Annalise stared at her reflection once more, smoothing nonexistent creases. She was dressed in one of her most expensive outfits, a white dress that was just slightly above her knees, the upper part fitted to accentuate her petite stature, with a low neckline and large, bold sleeves.
She had paired it with nude heels and a purse, her makeup was minimalist and she smiled at the woman that looked back at her from the mirror.
Earlier in the day, she'd gotten a call from Mrs. Moreno, Nicolás's mother inviting her to lunch at their family home. It had both excited and scared Annalise but she was willing to go if anything it would provide a well-needed opportunity to escape this dreary place.
She didn't have anything against Nicolás, in fact, she barely saw him. The man spent most of his time in the room behind the stairs doing only God knows what - he always kept it locked, and the other times he spent outside of it was spent out of the house totally.
Still, she felt stifled. Her days were filled with nothingness, she spent it alone, preparing meals for herself because she didn't dare approach Nicolás to ask if he'd like to eat and he never showed interest in her.
The cleaning lady came thrice a week, and despite how Annalise tried, the woman didn't want to indulge in a conversation with her. It was why despite how much she was doubtful of it, she still found herself at the back of the car Mrs. Moreno had sent to pick her up, headed to the Morenos mansion.
She fiddled with her fingers throughout the ride, until they arrived at a large iron-wrought gate that was opened for the car to drive through. The drive was long, passing lush greenery and large trees that covered the tarred road, making it almost impossible to see far ahead.
The view was captivating and when the car finally came upon a building, Annalise had to stop herself from drooling at its magnificence. The mansion stood tall and proud surrounded by trees, the car rounded past a huge, beautiful fountain to make its way in front of it before parking.
Bodyguards lined the mansion, instilling even more fear in Annalise, one stepped forward and opened the door for her to step down from the car, and she did, trying her best to not look around.
"Welcome Madam," He said bowing his head slightly to her, Annalise found herself bowing in response before catching herself.
Her family wasn't poor but she wasn't used to any of this exquisiteness, she knew the Morenos were extravagantly rich but she hadn't thought it to be like this. The wedding lunch they'd had had been in an exquisite hotel, but seeing their home made her feel the hotel held nothing in comparison to the luxury displayed.
The man led her into the house, her legs stepping on the gleaming floor and an expensive-looking chandelier lighting the area as she made her way past it, beautiful artworks decorated the wall and Annalise had to constantly remind herself she couldn't stop and stare.
She was led to the dining area which took her breath away. It had an outdoorsy feel to it, beautiful flowers filled up the hall giving it a pretty look, and the polycarbonate roof let light pass through and displayed the beautiful blue of the sky giving the area an ethereal feel.
"Laura, my dear." Mrs. Moreno said pulling her into a hug, Annalise hugged her back awkwardly.
"Come, come, you look lovely." She complimented pulling her towards the seats that had been arranged.
Nicolás's brothers were already seated, the only people absent were Nicolás and Don Roberto. Annalise stopped when Isabella's eyes met hers in a hateful glare, and if looks could bury a person…
"Laura," Leonardo said enthusiastically standing up from his seat, he enveloped her in a hug, pressing her small frame into his, she felt suffocated.
She gave him a shaky smile in response. "Hi, good to see you."
"It's the ever-beautiful Mrs. Nicolás," Micheal said before sharing a laugh with Anders, it was as though they both had a joke about her that she wasn't and would never be privy to.
"Thank you," She said, smiling at them before settling herself on the seat next to Mrs. Moreno, and as soon as she had, Leonardo moved into the seat next to hers, discarding his previous one.
"Leonardo…" His mother cautioned and he gave her a cheeky smile in response.
"Wine?" He asked her, raising a bottle and before she could reply, he grabbed a glass and poured wine into it handing it to her.
"Thank you," Annalise said, taking a small sip of it, she hated wine.
Mrs. Moreno smiled at her, Annalise could tell the woman was genuinely happy to have her here. It was obvious Mrs. Moreno was a good woman, how she'd raised a cold-blooded murderer like Annalise's husband was beyond her.
Soon enough lunch was served, and the sound of cutleries was loud amidst subdued chatters. Anna watched as Isabella engaged Mrs. Moreno in a quiet conversation while occasionally sending glares her way.
She turned away from the other woman while mentally trying not to picture her and Nicolás just as she felt a hand make its way gently down her thighs, the touch was almost as light as a feather.
Annalise looked up sharply at Leonardo, he winked at her before pulling away focusing on something Anders was saying. She felt the food she'd consumed make its way back to her throat, she wanted to throw up all over him.
"Are you okay?" Mrs. Moreno asked, turning to her with a worried expression.
Annalise nodded her head wordlessly, shifting away from Leonardo's hands that were now resting on her knee gently squeezing.
"How's Nicolás?" Mrs. Moreno asked, eliciting an intensified look of irritation on Isabella's face.
"He is fine," She said comfortably, Leonardo's hand had dropped at the mention of his brother.
"How is your relationship?" She asked in a lowered tone. "Any better?"
Annalise reddened at the questioning, did they really think there was any way in hell she and that man could ever have anything other than the intense cordiality that existed between them? And how was she supposed to respond to that question? More especially with the fact that all eyes on the table were fixated on her, waiting for her response.