"This is your room, Ma'am..."I looked at the room the maid had just shown me. It was quite large-in fact, very spacious compared to my room in my old house, which had only a thin mattress that left my whole body aching every morning.
"Am I sleeping alone?" I asked right away. Given that I was now a lawful wife, shouldn't I be sharing a room with my husband?
"Yes, Ma'am. Mr. Samuel's room is on the third floor," the servant replied politely.
I let out a long sigh and nodded. My eyes fell on a corner of the room, where several sets of maid uniforms were neatly arranged. Ah, so they really do want to turn me into a maid in this house.
Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed through my mind. Without a word, I immediately stepped out to find my husband's room on the third floor.
I was panting as I climbed the stairs one by one. Still, I kept pushing myself. Damn it, why am I taking the stairs when there's an elevator? I grumbled to myself when I reached the second floor and saw a servant just stepping out of the elevator.
I immediately stepped into that metal box. My legs were already too tired to climb another floor.
As soon as the elevator doors opened on the third floor, I looked around. There were three large doors there. Which one was Samuel's room? I should have asked first, instead of just heading out. With hesitant yet determined steps, I tried opening one of the doors. It sounded rude, I know. But screw it-I'm the lady of the house here, even if they think of me as a kept wife.
The door opened. I stepped inside cautiously, taking in the room's interior, which was dominated by dark gray. The room was enormous-even the bed looked big enough to fit five people at once. Not a single photo was hanging on the walls.
My body suddenly went stiff when the bathroom door swung open.
Samuel rolled out in his motorized wheelchair. His upper body was completely bare, not a single thread in sight; only his lower half was covered by a white towel. I was transfixed. His body looked incredibly athletic and sexy, even though a few scars adorned his skin.
"What are you doing in my room?!" Samuel snapped, startling me.
Instantly, I composed my expression. I couldn't let him see that I was captivated by my own husband's body.
"Oh, I was just going to help you. You just finished showering, right? Do you want me to help you get dressed?" I offered as I stepped closer. However, my movement was halted by his firm refusal.
"No need! Get out! I don't like strangers entering my private space!"
Instead of leaving, I gave a faint smile. "Why call it a private room? Have you forgotten? I'm your wife. We're supposed to sleep in the same bed and share a room so I can help you, so I can..."
"Shut up, Emelia! Don't you have any fear? Everyone trembles in my presence!"
I shook my head slowly. "No. You're human, aren't you? Why would I be afraid of another human being?"
"You don't know me, Emelia. I could kill you right now!" he threatened in a low voice that made the air tremble.
"Want to kill me? Go ahead. Want to shoot me? Stab me? I'm not afraid to die," I replied calmly, though deep down I was cursing my own words. How could I have said something like that! I knew the man standing before me could act brutally if his wishes weren't obeyed.
"Get out of here, Emelia!"
"Why? I'm just trying to help!"
"Get out! Or I'll truly lose my patience and order my men to take turns with you!"
Instantly, my body froze. I felt a cold chill run through my veins. I'd rather be killed than be abused by a bunch of men.
"You're crazy! I'm your wife-how could you possibly pass me off to other men!" I snapped angrily. I immediately turned around and walked away as fast as I could before Samuel actually carried out his insane threat. Considering my status as merely a collateral wife, he might very well be that ruthless.
***
With a heavy heart, I put on that waitress uniform. When I was forcibly taken earlier, I hadn't had a moment to pack anything. Just a small bag containing my wallet and an old cell phone, which I'd now left abandoned on the nightstand.
Strangely, the outfit fit my body perfectly, as if it had been custom-made for my measurements.
My reverie was shattered by a loud knock on the door. As soon as I opened it, the bodyguard who'd picked me up yesterday was standing there, at attention.
"What is it?" I asked curtly.
"The master requests that you carry out your duties immediately," he replied flatly.
I furrowed my brow. Duties? What kind of duties did he assign me? Considering that my offer of help had just been flatly rejected, it seemed impossible that this could be a task involving bed service.
"Please follow me, Ma'am," the guard said again. I could only nod and trail behind him.
Curiosity gripped me as he led me to the vast backyard. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing but a vast expanse of grass and lush, towering trees.
"The Master instructed that you must pick up all the fallen leaves in this courtyard," the guard said expressionlessly.
My eyes widened instantly. "Sir, is this a mistake? I have to pick up all these leaves? This place is huge, Sir! Especially now that it's fall-the leaves won't stop falling!" I complained in frustration.
"That's what the master said, ma'am. This is your punishment for being insolent earlier," the guard added before finally striding off, leaving me alone.
I let out a long sigh, staring at the carpet of dry leaves covering the green grass. "Why does my life have to be like this? I have a family that's no good, and a husband who's out of his mind. Crazy!" I cursed in annoyance.
However, instead of picking up those leaves, I chose to lie down under the shadiest tree. I enjoyed the cool breeze brushing against my face.
There's no way I could clean all this up by myself. It's a futile task. Besides, I'd barely slept the night before because I'd been busy searching for information about my mysterious husband. My eyes felt incredibly heavy, so I decided to close them for a moment.
I don't know how long I'd been asleep. Suddenly, a piercing chill swept through my entire body. I jolted awake, gasping for air as if I'd been hit by a massive wave.
As soon as I regained my senses, I glared at a guard standing in front of me holding an empty bucket. My anger was about to explode, but I held back when I heard a deep voice from behind me.
"You're really enjoying sleeping here, aren't you!"
I turned and saw Samuel in his wheelchair. I glared at him angrily because he'd doused me until I was soaking wet.
"What? Don't like it?" Samuel challenged coldly. "That's your punishment for falling asleep on the job. Now get to work! Pick up all those fallen leaves with your own hands!"
"Why do I have to do it?" I retorted.
"Because you're the servant in this house! A servant's job is to clean!"
I let out a harsh breath, then stepped toward the man who was my husband, even though my clothes were still dripping with water. "But I'm your wife, Samuel."
"No. You're just collateral. You're just a servant!" he asserted, his gaze sharp.
I gave him a wry smile, then leaned in until our faces were only a few centimeters apart. The strong scent of his masculine cologne filled my nose.
"In that case, why not just make me your servant in bed? I'm ready, you know!" I teased in a bold tone that made Samuel's jaw clench instantly.
***
