**********
“Ashley, I don't really know about this.” Her father said as she packed her bags.
“Relax dad, I know you will miss me a lot but I will ask if I can visit like three times a month okay?”
“It is not about me missing you Ashley, it sounds too good to be true, why will you get paid three million dollars in a month for just living in a house? It really sounds too good to be true.” He said and she sighed, she walked to him and held his hands.
“Dad, you are overreacting, nothing is going to go wrong, I went to the company and so many people auditioned for the role, and I got it. All you have to do is look after mum and everything is going to be okay.”
“Okay.” He muttered and she smiled, she hugged him and he hugged her back tightly. They pulled away from each other and she continued packing her bags.
“When will you leave?”
“Well, the interviewer told me to drop off my address to the receptionist yesterday so they should be here any moment from now. I think.” She replied and her father nodded.
After a while, Ashley suddenly heard a knock on the door and she smiled, she opened the door and she saw two men dressed in a black tuxedos.
“Good afternoon ma’am, are you, Miss. Ashley Smith?”
“Yes, I am.”
“Okay, we are here to pick you up.”
“Oh, okay.” She replied with a smile and she turned to her father, he smiled at her as she walked into her room to get her bags. She walked out with them and her father hugged her tightly.
“Just stay safe.”
“I will dad, take care of mum, and my regards to her.”
“Sure, I love you.”
“I love you too dad.” She replied and hugged him again. They pulled away and she walked out of the house, the men in black helped her with her bags and she walked into the car. She took in a deep breath as the car started moving and smiled.
********
After an hour drive, they got to a mansion and the car stopped. She got down and the men in black helped her with her bag, she trailed behind them as they head towards the building, they entered and Ashley stared at the beautiful house.
“This house is huge.” She muttered and looked around.
“Welcome, Ashley.” She heard a familiar voice say and she turned to see the interviewer.
“Oh, good afternoon sir.”
“Afternoon, welcome to the Empire mansion.”
“Thank you.”
“So, is this where I will be living?” She asked and he nodded with a smile.
“Wow.” She giggled and looked around again.
“So, where are the cameras and lights? Won't we be shooting some scenes during the review or isn't that what this is about?” She asked and the interviewer chuckled.
“Oh no. You don't need cameras neither do you need lights and you won't be shooting any scenes, just be yourself and live your best life here.”
“Oh, okay sir.” She replied.
“Let us drop the formal communications, you can call me Bryan, my name is Bryan.”
“Really? Is that okay with you?”
“Of course.”
“Okay, Bryan.”
“Good, your bags have been taken to your room, the butler will take you there and if you need anything, all you have to do is use the telephone in your room, his name is Lucas.” Bryan said and an old man walked to them, he bowed and Ashley smiled at him.
“Feel at home Ashley, I have to go now.”
“Hold on, won't you be staying here?”
“Oh, not at all dear, but I will be paying you a visit once in a while.”
“Okay.” Ashley sighed in response.
“You have nothing to be worried about, Lucas is here and he will be at your service.”
“Okay but one more question before you leave.” Ashley said and he nodded indicating for her to go on.
“When will I meet the male character?” She asked.
“You should meet him today.”
“Why isn't he here yet? We should be here together, right? So we can start the review.”
“He will be here Ashley, you really don't have to worry about that.”
“Okay then.”
“Anything else?”
“No.”
“Enjoy.”
“Okay, Bryan.” She replied and he smiled at her before walking out.
“Come with me, ma’am.” Lucas said and she nodded, they walked for some seconds and climbed the stairs. They got to the hallway and Ashley stared at the paintings on the wall as they passed.
She suddenly paused as she stared at a painting, a man was fighting with a dragon, and a girl was covered in blood and she watched them in tears in the painting. Ashley felt a strange connection to the painting and got lost staring at it then she slowly raised her hand to touch it.
“Ma’am.” Lucas suddenly called and she snapped out of her thoughts, she withdrew her hand and turned to him.
“Yes?” She replied with a smile.
