The limousine moved gracefully up the long curved road supporting the house in the distance. It was huge, she wouldn’t be exaggerating if she said it was castellated, embraced by the light of the moon. The high gates that separated the estate from the nearby houses parted slowly, and the car drove through immaculate lawns, and only occasional impressive columns of the house became visible. The enormous house rising in front of her caused Marie’s chest to constrict as if the building itself was strangling her.Finally, it was Aaron to speak, but his voice was husky with anger. “Pick up your things, and get inside.”The parking lot suddenly came to a halt, and Aaron got out of the limousine without saying anything. For a moment Marie had sat frozen and then slowly leaned forward to take her suitcase that lay on the seat next to her. The feel of it in her hands seemed almost symbolic; everything she had left behind was inside of it.Upon getting to the door, there was a maid, she was cle
Marie had just walked in and was just staring at the interior part of the house. It now looked extremely beautiful but was somehow less tangible – less real. The walls were covered with luxuriant fabrics, and a large master bed occupying almost the whole of the space took center stage.The furniture was made out of some sort of polished wood and the occupants were reflected in the surface similar to the rest of the house. It was flawless; nothing could ever be wrong with it, but it was all foreign to her.She walked across to the large bed and sat on it, she drew in a deep breath and tried to remind herself that all this was just short-term and that soon, very soon, all this would be over.But it was just beginning and that part made her worry. It was her first night in the Sanchez mansion and she didn't know what the next morning would be like.Marie decided to ignore the thousand and one questions drumming into her eardrums and glanced toward the direction of the bathroom. She needed
Slowly, Marie walked down the grand staircase, each step vibrating in her pounding heart. The house felt so different this morning; the silence was suffocating something you could almost taste on your tongue. The steps on which she stood were made of shiny marble, and as far as she could see, smooth and unmarked by the day and by footfall.It was nothing like the vibrant house she had grown up in, knowing every creak and every corner was filled with memories. Here it is all too clean, too clinical, for a man with a criminal record.Having walked to the dining room, she saw Aaron sitting at the head of the table. He sat rigid with his hands cupping a coffee cup, looking at the newspaper lying on the table in front of him.Aaron lifted his eyes as she came close, the look in his eye intense. His demeanor was calm but his voice had some tension when he said something. "You're late.""Sorry," Marie muttered under her breath.Marie settled into the chair, the room itself was silent, punctu
After breakfast, she went back to her lonely room. The hush and silence oppressed her as if the walls were gathering in on her.This was so because she missed her home so badly, she longed for the noise produced by her father preparing breakfast in the kitchen in their home, her bed, and the social order of things she had thought she would never lack.Everything was strange in this big mansion. Its halls and pure white walls seemed so very distant. It didn’t feel like home. It seemed to be something alien to whatever she had ever experienced.Marie sat on the edge of the bed and focused on finding something to look at to avoid the loneliness that seemed to be swelling inside her. She picked up her phone and ran her fingers through her call logs.There must be a way, maybe? Maybe her father could help. Perhaps it was not too late to return to the way things were before things spiraled out of control as they did now.Her fingers rested above the screen, but she did not type. Was it even
Marie exited the mansion, her footsteps weighted as they moved along the driveway. She couldn't dismiss the sensation that everything was eluding her grasp. The air was frigid, excessively so, and the glossy black SUV parked at the curb resembled more a prison than a mode of transport.Susann leaned against the car, an embodiment of aloof power, her gaze keen and anticipatory. As planned, she opened the door and signaled for Marie to enter. Marie paused, yet the unspoken force in Susann’s stare afforded her no chance for defiance. She slipped into the car, the cool leather of the seat pressing against her as the door shut softly behind her with a gentle, conclusive thud.The journey was lengthy, the path unfolding ahead of them like an endless horizon. The stillness enveloping them was heavy and stifling, and Marie could nearly perceive the buzz of her thoughts, more pronounced than before. What was happening? Where were they headed? What did Susann expect from her?However, Susann re
The next dress, a scarlet silk piece that flowed around Marie’s feet like molten lava, seemed even more unfamiliar. It adhered to her shape in a manner that made her painfully conscious of her own physique, a feeling she considered profoundly disconcerting. She felt vulnerable, not in a seductive manner, but in a way that stripped her of her individuality, leaving her as nothing more than a mannequin covered in luxurious cloth.Susann surrounded her, with her eyes narrowed in judgment. “Way too… clear,” she announced, brushing it off with a flick. "We require something more… sophisticated." "An element that murmurs affluence, rather than proclaiming it loudly."Marie’s image in the mirror gazed back at her, an unfamiliar figure dressed in elegance she didn’t know. The gowns, increasingly lavish with each one, seemed akin to costumes, facades intended to change her into a person she wasn't. Every piece of clothing she wore appeared to heighten the gap between her true self and the pers
