MARRIED MY ONE NIGHT STAND

MYA'S POV The drive to the old manor never seemed so depressing before. I can't believe that after so many years, I am driving back to my childhood home. The impossibly big iron gate opens as soon as the guards recognize me. The 10-minute drive to the main entrance looks dreadful. Grandma Eloise selected personally all the trees that stand at the edge of the road, providing shade with their big branches and leaves, only now, because is winter, all the leaves have fallen out making the scenery depressing, or maybe it just feels like that to me because Grandma Eloise's sudden passing gives me all kinds of feelings. I am angry because she made me come back after I swore never to step foot again, I am sad because despite everything, my grandmother was the only relative that took care of me after my parents untimely dead when I was a child, you would think that my father's family would want me or maybe even my mom's brother, uncle Chad, but no, my grandmother took care of me, but that is also when she turned into this shell of a person with no feelings or compassion. Our relationship improved when I left for college some years ago, but she was eager for me to come back to take care of her empire, when I refused she got really upset, she reminded me that she took care of me and now I had a business to run and duties to perform. I was supposed to come back and marry one of her rich business partners so that our family empire could grow more powerful, as if running half of the hotels, restaurants and luxury boutiques in the country and some other places in the world wasn't enough. I will never sell myself to anyone, especially not to an old man with no regard for values. The house finally comes to view, standing big and strong. Its gardens surrounded by fruit trees and flowers are still creating perfect harmony with the enormous white house. As I am walking to the main wooden doors, all the memories come flooding to my mind. "You are old enough now. There is no need to cry. Your parents are no longer here, but you don't have to worry." Grandma Eloise's voice echoes in a distant memory of the moment I moved in. I never cried again. It is late in the evening, the staff must be about to go to rest. Grandma used to run a pretty tight ship here. nobody in or out after 8:00pm and judging by the time everyone must have gone home or to their bedroom in the servants quarters. "Miss Elloway, you are back!" I get startled by one of the housekeepers. "Oh, hi Laura, I thought everyone was gone by now." I tell her. She is about my age. One her moms, Lisa, is the head housekeeper. Growing up she had so many plans to go to college for fashion design and one day own her boutique, but her mom did not let her, and she stayed here, at the service of Grandma Eloise, looking sad, wearing the ugly gray and white uniform that hides all her beautiful features. "Oh, well, my mom. I mean, Miss Castro, asked me to wait for you. Dinner is ready in the dining room, I can..." She continues. She is not even a shade of the bubbly girl who used to sneak in my room to show me her workbook full of drawings. "Laura, please don't be so formal. I know we haven't been in touch in a while, but we are still friends if you want us to be. I can get my own dinner. Would you like to join me?" I ask her. she was my only friend growing up, besides Blake Meade and his cousin Ashton, but neither is worth mentioning. "Is best if we keep our distance. If you don't need me, I will go to my room, tomorrow is going to be really busy for us, with the funeral and all so, I better leave." She says, turning around, not even giving me the chance to respond. I slowly make my way to the dining room. it's like time stood still for the past 10 years, the walls are the same white and gold throughout the house, not one decoration can be seen around, other than the the gigantic paint of Grandma Eloise in the main hallway judging those who walk in front of her. I am still confused about not feeling the need to cry or miss her. What if I became like her? Despite every fireplace being lit throughout the house, all I feel is cold. If the walls could talk... there is no saying what they would tell. maybe they would whisper about the time I snook out to meet Ashton, only to be caught by Ernest, the head security. My grandma was beside herself. She gave me a lecture on how a lady doesn't leave the house in the middle of the night to meet some guy. She never liked Ashton, Blake's parents were equally upset, they became Ashton's guardians after his mom ran away with some guy, and his dad was nowhere to be found. After our escapade, Ashton was not allowed in the house unless we were supervised. I just wanted to escape from my grandmother's controlling obsession over my life, Ashton was there to be my crying shoulder and offered to take me away for a few hours, but it turns out he scared easily and we were never the same after that. Blake was another story, he was the typical annoying kid that would do anything to get attention, from letting frogs loose during my birthday party to try to date everyone of my friends in school, which is why I stopped bringing them to my house. Eventually, I realized I had a big crush on him, but he broke my heart so many times that I decided to put distance and never looked back, grandma kept giving me updates on him every time we talked, is like she was obsessed with him, he was the only one always welcomed here without invitation and pretty much could roam around the house and stay after-hours, which to my annoyance was almost every day. He would visit her, and they would talk for hours. Sometimes, it felt like he was her grandchild instead of me. not even Uncle Chad had that much clearance, He literally had to make an appointment, and they could only discuss business. She would always meet him in the formal living room, sitting on the hideous golden chair that looks like a throne. She could really intimidate people sitting there. I decided not to eat in the dining room, I never really liked all the formality of it, I move to the kitchen and get the kitchen island ready. The doorbell interrupts me as I am about to finally enjoy the delicious steak and baked potato the kitchen staff left ready for me. I know everyone is off at this time, so I get up and head to the door. To my surprise, Laura is there ready to open the door, she is not wearing her uniform, instead she changed to a white T- shirt and a tiny skirt, Wow, am I hallucinating? She looks at me shocked, and immediately looks down. " Were you expecting someone?" I ask her confused. She clearly knows who is behind the door. "Oh, no ma'am, I was on my way out when I heard the doorbell." Why is she lying to me? My grandmother would have never let her leave the house through the main door and much less dressed like that. I am about to tell her that I know she is lying when the doorbell rings again and she takes off running. with no other option, I open the door, only to slam it shut. "Hey! let me in, is cold outside. I came to see you, please, little Mya!" His voice all masculine and deep makes me feel all kinds of things, I only saw him for a minute, but time has been good to him, Blake Meade looks sexy and he is here for me?? Wait, no, I'm not falling for his charms again!