“The room is this way.” He said gesturing in the direction and she nodded.
“Oh, yes.” She replied and followed him as she walked ahead of her, they got to a door and Lucas opened it, they both walked in and Ashley looked around it with a smile.
“Holy shit, is this my room?” She asked.
“Yes ma’am.” He replied.
“Wow.”
“Please feel free to point out the things you don't like so they can be taken out of replaced with your taste ma’am.”
“Are you fucking kidding me? This place is amazing, I love it, Lucas. Thank you.” She replied and he bowed.
“I will leave you to have some rest ma’am, if you need anything please do not hesitate to contact me on the telephone, have a nice rest, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” She said with a smile and he bowed before walking out.
“Oh my God.” Ashley giggled and brought out her phone, she took a selfie and smiled.
She fell on the bed and sighed.
“This is great.” She muttered and closed her eyes.
After taking a long relaxing bath, Ashely decided to take a nap for a while till when the male character shows up. She was starting to close her eyes when she suddenly realized something and sat up.“What if the male character shows up and finds me asleep? Won't that make me seem not serious about this?” She muttered and ruffled her hair.“But I love sleeping a lot.” She groaned and lay back on the bed.“I will just close my eyes for five minutes.” She mumbled and slowly closed her eyes.******HOURS LATERAshley groaned in her sleep and slowly opened her eyes, she yawned and sat up. She picked up her phone and her eyes widen in shock as she stared at the time.“Holy shit! It's 8:00 pm.” She almost yelled and dropped her phone, she hurriedly rushed out of the room and walked down the stairs. She suddenly froze when she saw men in the living room and they were all dressed in black tuxedos.They all turned to look at her and she bit her lip nervously.“Good... Good evening.” She greeted
“Ugh.” Hayden scoffed and walked after her, he pulled her back into the room and she gave him a questioning look.“Let’s just play the game.” He muttered and set up the game, he picked up a controller and stretched one to her. She collected it and they both sat on the floor to start. “I don't know how to play it.” She said and he sighed.“Butler Lucas will play with me.” She muttered and he moved to her. “It's easy, a five-year-old knows how to play this game.”“Great, keep mocking me.” She said and he glared at her.“You know, in this review, the female character is supposed to act submissive to the male character, not talk back at him at every chance she gets.”“Oh, you are serious?” “Yes.”“Okay, I am sorry sir.” She said and he nodded.“Good, now listen carefully cause I won't show you twice. Just follow this direction and the square, triangle, and circle shapes are for jumping, running, and fighting, while the X is for balance, got it?”“Yeah, sure.” “How many levels are in t
“Can you stop that?” He asked with a glare and she stopped laughing immediately.“Sorry, sir.” “Come on, tell the truth already.”“I just told you six truths, none of it was a lie.”“Yeah, whatever, just tell me the truth.”“Okay, you are pretty, I think you are cute and you have a nice body.” He said meaning it as a lie and she smiled happily.“You are not wrong sir, thank you.” She blushed and Hayden shook his head.“I got everything right so you will do anything I say.”“Whatever.” He replied.“My turn.” She said and gulped out of the smoothie then cleared her throat.“My three wishes are, I wish to have a better life, I wish my mum will get better and I wish to get married to a sexy man.” She giggled and Hayden scoffed.“A sexy man.” He muttered and rolled his eyes.“Now, I will say three things, tell me if it's a truth or a lie.”“I am happy, I have a crush on you, you are hot.”“They are all true except you being happy, you are sad.”“How did you know?”“Obviously, I am hot and
“So Bryan, what exactly is this movie about? I really don't know.” Ashley said as she took a spoonful of chicken soup.“Oh, it's about a girl who got sold to a mafia lord at a young age and was submissive to him.” Bryan replied and he nodded.“He is lying, we are both vampires and he is also a witch and we are best friends.” Hayden said and Bryan laughed.“Do you really think I will believe that? I am not dumb.” She scoffed.“Oh, you are so dumb.” Hayden said and she glared at him.“We have a list of things to do today, so get ready.” She said and he sighed.“I think I have to go now.” Bryan said standing up and Hayden glared at him.“Okay, bye Bryan.” Ashley said and he smiled before walking out. “So, what is on your list?” He asked and she smiled.“Hold on, I will go get the book. I dropped it in the game room yesterday.” She stood up and walked out of the living room, she rushed to the game room and picked up the book then rushed back to the dining.“Okay, so what we have to do t
