Chapter 13

The next day, Althea woke up with a heavy face. Today is another day that Xavier has been avoiding her like a log of wood or piece of thrash. The maid stood beside the bed, smiling broadly at her. She bowed her head in respect to Althea.

"Good morning, my lady," the maid said, and Althea nodded her head as she lifted her body from the bed.

Althea let out a yawn and stretched out her body tiredly. She was really tired to the bone. She had to read a lot of interesting books throughout the day just because she felt lonely. She had to live this type of life because of Xavier's attitude towards her, she doesn't know why he is that way to her.

He was just making her life feel like boredom, she was hurt that her husband is behaving that way toward her. Even though she doesn't want the marriage, she has to face it anyway since there isn't any remedy or solution to it. Her father's life would be at stake.

Even though she hates her father for what he had done, she can't use that to take back her father. Not like she has a choice, she would just have to face whatever is in her hand of Xavier. She was jolted out of her thoughts as she felt a tap on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry. So why are you here?" she asked as she climbed down from the bed. Her voice was cold and hoarse. The maid couldn't help the surprise look.

"Is anything wrong with my Lady?" the maid asked, as she noticed the glimpse of sadness and pain in Althea's eyes.

Althea couldn't help it. She had prayed for a good husband, who will take care of her and shower her with love, but it seems her dream is shattered by her father and Xavier.

Though she doesn't want the marriage to Xavier, she has to do it. She wishes she could call off everything but it seems to be out of her power and capacity. She doesn't have a choice but to accept her fate. Fate wasn't nice to her by giving her Xavier as a husband.

Xavier doesn't look at her, notice her or appreciate her. She closed her eyes, praying silently to God that everything would go well between her and Xavier. She had to pray such prayers because she can't run away from him even knowing the life of her loved ones is at stake.

"Why are you asking? I'm fine, just feeling bored and that's all," Althea said, even though it was obvious that she wasn't fine. The maid didn't decide to push further and she was glad.

"Out! Well that is the reason why I'm here," the maid said, and Althea stared at her. She doesn't understand what the maid is saying.

"What are you saying? I don't understand you," she said, and the maid flashed her a smile instead.

"The master sent me to you," the maid paused, putting her in suspense. Althea couldn't help but think about how her husband Xavier could send the maid for her. Why couldn't he tell her directly?

"Okay, so what is the update? What did he send you to me for?"Althea couldn't help but ask the maid who simply smiled at her. Her smile was innocent and genuine. She wonders what the maid had to say.

"Well, the master sent me to you. He says that I should take you on a tour around the mansion for more understanding and information about every room in the mansion," the maid said, and she nodded her head with a smile. It is a good idea and offers. She hasn't been able to go through and experience more about the mansion because she was scared of being lost, even though there were CCTV cameras in the mansion to trace her out.

"Are you interested, my Lady?" the maid said, and Althea nodded her head affirmatively.

Though she was surprised, she was glad about the offer. She was surprised that Xavier could send his maid to him, even though he doesn't look at or observe her.

"I'm interested. Let me go get dressed and we should go," she said, and the maid nodded her head affirmatively with a smile on her lips.

"Okay, my Lady. I had already prepared your water," the maid said with a bow.

Althea smiled and took off her clothes, before proceeding to the bathroom. She brushes her teeth and has a cool warm bath. She walked out of the bathroom with water dripping from her body.

She dried her body with the towel, which was wrapped around her waist. She dried her hair and applied some lotion cream on her bright flawless skin which was gloomy. She picked up a nice top and a skirt to match. The colour matches the radiant complexion of her skin. She wore the black panties on the bed and put on a bra which fitted her breast perfectly. She put on the clothes and stared at the maid with a sceptical look. She doesn't know if she looks good in the attire.

"How do I look?" she asked, checking out herself for the umpteenth time. The maid smiled at her display.

"You look beautiful and stunning, my Lady. I'm certain that the master wouldn't be able to take his eyes from you," the maid said, and she blushed. She bit her lower lips, feeling shy and embarrassed.

"Okay thanks even though I knew that you were just trying to make me feel better," Althea said, and the maid let out a soft smile.

"My lady we should get going," the maid said, and she nodded her head affirmatively.

"Okay, take the lead," she said, and the maid opened the door for her.

The maids take her to different rooms in the mansion and make sure she explains everything about it in detail. But there was a particular place which caught her attention and mind. It is the greenhouse. It had a lot of beautiful flowers and roses. She decides to explore the greenhouse.

"Thanks, I think I like this place, don't bother taking me anywhere for today," she said, and the maid nodded her head. She couldn't help but admire the beautiful flowers and roses in the greenhouse which bloomed happily and peacefully.

She stared at the flowers with adoration. She admires them a lot. She has always wished her life could be there but luck wasn't at her side. Fate doesn't seem to be at her side to give her Xavier as a husband, Xavier who doesn't show love to her or notice her. It's a beautiful place and she decides to spend most of her time here.

She walked toward particular roses which caught her attention. She bent low a bit and plucked the rose. She sniffed the beautiful scent of the flowers and inhaled her breath.

"I love this!" she exhales.


Althea sat in her room, doing nothing exactly. She was just staring at the ceiling, thinking about how her life is going to be with Xavier. She looked at the door as a knock landed on the door.

"Come in," she said faintly, and the door creaked open. The maid came into view with a bright smile on her face.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"The master called for you. He requested an early lunch with you," the maid said with a bow. Althea stared at the maid with a confused look. She couldn't believe her ears.

The first one was the fact that he did return late to the mansion. And the last one was the fact that he asked her for an early lunch was a surprise and a big shock to her, he hadn't eaten or had dinner with her before. She was surprised and, getting the news quite late, rushed up to her wardrobe.

"You can take your leave," she said, and the maid walked out of the room.

She opens her wardrobe, shattering all the clothes in the wardrobe looking for perfect clothes that would impress Xavier. She stops herself and wonders why she's trying to impress someone who doesn't even care about her existence.

She doesn't show concern about her, he doesn't care or feel concerned about her. Why should she look good for him? She questions herself and stops the search for the best clothes. She wore casual polo and jeans. She put it on and closed the wardrobe. She walked toward the door, placed her hand on the knob of the door and walked out of the house.

She strode down the stairs and joined Xavier who was in the dining room, waiting for her presence. He smiled at her, and she greeted him before sitting down on the chair. She was surprised but she doesn't care anymore. She doesn't give a damn about his smile anymore.

"Can I know more about you?" he asked, and she nodded her head slowly.

"I'm Althea, I know reading and that's all," she gives him a quick and straight answer. He smiled softly.

"That's all about you?" he asked, and she nodded her head affirmatively. Her look doesn't seem pleasant. He had a small talk with her, who gave him a quick and straight response. She doesn't like him and is less concerned if he gives her any attention or not.


After lunch, Xavier immediately leaves for work again and Althea goes back to the greenhouse to tend to the plants, less concerned about how he spent little time with her.

When Xavier comes back from work late at night, Althea is fast asleep. He slips into the bed and they sleep beside each other.