They arrived at the magnificent staircase that ascended to the upper levels. The mansion was flawless, each detail perfect, but Marie couldn't rid herself of the sensation that the atmosphere of perfection was stifling her. Her heart raced within her chest, and with every step, the walls surrounding her appeared to constrict even more.At that moment, the noise of footsteps caught her interest. Aaron appeared at the top of the staircase, wearing a perfectly tailored suit. His deep-set eyes scanned her. His eyes lowered to the shopping bags in Susann's grip, and a slight, nearly unnoticeable smile played at the corners of his mouth."Well," he started, his voice rich and authoritative, "where did you both go?"Marie sensed a shiver run up her spine. She was uncertain if she desired to know the response.“We went to pick some new outfits for Marie,” Susann responded, her voice straightforward. "She will need them for tomorrow."Aaron lifted an eyebrow, redirecting his stare toward Marie
The SUV came to a gentle halt before the towering glass-and-steel building that loomed over them. Marie’s eyes grew large as she observed the enormity of the corporate structure. It was a contemporary architectural wonder, featuring smooth lines and shiny surfaces that captured the light like a glaring eye. The glass front appeared to rise infinitely high, suggesting the vastness of the empire it symbolized.For an instant, the immense sight of everything took Marie's breath away. It was everything she had envisioned a corporate headquarters to be and additionally-daunting, authoritative, and frigid.Aaron's voice interrupted her thoughts. “Stay in the car for a moment,” he ordered, his voice sharp and exact.He did not wait for an answer before exiting the SUV, the door clicking open with a noise that appeared to echo through the atmosphere.Marie paused for a moment. She looked at the looming structure again, her heart pounding. Being told she needed to adapt to this world was one t
Aaron’s breath came in sharp, ragged bursts as he strode through the long dark hallway, his steps heavy. His father's remarks were reverberating in his mind like a vicious taunt, and he was consumed by a storm of rage. “You’re nothing without me.”. . . His knuckles turned white as his fists clenched so tightly his nails digging into his palms. It seemed as though the mansion itself was attempting to ensnare him in its ruthless, frigid clutches because the air around him was heavy and oppressive.He was hardly aware of the dim glow of the wall sconces as the hall stretched out in front of him with dark wooden panels reflecting it. He could hear and feel nothing but his own rage hammering unrelentingly.He could still hear his father's voice in his ears. . . “You’re toying with me.” With a start, he halted his boots scuffing the shiny floor. His chest was heaving, and his breath was harsh as he struggled to maintain his balance. Tonight his father had said far too many things, but th
The smell of whiskey filled the dimly lit study, clouding the space with a strong, almost oppressive odor. Howard sat behind his desk, he swirled the amber liquid in his glass while staring into the depths of the drink.A firm and pointed knock was heard on the door.Howard called “Come in” in a steady, low voice that showed no signs of the storm that was building inside.Aaron entered as the door squeaked open. His stance was straight, his face tight with annoyance, and he stood tall. Howard closely observed him, his keen eyes scrutinizing each nuance and facial movement. Aaron was very much a reflection of himself; he was obstinate, strong-willed and self-destructive.“Aaron, sit. We must have a conversation.” Aaron, however, did not move. His body was tense as he stood there staring at Howard’s face. His voice was tight as he said. “I'm not here to sit. I'm here to know why you called me.”The corner of Howard’s mouth curled into a thin smile as he raised an eyebrow. Savoring the
The bathroom door gently closed behind Marie, leaving the sunroom empty except for Aaron and Susann. Once brimming with the warmth of conversation, the room felt suddenly too heavy and too quiet.Aaron took a seat slowly and raked his hand through his hair as his mind raced through the quiet room.At first, Susann’s expression was unreadable as she studied him without saying anything. The weight of the unsaid words that hung in the air caused the silence between them to grow longer. Even though Aaron's face was composed as he met her gaze, a sense of tension persisted.Susann finally spoke, her tone firm but quiet. “What do you think you're doing?" With a steady but slightly uncertain tone, he questioned, “What do you mean?”Her eyes narrowed slightly as she examined him, and she exhaled a soft, controlled breath. She spoke slowly and measuredly as if she were carefully weighing each word, “Marie is pregnant. I also know you're worried about her. However, you have to realize the ser
