Chapter 3 A New Life

Chapter three:

A New Life

Theme: Adaptation

Adrian's face was unreadable as he swung open the penthouse door. "Welcome to your new home," he said in a smooth voice, as if this large room were just like any other.

With wide eyes, Sophie entered. She was astounded by the place's immense size. The walls were lined with floor-to-ceiling windows that provided her with an unhindered view of the city skyline. It was intimidating and beautiful.

Sophie whispered, her voice just above a whisper, "This is... excessive." Her gaze shifted from the glossy marble floors to the high-end furnishings strewn throughout the room. Everything was flawless and exuded luxury.

As he shut the door after her, Adrian grinned. With a note of humor in his voice, he said, "You'll get used to it."

In an attempt to conceal the chill that was slipping down her spine, Sophie crossed her arms. She was in the midst of excess, even though she had never been a fan of it. It didn't feel right. It felt like she didn't belong here.

She forced a smile. "I guess I'll have to."

Adrian's gaze softened for a second, but only for a second. "There's a lot to get used to. But I'm convinced you'll adapt."

Sophie nodded stiffly. "I'm sure I will," she replied, though the words felt hollow.

The silence between them stretched on, thick and uneasy, until Adrian gestured toward a hallway. "Your room is this way. I'll leave you to settle in. We'll talk more later."

Sophie didn't protest. She was too tired to argue, too overwhelmed to think straight. She followed him down the hall, her steps echoing in the cavernous space.

When they reached her room, she felt a strange mix of relief and dread. The room was huge plush, inviting, yet still, it seemed impersonal. The soft lighting, the costly linens, the cool, spotless decor all of it made her feel like a stranger.

Adrian gave her a last look before turning to go, saying, "Get comfortable." "We have dinner in an hour."

Sophie put her bag onto the bed and flopped onto the soft cover as soon as the door slammed shut behind him. She let herself breathe and close her eyes for a time as the situation's weight fell on her.

She had gotten herself into what?

An hour later, Sophie sat across from Adrian at a sleek glass table, the quiet clinking of cutlery on china filling the silence. Adrian's assistant, a well-dressed woman called Laura, was going over the specifics of their planned public engagements.

"First gala is next Friday," Laura added, handing Sophie a hefty booklet. "You'll be expected to attend with Mr. Blackwell. There will be photographers, reporters. We'll need a statement from you regarding the engagement shortly, too."

Sophie nodded, her mind racing. She scarcely heard Laura's words. Her attention was elsewhere. She was still plagued by the anonymous text she had received the previous evening.

Do you really think you can trust him?

That was sent by whom? And why?

Adrian's voice interrupted her train of thought. "You're silent."

Sophie looked back at him sharply. His eyes were piercing but not cruel as he gazed at her. "Just... adjusting," she answered, attempting to hide a smile from her eyes.

Adrian reclined on his seat, his eyes fixed on her. "You'll manage," he stated in a forceful yet comforting tone. He spoke in the same tone as previously, as if he had total control. Sophie couldn't shake a weird feeling of discomfort.

She swallowed forcefully, attempting to ignore the thoughts. She reminded herself that all of this was fleeting. This was something she could manage. One year. Only a year.

Laura went on talking, but Sophie's mind was once more wandering. There was something wrong with it. Adrian had brought her here, but why? Why her? And why hadn't he brought up the text at all?

As the supper went on, Sophie hardly tasted anything because her mind was still racing with unanswered concerns.

Sophie's curiosity overcame her as she explored the penthouse later that evening. She had already looked around the main living areas, including the large balcony, the contemporary kitchen, and the open rooms. A door at the end of a lengthy hallway, however, that had been closed the entire time, was the one location she had yet to visit.

Her hand hovered over the doorknob as she stopped in front of it. She was drawn to it for some reason. Despite not knowing why, she found herself pulled to it.

She was going to turn the knob when she was abruptly halted by a voice.

"That room is off-limits," Adrian said in a quiet, authoritative voice that broke the stillness.

Startled, Sophie turned. She was unaware of his approach. He was standing at the end of the hall, his eyes blank and his posture tight. Before she could stop herself, she asked sharply, "Why?"

Adrian's eyes narrowed a little as his face grew serious. In a chilly and decisive tone, he answered, "Some things are better left alone."

A shiver went down Sophie's back. Something, something unsaid, was in his voice.

But she refused to back down. Her curiosity was burning in her chest as she urged, "What's in there?"

Adrian's gaze glanced toward the door before returning to her, his jaw hardening. "You don't need to know."

Sophie's breath caught in her throat as her heart pounded in her chest. This area was more complex than he was making it seem. More than he was disclosing.

Adrian remarked, his voice now colder and more authoritative, "Don't go near it again." She had never seen him like this before, his mask falling away to reveal something deeper behind.

Sophie's mind was racing as she stood there and stared at him. She wanted to fight and ask more questions, but she refrained because of Adrian's tone.

Even though her thoughts was already racing, she nodded. What was behind that door? Why was it forbidden?

Adrian's footsteps reverberated in the quiet as he turned and headed back down the corridor.

Sophie didn't turn the doorknob, but she stayed there for a while with her fingers still on it. Not quite yet.

One question consumed her thoughts as she eventually withdrew her hand and turned to return to her room: What was he hiding?

That night, Sophie lay in bed and stared at the ceiling, her mind racing with questions. She had believed that living here with Adrian would mark the beginning of a new life, one in which she would be able to move past her hardships and at last have a chance at stability.

Now, though, she felt as though she was delving further into an unfamiliar realm.

The silence was broken as her phone buzzed on the nightstand. Glancing at the screen, her pulse accelerated as she reached for it.

One more communication from an unknown sender.

He is not who you believe him to be.

Her throat tightened each breath. Who was this individual? How did they find out?

A chill crept across Sophie's skin as she gazed at the screen. What was going on? For what reason was she being warned?

Before she could answer, the phone buzzed once more.

You're closer than you believe to the truth.

Sophie's heart hammered in her chest. What is the truth? What was she missing? As the message sunk into her head, the room felt like it was closing in on her. She wasn't merely a victim of a phony marriage. There was more. A darker one. And now, more than ever, she was in.