“Can we go already, it's getting boring.” Hayden scoffed as he leaned on the wall, Ashley turned to him and stared at his face. She wanted to talk about him complaining a lot but she got lost staring at him.She noticed how cute he looks! He is, well, different from all the other guys she has been seeing, not that she has seen a lot but the few she met in high school and college count. He is handsome, not perhaps in the conventional sense, but he has that appearance that could make him stand out in the crowd except for his rude and annoying personality. He is fair, he is obscure, and his beautiful black eyes contrasted exceptionally with his light-toned face. His eyes were as deep and expressive, as you could get lost if you stared long enough. He looks so built and she imagined trailed her hand down his chest. You can say he is just one in a million, who was “nothing special, but all the same unique” except for his annoying and rude attitude.“Hmm, earth to Ashley.” He said and Ashl
“Ugh.” Ashley groaned as she tossed around her bed. She has been in the room for hours and she was starting to get tired of it. “I am so bored.” She groaned and sat up on her bed. “Hey.” She called and one of the maids in her room turned to her. “Why the hell am I still trapped in this room?” She asked. “I have no idea, ma’am.” She replied and bowed. “Is this part of the review?” Ashley muttered and sighed, she shook her head and fell back on the bed. ********* Ashley paced around her room and stared at the furniture, that was how bored she was and she was getting frustrated. It's evening already and the maids left her an hour ago, she tried going out countless times but the guards keeps defying her of access. The door to her room suddenly opened and the guard walked in. “You are free to go ma’am.” He said and he walked out. She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Free to go? Really? I am not a prisoner.” She mumbled angrily and stormed out of the room, she rushed down the stairs
Hayden rolled his eyes and kept staring at the sky.“Of all girls in the world, Bryan had to hire a drama queen.” He muttered and stood up. He walked into the house and head towards his room, he paused when he saw Ashley staring at the dragon’s painting on the wall. She was so drawn to it, she didn't notice when he walked towards her.“Ashley.” He called and she flinched.“Oh my God, you scared the shit out of me.” She gasped.“I thought you were going to your room.” “Yeah, I wanted to but I realized I was trapped in my room all day for a stupid reason.” She said and he ignored her statement.“Can I ask a question?” She asked and he nodded.“What is this painting about?”“I have no idea.”“But it's in this house... ““It's the Empire's house remember?” He asked and she sighed. “Why does it look so familiar?” She mumbled but Hayden heard what she said.“It looks familiar?”“Yes, I don't remember seeing it but I feel like I know about this painting a lot like I have lived it and I am
Chapter Ten*************Ashley stared at her puffy eyes in the mirror and sighed, she had cried all night thinking about what Hayden said to her and if she could get another job. She didn't know why his words hurt her so much but they did, he really didn't have to be mean about everything he says. “Ma’am, are you okay in there? You have been in there for a while now.” A maid said knocking on the door and she sighed.“Am okay, I will be out in a minute.” She replied and wiped the tear that was about to roll down her eyes, she lazily took her bath and she walked out of the bathroom when she was done. The maid in her room bowed on seeing her but she ignored the maid and entered her closet, she walked out of it minutes later dressed in a plain gown, and slowly sat on her bed.“What’s your name?” She asked the maid.“My name is Kira ma’am.”“Okay Kira, can you bring my breakfast to my room? I really don't have the strength to go downstairs.”“Of course ma’am, I will be back.” The mai
