CH3: Life Behind The Grand Gates

The black luxury car glided smoothly through the busy city streets, moving past tall buildings and crowded roads before finally turning onto a wide, tree-lined avenue that led away from the center of town. Fiona sat quietly on the comfortable leather seat, her hands folded tightly in her lap as she looked out the window. Beside her sat Gian, who had remained silent ever since they left his office. He looked out at the view with that same calm, serious expression, as if he was carrying the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.

After about forty minutes of driving, the car slowed down and stopped in front of a pair of massive, tall iron gates. They were beautifully designed and painted black, with golden details that shone brightly under the sunlight. As the gates slowly opened, revealing what lay beyond, Fiona’s eyes widened in amazement.

Stretching out before her was a vast piece of land filled with perfectly trimmed green gardens, colorful flowers, tall trees, and a wide driveway made of smooth, shining stones. And standing right in the middle of it all was a magnificent mansion—large, elegant, and looking like something out of a fairy tale. It was grand and beautiful, but at the same time, it gave off an atmosphere of strict order and quiet dignity.

“This is where you will live from now on,” Gian said, breaking the silence as the car moved forward again. “It is safe, and everything you need is already prepared. But I must remind you, Fiona, that life here is very different from what you are used to. I value order, discipline, and respect. There are rules that everyone in this house must follow, and you are no exception.”

Fiona turned to look at him. “What kind of rules, Sir?”

Gian looked at her directly, his dark eyes serious and unwavering. “First, you will not enter my private study or my personal room unless I specifically ask you to. Those are places where I handle important matters, and privacy is very important to me. Second, you will be present at dinner every evening at exactly seven o’clock. It is the only time of the day when we share a meal, and punctuality is something I never compromise on. Third, when we are in public or attending events, you will act as my wife and represent the family name with grace and dignity. You do not need to speak much, but you must always be composed and polite. And finally… you will not ask me questions about my business or my personal life. If there is something I want you to know, I will tell you myself.”

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in.

“Break these rules, and there will be consequences. Do you understand?”

Fiona nodded slowly, though her heart felt a little heavy. It seemed she was not just moving into a house, but stepping into a world where every move and every word was controlled. “I understand, Sir. I will do my best to follow everything you have said.”

“Good,” Gian replied simply.

The car stopped right in front of the main entrance, and as soon as they stepped out, several staff members came forward to greet them. They were all dressed neatly, and they moved quietly and efficiently, showing how well-managed the household was.

“Welcome home, Sir. Welcome, Ma’am,” they said in unison, bowing their heads respectfully.

Gian gestured toward an older woman standing nearby, who had a kind but serious expression on her face. “This is Mrs. Cruz. She is the head of the household staff, and she has been working with my family for many years. She will be the one to guide you, help you settle in, and answer any questions you have. If you need anything at all, you can tell her, and she will make sure it is done immediately.”

Mrs. Cruz smiled gently at Fiona. “It is a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am. Please, follow me. I will show you to your room.”

Fiona followed Mrs. Cruz inside the mansion, leaving Gian behind as he walked toward his office. The inside of the house was even more beautiful than the outside. The floors were made of polished marble, the walls were painted in soft, elegant colors, and the furniture was expensive and carefully chosen. Everything was clean, organized, and perfectly arranged, making the whole place look like a museum where nothing was ever moved or changed.

They walked up the grand staircase and down a long, wide hallway until they reached a large door at the very end. Mrs. Cruz opened it, and Fiona stepped inside, her breath taken away by the beauty of the room.

It was a huge bedroom, bright and airy, with large windows that overlooked the beautiful gardens below. The furniture was made of fine wood and soft fabrics, and there was a large, comfortable bed, a spacious wardrobe, a study table, and even a small sitting area. Everything was arranged perfectly, and it looked like a room fit for royalty.

“This is your private space, Ma’am,” Mrs. Cruz explained. “You can decorate it or arrange things any way you like, as long as it remains neat and orderly. Your clothes and personal items will be brought here shortly, and I have already prepared fresh towels, toiletries, and everything else you might need. The bathroom is through that door over there. It is fully equipped.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Cruz,” Fiona said softly, looking around the room. “It is… it is much more beautiful than I ever imagined.”

“I am glad you like it,” Mrs. Cruz said kindly. “But please understand, Ma’am, that life here can feel a little lonely or strict at first. Mr. Gian is a very busy man, and he spends most of his time working. He is not used to showing emotion or being soft with people, and he expects everyone to be serious and responsible. But he is a good man at heart. He keeps his promises, and he protects the people under his care. Just be patient and respectful, and everything will be fine.”

Fiona sat down on the soft bed, feeling the weight of reality settling on her shoulders. She had a beautiful room, a safe place to live, and all the material things she could ever want… but she also felt a deep sense of loneliness. She was living in a palace, but it felt more like a gilded cage. She had traded her freedom and her simple, happy life for the sake of her family, and now she had to learn how to survive in this new world.

Later that evening, as the clock struck seven, Fiona made her way to the dining room. It was a long, spacious room with a huge table in the center. Gian was already there, sitting at the head of the table, reading some documents while waiting for her. When he saw her enter, he put his papers away and gestured for her to sit across from him.

“You are on time,” he said, his voice neutral. “That is a good start.”

Dinner was served immediately, and it was a meal fit for kings—different kinds of delicious food, prepared with great care and skill. But despite the wonderful food and the beautiful surroundings, the atmosphere was heavy and silent. The only sounds that could be heard were the clinking of silverware and the soft footsteps of the staff serving them. There was no conversation, no laughter, and no warmth. It felt more like a business meeting than a meal shared by two people living under the same roof.

As they ate, Fiona gathered her courage and decided to speak, breaking the long silence.

“Gian… may I ask you something?” she said carefully, choosing her words so she would not break his rules.

Gian looked up from his plate, his expression unchanging. “You may. But I will only answer if I think it is necessary.”

Fiona took a deep breath. “Why did you choose me? There are so many other women out there—women who are rich, educated, from powerful families, and who know how to act in high society. I am just a simple girl from a poor family. I know nothing about business or high-class life. Why me?”

For a moment, Gian did not answer. He simply looked at her, his dark eyes studying her face as if he was searching for something hidden behind her question.

“Because you are simple,” he finally said. “Because you are honest, and because you are doing this not for money or status, but out of love for your family. I did not want a wife who would try to manipulate me, use me, or ask for things I am not willing to give. I needed someone who would stay true to their word, do what is required, and not expect anything more than what is written in the contract. You fit that description perfectly. That is why I chose you.”

His words were honest, but they also felt cold and distant. Fiona realized that in his eyes, she was not a person, but merely a solution to his needs—a tool that served its purpose.

“I see,” Fiona whispered, feeling a slight pain in her chest. “So I am nothing more than a convenient choice to you.”

Gian did not say anything else. He simply went back to eating his food, signaling that the conversation was over.

Fiona looked down at her plate, losing her appetite completely. She knew this was exactly what she had agreed to, but hearing it said so plainly still hurt. She wondered if she would ever be able to see the real man behind that cold mask, or if she would spend the next two years living with a stranger who would never let her get close to his heart.

To be continue...

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