Welcome Madam

THE LAKESIDE VILLA

The drive took more than an hour, and that was only because traffic was kind. The villa sat on the northern edge of Veridian City, where the busy noise of the city—the honking of automobiles, the hustling and bustling of people—faded into open countryside.

The road leading there was smooth and quiet, lined with low stone walls that had been there for decades. Rolling hills spread out on both sides, covered in wild grass that swayed in the breeze like they were listening to a certain soothing music. No crowded neighbours. Just open sky and gentle slopes, giving off a peaceful, serene vibe. Mira never expected this cold new husband of hers to love such an environment. *He's got good taste,* she thought.

The black iron gate came into view. Simple vertical bars, clean and unpretentious, with a small silver keypad. Simple. Unassuming. It did not announce itself. It slid open without a sound. Beyond the gate, the driveway curved through a small grove of birch trees, their bark glowing softly in the fading light. The lake was a beautiful scene to behold—a wide expanse of fresh water nestled between two grassy hills.

Then the villa. It sat low and wide, hugging the land. Flat roof. Walls of pale grey stone mixed with warm wood panels and large panes of glass that caught the sky and the trees, blurring the line between inside and outside.

The front door was dark, warm wood and a wooden sign with the words "LAKESIDE VILLA" done with Gothic font calligraphy hanging above the door and a simple brass handle. The maids were already waiting to receive them, their heads bowed. The moment the car stopped in front of the black entrance door, Damon alighted without giving a second glance to his new wife, like he was being chased by ghosts.

Hayden knew the reason. He thought to himself while opening the door for Mira: *I really wonder how he was able to cope for this long, knowing fully well of his cleanliness obsession. This madam has really done a lot, but here she is, still breathing. I think there'll be more drama unfolding.*

"Madam, this way," he said, guiding her to the front door where the maids still stood with their heads bowed. He continued, "Well, don't mind boss's earlier behaviour. It's just that everything was unexpected and, well, you see…" He scratched his head. "Boss has a cleanliness obsession. I mean a serious case of OCD. That's why he hurried inside, so don't blame him."

Mira just waved it off, yawning. "Are you sure this is that stone face's house? Like, I mean, it doesn't really look like his house."

Hayden was speechless, but he still answered, "Yes, this is boss's house."

They walked past the maids and their chorus greeting of "Welcome home, madam." Then Hayden continued, "Boss likes quiet space like this, and this is the first time he's bringing anyone in here."

Mira blinked and snorted, saying sarcastically, "That deserves a Grammy."

Hayden fell silent.

The villa doors opened into the hallway. A long corridor stretched ahead, the floor pale oak, the walls white. It opened into a spacious room with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the vast blue lake. The whole space was simple yet inviting: a long charcoal grey sofa, a black oak coffee table, two cream-coloured armchairs, and a thick light grey rug. A fireplace sat against the wall in the far corner.

The housekeeper, Aunty Carter, was already waiting there to welcome Mira. The moment she saw Mira, her facial expression couldn't be deciphered—only for a minute, before she returned to her usual composed self. She went over to welcome Mira.

"Good afternoon, madam. You're welcome to Lakeside Villa. I hope the journey wasn't too hard for you."

Mira saw that this woman was very warm and also had serious self-control. She silently praised Damon for his good training of his workers. She nodded at Aunty Carter like a meek little deer, which softened Aunty Carter's heart.

Aunty Carter led Mira to the bedroom already prepared for her according to Damon's instructions. It was upstairs, the second floor or so, with a spiral staircase and black metal railings. Aunty Carter introduced each room to her along the way, also telling her the rules and regulations of the house.

By the time they got to Mira's room—which was actually right opposite Damon's—she opened the door and they both walked in. The room was everything she never got in the Zhao mansion. Walls painted white and pastel blue. A king-sized bed with a soft white blanket and four pillows of different shapes and colours, mostly feminine. A thick pink rug laid on the marble floor. An area for work and study: a big table with a laptop and every other necessity. A big walk-in wardrobe with dresses hung in neat rows, blouses and tailored shirts lined in different rows, not just ordinary pieces—these were designer pieces from the best designers, the latest editions, with footwear and headwear taking their respective spaces. The whole space looked like a boutique. It was magnificent. Mira never expected this from her rushed husband.

Seeing her staring at everything with the curious eyes of a child made Aunty Carter's eyes warm. She walked over to Mira and said, "Sir asked us to arrange everything the way a girl will like it. Well, you see, he has never brought anyone here before except you. If there's anything you don't like about the arrangement, you can say it, and we'll change it immediately."

Hearing her words, Mira didn't reply sarcastically like she had to Hayden. She just shook her head. "I really like it. Thanks for the trouble."

Aunty Carter smiled. "You're welcome. It's our honour." Then she continued, "Sir already informed me that the officials from the court would be coming to finalise your marriage registration. If there's anything you want to eat, or maybe you want to freshen up, you can do that and rest before he gets here, madam."

Mira nodded. "Okay, no problem. I'm not hungry, but I'll like to rest a little. Thanks."

