Chapter one: Creepy lifestyle
In a luxurious room design like that of a princess, a dim light illuminates the room. The room was spacious and elegant, clothes were scattered all over the floor beside the Queen size bed.
On it was a lazy figure, who was still enjoying her precious sleep. Marina's silky brown hair was spread out on the white pillow, her beautiful face looking pale and transparent under the dim light.
The door burst open revealing Rachael, Marina's mother. She sits on the bed and taps Marina a little, but she pushes her hand away without knowing.
She whispered in her ears, her voice was low and magnetic like a cello. "Stand up"
At that moment, Marina flew her eyes open abruptly. She gasped as she made eye contact with her mother.
"Mom?"
Rachael beams a warm smile; she tucks Marina's hair backward. "Good morning dearie. It's time for breakfast, and you need to be quick. We have a lot of things to do today"
Hearing her tone, Marina understood what her mother meant. The moment she tried to avoid has finally caught up with her.
Marina feigns ignorance and asks. "What are we going to do today, Mom?"
"C'mon baby, you need to go shopping before you meet your fiance. Trust me, I've ordered four limited editions. And also, your makeup artist is coming from abroad, so you need to prepare for this," Rachael explained.
Hell no! The most creepy thing Marina didn't wish to hear was that! Getting married to a wealthy heir wasn't in her plan.
Marina has been the sole daughter of the wealthy Bennett family. She has been living her life up to her parent's expectations, bound by their strict rules; Marina was deprived of the Joy of having friends around her. All because her parents forbid her to associate with anyone aside from their social status.
Marina's life being confined in the mansion, coupled with the pressure from her parents to uphold the family's image, makes Marina crave an independent life. She longed to escape from her parents, especially her meeting with a wealthy heir.
Marina wants to try her luck and protest for her rights. "I don't want to do this Mom!"
Hearing this, Rachael frowns and gives Marina a stern look. "And who are you to decide? This is the future of the Bennett family; as the heiress, you have to make sacrifices. Do you want your father's effort and that of your grandfather to lurch away with your carelessness!"
Rachael was annoyed with Marina's ignorance. "You have to do this for your sake; once you get married, your position will be firm among the shareholders. And this is the only way to make your father proud"
Only at that moment did Marina realize the fate her parents were planning for her. She wasn't given the chance to choose who to marry, her existence was to make the family proud and nothing else.
Ava pushed the door open and went inside; behind her, a maid also followed. "Good morning, Miss Marina. It's time to dress up for today's schedule" Ava said with her usual smile.
Here it is again! Another threat to Marina's life, Ava has been her assistant at a tender age. She was the only person Marina could call a friend, but Ava also gave her a hard time with her busy schedule.
Marina is always attended to by the maids, and this makes her idle.
Rachael turns to face Ava and the maid. “Good Job Ava! You have to make her look gorgeous and breathtaking. I trust you will do a great Job"
"Yes ma'am. I will do as you say" Ava responded.
Marina pities Ava at times; that has been her only response for years. Ava had never objected to anything she was told, even though it was a hard task. She dedicated her time to protecting Marina, and her Job was more like a bodyguard.
"I will see you soon, darling." Rachael planted a short kiss on Marina's forehead, and then she took her leave.
"It's time to take your bath," Ava said as she walked up to Marina.
Marina groaned loudly, threw off the covers, and swung her leg over the side of the bed. "This is not a princess charm school. Stop using that phrase" Marina mouthed before going into the bathroom.
*
A heavily built tall figure with messy hair comes out of a modern functional building. His brown eyes spark with coldness and grogginess. Even though he has been in prison for a long time, his handsome look never fades away.
Noah just got released after ten years of imprisonment; the air ruffles his hair. Of course, it was the first air he felt after being locked up for a long time.
"Young Master!" Jericho waves his hand in a distance, not far from Noah.
Noah chuckles, revealing his stunning dimples. He moves closer to Jericho, who hugs him tightly. Noah pats his back gently and keeps his smitten face.
"I miss you so much. It's good to have back home, Young Master," Jericho lamented as he sniffed his tears back.
Noah detached from the hug with sad emotions. "You should stop calling me that by now. I'm no longer the Young Master; as you can see, I'm not needed anymore." He mouthed with a shrug and pointed to his surroundings.
None of his family showed up on the day he was released, and that means he was irrelevant to them. Probably everyone isolates himself due to the incident of ten years ago.
Jericho's voice was firm. "No matter what happens, you are still the Young Master to me. And I'm meant to serve you with my life"
Noah stares at him and gives a sad smile. Truly, Jericho has been a loyal assistant to him for a long time; he doesn't make Noah feel lonely. "You don't have to serve me with your life. After all, I'm just an ex-convict." He walks towards the car, with Jericho trailing behind him.
"What is your next plan? Are you going to return to the mansion and claim your position as the heir?" Jer
icho asks as curiosity etched on his face while awaiting Noah's response.