Chapter 1
1282 Words
YVONNE’S POV
I woke up to the warm rays of sunlight peeking through the grand windows of my bedroom. It's been six years since the Nelsons took me in, and this mansion has been my home ever since. I stretched my arms, feeling the softness of the luxurious bed, and got out of it. My feet touched the cold marble floor, and I shivered slightly.
After a refreshing bath, I headed downstairs for breakfast. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson were already seated at the dining table, sipping their coffee and reading the newspaper. They smiled at me warmly as I approached.
"Good morning, dear! Come have breakfast," Mrs. Nelson said, her voice sweet as always.
"Good morning," I replied, taking my seat beside them. "Thank you for having me."
They asked me to go call Xayden down for breakfast, and I hesitated for a moment. I hadn't seen him all morning, and I wasn't looking forward to it. But I got up anyway, climbing the stairs to his room.
The hallway was lined with expensive artwork and plush carpets, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of discomfort. This wasn't my world; I was just a guest.
I reached Xayden's room and raised my hand to knock, but the door swung open before I could. He stood there, his eyes fixed on something beyond me, ignoring my presence entirely.
I opened my mouth to say something, but he hushed me with a raised hand and walked downstairs, leaving me standing there feeling awkward.
"Good morning, Mother. Father," he said, his voice cold and distant, as he took his seat at the table.
I followed him downstairs, feeling like an outsider in this family.
"Xayden, how was your day?" Mrs. Nelson asked, trying to make small talk.
"It was fine," he replied curtly, not looking up from his phone.
"Xayden, dear, why don't you take Yvonne to the office with you today?" Mr. Nelson suggested. "She's done with school now, and it's time she learns the ropes."
"No," Xayden said bluntly, without even considering it.
"Xayden, come on," Mrs. Nelson pressed on. "It would be good for her to learn from you. She's part of this family ."
I tried to intervene, not wanting to cause any tension. "It's okay, really. You don't have to—"
But before I could finish, Xayden gave me a death stare, his eyes piercing through me like ice. I froze, feeling a chill run down my spine.
"I think I'll excuse myself from the table," I said quickly, getting up from my seat.
As I walked upstairs, I couldn't help but think about how Xayden had always resented me since I came into their family. He saw me as an outsider, a burden. I remembered the first time I met him, how he looked at me with disdain, like I was beneath him. It had been six years, but nothing had changed. He still treated me like a stranger, a mere inconvenience in his life.
I sighed, feeling a pang of sadness. Why couldn't he just accept me? I was trying to make the best of this situation, to make this family my own. But Xayden's behavior made it clear that I would never truly be part of this family.
"Yvonne, come back here!" Mr. Nelson called out as I was still going up the staircase. "Don't leave your food here, take it with you and eat upstairs."
I apologized and turned around, taking my plate with me. "I'm sorry, Mr. Nelson. I didn't mean to leave it there."
As I reached the top of the stairs, I heard Mr. Nelson's voice sternly telling Xayden, "Grow up, Xayden. Stop acting like a kid. You need to start treating Yvonne with respect."
After breakfast, Xayden was leaving for the office, and his dad called me downstairs. "Yvonne, come downstairs. You're going with Xayden to the office today."
I hesitated for a moment, but Mr. Nelson's firm tone left no room for argument. I went downstairs to find Xayden already by the car, his expression unreadable.
"Get in," he said curtly, not even looking at me.
I entered the back seat, and Xayden was about to follow when he paused, signaling me to adjust away from him. "Move over," he said, his voice cold. "I need some space."
I felt a sting from his words, and tears almost escaped my eyes, but I held back. I adjusted away from him, feeling like a plague. Xayden sat down, his distance from me palpable.
The car ride was silent, the tension between us thick. I stared out the window, trying to hold back my emotions. Why did Xayden have to be so cruel? Didn't he know how much his words and actions hurt me?
"Stop the car, Tyler," Xayden said suddenly to the driver.
"Where are we?" I asked, confused.
"Just get out," Xayden replied, his voice cold.
I hesitated, but the driver had already opened the door. "Please, miss, step out," he said.
I got out of the car, feeling scared and alone. "How can you do this to me, Xayden?" I asked, but he just turned away.
"You'll have to take a cab to the office," he said, getting back into the car. "I have no time for this."
I watched as the car drove away, leaving me stranded. I took a deep breath and hailed a cab, determined to confront Xayden.
When I arrived at the office, I stormed into Xayden's office. "How dare you..." I started, but then I saw her - a girl sitting on his desk, facing him.
"Who are you?" I demanded.
"Ah, Yvonne," Xayden said, his voice dripping with disdain. "How dare you barge into my office like that, you little woman?"
The girl on his desk asked, "Who is she?"
"Caroline, be quiet," Xayden interrupted.
"Caroline?" I repeated, my eyes narrowing. "Is she the reason why you left me stranded in the middle of nowhere?"
"Get out of my office," Xayden growled.
I turned and walked away, feeling defeated and humiliated. "This isn't over, Xayden," I said, but he just laughed.
As I left the office, I heard Caroline ask, "Who is she, Xayden?"
I didn't hear his response, but I knew I deserved better than to be treated like this.
I immediately took a cab home . As soon as I got home, I ran to my room, ignoring Mrs. Nelson's attempt to greet me. I didn't know when I slept off, exhausted from the day's events.
Later that evening, Maria, the chef, came up to my room to call me for dinner. "Yvonne, dear, you're being requested downstairs for dinner," Maria said gently.
"I don't want to go," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
Maria looked concerned. "But dear, you need to eat. And Mr. and Mrs. Nelson are waiting for you."
I reluctantly got up and headed downstairs. As I entered the dining room, I announced, "I have no appetite."
"Come on, Yvonne, just try a little," Mrs. Nelson said, but I turned to leave.
Then, Mrs. Nelson dropped a bombshell. "Xayden, you and Yvonne are getting married soon."
I was thunderstruck. "What?!" I exclaimed.
Xayden choked on his food, standing up in shock. "Are you kidding me, Mother?!"
Mr. Nelson's expression was stern. "No, Xayden. This is not a joke."
I tried to speak up. "Please, I can't marry him. He's—"
But Xayden gave me a deadly stare, silencing me.
"Over my dead body will I ever marry her," Xayden spat out.
Mr. Nelson's voice was firm. "Then if you won't, forfeit being the CEO. It's either marry Yvonne or lose the company."
- Writer