Aunty Carter nodded as a sign of understanding. "No problem. I'll come up and inform you when he arrives so you can get prepared. That's the intercom there." She pointed to the landline beside Mira's bedside stand. "Just call, and someone will be here to attend to any of your needs."

"Okay," said Mira.

Aunty Carter left, gently closing the door behind her.

Mira walked to the door, locking it, before returning to the bed and sitting down. She positioned herself comfortably, trying to process all that had happened in the past three days—the wedding, Damon. She was still thinking into space when a phone call interrupted her.

It was from her friend. Her ride or die. Her second chaos and mischief buddy. Kael.

He had been overseas somewhere in Europe, claiming he needed some solitude or something. And he sure wasn't planning to get it here.

She picked up on the second ring, and his loud, unmistakably him voice came into her ears.

**Kael:** "Hello, little menaceeee! I just landed. Miss me much?"

**Mira:** "I'm sorry to disappoint you, but no. I actually thought you were dead."

**Kael:** "Aghhhhhhh! My heart. My fragile heart. It hurts soooooo much. But that's okay. I know your heart says otherwise. I can feel it in my heart."

**Mira:** "I won't bother bursting your bubble. So tell me, where have you been? Like seriously, you said you were searching for solitude. Don't tell me you haven't found it for staying this long."

**Kael:** "Yeah, hehe. See? You missed me. Now look at all the evidence lying beneath your words."

**Mira:** "Don't flatter yourself. I don't miss you. I just wanted to know how many mental quirks are left in the world."

**Kael:** "Aghhhhh, you and your sharp tongue. But that's why I fell in love with you, so it's fine."

**Mira:** "Don't make me ask again. Where have you been, asshead?"

**Kael:** "Europe. Milan. Paris. And some island I already forgot the name of. Dad said I needed vast cultural enrichment. I think he just wanted me out of the country so he wouldn't have to look at my beautiful hair."

**Mira:** "I'm sure he would be doubting your DNA by now."

**Kael:** "Well, he has thought of doing that before, but a look from Mom got him shaking like a salted water fish."

**Mira:** "Noted. I'll help you send this to uncle."

**Kael:** "No, no, you wouldn't dare. Hmm, well, I mean… you know I love you, my sweetheart, my love, the sugar in my tea, my baby, my sunlight—"

**Mira:** "Ewwwwww. Do I look like those blind girls who will fall for whatever shit falls out from your mouth? I ain't buying that."

**Kael:** "But I love you seriously. Hehe."

**Mira:** "So what's the new disaster on your hair?"

**Kael:** "Silver. Like a hot villain from a bad movie. It's stunning. You'll swoon if you saw it."

**Mira:** "The last thing I want to see is your annoying face. So why are you calling me?"

**Kael:** "Because I'm back in Veridian City, obviously, and I heard something interesting."

**Mira:** "No."

**Kael:** "I haven't even said it yet."

**Mira:** "You are surely gonna say something annoying, so no. Anyways."

**Kael:** "You got married."

**Mira:** "Hmm."

**Kael:** "Shorty. You got married to my uncle. I mean, my uncle. That ice statue that likes to glare daggers like the universe owed him silence."

**Mira:** "Yep. It was a business arrangement."

**Kael:** "Or rather a disaster waiting to happen, and I'm so angry I wasn't there to watch. Tell me everything. Did you wear the ghost makeup? Did he glare? Did you call him something terrible? Please tell me you pissed him off, even if it's just a little."

**Mira:** "I slammed into his lap with my beautiful makeup-stricken face and stained his entire suit pant with mascara and foundation. And excuse you, that's my masterpiece. The most beautiful makeup from a genius makeup artist like myself. Not a ghost makeup, okay?"

**Kael:** *Screaming with laughter.* "Aghhhhh! Oh my gosh, I'm dying here! Did you just call that rainbow disaster you wore a genius masterpiece, or did I hear wrong? But okay, that's fine. Aghhhhhhh!"

**Mira:** "He looked like he wanted to set Mars on fire but held back just a little."

**Kael:** "I'm deceased. I'm writing my will, and you are getting everything. Oh my God. What did he say to you?"

**Mira:** "He called me a clown."

**Kael:** "That's fair."

**Mira:** "Excuse you?"

**Kael:** "You looked like a clown. A disaster wrapped in white. The dress was a crime. The makeup was a cry for help from the colours. You looked like a lampshade that got into a fight with a rainbow and lost."

**Mira:** "That was the goal."

**Kael:** "I know, and I've never been prouder. But still, clown is generous. I would have called you a natural disaster."

**Mira:** "I hate you."

**Kael:** "And I love you more, and I know you love me too."

**Mira:** "Are you going to visit?"

**Kael:** "And risk running into my uncle? The man who once stared at me for three seconds and gave me nightmares for a week? Absolutely. I'll be there tomorrow. Bringing snacks and bail money."

