Astrid sighed sadly as she watched Mattie walk away, she shook her head sadly and walked into the room Mattie had appointed to her.
Astrid stepped into the room and couldn't help but gasp in admiration.
The walls were painted a rich emerald green, and the cream-colored trim added a warm touch.
A stunning crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, casting a kaleidoscope of sparkling lights across the room.
Her eyes landed on the beautiful queen-size bed, with its dark wood frame and plush white linens.
The bed looked inviting, with pillows in a soft gold hue adding a pop of color.
Astrid noticed a full-length mirror against one wall, its frame ornately carved with gold details. She caught a glimpse of herself and smiled, feeling like royalty in this magnificent room.
Astrid felt like she had stepped into a fairytale, and she couldn't wait to explore every nook and cranny of this incredible space but first, she needed a good rest.
She lay on the bed not trying to think of what the crazy Mattie had done to her. She was at fault anyway, if she hadn't gotten married to Julian, Mattie she wouldn't have hated her.
There was no way she expected Mattie to like her after ruining their relationship.
She sighed again recalling her mum, she doesn't have a phone anymore.
She would have found a way to call her dad and ask about her mum. A sad feeling crept through her heart at the thought of her mum.
She was still lying on the bed when she heard a knock on the door.
Too exhausted to stand up, she told the person to come in.
Still so deep in her thought she didn't notice when Julian walked inside.
Julian watched how she had slept uncomfortably on the bed. He could see she was so exhausted but she needed to eat so he could fool Ma'am Sophie.
Ma'am Sophie had pushed him down here to call his wife for breakfast.
"Hey… aren't you eating breakfast?" Astrid sat back down hearing his voice.
She cleared her throat and lowered her head.
"Sorry I was too exhausted to come back down," a tear slipped down her face as she quickly wiped her eyes.
Julian had noticed this and for a weird reason moved close to her, he lifted her face and was surprised to see a red mark on her face.
"How.." What the heck happened to your face," Astrid gasped and slapped his hands off.
"Nothing.." she shook her head and Julian rolled his eyes, if she wasn't going to tell him then he wouldn't bother.
"Get your ass down the living room for breakfast," Julian stormed off the room leaving Astrid.
Astrid sighed and went into the bathroom, to do her routine and changed into a pair of jeans and hoodie Julian had gotten for her.
A huge smile spread on her face, at the thought of this. She packed her in a ponytail wearing her hoodie over her head, she changed her eye contact and then smiled at herself.
Astrid is a girl with an eye defect but because of her inferiority complex and much bullying, she had decided to opt in for eye contact.
So you could hardly tell unless she had it removed, she walked off to the living room to meet the trio sitting in the dining room.
"Finally!" Mattie whispered and Julain stared at her.
She was about to sit opposite Julian when Ma'am Sophie moved closer, "You should sit with your husband.." she gestured for Mattie to stand up and Astrid to go sit.
"No… ma'am… I am okay this way," Astrid responded immediately recalling what Mattie had told her an hour ago she wouldn't want it to repeat itself.
Mattie smirked at this, "But…"
"I am okay with this ma'am.." Astrid interrupted her sitting beside Miles.
The table was filled and a mouthwatering breakfast feast awaited her.
Golden-brown pancakes, stacked high and drizzled with pure Canadian maple syrup, sat alongside fluffy scrambled eggs and crispy bacon strips.
Savory sausage links, cooked to perfection, lay on a platter next to a dish of creamy hash browns, golden and crispy on the outside, tender on the inside. Blackened salmon filets, cooked to flaky perfection, added a touch of elegance to the table.
Roasted mushrooms, caramelized to bring out their earthy sweetness, and grilled asparagus, tender and slightly charred, added a pop of color and flavor to the spread. Warm, buttery biscuits, fresh from the oven, completed the delicious breakfast array.
Just staring at this food alone was making Astrid's stomach growl with anticipation.
Ma'am Sophie shook her head at Julian and ordered everyone out of the dining room.
When it was time eating Astrid could only stare at them frustrated for she didn't even know where to start.
Miles smiled warmly at her reaction as she gazed at the sumptuous breakfast spread before them.
"Let me help you with that," he said, his voice low and gentle.
Astrid's cheeks flushed slightly as Miles speared a fluffy scrambled egg with his fork and placed it on her plate.
He added a few strips of crispy bacon, a golden-brown pancake, and a spoonful of creamy hash browns alongside.
Astrid's hands trembled slightly as she reached for her fork and knife, but Miles was quick to assist.
"Allow me," he whispered, his breath tickling her ear. He delicately cut a bite-sized piece of pancake and egg, then gently placed the fork in Astrid's hand, his fingers wrapping around hers for a brief moment.
"It should be easy for you this way," Miles told her, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled.
"Thanks.." she whispered with a small smile.
"Good?" he asked, his voice soft.
Astrid nodded, her mouth full, and Miles chuckled. Julian's hands tightened around his fork. He was irritated watching them, he stomped his fist on the table startling Astrid and MattieZ
"Miles let's talk…" he announced walking off the dining room.
Miles smiled at Astrid again, but she could barely return it, while Mattie scoffed at this.
Astrid quietly eats her food, along with Mattie.
When they were both done with breakfast Mattie suggested they both get some fresh air.
Astrid couldn't decline this offer, it was cold outside and that was one thing she hated most.
But she didn't want to get on Mattie's bad side, so she gently followed Mattie feeling bad leaving the dishes to Ma'am Sophie.
They both strutted around the mansion, with Astrid trailing behind Mattie.
They got to the poolside and Astrid stopped suddenly, "of all places not the pool during this weather."
Mattie noticed this and a crazy idea popped into her head, "Hey let's swim.." She suggested pulling out her gown and leaving with just her pants and bra.
Astrid gasped and shook her head, "I can't I am in…" Before she could say more Mattie pulled her with her.
"Don't you want to make friends with me anymore?" Astrid was stunned they were never friends, to begin with.
Astrid's fear of the pool was noticeable as she confessed, "I am scared of the pool… I don't like the colds," but Mattie seemed resolute, unmoved by her fear.
Standing face-to-face with Astrid, Mattie inquired, "So you won't.."
Astrid's back turned to the pool, pleading, "Please… I can do something else with you but not this."
With a sly grin, Mattie retorted, "Sorry… I love to see you swim." Without warning, she gave Astrid a slight push, causing her to let out a startled scream.
Reacting swiftly, Astrid grabbed Mattie, and the two of them fell into the pool together.