Chapter four

As we entered the cabin, I noticed Sarah's expression, and I knew she loved the cabin as much as I did. Her eyes were bright, and a smile formed at the corners of her mouth.

As we walked in, I recognized the same ladies from my previous visit, but this time, there was a new face among them. She stood out from the others, dressed in a more formal attire, and exuded an air of authority. I assumed she was the head housekeeper. With a warm smile, she approached us.

"Welcome, Ms. Jones," she said, her tone warm and friendly. "Megan, show the other Ms. Jones around." She turned to the lady with a mole next to her right eye.

"Will you be fine?" I asked as I turned to face Sarah.

"Are you kidding? I'm not a kid."

She smiled and followed Megan.

The chief housekeeper introduced herself.  "I am Beth," she said. "I'll be your point of contact for any questions or needs you might have during your stay."

"Thank you," I said. "It's nice to meet you, Beth."

"The pleasure is all mine," she said. "I know this is all a bit overwhelming, so I'll try to make your stay as comfortable as possible. Please, follow me."

Beth led me up the stairs and down a long hallway. She opened the door to a cozy room, with a queen-sized bed and a view of the surrounding forest. The room had a rustic charm, with exposed beams and wooden furniture. A small fireplace sat in the corner, and the mantle was decorated with a vase of fresh flowers, Beautiful.

"This is your room," Beth said. "I hope you find it to your liking."

What do you mean? I love it "I like it." I said with a smile.

"You have a beautiful smile, Ms. Jones."

"Um, thank you." I flushed a little.

"Take your time settling in," Beth said. "You have two days to settle in before meeting Mr. Williams' family. In the meantime, I will tell you important things you should know."

In two days?

The words "Mr. Williams' family" echoed in my mind, and I felt a pit of dread in my stomach. In just two days, I would be meeting the family of a man I knew nothing about.

"Lunch will be delivered to your room," Beth said. "And if you need anything, there will be someone waiting at the door to assist you, and there are clothes in your wardrobe. If you need anything."

I tried to smile, but it felt more like a grimace. I knew that I needed to relax, but my anxiety was making it hard to focus on anything other than the thought of meeting his family in two days.

As Beth left the room, I felt a wave of exhaustion wash over me. The bed looked so inviting, with its fluffy pillows and crisp white sheets. I kicked off my shoes and crawled under the covers, letting my body sink into the soft mattress. I closed my eyes and tried to relax, but my thoughts kept racing. What would Mr. Williams' family be like? Would they be friendly, or would they judge me for being a stranger in their midst? I had no idea what to expect, and the uncertainty was eating away at my peace of mind.

                                                          **

The shower felt amazing, and I wore the soft pants and cozy sweatshirt I found in the wardrobe. After that, I sank into the soft bed and drifted off into a deep sleep. I felt my worries fading away, and I relaxed into a peaceful slumber. When I woke up, I felt refreshed and renewed, like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

The trees outside my window were swaying gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly. There were no other houses in sight, and the cabin was surrounded by woods on all sides. It was quiet, except for the sounds of nature - the wind in the trees, the rustle of leaves, and the occasional bird call. The evening was beginning to set in, and the sky was a deep, rich blue. It was a peaceful, serene setting.

I wondered what Sarah was up to. I put on the fluffy slippers near my bed and headed for the door.

"What do you need? Ms. Jones?" I saw Megan standing outside my room.

Oh right, Beth told me someone would be here in case I need anything. Has she been standing here for hours?

"Nothing. I just want to see my sister."

She led me to where Sarah was.

"She's sound asleep."

I saw her curled up on the bed, sound asleep. A novel lay face down on the bed as if she had been reading before drifting off. I smiled, thinking of how she must have been so tired that she couldn't finish the book before falling asleep. I carefully closed the door, trying not to wake her up.

"Ms. Jones!"

I jumped, startled, as Beth called out my name, her voice echoing through the cozy cabin, striding towards us with a purposeful stride. Her eyes locked onto mine, a hint of a smile playing on her lips.

"Sorry, you look startled. You can leave," Beth said, dismissing Megan. She then turned to me with a warm smile. "I must say, Ms. Jones, your sister is quite the bookworm. She was very particular about the books we provided."

I chuckled, "I know, she's always been an avid reader. It's one of her favourite things to do."

I noticed Sarah started reading fiction books more frequently when we grew apart. I never questioned it, assuming she was seeking an escape from the tension between us. I figured she found solace in the stories, a way to temporarily forget about our issues and immerse herself in a different world.

Beth's grin widened. "Well, she'll certainly have plenty of material to keep her occupied here. It's refreshing to see someone so devoted to the written word. It's a rarity in this day and age. People are often too caught up in the digital world to appreciate the joy of physical books."

I nodded in agreement. "I'm glad she'll have access to a great library here."

As we strolled towards the terrace, Beth shared some information about the Williams' family. "Mr. George Williams is a highly respected businessman and owner of G&C Enterprises, known for his fairness and integrity. He's been married three times." I raised an eyebrow, three times? Beth continued, "His first wife, Mrs. Catherine Williams, passed away in the smallpox pandemic, leaving behind their son, Alexander Williams. His second wife, Mrs. Elena Williams, died of coronary artery disease after giving birth to Carlton Williams, your betrothed. He is married to his third wife, Mrs. Laura Williams, and they've been together for about a year."

"Wow, that's quite a family history," I said, still processing the intricate web of relationships. Beth nodded and smiled, then continued to describe my husband-to-be.

"Mr. Carlton Williams is a true workaholic. His job is his life's passion, and he's always on the clock. I've heard that he even has a desk in his bedroom so that he can work even when he's supposed to be sleeping. He's a very driven and focused man, with little time for anything else."

I couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be married to someone so driven. "Is he always so serious?" I asked, curiosity getting the better of me. Beth hesitated, "Well, he's not always serious, but he does take everything very seriously. He has little patience for small talk or social niceties, always focusing on the next big project or deal. He can be quite intense, and it's hard to get a read on him at times."

Beth continued. "Mr. Alexander Williams, the eldest son. He's married to a lovely woman named Elizabeth. They have a three-year-old daughter named Olivia, who is adorable." She paused, then continued. "This is going to be a bit of a whirlwind for you, so I want to make sure you're as prepared as possible. I know it can be intimidating to meet someone like Mr. Williams for the first time, but I'm here to help you through."

In two days?

After dinner, I crawled into bed. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, reaching for it, and there it was - Charlotte's email with the contract. I took a deep breath, scanned the pages, and signed it with a sense of surrender. As I snuggled under the blankets, my thoughts swirled with questions and doubts. What would my new life look like? Would I find happiness in this new chapter? What was I getting myself into?