The next morning, Evangeline awoke with a jolt as cold water splashed across her face.
She sputtered, her eyes flying open to meet the steely gaze of Vincent Castellanos, who stood over her with a white mug in hand.
Her skin was sticky with dried tears and sweat, her long brown hair plastered to her face like a soggy mask. The pink dress she had been forced to wear was wrinkled and stained, clinging to her like a second skin.
Evangeline blinked rapidly. Her eyes stung from the harshness of the water. She coughed and sputtered, trying to catch her breath.
"From now on, you will wake up at 7 AM sharp," Vincente said, his voice cold with commanding tone. "I expect you to be dressed and ready to prepare my breakfast by the time I come down."
Evangeline sputtered, trying to clear the water from her nose and mouth. "But, I...I'm not a servant," she protested weakly, her voice hoarse from crying herself to sleep.
"From this moment on, you are," Vincente said, his voice as cold as the water that had just assaulted her. "You will be my puppet. You do as I say." He placed the empty mug on the bedside table with a sharp click.
Evangeline wiped the water from her face with trembling hands.
"Understood," she murmured, her voice a mere whisper.
Vincent leaned over her, his face so close she could feel the heat of his breath. "I expect better than understood," he said, his tone a low growl. "I expect obedience. No talking back with me."
Evangeline nodded, her eyes cast down. "Yes, sir," she whispered, her voice trembling.
Vincent straightened up, the coldness in his gaze unwavering. "If I find you still in this bed when I wake up next time," he warned, his voice low and menacing, "I'll throw hot water instead of cold."
Evangeline's eyes went wide with terror at the thought, and she nodded quickly. "I-I'll be up," she promised, her voice shaking.
Vincent's hand reached out, and for a moment, she flinched, expecting pain.
But instead, his fingers brushed her cheek gently, wiping away the droplets of water.
It was almost tender, but she knew better than to read too much into it.
He then stood up, his blue tie draped around his neck, unknotted. "And from now on, you will prepare my meals. Two more meals, lunch and dinner."
Evangeline felt the bile rise in her throat at the thought of being his servant. But She nodded meekly. "Yes, sir."
Vincent turned away from her, as he moved to the mirror, continued to dress .
She watched in the mirror as he was tying his tie, the blue fabric over the white of his shirt.
"Today, the head maid Carla will explain everything," he said, his voice cold and uncompromising. "Your role as the mistress of this household, how to manage it all after our marriage." He said as he slipped on his blue coat after knotting his tie.
Evangeline watched his reflection in the mirror, her eyes taking in the sharp lines of his handsome face.
He looked like a Greek god, his dark hair perfectly styled, the sharp lines of his jaw, the piercing blue eyes that could either freeze or melt her soul.
It was a face that could grace the cover of any magazine.
Yet, this same face had the power to make her blood run cold with a mere look.
She studied his reflection in the mirror, his handsome features a mask that concealed the monster beneath.
How could such a beautiful exterior hide such a dark soul?
He grabbed his laptop bag from the chair, held it in his hand for a moment, and then turned to leave the room.
As he walked away, the bag swung by his side. His footsteps grew fainter with each passing second, and she was left alone with her thoughts.
Evangeline pushed herself out of the bed, her legs shaking.
She made her way to the bathroom. She took a shower.
When she stepped out of the shower with towel wrapped around her body, the head maid, Carla, was waiting for her with a clean set of clothes.
The woman's eyes were filled with a mix of pity and fear. "Miss Evangeline" she began, her voice a gentle reprimand. "Please put them on and lets head to the dining hall. Your breakfast is getting cold."
Evangeline nodded. She took the clothes and got dressed.
The breakfast was filled with varieties of food but she could barely stomach the thought of food.
Yet, she knew she needed to eat to survive the day. She picked at her eggs and toast, each bite feeling like a mouthful of sand.
"Miss," Carla began, her voice formal and respectful, she was standining next to her. "As the new mistress of the household, you will have a role to play."
Evangeline forced herself to look up from her plate, her eyes meeting the maid's. She nodded, swallowing a mouthful of eggs. "Yes, I know" she murmured, but in her mind she planned on escaping this hell.
Carla cleared her throat. "Your primary duties will be to manage the staff, oversee the preparation of meals." She said making a summary of her duty.
Evangeline nodded, trying to keep the bile down. The idea of being his 'mistress' made her stomach turn.
"I understand," she managed to say.
Carla nodded, "Great," she said firmly. "Then, I will give you a tour of the mansion and explain your responsibilities in detail after you have finished your breakfast."
Evangeline stared at her plate, her appetite gone.
She pushed the food around with her fork, trying to look like she was eating.
She forced down the last bite of her breakfast, Carla returned after few minutes. "Miss Evangeline, I hope you've enjoyed your meal," she said, her voice a mix of kindness and professionalism. "Now, if you're ready, I'll take you on the tour."
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