Chapter 4: Serves you right

The vase fell because it startled her, so I lowered my head to help her, “I apologize. I didn’t mean to scare you, but I just wanted to talk to you since—”

“What happened, Leia? What’s with the noise?” someone shouted from the first floor.

“I accidentally broke the vase, Kendyll,” she shouted. As far as I know, she’s Leia.

“Wait! I’ll help you,” she replied and after a few minutes, a beautiful woman appeared out of nowhere while wearing a maid’s uniform. Leia and Kendyll feel like they came from a well-known family, but I’m not sure although they are familiar.

When Kendyll noticed my presence, her face showed shock as if she didn’t expect me to be there. I had been locking myself in my room, trying to finish the novel. However, ever since I received that text message, negative thoughts blurred everything, and I couldn’t even create a scenario in my mind. I tried listening to songs and instrumentals, but I ended up having writer’s block and I can’t even feel satisfied after reading the chapter that it forced me to write.

I know that there’s missing, and that is the emotion. Everything feels rushed, so I can’t proceed to the next chapter if I’m not satisfied with the chapter that I made. Although I’m trying my best, I know that it’s not enough. I feel frustrated and my mind is aching trying to make a scenario in my mind, but I just can’t.

The woman named Kendyll lowers her head and says, “Ma’am Rose, please excuse us. We’re just going to clean this mess.”

But even if she’s just asking nicely, I feel like she doesn’t want me to be there, so I have no choice but to shake my head in disappointment because I can’t even imagine that this life would be hard. Although I got what I wanted, the money, why do I feel empty? Even if writing is my passion and career, everything seems worthless.

Just like what life I have now, being a substitute bride. I may get the power that I wanted, but what if Rose Vergara appears again out of nowhere to steal my life? It sounds possible, but it is just a what-if. I’m not sure if this will happen, but hopefully, it’s not because I don’t know what I should do.

I shook my head and tried to convince myself that it was impossible. For now, I just need to survive having writer’s block because this will not help me to be distracted in everything, especially since all the maids are trying to avoid me as if I have a serious disease. Like, what the?! I just wanted to be friends with them, but they are trying to excuse themselves simply.

Hello?! I’m not going to eat you all or execute you. You all have to chill!

The maid delivered the strawberry shake that I requested and instead of talking to her, I just smiled a little and reached for the shake. What’s the use of greeting them if they are going to ignore me? I don’t need to waste my energy and effort on that although, I kind of wanted to be friends with them, but if they don’t want to, then it’s not my fault!

While walking into the hallway, enormous portraits of unknown people appeared. It also indicates their name, birthday, and even their last day on earth, so I suppose that this is the ancestors of the Mercedes clan, where my groom’s bloodlines are.

All of them have beautiful genes, so no wonder that my groom is handsome, but his attitude is kinda off. But looking at his portrait makes me enchanted by his appearance. Starting from his lips, eyes, nose, and sharp jaw. He’s also wearing a prince outfit here where there are a lot of accessories on his shoulders, chest, and on his wrist.

“Tsk! As far as I remember, the hallway is kinda wide, but why does everything feel tight?” a familiar voice said, which made my heart beat faster. He’s here? No! I’m not dreaming, right? I heard his voice but I’m pretty sure that the maid informed me that he’s not going to stay here since he’ll be staying in his condo because I’m here, so who is the person who speaks? Why does it seem like it is freaking familiar?

“Can you get out of my way?” he said using his arrogant voice, so I looked at the person who kept on talking, and there, I saw the man in the portrait that I was looking at. His forehead creased as if he was getting mad. His eyes were so intense as if he was observing my soul.

I wanted to move and enter my room, but how could I if this man was so captivating and my body was stunned? I can’t move everything, which feels like I’m glued to this floor. “Are you a fool? You can’t understand my command? Damn! I can’t believe that my grandfather chose a stupid woman like you,” he shouted and pushed my shoulder, enough for me to fall to the ground.

The strawberry shake that I was holding spilled on my shirt, which I didn’t expect him to do. I know that he’s mad at me but doing this to me is too much, but I need to calm myself because I’m using Rose’s name and I can’t taint her name because of this.

“Serves you right!” he said before leaving me dumbfounded. I let out a sarcastic laugh after realizing what had just happened.

Isn’t it easy to say please if he’s asking something? The way he treats me is like trash which I can’t understand. If he’s angry, then at least throw harsh words at me rather than hurting me physically. Did he forget that I’m a woman? It’s unacceptable to treat me like this.

Fitz didn’t even dare to slap me. He was just careful even if he’s mad, but this guy? I can’t believe that he pushed me! Not minding that I may hurt myself from the glass! “Patience, Annalise,” I whispered and closed my eyes.