CHAPTER 2
1051 Words
Gabriella Edian had imagined many things while growing up.
She had always imagined becoming a successful artist, traveling around the world and falling in love with her charming prince.
One thing she had never imagined was arriving at her new home under the terms of a debt contract.
The gates of the Reyes estate slowly opened before the black car.
Gabby stared through the window as well-trimmed gardens, marble fountains and towering hedges came into view.
The property looked less like a home and more like a kingdom.
A kingdom she had never imagined entering.
Everything about this place reminded her that she did not belong.
The car stopped in front of the mansion.
The building itself was enormous; white stone walls rose toward the evening sky, tall windows reflected the fading sunlight and the entrance was lined with perfectly trimmed rose bushes.
It looked beautiful but was cold and intimidating.
A driver in a uniform opened the door.
Gabby hesitated before stepping out.
For a brief moment, she considered begging the driver to take her back to her apartment, to her old life and to the version of herself that still had choices.
But unfortunately, that life no longer existed.
The front doors opened before she could gather her thoughts.
Several household staff stood waiting inside, their expressions were not welcoming as they stood and watched her.
Gabby suddenly felt like a stranger entering someone else's dream.
A middle-aged woman stepped forward, her posture flawless and her expression, polite but distant.
"Miss Edian."
Gabby forced a small smile.
"Hello, I am Ms. Bennett, the head housekeeper."
The woman glanced briefly at Gabby's suitcase, only one.
"This way." She gestured and Gabby followed her into the mansion.
The interior was breathtaking, crystal chandeliers hung from high ceilings, polished marble floors reflected the soft lighting and expensive artwork covered almost every wall.
Yet despite all the luxury, the mansion still felt empty and cold.
There was no warmth, only perfection.
As they walked through the grand hallway, Gabby noticed another set of staff members watching her.
None of them looked friendly and with that, the message was clear. She didn't belong here.
Her room was larger than her entire apartment.
A massive bed occupied the center of the room.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the gardens, fresh flowers sat on a nearby table, everything was beautiful.
Ms. Bennett placed her suitcase beside the wardrobe.
"Dinner is at seven." she said.
"Thank you." Gabby replied.
The housekeeper paused.
For the first time, a brief flash of sympathy appeared in her eyes, but it disappeared almost immediately.
"Mr. Reyes dislikes tardiness," she said and left.
Gabby sat on the edge of the bed, finally allowing herself to breathe.
The last twenty-four hours felt impossible.
Her father was gone, she was married to a stranger and now living in a mansion that felt more like a museum.
She reached for her bag and found the letter still there, folded carefully.
"Trust me one last time." Her eyes burned.
"What did you do, Dad?" she whispered, but the room offered no answer.
Dinner was worse than she expected.
The dining table seemed endless, long enough to seat about twenty people.
But that night, only two seats were occupied, one by her and one by Manuel.
The distance between them felt greater than the length of the table.
Manuel barely looked at her as she entered.
He was reviewing some documents while eating.
Gabby took her seat quietly.
An awkward silence settled immediately as she glanced around.
Finally, she spoke. "So..."
Manuel looked up, his expression remained neutral.
"So?" He asked.
Her confidence instantly weakened.
"This place is beautiful," she managed to say.
He returned to his documents and replied without looking up at her, "Thank you."
That was it.
Gabby stared.
The silence was beginning to suffocate her, so she tried engaging Manuel in another conversation.
"Do you always work during dinner?"
"Usually," he replied.
"Oh."
Everywhere went silent again. Gabby resisted the strong urge to sigh.
How is someone this difficult to talk to?
She thought and eventually gave up.
When dinner finally ended, she stood up from her chair.
"So that's it?"
Manuel looked up at her.
"What?"
"Our first dinner as husband and wife?" she asked.
The words felt ridiculous, but his expression did not change.
"What were you expecting?" he asked her.
The question stung deep into her skin.
Gabby forced a smile and replied, "I don't know."
Maybe something human or warm, she thought and wanted to reply, but instead, she simply nodded.
"Goodnight, Manuel." Without waiting for a response, she turned and walked away quickly.
Behind her, Manuel remained seated, watching her leave.
Later that night, Manuel stood alone in his study.
The city lights shimmered beyond the windows, a glass of whiskey sat on a nearby table.
His thoughts unexpectedly drifted towards Gabby.
The image of her forcing a smile across the dining table lingered in his mind.
He frowned, annoyed with himself.
She was his responsibility, nothing else, nothing more and nothing worth thinking about. He thought to himself.
A knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
The door opened and a woman entered.
Mara Steve, his personal assistant, looked elegant, beautiful and confident as always.
"Everything is prepared for tomorrow's meeting," she said.
Manuel nodded.
"Good."
Mara hesitated.
Then her gaze shifted towards the hallway, to the part of the mansion where Gabby's room was located.
"The new Mrs. Reyes seems to be adjusting quickly," she said.
Manuel returned his attention to his paperwork.
"I suppose."
Something dark flickered across Mara's expression but vanished instantly.
And if Gabby had seen it, she would have recognized it for what it was. Jealousy.
Upstairs, completely unaware of the storm quietly forming around her, Gabby stood by her bedroom window.
The lights of Beverly Hills sparkled in the distance. Beautiful but untouchable.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
For the first time since signing the contract, she truly understood what she had lost. Freedom.
And for the first time since her father disappeared, she felt completely alone.
Yet somewhere deep inside, another feeling was beginning to grow. Not fear, not regret, but determination.
Because if this was her new life, she was determined to find a way to survive it.
- Writer
