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
The door to the boardroom closed behind Aaron and Marie as they walked in. The board members were already positioned, a selection of elegantly attired individuals who radiated influence and command. They did not stand up to welcome them, orprovide a single smile.Marie sensed their gaze on her while they made their way to the table.Aaron positioned himself at the top of the table, upright and authoritative. Marie stood next to him, her heart pounding.The hush lingered briefly until the chairman, a tall figure with silver hair and an aura of stark authority, finally addressed them. His tone was strong and exact."Mr. Sanchez," he started, leaning closer, his gaze examining Marie like a hawk evaluating its target. "You are, naturally, cognizant of the position you are anticipated to fulfill in the forthcoming plans for this company, correct?""Certainly” Aaron responded lazily.Another board member, a woman in her early forties with distinct features, interjected, her tone doubtful. S
Unspoken words weighed down the room as they finally parted ways. Marie’s heart continued to race as she stood there, her chest heaving. They were both absorbed in the ensuing silence and did not move.And it was evident in that silence that their relationship had changed forever. Aaron shifted uneasily, quickly stepping back and pulling his hand away from her face. He cleared his throat while his gaze shifted abruptly away from her.“I... I'm sorry," He muttered, his words seeming to be forced out. He turned to face the door after running a hand through his hair. "I should not have—" Marie reached out before he could say anything more. Her fingers found his wrist in an unexpectedly firm grip."Wait," She said in a firm but slightly tremulous voice. "Why, Aaron?" She kept his hand in hers and turned him back to her, her thumb lightly stroking his skin." Why are you like this? Why do you always act so distant and cold? “She asked.He scowled, his facial lines becoming more pronounced
Marie's heart pounded in her chest. She dared not turn around and give him a look. In anticipation of his next move, her body stayed motionless. He was too close, and even though she wanted to keep her calm, she felt a wave of heat wash over her cheeks.She was caught in the intense tension of the moment and stood motionless, uncertain of what to do next. There seemed to be a crackle of electricity in the air between them.With her thoughts dispersed, Marie's mind raced. The intimacy and the sensation of his body against hers felt utterly different from anything they had experienced together in years, she had to admit.The easy, carefree affection they had once shared was gone. It felt heavy now, full of memories they both wanted to forget, unresolved feelings and unsaid emotions. And yet once more, they found themselves standing this close together, the silence bearing down on them. It seemed there was no longer any world outside of the office. It appeared that only the breath that
Aaron left for his meeting, leaving Marie alone in his office's silent emptiness as the minutes dragged on. The only noises in the room were the air conditioner's hum, the faint rustle of papers, and the sporadic click of the wall clock.Because he was no longer there, the atmosphere in the room felt sterile and businesslike. Aaron had left a mess, and Marie glanced around. The desk was strewn with files, some open and some forgotten.Several coffee cups rest on the desk's edges, half-drunk and cold, and the inbox is bursting with unread emails. Aaron had been too preoccupied to clean up after himself as usual, so he left everything to someone else.That someone, of course, was Marie. She sighed, rolled up her sleeves, and went to work. The task didn't bother her; it was a minor aspect of her work. She disposed of the empty cups, organized the papers, and filed them neatly.She kept thinking about their time together before he left. When she was standing next to him, the way his body
The mood changed the moment Aaron's office door closed behind them. Aaron seemed to have not missed a beat because of his quick and deliberate movements. His tone was authoritative as he pointed to the desk before him without pausing. "Come closer", he commanded in a firm tone. "Please take care of this."She saw his eyes skimming the document as he slid a file across the table in her direction, his thoughts already elsewhere.“That’s easy. Make the required adjustments and adhere to the guidelines provided here. "Not daring to question his tone, Marie approached him with deliberate steps. As she positioned herself next to him, she could feel the cool edge of his desk at her fingertips and the suddenly thick air between them.She pretended to be focused on the task as she looked down at the file, but she could feel Aaron's presence pressing down on her. He drew her in with his masculine scent, a mix of pricey cologne and something more profound—something that was definitely him.Inv
The ride to the company was uncomfortable. Neither of them spoke, maintaining a suffocating silence. The quiet hum of the car's engine seemed more audible than the silence that separated them.Marie gazed out the window and watched the passing landscape. She didn't want to dwell on the kiss, the rage or Aaron's heartless actions. She could practically feel the tension emanating from him, but it was better to concentrate on the city and the things she could not control. Aaron broke the ice when they eventually pulled up to the company. "Wait here," He said in a tone that made it impossible to argue with him as he got out of the car. Marie remained motionless as he strode to the opposite side of the car, opened her door, and extended his hand with a well-honed civility. She hesitated for a second before putting her hand in his. She reminded herself that this was all part of the performance. They made their way through the parking lot, hand in hand, toward the entrance of the company.
