Camila's POV
Today started with a flutter of excitement in my chest. The sun's warm rays gently kissed my face as I woke up, filling me with hope for a wonderful day ahead. Little did I know that this pleasant morning would soon take a dark turn.
I was still on my bed when the devil with two hands entered the room, and the warm rays of that sun started burning my fresh heart. He was standing there, his usual aggressive and angry demeanour making me uneasy. I tried my best to push aside my worries and greeted him with a smile.
"Morning, Marcus," I said, attempting to keep my tone light.
His response was far from warm. With a stern look, he demanded, "What were you doing with the new staff member, Juan, yesterday morning?"
Taken aback by his accusatory tone, I quickly defended myself. "We were just having a chat near the burnt cottage. There's nothing more to it."
Marcus wasn't satisfied with my explanation. He grabbed my hand forcefully, his grip sending a chill down my spine. "I don't want to see you near him again. You know how bad it will be if you do."
I could feel the anger rising within me, but I knew better than to challenge him. "I was only being polite," I defended myself, hoping to reason with him. "There's no harm in having a conversation with a staff member."
But Marcus was not in the mood for a reason. His eyes bore into mine, and I could sense the jealousy and possessiveness in his demeanour. "I don't care," he spat, his grip on my hand tightening even more. "Stay away from him, or you'll regret it."
Or maybe his grief towards his burnt brother was too much.
How not easy it was to stay sane with a person like him under one roof. What now? Just because I was his wife I couldn't talk to other people? Did he not talk to other women? I knew for a fact that he might even be fucking them. Not that I cared anyway.
"What was that conversation about?" Marcus demanded, his voice sharp and accusatory.
I sighed, trying to find the right words to appease him. "It was nothing, Marcus," I replied calmly, though I could feel my heart pounding in my chest.
He took a step closer, his eyes burning with anger. "Nothing? Don't play games with me, Camilla," he growled. "You were talking to him like he was your lover, and I won't tolerate you getting close to that man."
"He's just a new staff member," I protested, my voice trembling slightly. "There's no reason for you to be so aggressive."
Marcus's jaw clenched, and he grabbed my arm roughly. "I don't want you talking to him, or even looking at him," he snapped. "You're mine, Camilla, and I won't let anyone else come between us."
His possessiveness was suffocating, and I tried to pull away from his grasp. "I am not some possession to be owned," I retorted, my frustration getting the better of me.
In an instant, Marcus's face turned into a mask of fury. He yanked me closer, our bodies pressing against each other, and I could feel his hot breath on my face. "Watch your words, Camilla," he hissed. "You have no idea what I'm capable of."
Before I could react, Marcus's lips crashed onto mine in a bruising kiss. It was forceful and aggressive, leaving me feeling overwhelmed and powerless. I pushed against his chest, trying to break free, but he only held me tighter, deepening the kiss.
Anger and desire to master the art of murder warred within me, and I struggled to make sense of my conflicting emotions. I wanted to fight him off, to push him away, but a part of me responded to his touch, to the intoxicating pull he had over me.
Finally, he released me, and I stumbled back, gasping for breath. "You will do as I say," he said, his voice low and dangerous. "Or there will be consequences."
As if nothing had happened, he swiftly changed the subject, "There will be a ball tonight, and I expect you to look your best. The theme is red, black, and blue. Don't disappoint me."
"I hope I won't" If looks could chop, he would be into very small and slim pieces. The sound of the door clicking when he opened and closed it behind him made me thank God. At least I could be free for the next couple of hours.
Juan's POV
I hadn't seen Camilla the whole day. No matter how many times I glanced at her window, there wasn't even a shadow of her. I wondered what happened. What did the bastard do this time? Today's work wasn't that big. Most of the things were in order and very neatly arranged.
"Why isn't she showing up?" I growled, rubbing my forehead. I was extremely bored. I had gone over the list of things that needed to be done today a million times but still no sign of her.
I was currently resting in the other cottage house when a door knocked and before I said anything, two maids excitedly came inside.
"Hello there Mr. handsome," One of them, Lolita, said. She was holding a glass of milk and some snacks, " You've done pretty good work since you've come here and I think you deserve a little award,"
She winked at me and placed the food on the table. "I'm so sorry that you won't receive a reward for your hard work, but we can arrange a little present of our own."
Her words caught me off guard as I watched her reach behind her and pull out a chocolate box. I had been here in less than two weeks and I already received four expensive boxes of chocolate.
I wondered how much money they were willing to spend on useless gifts for me. I didn't need any of that and I wished I could tell them to stop wasting their time but all I managed to say was,
"Thank you. I want to rest before my time is up. Please let me do so. I will surely eat what you have worked so hard to prepare,"
At that point, they had already put the chocolate box into my hands, telling me I deserved my rewards kind of blah blah and left the cottage house.
The cottage house. Damn. Several times did I got a feeling Marcus would burn me just like how I had burnt our brother, Aidan or Pablo as Camilla knew. At least he was a sweetheart to the maids.
Now, I had to make myself comfortable in this tiny bedroom and enjoy my breakfast. As usual, I didn't sleep. My mind was still on her. Everything about her was so mysterious and glamorous. The connection felt with her was beyond beautiful. And about yesterday,
I shook my head. I didn't want to make things harder for myself. So I continued with other thoughts until my break time was over.
**********
Just landed inside my house and my mother burst out with some news, "Son, there's a ball that starts in an hour. Mr. Marcus being one of the guests?"
"Is he coming with his wife?" Curiosity made me turn around to look at her. My mother gave me a wide smile, knowing exactly why I was asking.
"Yes and no, son. You should go though. You know, just in case she comes," Her hands intertwined while her lips formed corners due to smiling.
"I will go," Without thinking twice, I answered"
"That's great news. Now let's go make you more handsome and give you a new identity, "