“What?” Hayden asked and Bryan sighed.“Yes, she might not wake up.”“How many percent possibilities is that it will be successful?” Ashley asked and Hayden turned to her.“Oh, it's 50-50.”“Okay, I will do it.” “What? No.” Hayden yelled and walked to her.“Yes, I will.”“No, you are not, what if you don't wake up?”“What if I die anytime? Huh? Then we won't get to be with each other.”“But you might not wake up.”“Might Hayden, it's not certain that I won't wake up.”“I don't care, you are not doing it. I own you so I have every right over you.”“You can't tell me what to do and not do, I am not a child.” She yelled and he scoffed.“I don't think you know what being a mate is, you have to be submissive to me which means you will do everything I ask you to do.”“I am not some kind of an item or property you can control, I can do whatever I want. So what if I don't listen to you?”“I want you to listen to me.” He yelled.“Okay, this is getting worse. My bad.” Bryan muttered and watche
“Good morning beautiful.” Ashley heard in her sleep and felt soft kisses all over her face, she giggled as she slowly opened her eyes. She saw Hayden smiling at her and she chuckled before sitting up, he pecked her lips and she sighed.“Morning.” She replied and he nodded.“Go and get ready and come down for breakfast, I bet my baby is hungry already.” “Yeah, yeah.” Ashley laughed and he helped her up, she walked into the bathroom and he waited for her in the room. She walked out of the closet minutes later dressed in her clothes and Hayden smiled at her.“You aren't dressed in my clothes today.” He said as he stood up and wrapped his arms around her waist. “Well, that is because I am back in my room which is filled with my clothes and not yours. I can't enter your room in this mansion because you never let me.” “Oh, do you want to see it?” “Seriously?”“Yes, I mean, it's not really that bad.” “Why don't you want me to see it exactly?”“You will find out but that will be after b
Bryan stared at the Princess as she walked angrily away from the throne room, he followed her and she glanced at him as she walked.“Stop following me.” She said with her voice starting to break and he ignored her.“Slow down Ariadne.” He said and she ignored him, she got to her room and tried to close the door but he got in forcefully.“What do you want Bryan?” She asked with her eyes starting to get clouded with tears.“You don't have to cry, I get the fact that you are upset but you really don't have to cry.” He said and she rolled her eyes which made a tear roll down her eyes.“I never knew you could cry.” Bryan chuckled and she glared at him.“Yeah, sorry. My bad.”“Please leave.”“No.” He replied with a frown and moved closer to her, he wrapped his arms around her waist and sighed.“Don't cry over something your selfish mother did.”“Yeah, you are right.” She muttered and wiped her tears, Bryan chuckled and creased her waist.“So, you hate me.” Bryan said and she smiled.“And yo
“Oh my God, you guys pulled it off really well, I never expected it.” Ashley said as Hayden held her tightly from behind. They were still in the garden and everyone was still celebrating the successful proposal.“Yeah, we did. All thanks to Ariande.” Hayden said and the Princess smiled happily.“I played my role right.” She said proudly and Ashley nodded.“Yes, you did. Thank you so much.” Ashley said and pulled away from Hayden, she walked to the Princess and hugged her.“I want a hug now.” Bryan said walking to her as she pulled away from the Princess. Ashley chuckled and hugged.“Now I get the reason why you don't want me to hug you, you don't want me to read your memories.” “Yeah.” He chuckled and hugged her again.“Hey, that’s enough.” Hayden said and pulled her to himself, Ashley laughed and hugged him.“I am so happy.” She giggled and he smiled at her.“Yeah, me too.” Hayden replied and kissed her.“Yes! Let's celebrate this!” The Princess yelled and the maids around smiled ha
After they both got their hair treated and styled, they did their nails and they both walked out of the saloon. They entered the chariot and Princess Ariande heard Ashley’s stomach grumble.“Hey, are you hungry?” She asked and Ashley nodded in response. “Okay, there is a restaurant close to this place, let’s head there.” The Princess said and she nodded. They got to the restaurant and Ashley smiled knowing it was familiar.“What's with the smile?” The Princess asked as they walked in.“Oh, Hayden has brought me here before but it was like a month ago.”“That's nice.” She replied and smiled, the people in the restaurant bowed as usual and the waiter and waitress treated Ashley and the Princess well. People left the restaurant for them and Ashley turned to the Princess and she shrugged with a smile.They both sat down and ordered for what they wanted, Ashley ordered a lot of things which surprised the princess.“Are you sure you want to eat all of these?” The Princess asked as they st