Marie tried to stop her mind from racing as she stood in front of the bathroom mirror, her hands hovering over the chilly porcelain sink. Her mental storm had not been much calmed by the shower. She was angry at Aaron but she felt empty inside as if her rage wasn't enough to make up for the emptiness he had created. She gathered herself and wiped a stray tear from the corner of her eye with a tired sigh. No more giving in.She couldn't afford to show him how much he meant to her. Not at this time. Before heading downstairs, she changed swiftly into a dress that was simple but elegant. The silence of the morning shrouded her in an eerie silence in the house.Aaron was reading the newspaper at the table in front of him, his breakfast still untouched when she got to the dining room. He didn't raise his head when she walked in. With his expression unreadable, he continued to stare at the paper.He seemed unconcerned that she had just walked into the dining room. Only the rustle of the ne
Marie opened her eyes slowly, squinting against the intense light that flooded the room. Her mind was cloudy, and her head felt heavy as she tried to remember what had happened.She was momentarily confused by her surroundings. It was not her room—not the plush sheets under her, not the strange smell in the air. She froze; she was in Aaron's room. Aaron had her lying in his bed. She also realised that her clothes were different from what she had previously worn.The sleeves of his loose, too-large clothing hung over her hands. She looked around, trying to make sense of the situation, and sat up quickly, her heart thumping in her chest.Aaron had his back to her, his attention elsewhere. She heard a cup clinking softly. The sound she recognised was the stirring of coffee. Aaron’s voice was flat when he said."You're awake." l wish I had lacked the worry that had been present the previous evening.The fact that she had just regained consciousness didn't seem to surprise him or concern h
Only when the day was over did everyone pack up and leave for home, and the office fell silent. Marie wiped her face.Marie stood before the bathroom mirror for a few more seconds, trying to collect herself. Trying to make sense of the emotions inside her, she shut herself in and allowed the tears to fall. Everything seemed to be crashing down on her: the lies, the anger... everything.She stood before the mirror, staring at his dull reflection. Her eyes were swollen and red, and her face was pale. She stood there for a long time and didn't know when the seconds turned into minutes. She felt empty and broken. She inhaled deeply before leaving the bathroom and moving slowly down the silent corridor. As her steps reverberated, the lights above flickered, creating long shadows.She needed to leave that area, away from everything that had transpired and away from him, but she wasn't even sure where she was going. She froze when she turned the corner and turned to face her office.The do
As silent tears streamed down her cheeks, Marie sat in the water closet in the women's restroom. Even in the restroom, she could still feel the oppressive weight of her feelings pressing against her chest even after locking the door. Her nostrils were filled with the sterile smell of soap and bleach, but nothing could make her internal heaviness go away. With trembling fingers, she took out her phone, which flashed seven of Aaron's missed calls. Seven.He was almost comical in his persistence, calling repeatedly as if he were unaware of the actual wall she was erecting between them every second. She gazed at her phone, the tiny blinking alert taunting her."Why are you still calling me? You don't give a shit about me." She thought angrily.The thought tore through her mind like a raging fire. After all, it's a stupid contract. She unlocked the screen and scrolled past his desperate messages, each one more desperate than the last, and her eyes began to well up with tears once more.