With tea mugs in hand, Marie and Susann settled into the cozy cushions of the wicker sofa inside, but the serene setting did little to relieve the knot of anxiety that was weighing heavily on Marie's chest.Even though the room was lovely and the morning was warm, she couldn’t get rid of the dread that had been with her since her nightmare.“Marie, you've been incredibly quiet since yesterday”, she said quietly in a steady, calm voice. “I understand that your nightmare must have been upsetting, but I can't help but wonder if you're keeping something else from me. You know you can speak with me?”After placing her tea on the table before them and taking a deep breath, Marie looked out the window. Eyes tired, she turned back to Susann. “It goes beyond the nightmare. It is everything. I am just too tired of everything that is happening. I’m not certain that I can stop it.” Susann's face became softer. She reassured Marie by reaching out and placing a firm yet gentle hand on hers. “I k
The following morning, Marie's bedroom curtains let in the pale light of dawn, which left the walls in long shadows. Her mind continued to replay the events in vivid detail, and she was still shaken from the nightmare. Each time she closed her eyes, she saw Howard's twisted smile as he watched her struggle, her father’s terrified face and the quicksand engulfing him. The nightmares' oppressive sensation persisted, and Marie couldn’t get rid of the feeling that something was seriously amiss.She was unable to remain in that space any longer. Because of the nightmares' lingering effects, the air felt too dense and heavy. Her legs felt wobbly as she got out of bed, and her heart was beating so fast.She gently left the bed, put on her robe and walked out of the room as quietly as she could. As she walked down the hallway, she couldn't stop thinking about the nightmare. She paused briefly upon arriving at Susann's room, taking a deep breath to help her relax. It would be a relief to spe
Marie sighed."Are you okay?" Aaron whispered, his tone soft and caring. With her body still tingling from the way he had kissed and held her, Marie nodded.She turned to face him and whispered, “Yeah.”Aaron kissed her shoulder. “Alright.”Fatigue took over her, and she slowly fell asleep, her eyelids heavy. That was when the nightmare started again. In the midst of a foggy, dark forest, she stood. With their gnarled branches grabbing at the sky like skeletal fingers, the trees towered over her. She then caught sight of him. Her Dad. His terrified eyes darted around as though looking for someone or something.Marie felt her heart tighten. She screamed “Dad!” and tried to run in his direction, but her legs felt heavy as though the ground was resisting her. A dark figure appeared behind him, stepping out of the trees. Towering. Dangerous. A strange, unnatural grace in movement. Marie’s heart froze. The only thing she could make out of the figure's face was the flash of something sha
Sitting in his darkened study, Howard took a long drag from his cigar while the strong odor of tobacco filled the air. His jaw was so clenched that his temple veins throbbed. With the amber liquid burning down his throat, he brought the crystal glass to his lips, tightening his grip. But it wasn't enough to quell the anger that was gnawing at his gut.The sound of Howard smashing the glass against the mahogany desk reverberated throughout the space. Even though his anger was trembling, he steadied his hand and poured himself another drink, his fingers twitching as he reached for the bottle. Howard let out a sharp exhale and placed his cigar in the ashtray, his lips curling into a sneer. Power, privilege and a name that many dreaded were all bestowed upon Aaron by him. However, the boy was sacrificing everything for love—for a woman who didn't belong in their world?Stupid.“So Aaron,” he whispered to himself, “Is this how you want to play it? Fantastic.”With somber and calculating
She was there when the door creaked open. Marie. Aaron saw her standing there with an unreadable expression, and his breath caught in his throat.He was rushing toward her before he could even think because his heart was racing.“You returned.” His voice was hoarse and laced with hope and desperation.There was nothing from Marie. With nothing visible on her face, she simply stood there and watched him. Aaron took a deep breath and reached for her hand, holding on to it as if she might vanish if he released it.“Please, Marie, don't abandon me.” He didn't mind that his voice cracked a little. Pride was irrelevant. Ego wasn't a factor. No more. “None of this was intended by me. I promise that I never intended to cause you any harm.”Her eyes were fixed on him, but she remained silent. Aaron's chest ached from panic. “Other things don't matter to me. Nothing matters if I don't have you, not the money, not my father, not the power. Marie, I love you despite my mistakes. More than anythin
Silent sobs rocked Aaron’s body as he sat on the bed, hunched over, hands clutching his head. He had the impression that the earth had been torn away from him, leaving him free to fall and without anything to cling to. He was suffocating from the unbearable weight in his chest, which was pressing down on him.Marie had gone. He had allowed her to leave after she had left. He had never been afraid of anything before, but this frightened him. How had it gotten to this point? How had he lost her so thoroughly? It was more painful than anything he had ever experienced to consider a life without Marie, without the fire in her eyes when she challenged him and without the warmth of her presence.He took a deep shuddering breath and tried to think, but his mind was a jumble of ideas. He never thought he would fall in love, much less be this enamored of a woman. Here he was, however, broken. Her memories were oppressive.She would frown when she was thinking too much, her lips would curl into