Ashley slowly opened her eyes and sighed, she frowned when she couldn't find Hayden beside her and she slowly sat up.“Great, you are finally awake.” She heard a familiar voice and she flinched when she saw the Princess walking out of her closet.“Princess Ariadne.” She called surprised and stood up immediately, she bowed and the Princess smiled.“Oh, please. Stop that.” She said and Ashley looked up at her.“Hmm, is... Is everything okay? Why are you here?” Ashley asked nervously and the Princess smiled at her.“Yes, dear. Come on, hurry into the bathroom, we have to get ready and why are you up so late?” She asked and Ashley stared at her surprised, she has never been this confused in her life.‘What the hell is going on? And where the fuck is Hayden?’ She thought and the Princess smiled.“I know you are confused but don't worry, am not going to hurt you. See? No claws, no fangs, just me in my human form.”“Okay. Am sorry, please where is Hayden?” She asked.“Oh, he put me in charge
“Open up.” Hayden said to Ashley and she slowly opened her mouth, he fed her brown soup and she frowned.“I don't want this Hayden, I really don't want it.” Ashley said and made an irritated expression.“But Lucas said you have to take it that it will help.” Hayden replied as he fed her another spoonful of the soup.“It's just brown soup, it's not helping.” She argued and he smiled at her.“Relax baby, as long as Lucas said it will help, I believe it will and besides, you were the one that wanted Lucas’s meal.”“Ugh, I thought he would prepare his normal delicious meals, I didn't know he was going to give me this recommendation.” She scoffed and he chuckled.The sorcerer walked to them and smiled at them, Ashley smiled back at him.“How are you feeling madam Ashley?”“Am feeling good, thanks.” She replied and he nodded.“Are you feeling any pain anywhere?” He asked and she shook her head in response.“Okay then, you are free to go to your room but if you feel any pain or you need anyt
“The Queen?” Bryan asked and she nodded.“Why the hell does the Queen wants you?” Bryan asked and she sighed.“Can you help me up?” She asked Hayden who remained quiet but kept staring at her.“Yeah.” He muttered and helped her up, she leaned on him and sighed.“She is mad at me because I am with her daughter’s supposed mate to and I also caught her son’s attention and much other stuff.” She explained and Hayden sighed.“Why aren't you saying anything?” Ashley asked Hayden and he turned to her, he stared at her for a while before wrapping his arms around her. “I really have nothing to say, I am just glad you are okay.” He said and kissed her. “So you are just going to let the Queen go?”“Hell no.” Hayden replied and pulled away from Ashley.“She is going to pay for making my beautiful babies go through hell.” He said and kissed Ashley’s forehead. “Oh, that reminds me. She knows am pregnant and she was planning on using my baby as a sacrifice by midnight.” “What? How did she know t
“Hayden, we have been searching for hours, the guards are starting to get tired, we need to go back.” Bryan said but Hayden ignored him and kept walking deeper into the woods.“The guards can go back, you are with me.” Hayden ordered and Bryan turned to the exhausted guards.“You can go back now.” He said and they all bowed.“Thank you, Sir Bryan.” They chorused and they all walked away, Bryan sighed and ran to Hayden.They kept walking but Hayden stopped when he saw an old house from a distance.“Hey, did you know there is a house in the deepest part of the woods?” Hayden asked and Bryan looked at it.“Yeah, kind of but only a few people know about it.”“Who does it belong to?” Hayden asked as they walked towards it.“It is abandoned now, it belonged to a poor family but they got moved into the city and that happened hundreds of years ago.” “Does the Royal family know about this place?”“I don't know but they should.” Bryan replied with a shrug.“Let's take a closer look.” Hayden sa