Chapter 4 Episode 4

4

Camila was woken by her ringtone. She stretched and squinted her eyes open. Her arms still ached from carrying the heavy luggage last night. The bags were still on the floor where she had dropped them as soon as she got to her room. She reached for her phone on the nightstand.

It was Isabella calling. Camila rolled her eyes as she answered.

"Sis, happy married life! How was your first night at your husband's house? Are you sore? Did you do the deed?" Isabella bombarded her with questions.

"Isa, give your sister a break. She just got married, and you're already grilling her," Camila heard Sofia's voice, along with the sounds of frying and kitchen clatter.

Camila could guess what was going on: her mother was making breakfast, and Isabella was present but glued to her phone. If she wasn't recording for her lifestyle vlogs, she was making calls or video chatting.

Camila couldn't help but smile. It had only been a day since she left, but she felt like running back to her family.

"How are you, Camila? I hope Alejandro is being good to you," Sofia asked.

"He is, Mom," Camila replied, silently cursing herself for lying.

"I'm glad he's treating you well..." Sofia continued, but Isabella walked away from the kitchen with a frown to prevent the conversation from shifting to just Camila and her mother.

"I don't want to interrupt your time with your husband, but I have a question," Isabella switched the call to video, placing her phone on a stand and holding up two pop socks, one white and one black.

"Which one do you think goes better with my uniform?" she asked.

Camila smiled again. She never got tired of helping her sister pick outfits every morning before school.

"Go with the white one and pair it with your Chelsea boots," Camila advised.

"Thanks, sis! You're the best," Isabella blew her sister a kiss before hanging up.

Camila stretched her arms again, then went to her luggage and began organizing it in her wardrobe.

•••

Alejandro adjusted his tie as he descended the stairs. The dining room was as inviting as always, with an array of food on the table. Alejandro took his seat and stretched his hand, and immediately, a maid handed him his morning magazine.

They never failed to get a fresh one for him every morning. He loved drinking coffee from his tiny cup and reading the magazine with his legs crossed. Suddenly, he put the cup down, making the maids alert.

"Where is my wife?" he asked.

The maids were too scared to speak. They hadn't called her down, fearing he might get upset, and the last thing they wanted was to anger him.

"She's in her room, Mr. Ruiz," the head maid responded.

"Why?" he asked, and she could only bow, looking at her feet.

"Five minutes. I want to see her down here," he ordered before taking another sip of his coffee.

"Yes, Mr. Ruiz," the head maid replied before heading upstairs with two other maids to call Camila.

They knocked on her door.

"Come in," Camila replied, and the maids entered.

They found her in a robe, having just finished organizing her wardrobe.

"Good morning, ma'am," they greeted.

"Good morning," she responded.

"Mr. Ruiz has asked us to bring you downstairs to have breakfast with him," the head maid said.

Camila's lips twitched. Yesterday, he didn't want the maids helping her with anything, but now he wanted her to have breakfast with him. What made him think he could control her in this marriage, first with rules, now with orders?

"Sorry, I'm not hungry yet. I'll come downstairs when I wish to eat," she said, ignoring their pleas as she stepped into the bathroom.

He could go on and fire all his maids if he wanted; maybe then he wouldn't find anyone willing to help him with his stupid suit jacket.

The maids fearfully returned downstairs. Alejandro was still sipping his coffee but watched them return without his wife.

"She... She said she would come down... when she's hungry," the head maid stuttered, her legs visibly shaking as she prayed he wouldn't fire her. At this point, she was willing to accept a demotion rather than lose her job.

Alejandro was silent for a moment before he angrily slammed his coffee cup on the table, spilling some, which a maid immediately cleaned up; he couldn't stand the sight of mess.

He stood up, and the maids stepped aside as he walked upstairs. He reached her room and barged in without knocking. Camila, just coming out of the bathroom in her robe, gasped and tried to cover herself more.

"How dare you disobey me? Have you forgotten my rules?" he snarled, moving closer.

Camila took steps back. "I remember all your rules, and I don't recall you saying I can't disobey you," she replied, blinking repeatedly, trying to appear bold.

Alejandro's eyes darkened, but he was also amused. He quickened his pace and grabbed her neck before she could move, slamming her back against the wall.

Camila shut her eyes as he moved his face to her neck. Was he going to punish her like he promised for breaking his rules?

He whispered into her ear, "Rule number six: Always have breakfast with me every morning. If I get to the dining room and don't find you there, I will personally come find you and carry you, even if you have nothing covering your body." He warned her before releasing his grip on her neck and walking away.

Camila glared at his retreating figure. He would carry her even if she were naked? Where was the other Alejandro, and what had this stranger done to him? She frowned, sadness creeping in.

Had her words really shaken him this much? The man was so cold now, giving her no chance to apologize. But whatever. If there was one thing she still had, it was her dignity. No matter how tough things got, she wouldn't let him boss her around-not as long as she had breath in her body.