**Mira:** "I'm hanging up now."

**Kael:** "No, you are not. You missed me. Say it."

**Mira:** "I missed having someone to insult who doesn't threaten to throw me out of a moving car."

**Kael:** "That's not the same."

**Mira:** "It's the closest you'll get."

**Kael:** "Fine. I missed you too. Don't tell anyone. I have a reputation."

**Mira:** "Ohhhh, I didn't know."

**Kael:** "What's with that sarcastic 'Ohhh'? I meant it, okay? My reputation."

**Mira:** "Your reputation is that you are annoying and badly dressed."

**Kael:** "And yet you keep me around."

**Mira:** "Goodbye, asshead. Gotta go now."

**Kael:** "Bye, Mrs. Cipher."

They both hung up. She stared at the phone, now feeling lighter and more refreshed than ever.

IN DAMON'S BEDROOM OPPOSITE.

After freshening up and changing the probably never usable pants, Damon went straight downstairs where he met both Aunt Carter and Hayden. He asked, "Where's she?"

Without doubt, they both knew who he was referring to, and Aunt Carter was quick to answer. "Sir, I took madam to her room. She should be resting now."

Damon: "Good. Did she eat anything?"

Aunt Carter: "No, sir. When asked, she said she wasn't hungry and she's fine."

Damon: "What about the room arrangement?"

Aunt Carter: "She said she liked it very much."

Damon nodded his head and just said, "Hmm." Then he faced Hayden, asking him to come up to his study, dismissing Aunt Carter with a wave of his hand.

THE STUDY

The room was painted in dark grey and stripes of black. A black oak desk with one black leather chair and two linen chairs facing it. Very simple but low-key, just like him.

He sat down on the black leather chair, leaving Hayden with the choice to either sit or stand.

He got straight to business, signing some documents on his desk without looking up at Hayden. He asked, "When will the court official arrive? Have you spoken to him ever since?"

Hayden straightened up and replied, "Yes, boss, I have. And he said he'll be here in a while. He's already on his way."

Damon just responded, "Good."

They both stayed in the study attending to office matters afterwards before the knock on the door disrupted them.

It was one of the maids who came to inform them that the official from the court had arrived. Damon, still attending to whatever he was busy doing with no intentions of standing up, spoke to Hayden: "Go get him up to the study and also ask the maids to inform madam that she should come to this study, and they should probably show her the way here if she still hasn't familiarised herself with it."

"Yes, sir," said Hayden, already walking towards the door before Damon's voice with a bit of frustration rang out again: "And also get them to tell her to change to something better for the photos."

"OK, boss. But, boss," Hayden said, hesitating to speak further. Damon shot him an annoyed glare. "What?"

Hayden swallowed hard then continued anyway. "Boss, what about her hmmm, well, I mean her makeup?"

Damon just snorted before speaking. "They say it's her signature style and she's probably not gone a day without using it for the past 4 years, so just let her be. Or are you bothered?" He said the last words while narrowing his eyes at Hayden, and Hayden, seeing the warning in his look, didn't dare say something foolish and just replied, "No, sir. I'll go right away."

Damon: "Good."

Hayden immediately left to attend to the task he was given, leaving Damon alone in the study and closing the doors behind him.

MIRA'S BEDROOM OPPOSITE

Mira had now changed into a long white dress of unknown origin but definitely not from the closet arranged by Damon. Her hair was now loose, falling down her shoulders to the area just above her hips. Her makeup was still on, making her look like a ghost in broad daylight who was probably not going to spare anybody she saw alive. She was still nodding approvingly at her outfit when a knock on the door interrupted her.

It was a maid. The moment Mira opened the door and the maid saw her, the young maid almost screamed but had to hold it in. She didn't dare offend the madam of the house and get into her bad books, seeing how meticulous sir was with her matters even before her arrival. Then she spoke.

"Sorry to disturb you, madam, but sir asked you to come to the study. The court official has arrived, and well…" She was hesitating, and Mira saw the hesitation in the way she fiddled with her fingers with her head bowed.

Mira asked, "Any other thing?"

The maid quickly replied, "And sir also said you should change to something better for the photos."

Mira just nodded as a sign of acknowledgement. The little maid stayed without moving, which made Mira look at her and ask, "Any other thing?"

The maid replied, stuttering, "Madam, sir said I should show you the way to the study in case you haven't familiarised yourself with the way yet, so I'll be waiting outside here. Just knock when you are done, then we can go."

Mira just nodded and said, "Okay, I'm actually ready so there's no need to wait. Let's get going."

The maid didn't move. She just stared at Mira without moving, which led to Mira waving her hand in front of her face twice.

The maid quickly replied, "Madam, I mean… you're sure you are ready?" She said this while staring at Mira's weird-looking white dress and wondering where she got it from, remembering that she did not bring any bag with her except for that little black backpack.

Mira, seeing the way the maid was staring at her outfit, raised an eyebrow, smirking at the maid before asking, "What? Does it look bad or unpresentable for the photos?"

The maid shook her head like a rattle drum and quickly said, "No, no, no, I didn't mean it that way."

Mira nodded. "Good. Then let's go."

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***