Chapter 8: Moving #2

Twenty minutes.

Arya had been in the car for twenty minutes with Allison and she couldn't tell which part of her attitude was worse.

Thankfully, God decided to end her sufferings and they arrived at Ryker’s house.

Contrary to Arya’s expectations, the house wasn't as spacious as their main house. It was still bigger and better than the ones they arranged for her parents.

Walking inside, Arya was stunned once more. Even though the room consisted of three main colors; black, white, and grey, it still found a way to look lively yet sophisticated.

On the walls were beautiful posters and art pieces and the furniture was just exquisite.

“I've already placed the clothes I bought at the store in your bedroom,” Allison said.

Arya smiled in approval and nodded her head.

“Ok. Thank you.” Arya thanked Allison once again.

Even if the woman was rude and arrogant, she still had to be polite. After all, Allison would be her future sister-in-law; if everything goes according to plan.

“Yeah...whatever. I’ll be leaving now.” Allison said then made her way towards the door.

Arya let out a sigh of relief when she saw that Allison had finally left. She made her way upstairs before she realized that there were no servants in Ryker’s mansion.

This was strange because all the houses of wealthy people that she and her mother had been to always had workers.

Disregarding such irrelevant thoughts, Arya found her room which wasn't hard because Allison had told her directions to it some time ago and when she stepped in, she let out an excited squeal.

Maybe she could get used to such a life, after all, even if she doesn't like Ryker, the contract is in her favor. She can enjoy some benefits without interacting with him.

Arya finally focused and went to the huge bed in the room, on top of it was a pile of clothes.

She never knew Allison had bought her that much. Arya couldn't even imagine the price.

When Arya finished arranging her new wardrobe, she put on a dress Allison had bought her before settling down on the huge bed.

Arya looked around the room and smiled. Though it may seem superficial, the place was perfect for her.

From what she could tell since she entered, the house had the best security system from external threats, and her own space was surrounded by luxury.

Although it would take time, she could definitely adjust herself to life here.

Arya laid on the bed as she enjoyed the feeling of comfort. She didn't want to leave but at the same time, she also wanted to explore the house.

Deciding not to be lazy, Arya picked the latter. She got up from the bed, still dressed in the dress that Allison bought for her, and went outside her room.

By the time Arya was done exploring, it was nearly dinner time and Arya didn't want to ruin her parent’s time together so she just went downstairs to prepare something to eat.

Ever since she arrived, Ryker still hasn't come home, not that she was complaining, but to her, staying in such a large house alone was lonely.

“Done..!” Arya exclaimed to herself as she finally placed her plate of food on the table.

If she had a better phone with better camera quality, she would've taken a picture.

It was a rarity for her to eat such good meals. Just thinking about that brought a smile to her face.

Arya didn't waste any more time as she sat down and started to eat. She didn't even realize how hungry she was.

Before Arya had even finished half of her dinner, she heard the front door open and close. Shocked, she nearly choked on the food that was in her mouth.

Well, she did but thankfully, she had a glass of water to save her.

As she was trying to catch her breath and also regain her composure, she felt a presence around her. When she opened her eyes, she wasn't stunned to see Ryker standing in front of her with his usual cold expression.

Her previously calm expression turned into a hard glare as she stared at his indifferent look. She had thought that she could try to get along with him but the most moment she saw his face again, all thoughts of having a neutral relationship were gone.

“Hey..!” Arya called out when she realized that he actually had no intention to converse with her and he had already started heading up the stair by the time she was knocked out from her thoughts.

In response to her rude behavior, Ryker glared at her from the stairs which made the girl in question flinch.

But that didn't stop her as she quickly regained her confidence and spoke to him once more. This time in a softer tone.

“Sorry, but I have a request to ask of you,” Arya said as she lowered her head.

She admit that she was quite rude to him but in her defense, he deserved it.

What he was doing to her was basically blackmail but she woul be rewarded for fulfilling her part of the agreement.

“What is it?” He asked, surprising Arya.

“Can you get me a proper job?” Arya requested nicely with a hopeful smile on her face.

Her request though, brought a small frown to Ryker’s already cold face. He didn't understand her train of thought.

Someone already had a wealthy and luxurious life and their only request was to work, it was...dumb, to him at least. It was unnecessary.

Arya knew he was confused, he was probably even looking down on her way because of her request but she didn't care. Due to the environment, she grew up in, all she wanted to do was have a proper job with a high stable income.

After some seconds of thinking, Ryker finally responded, “...No.” He didn't even wait for her response before he turned around and left, leaving Arya there alone.

Scum.

That was the only word Arya thought of as she watched his receding figure with a blank expression. She felt like punching something - or someone- but she knew if she even tried with her weak strength, should e would only end up hurting herself.

“...bastard...scum...” As she walked back to her room, Arya muttered a string of curses under her breath.

Although she did have to come back downstairs because of her food that she had forgotten all about due to her anger.

❧

It's a new day. The sun is shining gorgeously on the flora of Ryker’s and Arya’s home, the loud music being played through a speaker further gave the house a more lively atmosphere and it also drowned the sounds of Arya banging on a door.

“Ryker! Let me out you scum!” Arya shouted at the top of her lungs which wasn't loud considering the fact that she has been yelling the same thing for the past hour.

Her voice was already hoarse and her throat was dry. Her strength, however, although weak, didn't diminish in the slightest as she used her anger as her new source of energy.

She had woken up early just to beg Ryker to get her a job when that didn't work, she decided to annoy him by disturbing him; which is why there is such loud music playing in a house that was normally calm.

But, as luck would have it, all her childish plans backfired on her.

He invited her into his home office which was meticulously designed and cleaned. Arya had thought that he finally gave in to her pestering so she entered.

Who knew he would leave the room with an excuse and lock her inside?

Since then she had been banging on the door and screaming her lungs out.

It was a pathetic sight.

Giving up, Arya slumped on the floor. The hope and anger in her eyes had disappeared and it was replaced with sorrow.

Her parents had made her marry a beast!

He was already 26, or at least she thought he was, and he still had the nerve to bully someone seven years younger than him. Had she known he was going to be like this, she wouldn't have agreed so easily to live under the same roof as him.

Heck! She wouldn't have signed their marriage contract even with her parents pestering her.

Yet here she was, curled up into a ball on the cold marble floor trying to hold back the tears in her eyes.

She missed Jace.

He wasn't this mean but he too, was bought with money.

Arya stayed in the same position for some time before she heard the door knob turning. She knew it wasn't Ryker, she guessed that he left the house a long time ago.

With that thought in mind, she immediately stood up from her previous position and shifted toward the work table in front of the large window.

Was it a thief?

Thankfully, all her imagination was dispelled when she saw the figure that opened the door.