CHAPTER 11
Perched on the edge of the grandiose bed in the bridal chamber, Arianna awaited the arrival of her newlywed husband with a mixture of apprehension and resignation.
The room, adorned with opulent furnishings and intricate tapestries, felt both extravagant and suffocating in its emptiness.
Two days had passed since she reluctantly agreed to the marriage, and already the weight of her decision bore down heavily upon her.
A marriage agreement had been hastily drawn up and signed, sealing her fate to a man she had never met.
The following day, a sleek car arrived to whisk her away from the familiar streets of her hometown to an isolated villa nestled in the remote countryside.
As the vehicle wound its way through winding roads and lush landscapes, Arianna couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding settle over her.
By the time they arrived at the villa, the sun had began to set, throwing long shadows across the expansive estate.
As nightfall fell and the sky turned shades of deep indigo, the once-bustling villa fell silent, leaving Arianna alone with her thoughts and the weight of her unknown destiny.
Arianna was taught that her spouse preferred to remain in the shadows, an enigmatic figure concealed from view.
The driver, emphasizing the importance of discretion, warned her repeatedly to keep the lights off upon her arrival.
Thus, Arianna found herself seated in the dimly lit chamber, patiently awaiting the arrival of the enigmatic man who was now her husband.
As the minutes stretched into hours, Arianna felt the weight of exhaustion settling over her. Her eyelids grew heavy, and she struggled to keep herself awake in the oppressive darkness.
Just as she felt herself drifting into slumber, the sound of footsteps echoing through the silent hallways jolted her back to awareness.
As the footsteps drew nearer, Arianna's heart quickened its pace, each step feeling like a drumbeat reverberating through her chest.
With bated breath, she sat up straight, her senses heightened as she awaited the arrival of her mysterious husband.
In the dim light filtering through the window, she caught a glimpse of his silhouette, tall and imposing, yet shrouded in shadow. Despite her strained eyes, she couldn't discern any details of his face.
Arianna's pulse raced with anticipation, her nerves tingling as she prepared herself to meet the man who would be her partner in this unconventional marriage.
As the man approached, Arianna sensed an overwhelming presence emanating from him, enveloping her in a suffocating atmosphere of authority and dominance.
Strangely, there was something oddly familiar about it, a sensation that sent shivers down her spine.
Suppressing the irrational thoughts flooding her mind, Arianna forced herself to laugh off the fleeting notion, shaking her head in disbelief.
She refused to entertain the possibility that this mysterious stranger could be connected to anyone from her past.
Arianna took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead, as she braced to confront the enigmatic figure standing before her.
With a lump forming in her throat and her breath hitching in her chest, she prepared herself to face her mysterious husband.
Before she could utter a single word, his voice pierced the silence – clear, cold, and commanding. It was as though he were issuing a decree from on high, leaving no room for debate or hesitation.
"Undress and lay on the bed," he commanded, his tone brooking no opposition, his expectations crystal clear.
Arianna stood frozen in shock, her voice barely a whisper as she stammered,
"W-what?"
As she awaited her husband's arrival, Arianna had pondered various scenarios, but she hadn't anticipated his directness...
Was the information about his inability to engage in intercourse incorrect? Or perhaps he had a twisted mindset, deriving pleasure from perverse games?
Arianna's hands fidgeted nervously, uncertainty coursing through her as she struggled to find her bearings.
Observing her hesitation, the man's voice grew deeper and colder, laced with unmistakable mockery.
"What's the matter? Do you require assistance?"
Arianna couldn't comprehend his disdainful tone. This was their first encounter, yet his attitude was anything but cordial.
In fact, his words dripped with contempt, leaving her bewildered and unsettled.
Arianna couldn't shake off the feeling of unease as she pondered his sudden hostility.
Was he irritated by her presence, viewing her as nothing more than a transaction for money? Or was there another underlying reason behind his demeanor?
His abrupt dismissal only added to her confusion.
"If you're unwilling, then leave! I'llfind someone else for the night" he spat, his tone dripping with disdain.
Arianna recoiled at his words, feeling a mix of shock and indignation. What kind of man was her husband to speak to her like that?
His sneer cut deep, leaving her feeling exposed and vulnerable. She couldn't comprehend his callousness.
As he turned to leave, Arianna's frustration boiled over.
"Didn't you hear me? Didn't I pay enough? Maybe I should just demand a refund," he taunted, his words a cruel jab at her pride.
Arianna's cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
If it weren't for her brother Charlie, she would have stormed out of the room then and there.
But she couldn't. With a sense of resignation, she shouted,
"Fine! I'll undress!"
She hated herself for it, but she had no other choice.
Since she agreed to this marriage, she had to follow through, no matter how degrading it felt.
The man froze in his tracks, his demeanor suddenly shifting as he turned to face her once more.
