I looked around. Everyone was absorbed in their own worlds, some talking to each other while others glanced at me or my husband.
Caesar Levovski-during my two-week stay in one of his mansions, I learned that he rarely comes home. There are scheduled days for wives to spend time with him, and everyone knows this marriage is purely political.
I surveyed the venue. Every design choice here was run by me-from the theme to the flowers and the plates.
I took part, but some of the decisions were made by the event organizer.
Preparation and organizing an event are out of my field of expertise, but seeing the result now, I already want to learn how to do it, especially now that I am a rich man's wife.
So, this is how it feels to have an expensive wedding...
I gave a bitter smile and reached for the wine bottle to refill my glass.
"Mistress, we don't want you getting drunk," said Michael, bowing as he whispered to me.
"It's just wine."
He straightened up and said no more. Michael, our family butler, had volunteered to accompany me to the mansion before the wedding. He helped me like a personal assistant.
I decided not to drink more, not wanting to give anyone a reason to talk about me.
I am now carrying the Levovski name and the honor of the Crane family. I can't act as I please anymore.
I sat up straight and took a deep breath.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Levovski," one of Levovski's guards approached me.
I recognized him by his uniform.
He came closer and whispered to me, "Mr. Levovski will leave now. He has an urgent meeting to attend to."
I frowned. "What?" On our wedding night?
I looked at Caesar, who was already leaving the venue.
He left?
The man followed Caesar out.
I didn't want to stand up and draw attention, but people had already noticed and started gossiping.
This is the worst.
I composed myself and smiled.
Even though my husband left, this is a night that must be celebrated. We are wasting food and money if we don't eat and celebrate.
"Did Sariel come?" I asked hopefully as I stood with my mom and dad before their car. Two days had passed since the wedding, and I hadn't seen or heard of Caesar returning to his mansion.
My mom and dad had wanted to speak with Caesar, but he was nowhere to be found, as if my parents' presence wasn't important.
My mom shook her head sadly and held my hand.
"Your brother is just upset about the sacrifices you have to make. You know he hates seeing you sacrifice for this family." She also touched my face. "You're married to a rich man now, Avila. You have to be a good wife just like before. No matter how your husband behaves, you must respect the marriage."
I smiled at my mom. She's really too kind for her own good.
"Avila, I'll miss you," she said, hugging me tightly. I took a deep breath and inhaled her scent, as if this were our last moment together.
She pulled away and quickly got into the car to cry in private.
I looked at my dad, who embraced me.
"Just tell me if you have problems here, and I'll rush in and take you away," he whispered to me during the hug.
I frowned at his words.
"I thought you wanted this-"
"I did," he interrupted, tapping his fingers on my shoulder.
I glanced at Michael and Zeke, who were talking.
"You know, no one's forcing you to go with sister. You're better off without her," Zeke said to Michael.
"I want to serve her," Michael replied emotionlessly, yet still respectful.
"And I'm telling you, you don't need to. Mom knows that too," Zeke whispered his last words before looking at us.
Dad walked away from me and turned his back.
"Zeke, let's go," Dad commanded before getting into the car.
Zeke sighed.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of the mistress," Michael said to Zeke.
Zeke looked at Michael and shook his head.
"Whatever. If this is what you want, so be it," Zeke said, resigned. He approached me, gave me a hug, and then got into the car.
I stayed there until I could no longer see the car.
"What should we do now?" I asked Michael.
"We will return to your studies."
I immediately frowned.
Right.
I have a duty now. That is to study etiquette, to know the history of Levovski and the other wives.
We went back inside the mansion. We headed straight to my room and I grabbed the book I hadn't finished earlier.
I looked at the pile of books I hadn't read and felt a bit discouraged.
"Michael, fix my hair while I read," I ordered, sitting in front of the mirror.
"Yes, mistress," he responded without hesitation.
As I read, I glanced at Michael in the mirror, who was seriously combing my hair.
I smiled.
Michael was the only one I brought from our old mansion.
It should have been a woman, but Michael is great at his job, and I believe I deserve a great butler.
Suddenly, the door opened, and I frowned.
"The master's fourth wife is here. She wants to talk," a maid said emotionlessly and turned to leave but stopped before exiting. "Hurry up," she added before leaving.
Michael stopped what he was doing, and we looked at each other in the mirror.
I put down the book and started to fix my appearance while Michael made a braid.
When we finished, we went to the living room, but my visitor wasn't there.
"Where is my visitor?" I asked a maid who was there.
"Ms. Cassandra is in the garden, ma'am. She likes to stay there."
I raised an eyebrow at the woman.
No one told me that.
I passed by the woman and headed to the garden. I saw a woman sitting there, drinking coffee, with maids behind her.
Those are my maids.
I smiled and approached her. "Hello," I greeted her.
She was surprised by my arrival.
"Oh? You're here. I didn't recognize you; you look different with makeup on."
I frowned at her remark, realizing our first meeting was at my wedding.
I sat across from her. I looked at the table in front of us, filled with sweets and tea.
"Hi. My name is Cassandra Alaister," she said, extending her hand, which I accepted with a smile.
She used her last name, not Caesar's.
"I'm Caesar's fourth wife," she said, smiling.
"I'm Avila Crane. I'm the eighth," I replied, shaking her hand, which she quickly withdrew.
"We know," she said, focusing on her tea.
Michael poured tea into my teacup. I immediately took it and drank.
I heard Cassandra's faint laughter.
"Is that how you act during tea time? You clearly don't know etiquette, do you? Where did Caesar even find you?" she said mockingly.
That was when I confirmed it.
She doesn't like me.
To Be Continued