The house in physic was enormous and luxurious. It had an ambience that was calm and soothing. It made it feel like home and I hated to think of it that way.
Lionel watched my every step from this moment on, he watched my face change in expression from everything I saw around me. It must have been amusing for him. I can only imagine how he took my excitement to seeing that the back of my room was right by the beach. I could simply walk out and go straight onto the beach sand, then into the water. I understood now that this room would be my greatest escape from my rather harsh reality for the next few months.
"You love it." His smile touched his eyes, like he genuinely appreciated that I was happy with where I was. But he got it wrong, an escape was nothing to be excited about. I needed to be okay all the time and not needed to escape, but my needing to escape was the real problem.
"I do." I said to him without looking back at him. I was not happy, I was content. I wish he simply knew that.
"I was hoping we could have dinner together. That way I can introduce you to everyone around the household." Lionel offered in a surprising polite manner.
"That sounds good. Formal or casual?" I asked him for clarity.
His face lit up, like he was pleased to know that I asked the right questions.
"Formal."
Right after, he excused himself allowing ,e to get ready for dinner.
I wore one of my own designs, a black long, slitted dress that hugged me perfectly. I practiced in the mirror how I would come out to everyone I would meet. I wondered even more how many people I was to meet. Seeing that the house was enormous, I assumed it would be a lot of house help, but I guess I would wait.
A slight knock on my door brought me back to life and as I opened it, Lionel stretched out his hand to walk me to the dining room.
"Ready for some acting?" He said almost laughing at his own words.
"Never been more ready." I said finally giving him my first genuine smile since I met him.
He led me to the immediate seat from the head of the table's seat and helped me take my seat. In the next few minutes, four different individuals walked into the room.
The table was already set, and food looked spectacular.
Lionel sat down at the head and began to do his introductions.
"This here is Marjory. She is the head of all the inner house help and oversees any and everything that is brought in and out of the house, all works in the house and all the meals made."
I smiled at her after she gave me a respectful greeting while calling me 'Mrs. Campbell'. She looked to be in her fifty's and seemed so stable and unshaken. The way the young lady stood next to her, I could tell was purely out of respect for her senior. She exuded command, just for the household.
"The young lady next to Marj is Josey. She is niece of Marj and she is in charge of making sure all the bed rooms stay neat and clean. She will also tend to you personally for anything you will need."
I nodded and shared a greeting with her too.
"Next to Josey is Patrick, married to Marjory and our main butler. He oversees the outside and all the vehicles. He will take you wherever you will need to go and whatever time." Lionel smiled. "They are always available. So do not feel pressed to hold back."
I looked hard at Patrick, which may have been a rude thing to do. I tried to make him out as Marjory's husband and also tried to understand why he had an eye patch on his right eye. I wondered heavily what happened to have caused him to resort to wearing why. I eventually shook it off when I realized he saw through my wondering thoughts.
"Our last individual is Tay. He is our head of security and will deal with any issue that threatens your security or the security of any items that belong in this household."
Tay simply nodded his head in my direction and looked away.
Immediately the introductions were done, the other three left the dining room while Marjory stayed back to describe the meal that was presented before us. She didn't look me in the eye since she greeted me and for some reason, I thought she didn't like me.
Clouding my thoughts with the possibility and of her not liking me, made me forsake everything she said in this moment. She seemed to be deep in telling us what we would eat but it all went in and out of my deaf ears.
I only realized now that she was gone and Lionel was staring at me probably wondering what was on my mind all this time.
"What's on your mind beautiful?" I cringed to the term beautiful as he mirrored what I thought.
"I think Miss Marj doesn't like me. Her face is very unfriendly." I responded honestly.
Lionel laughed as if my words didn't shock him. "Of course she has an unfriendly face, but she is the best, and as time goes by, you both may have a successful relationship."
I didn't believe him, but I let it go for the sake of my peace.
I ate my food slowly, as tasty as it was, I was not very hungry and only wondered how I would sleep my exhaustion through the nasty heat this island gave off.
I walked around the enormous house after dinner while Lionel shadowed me through all the walks. When I had a questioning face, he gave me an answer without really asking what I wanted to know.
"I think I can find my way around." I said to him finally getting irritated by him being around me so much.
"Nothing wrong with showing my wife around our home." He responded in an amusing tone.
"Your 'wife' can make her way around the house."
"How long will you keep this up?" He asked now standing in front of me demanding an answer.
"For as long as I can manage. And that is probably till I leave this damned place."
"You are my wife! You are now mine!" He sounded like he did when we had our first conversation.
"I don't belong to anyone! Especially not you, Lionel." I retorted.
Someone clearing their throat brought us back to the room.
I looked back to see Patrick standing at the door of the lounge we now stood in.
"What?" Lionel said in irritation.
"We have an issue at the stable Sir." Patrick said calmly.
"I'll be there." Lionel responded still looking at me.
"Good night." I said immediately Patrick left the room. I was not going to keep having this argument.
I rushed out of the room ignoring his protests. I was not doing this again.
When I got to my room, I stripped off all my clothes because the ocean water seemed so pleasing to my eyes. Maybe it would be extra pleasing to my body and I would sleep better after a swim.
I walked through the beach sand unbothered by my nakedness knowing very well I would not be disturbed. I believed this room was given to me for a reason.
I finally got in and swam through the water like there was no tomorrow. I enjoyed the cool it gave my body despite how warm the water felt.
I swam on and on until I came to a stop without having realized that someone had followed me all the way here.
I stood looking at all the waters in front of me that had absolutely no end to it, when I felt another body lean on to mine in its nakedness.
I panicked and turned to meet Lionel standing behind me.
"What the hell Lionel!" I exclaimed.
"Let's start with this. I won't ask you to do anything. But there is something about being comfortable with a partner in nakedness. It brings a different sort of relationship between them and so, this is where we begin, comfortable in our nakedness will be step one."
I looked at him showing him through my expression how ridiculous his words sounded.