Chapter 1 The Dilemma

Hazel

I woke up to find my room bathed in the soft hues of dawn, gentle light streaming through the curtains. There was a distant honk of a car signaling the beginning of a new day in London. The sheets felt cool against my skin as I rose, and a sense of calm pervaded the room. At least here I could be myself. I lay there relishing the moment and anticipating the day ahead.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee lured me to the kitchen but no one was there. I hurriedly poured myself a cup then turned my back to leave but was startled by the maid, Maria, a middle-aged Caucasian woman who appeared from nowhere.

"Jeez Maria, you startled me", I frowned and tried to wipe the warm liquid that splashed on my nightwear.

"Good morning, madam, sorry I startled you. What would you like for breakfast? She replied like a robot.

"Don't worry Maria, I'll grab breakfast on my way to work" I replied.

She nodded and left the kitchen before I could ask a follow-up question. I shrugged and went to prepare for work.

Before I was done, I was a few minutes late for work, so I hurried outside to find the driver.

"Samuel, please bring the car around. I am late for work" I shouted, but there was no response.

I went in search of the driver and found him at the back of the house with earphones in his ears dozing off. I got close and tapped him on the shoulder, and he woke up trying to make sense of his environment.

With suppressed anger, "Samuel, I am late for work."

He tried to wipe drool from his mouth and ended up splaying it all over his face.

"I am sorry madam but Sir Williams left instructions not to take you out today", he dropped his face to the ground and shifted from foot to foot.

"Why"? I inquired

"He did not say Madam," he replied.

I looked at my time and realized how much time I've wasted already. Fuming, I took out my phone and ordered a ride.

I got to the office 20 minutes after my resumption time. I paid the driver and rushed to go in and was met with a locked gate. This day could not get any worse than this. I knocked, and the gatekeeper peeped from an open hole through the gate.

"John, open the door", I spoke to the gatekeeper.

He looked at me with a hint of pity in his eyes. "Madam, the gate is locked, and the boss asked me not to open the gate for anyone."

"Why would she leave such instructions? But I'm just a few minutes late", I screamed in frustration. As we were arguing back and forth, I heard the voice of my boss inside the premises.

"John, what is the noise outside about? She inquired

"It is Madam Hazel"

I heard the gate open and my supervisor appeared.

"I'm sorry I am late. I had a little delay on my way to the office", I explained.

My supervisor looked at me with a hint of pity in her eyes, then asked me to follow her. We got to the work area, and she ushered me into her office.

She sat at her desk and offered me a seat. My guts told me all was not well, and I felt a chill run through me.

She removed her glasses, folded her hands and looked me in the eye "so your husband, Mr Williams, called me this morning to inform me that you won't be working with us more effectively from today", she stated.

"What!" I panicked. "How come he never mentioned this to me?"

"You will have to ask him yourself...I am sorry, Hazel. You have been of great value to this company, and we are sorry to see you go. Good luck in your future endeavors. If you need our assistance in the future, we will be glad to be of help. She handed me an envelope

"Please clear your desk as your replacement will be arriving later today"

Every word uttered by my supervisor hit me like a punch to the gut, leaving me numb and disoriented. It was hard to process such a sudden change because my job was like my only safe space. I did not need to open the envelope to know what was in it. As I stood on rubbery legs to leave, a wave of sadness washed over me.

I walked to my desk and sat down and that was when the tears flowed. I loved my job as a customer service agent with Bluetrace, a cybersecurity company. The pay was average since it was an entry-level job, but for the few months I was there, I learned a great deal and was hoping to build a career from there.

I was angry at Williams for stabbing me in the back. As I packed my little desk I noticed sideward glances and looks of pity from my colleagues who were already neck deep in their jobs. I picked up a few of my belongings and left the building. I hailed a cab to William's office.

By the time I got there, I was furious. My heart was beating fast as I took the elevator. I got to the floor where he had his office and I approached the secretary, who informed me he was in but called him to confirm if he was free to let me in. As the secretary cleared me, I breathed in and opened the door, but when I looked at him seated with a scowl on his perfect face, my steps faltered and my mouth went dry. I immediately regretted why I went to confront him. I almost convinced myself to apologize for intruding and turned back home when he stood up and walked towards me with confident strides, I became rooted to the spot.

William was not just tall but broad-shouldered and with a powerful build that suggested strength and confidence. His features were sharp, each edge chiseled to perfection with kind but stern eyes, as if he was hiding a secret. He towered above me, and I was held in place with his eyes that had not left my face for once since he stood up.

"Hazel, to what do I owe this pleasure"? He smiled mischievously as he locked eyes with mine, a magnetic gaze that spoke volumes. His pupils dilated with what I could imagine as desire or were my eyes playing tricks on me? The air between us thickened as his gaze traced every curve in my body, making me feel like he was undressing me.

I tried to speak, but no words came out.

"Would you like to have a seat"? He asked

I found my voice "Err, No". It's just that I... I went to my office today and the HR informed me that you called"

"Yes, I called, you will not be working there anymore...do you have a problem with that"?

My anger returned. "Yes I do...why would you take such a decision without consulting me first"? I inquired my anger taking hold of me

"I can do whatever I want, Hazel, you don't own me... I own you" He thundered back.

"But that was not part of the agreement", I fired back.

"You are my wife, and you will do as I instruct until the contract is over."

"You do not have the right to order me around, Williams...I am not your maid."

"I will do whatever I please with you as long as you are under my roof, my dear wife."

I was so furious my body was shaking, and I let the emotion take over me. "You don't own me, Williams, because I'm not property, and you will not force me to stay at home...you had no right to take my job away from me...I'll not take..." as I was rambling on strolled to the door to lock it so no one will hear my voice but he mistakenly pushed me and I fell to the floor.

"How dare you talk back at me, you little girl? He looked down at me on the floor. I looked up at him and saw a glint of something dangerous, a hint of a predator lurking in the corners of his mouth, and I knew at that moment that I had gone too far, and I also wondered how he could switch his emotions at will. I picked myself up from the floor and fled the room to the only other place where I felt safe and loved.