Chapter 4 Invitation

Chapter 4

I squinted as a sudden headache struck me.

"You okay?"

I raised my hand, and Michael immediately took it.

"Avila?" He called my name, sounding worried.

"Yes, I'm fine. It's just... a lot happened today. I didn't get to rest."

"Do you want me to prepare a warm bath?"

I smiled. "I would love that."

Caesar's POV

"Ma'am Avila has returned to her room," announced Lilith, my housekeeper.

I don't care what that woman does. I just want her to bear me an heir, and that's it.

I noticed many things about her during dinner.

Her table etiquette is natural, as if she's been doing it since birth.

I thought she was still learning because this world is still new to her.

Even the way she walks and sits is different from what I heard.

However, her clothes are not even attractive. I always give a fair amount of money to my wives for them to spend on whatever they desire, but it's clear Avila didn't use it because of how she wears an old ragged dress.

"Rolan," I called to my secretary. "Tell Philip to finish his business and come back quickly. We need to discuss something."

Philip Villa, he's the one who recommended Avila from the House of Crane to me.

I don't know much about that family, but Philip told me that Avila could meet my expectations.

As a wife and as a woman.

Avila is an interesting woman, but the way she wears her clothes is disappointing.

Avila's POV

"Right, side, side. Left foot forward. Then-"

Michael held my left hand while my right hand was on his shoulder, and one of his hands was on my waist.

"Right. Right, then left again."

I hate this.

He's teaching me the traditional dance of the Levovski Family. Every wife must know this dance because they always perform it at celebrations.

"Mistress, try to look at me," he said when he noticed I was staring at our feet.

I sighed and looked at him.

"I don't like this," I complained.

"Just follow my lead."

I grinned at him and put both my hands around his neck.

"Or you can just follow my lead," I said as I moved my body closer to his.

He gave me a deadpan look before he sighed.

He took my hands from his neck and lowered them.

"Let's take a break."

He stepped away from me and sat down on the chair in my room. He took the paper on the table with the dance literature and read it again.

I think he's tired.

It's been two hours since we started this lesson, but I still couldn't get it and all I did was complain.

I approached him from behind and hugged him.

"I'm sorry," I whispered.

I meant it. If I were him, I'd get really annoyed and stop everything.

He tapped my hand, signaling that I should let him go, but I didn't. Instead, I hugged him even tighter.

"I mean what I said," I added.

He took my hand and removed it from around him.

"If you mean it, you'll learn it." He stood up and looked at me seriously. "I'm not in the mood to play your games, Avila."

He called me by my name.

I stepped back. "Okay. I'm sorry. I'll learn it."

"Fast," he ordered.

"Yes."

He extended his hand for the dance. I stood up straight and took it. We moved to the center, and I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Ready? Let's start-"

We were interrupted by a knock.

"This is Lilith, mistress."

I frowned. "Lilith?" I looked at Michael to see if he knew her.

"She's the head maid," he answered.

"Oh." I stepped away from Michael. "Come in."

She entered and bowed.

"Mistress, Engineer Sanchez is here to see you."

"Engineer Sanchez?"

"Master Caesar called the engineer for you to discuss your new mansion design."

Michael and I exchanged glances.

Caesar didn't mention anything to me, but I knew Lilith wasn't lying.

"Okay."

I changed my clothes, replacing the sweat-soaked dress from dancing.

Afterward, we went to the library where the engineer was waiting.

"These are the designs that have been approved by Master Caesar. You just need to choose one, Mistress," said the engineer.

He called Caesar master, which means he works exclusively for Caesar.

I looked at the portfolio of castle-like mansion designs while the engineer explained. There were five designs, but none of them met my standards.

I sighed and threw the portfolio on the table.

"I'll call you when I'm ready to decide what my mansion will look like."

"Then I'll just leave it here-"

"Bring that portfolio back. I'm going to design my own mansion," I said before leaving the library to get some fresh air outside the mansion.

"You look annoyed, mistress," Michael said, following me.

"You think?" I said sarcastically.

"What is this about now? You didn't like the design? I thought it was great."

I stopped walking to face Michael.

"I don't like how arrogant Caesar is. He chose something without considering my consent or thoughts, and if you think that design is great, it doesn't meet my standard. I have an architect brother; I'll just use him instead."

"Let's calm down and take a deep breath."

I followed his advice and took a deep breath.

He held my hand and guided me to the mansion's garden.

I sat down on the bench by the fountain.

"We should also call Zeke for your clothes, right? Caesar said he's disappointed."

"I'm comfortable in these clothes," I complained.

"If you want to have a child, you need to seduce your husband." He touched my hair and fixed it.

I looked at my reflection in the fountain's water.

"I'm still stuck there, aren't I?" I asked sadly, seeing my reflection.

My hair was messy, and I wore a simple dress that looked like I was going to church.

I admit, these clothes are cheap, and I just bought them from a thrift store.

Michael kissed my head.

"You're getting better, I promise." I looked at him. He smiled at me.

I smiled back. "Thank you, Michael. You always lift me up when I'm down. I appreciate it."

"You always have me." I hugged his waist, and that's when I noticed someone watching us.

"Wait. Are the two of you lovers?" Cassandra teased, accompanied by two maids, one of whom carried an umbrella following her.

"What? Jealous?" I teased and stood up. I moved away from Michael and approached Cassandra. "What are you doing here, Cassy?"

"I heard about your dinner with Caesar." She laughed softly and looked me up and down. "I can tell what he said about your style is correct."

She carried her fan and hid her mouth with it, but her eyes were clearly mocking me.

She flicked her hand, and one of the maids approached me. The maid bowed and handed me an invitation. Michael took it.

"This is an invitation to my party at my mansion. It's Caesar and my wedding anniversary. You should be there." She looked me up and down again. "Please, wear something appropriate."

She left, laughing with her maids.

"She came just to invite you and mock you?" Michael asked.

"Call Lilith," I ordered and headed to my room.

I'm just thankful because that woman talks so much.

I waited in the room for a few minutes before Michael and Lilith came in.

"Mistress," greeted Lilith without looking at me, keeping her gaze down as she always did out of respect for me.

"Look me in the eyes," I commanded.

She slowly lifted her gaze and looked me in the eyes.

There was no fear, but I could also see no emotion.

"Are you working for Cassandra?"

"No," she answered.

"Are you the one who leaked my conversation with Caesar?"

"No."

I squinted at her response, scrutinizing her expression and movements.

She's not lying.

"Then, the guy who's with Caesar. Is that his secretary? What's his name?"

"Rolan Rivera, and no. He is not working for Master Caesar. He was recommended by Mistress Cassandra because Master Caesar's secretary, Philip Villa, is still busy with his current mission."

I didn't hear the rest of what she said because I caught a familiar name.

Philip? Philip Villa? Is that the same person I know?

I suddenly became anxious and looked at Michael, who was staring at Lilith. He glanced at me and immediately became concerned.

"You okay?"

"Yes." I tried not to smile out of anger. "Tell Philip to come straight to me when he arrives," I ordered Lilith.

Lilith had a questioning expression but nodded and left.

Philip Villa, if he's the same person I know, I'm sure he's the one who told Caesar about me.