4: Saw something she shouldn't have

After much urging, her father pushed Mariana out of the room. It filled her eyes with unwillingness and resentment, but she tried to cover it up with shyness. How will her father suggest such a kind of thing? Living with a stranger? For how long?

She could feel Stephan's icy glare behind her as she left, causing a shiver to run down her back. Will he let her stay with him? When she was lying, she hoped she would get away with it. Who would have thought that her dad will make such a suggestion? 

The maids helped her pack up her bags. A few minutes later Stephan walked out of the house, took her bag to the car while her dad pulled her into a hug. 

“I can't believe you have grown up,” he kissed her forehead and said, “Let me know if he doesn't treat you well, okay? Although I'm sure he will, Stephan loves you a lot.”

Yeah, right. Mariana snorted. “I will miss you, old man.”

Minutes later, she was seated in Stephan's black, luxurious Bentley. Just by looking at the interior, one will know that the car cost lots of money. 

“Uh…”

“Put on your seat belt,” Stephan said coldly, cutting her off. He was furious at that moment that he didn't want to hear any words from her. 

Thinking about how her father pushed her into his arms, Stephan stepped on the accelerator and sped away from her house. They clearly want to climb up a big tree.

Before Mariana could buckle her strap, the car moved with much force, causing her to hit her head on the windshield. She hissed and was about to curse at him, but paused when she realized how mad he was. She silently put on her seat belt and shrugged. Oh well, does he think she's happy to go with him? She still has a life here. Most of all, she would rather be in Josh's arms than sit in his damn car.

Stephan drove for a long time. He would have gone home straight, instead, he rode aimlessly just so he could cool down. Once he's calm, he turned toward the direction of his house, and less than, ten minutes, he drove into his garage. 

His Butler, Andrew, rushed out to open the door. “Welcome home, Sir.”

Stephan brushed past him. He got to the elevator and ordered. “Show Mariana to her room.”

Only then did Andrew realize someone was seated in the car, a lady, for that matter. He was shocked. His Master hasn't brought any woman home after Florence, is he seeing things?

“Young Mistress…” he started.

“It's Mariana, but you can call me Ari or Ana.” Mariana introduced as she got out of the car. 

She was annoyed by the fact that Stephan didn't let her speak in the car just now. As if that wasn't enough, he left as soon as he got home. They needed to talk about this whole arrangement. She can't just stay here just because her father said so. She would go crazy living with a stranger! Not just any stranger, but a cold, aloof and arrogant one. If he hadn't stopped her from escaping at the last minute, none of this would have happened. 

Thinking about this, Mariana kicked the car beside her and cried out in pain. “Ouch!”

“Are you okay, Miss?” 

Andrew asked with a frown.

“Fine!”

Okay… It seems like he wouldn't be dealing with just his Master. Even his future young mistress has anger issues. Andrew thought to himself as he sighed. At the same time, he figured that they're quite a match made in heaven. They obviously have one thing in common.

When they got to the elevator, Mariana glanced at Andrew. “My things are in the car.”

“You don't have to worry about that, Miss Mariana. I'll get someone to bring it up later.”

Mariana nodded. The elevator dinged open, revealing the grand interior of the living chamber. She stepped out and was enthralled by the beauty of it. Her house is also luxurious, so she knew everything here screamed money. She didn't have enough time to take it all in because Andrew led her to her room on the last floor. He purposely chose a room on the same floor with his master because he thought they were a couple. It will be easier for them to meet if need be.

“Here's your room, Miss Mariana. If you require anything, press that red button on the telephone, and I'll be right up. Furthermore, try not to go Into any of the rooms on this floor without Young Master's permission.” Andrew warned for her sake. He could tell his Master is mad this evening. With that, he left her suite. 

Soon after, someone brought in her luggage. Mariana glanced around her room. It was bigger than her princess room back at home. Even the bed seems fluffier than hers. Speaking about beds, Mariana suddenly felt exhausted. She plopped onto it and groaned. “Uh, so good.”

Mariana kept thinking about how she's going to talk to Stephan, how she's going to meet with her boyfriend, Josh. She acknowledged that this was also a blessing disguised. Now that she's no longer staying with her father, she could easily meet with Josh whenever she wants. Her mood improved a bit. 

She unknowingly fell asleep while thinking about this, but because she didn't eat that evening, she woke up late that night. Mariana felt uncomfortable in her dress. She changed into a soft baggie t-shirt she usually wore at home. Her tummy growled loudly, causing her to bite her lips. It's 1 a.m. How on earth is she going to find food in this strange place? 

Stephan was so greedy that he couldn't even offer bread. Her impression of him deteriorated more. She decided to go look for the kitchen and figure out what to eat. Because it was late, Mariana went on her tiptoes. If one sees her, they'll think she's a thief at night. Oh, well, she's about to go steal food since no one offered it. 

After walking out of the room, Mariana walked around for a long time before realizing a problem. She's lost! How come she didn't notice how big this floor is? She remembered the Butler leading her here, is she wrong? All the doors look the same.

Her tummy grumbled again. Mariana let out a frustrating moan, ambled to the door close to her, and pushed it open. Unfortunately for her, that was the master's bedroom. 

Mariana halted on her steps the moment she walked in. Her eyes couldn't help widen as she saw Stephan standing naked. 

For a moment, her mind went blank, her jaw couldn't help but drop. This was her first time seeing a man's body, but she never expected him to be so beautiful and big down there. 

“Seen enough?” 

A voice finally drew her attention. Mariana glanced up at him. Only then did she realize Stephan was holding a gun in one hand and a towel in the other.  Stephan wasn't just holding a gun, he was pointing it at her.

For the second time that night, Mariana's heart skipped a beat. Cold sweat trickled down her forehead. 

“You… W- what are you doing?” Mariana was scared shitless that she couldn't comprehend one sentence. She has seen a gun before because her dad is a mafia, but no one has ever pointed it at her!

Today was a total misfortune, she had run and come across all the undesirable things. Was she guilty of some sort of transgression? She's really miserable, encountering a lot of bad luck today. No, meeting Stephan is her bad luck.

She even forgot the fact that he was naked. “Don't… kill me… Please.” She stuttered with her hands in the air. Then she did the only thing she could do at that moment. She fainted.