Chapter 7 What a day!

The bracelet sparkled against the light shining down from the ceiling.

"It's beautiful." Racheal said in genuine awe. She could not remember the last time anyone had given her something this beautiful. Or any gifts at all.

"I'm glad you like it." He said. "Hold out your wrist."

She did, stretching out her right hand. He placed the bracelet on her wrist and clasped it. It felt cold.

She turned it this way and that in the light, admiring the delicate beauty of it.

"It suits you." He said. Racheal looked up at him. He was looking at her in the same strange way he had since they got in the elevator.

And somehow the look made her heart race and skin hot.

It was a different look from the one he had given her before the elevator. That kind, patient look that made her want to impress him.

This look made her want to... She did not know what this look made her want to do!

"It's a wedding gift." He finally said. "In our culture, a man is supposed to give his bride something valuable on their wedding night."

"Oh." She said, feeling deflated.

Most of her excitement was because she thought he was just being thoughtful and kind, that he wanted to give her something when no one else ever thought to.

Sadly, he was merely fulfilling his obligation.

Like he had when he married her.

Duty.

This was not a normal marriage. She should not forget that.

They were both fulfilling their duties to their families.

"Thank you very much for the gift." She said with a sad smile and moved away.

"I will see you tomorrow. We have to be at some press conference." He said moving to the door.

"You will not be living here?" She found herself asking before she could stop.

He turned back to her looking amused. And she found herself burning with embarrassment.

"My living quarters are on the other side of the villa. But I prefer my house out in the city." He said.

Racheal quickly nodded, holding her lips tight.

She felt embarrassed that he might think she wanted them to share a bed.

That had only crossed her mind severally during the wedding. But this was an arranged marriage and he was a stranger.

She was almost relieved that he was not asking for anything. She was not sure she wanted to share a bed with him either.

He was still at the door, holding it open, watching her behaviour with amusement.

And she felt like a stupid little girl. So, still without looking up, she said.

"I will go to bed now." She said. She turned and headed for her bedroom.

What a day!

***

"Ma'am"

She woke up to a young woman lightly calling her. For a moment she tried to remember where she was.

Then it all came back to her and she sat up immediately. The young woman stepped back a little frightened.

"Who are you?" Racheal asked

"Your maids ma'am." Someone said and Racheal snapped her head to the other side of the bed.

Another young woman stood smiling meekly at her. Racheal wondered what she needed two whole personal maids for.

"My name is Luna." The maid continued, "And she is Leah." She said pointing to the frightened maid.

Racheal nodded at them. They were both young, although Luna looked older and like she had already established leadership over Leah.

Leah helped her prepare for her bath while Luna tidied the bed and took her dress from yesterday to be laundered.

"The President and First lady requested that you join them for breakfast." Luna informed her as she wore her dress after bathing and styling her hair.

"Does the family always have breakfast together?" Racheal asked.

"Mostly." Leah responded, and Luna gave her a warning look.

Racheal was puzzled but acted like she did not notice. She would have to be watchful with Luna and not trust her too quickly.

She stood up. "I am ready. Please direct me to the family dining room."

Luna looked at her like she was a freak.

"Is something wrong?" Racheal asked, beginning to lose her patience.

"You want to go looking like this?" Luna asked, looking incredulous.

Racheal turned to look back in the mirror. She had on a short powder-blue floral dress, the bracelet Steffan gifted her and a tiny gold neck chain.

Her natural wavy hair was shiny and clean.

"What is wrong with how I look?" She asked.

"The First Lady favours elegant dresses and fancy makeup." Leah explained. Luna just continued staring at her.

Racheal turned back to the mirror. She thought makeup was fun but she did not wear them all the time.

And after all the makeup she had used in the last few days during her wedding and after parties, she did not feel like layering her face with makeup at all.

But she did not want to annoy her in-laws any more after that embarrassing incident yesterday.

So, she changed into a short deep blue dress and put on a nude lipstick. She turned to her maids.

"Better?" They both nodded and Luna looked impressed.

Racheal finally exited the room. The security guards closely followed her immediately she was out the door.

She wondered what the consequences would be like if she ever ditched them.

Could she even ditch them?

"You kept us waiting. Are you usually this late?" Danna Sherrod, her mother-in-law said as soon as Racheal entered the smaller dining hall.

"I am sorry." Racheal said bowing in apology although she noticed Skylar and Steffan were not even here yet.

"It's ok." The president said, smiling widely at her. "Take your seat."

Racheal did as she was commanded. The president's frequent mood switch kept her on edge.

And then she noticed Thalia. What was she doing here? She was not a part of the family.

As if reading her mind Thalia stood up smiling.

"Hello Racheal, we have not been introduced." She came around to where Racheal sat and forcefully pulled her into an embrace.

"I am Thalia Sanders, the vice-president's daughter." She was smiling widely. "Aunty invited me to come for breakfast with the family today. I often share meals with them." She said gesturing to Danna Sherrod.

"You are the vice President's daughter?" Racheal asked in disbelief. Was her suspicion correct? Could Thalia have had a hand in her embarrassment yesterday?

"Speaking of which. What was that rubbish you did yesterday?" Danna Sherrod said, turning angrily to Racheal.