looked liked he didn't want to be there, but he spoke to her longer this time. She wondered why he didn't visit the mansion regularly and thought that perhaps his studies in college kept him very busy. She couldn't wait to get into college herself.
"You look taller" he said to her looking at her from head to toe. He wasn't that much older than her. He was nineteen but looked as tall as a palm tree. Standing close to him she was not even up to his shoulder. She would always have to look way up whenever she has to reply him. " I got you a gift" he said again revealing a small pink shopping bag from behind him. She broke into a silly smile accepting the gift with both hands. She peeped into the bag quickly and looked up at him with a wider smile. "Thank you Caspian" she said slowly. He just gave her a nod and headed back to the pool area where the Don had the maids set up for her little but perfect birthday party.
The party wasn't much or huge but it was the best birthday celebration she ever had. It had in attendance Caspian, his father, some of the factory workers, the maids and her father. She quickly went up to her father showing him the gift she had just received, he seemed happy for her, but she couldn't help but notice a hint of sadness on his face. She didn't let that bother her now, it was her day afterall. Not expecting to see Caspian again after everyone had dispersed, she was quite surprised to see him waiting at her bedroom door as everyone had gone about their various duties after getting a taste of the pink birthday cake.
"I need to talk to you" he said calmly as Evie walked up to her door. "Is everything okay?" She asked looking up into his face. "I don't want this anymore than you do , but since our fathers have already concluded and made a decision,then there's nothing anyone can do." Evie stared up at him not sure what he is trying to say.
"I will go along with this for as long as I possibly can" he continued " but I don't want you to make this hard for me, do not talk to me unless I want you to, and whenever am at the mansion, avoid me. Do you understand?" Evie was dumbfounded . What is he talking about?
"I would very well like to enjoy my privacy and my life until after the wedding, but until then " he paused for a moment looking at her from head to toe as if he was taking a last look at her "do not come close to me". And with that he walked away from her towards the large balcony that led to the living area, disappearing from her sight.
Evie stood there, motionless not knowing if what she just heard was real or not. "What wedding is he talking about?" she asked herself. "Am I his bride?" Is my father in support of this? Was this the Don's plan all along?"