"Is he always so unbearable?"
Rella turned to face the middle aged man named Henry but he didn't seem fazed by Stefan's attitude instead he smiled at her politely and said,
"Hello Madam I am Henry the butler, I will be helping you with anything you need you just have to let me know what. For now let me help you settle in for the night."
Rella smiled back at him grateful that someone was at least nice to her in her new home. "Nice to meet you Henry, I'm Rella and thank you so much."
Stefan didn't even bother to show her to their bedroom. If they were going to be sharing a room the least he could do is be more accommodating but he was arrogant and condescending.
"This way please." She followed the butler up the flight of stairs, her eyes roaming the spacious mansion in awe she couldn't savour the beauty of it because she needed to keep up with Henry. At the second floor just across the hall he opened brown oak door and ushered her in.
Rella felt like she was in an apartment suite. There was a bedroom area and a sitting area where one can have coffee or choose to have their meals. There was a french door leading to to the balcony and she only popped her head out for a second before coming back into the room. Her clothes were already arranged in the huge walk-in closet and Rella realised much to her annoyance that they were Cindy's clothes. As if she needed any reminder that she was taking her sister's place.
As soon as she thought of that she realised something else, there were no male clothes in the closet and so she turned to the butler to confirm her suspicion.
"Where is Stefan sleeping tonight?"
"In his bedroom on the other side of the wing Madam."
Excellent! so they won't be sleeping together that was good news.
"I'll leave you to freshen up." He bowed slightly.
As soon as he left, the adrenaline keeping her functioning throughout the day depleted like a worn out balloon and Rella swayed a little feeling a bit lightheaded. She held onto the edge of the bed as the hearsickness that was eating away at her very soul made her feel suddenly sick. She was tempted to call her mom but brushed it aside, too angry to think about her because it had been her idea. In truth, Rella was angry at herself more but she needed someone to shift some of that anger, that blame, and her parents are the recipients; her mom for being the mastermind and her dad for supporting her. Rella had been a coward for not saying no and this was only the beginning of a hefty price to pay. She had been expecting a call from Cindy all day but nothing, had expected her to keep the promise she made but she was mightily disappointed.
Rella sighed, shutting her eyes and groaning in frustration. She took in the bedroom; the beautiful Persian rug, its king-sized bed— rejoicing that she's having it all to herself—the cream coloured drapes, the ornate paintings and the gold chandelier hovering above her, none of it surprised her at all considering Stefan's high status, but the wine cabinet though was a surprise but then when you think about the long flight of stairs going down to the wine cabinet this was more convenient.
A maid brought her some snacks with Henry at her wake and after she had showered few hours later she was served a hearty dinner as she wasn't ready to make the trip down the flight of stairs to the dining area and because she's had enough of Stefan Diamond for the day.
She didn't know how long Stefan stayed in the study or what he was doing but she didn't bother him just like he'd asked. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Rella woke up the next morning feeling a little bit disoriented that it took her some time to gather her wits and when realisation came crashing down on her she buried her face in the pillow and groaned.
She got married to Stefan Diamond. She got married!
Okay calm down Rella, breathe. She told herself.
The clock beside her bed read 8am. Rella got out of bed took a long soak in the tub and brushed her teeth. When she was satisfied with how she looked, she went down stairs.
"Good morning Madam." Henry the butler greeted her with a stony expression that she wondered how often the man smile.
"Good morning Henry. Has Stefan woken up yet?"
"the master has gone to the office."
"Oh."
"This way Madam, breakfast is ready I was going to wake you up but the master said to let you rest."
How thoughtful, but he could've waited to at least have breakfast together. They might not like each other but the least they could do is try and be civil with one another.
Oh well, this might be for the best the less time they see each other or even be in each other's company the better for them.
The rest of the day past on in a blur. Most of it spent touring the mansion which was in every sense of the word too big, too luxurious for Stefan to live in it alone, it was like some formidable dark castle of some sort. And it was missing the light and life that a home was supposed to have but then again it's the house of a bachelor up until a day ago and she could feel her fingers itching to do something about it.
Which she did.
Determined to keep herself so busy she wouldn't have the time to think about how her life went from the heartbreak of breaking up with Ryan to the rollercoaster of meeting the twenty-six year old insufferable hot-shot who couldn't stand the sight of her. And now thanks to Cindy's betrayal and her mom's cunningness she was bound to him for who knows how long until Cindy shows up.