Chapter 4 4

The car glided down the quiet, upscale street, its tires whispering against the smooth pavement. I sat in the backseat,hands folded neatly over my lap as I rewind back to the night before. After the dinner with Lucas and his dad,I felt like I never wanted to do this in the first place.I had cried my eyes out till I slept off. But my mother would be so proud of me,and that was what really mattered.

I stared out of the windows as the towering Smith estate came into view. My breath hitched slightly. The mansion was breathtaking!.

Massive wrought- iron gates stood tall,flanked by marble pillars that gleamed under the soft evening glow. Intricate carvings ran along the bars, forming elegant patterns that suggested wealth, heritage and unspoken authority.

The gates alone could have belonged to a historic landmark -but this was a home,a fortress,a place where power resided. The driver slowed, stopping briefly as a security system scanned the car. With a quiet hum, the gates swung inward, revealing a long cobblestone driveway lined with perfectly manicured hedges and soft garden lights.

I swallowed, feeling a familiar pang deep in my chest,a mixture of awe and trepidation. I had known the Smith family was well established,but standing at the threshold of their world now,I realized I had been grossly mistaken about the extent of their wealth.

The car rolled forward, passing fountains that gleamed under golden lights. The landscape was flawless,as if each tree,each flower had been positioned by an artist designing a masterpiece.

And then; the mansion itself. I could barely conceal my gasp as my eyes swept over the grand structure towering me. A masterpiece of modern architecture, adorned with elegant arches, vast balconies and floor-to-ceiling windows that reflected the soft hues of the settling sun.

The walls were a perfect blend of ivory stone and warm accents, radiating a quiet prestige that could make even the most powerful men pause in admiration.

This must be what heaven looks like!

The car came to a gentle stop at the entrance. The driver stepped out to open my door,but I barely moved- my fingers gripped the edges of my dress,my heart drumming against my ribcage. It wasn't fear,it was disbelief.

I stepped out of the car,my heels clicking softly against the marble pavement as I took in my new reality. The Smith estate wasn't just wasn't just grand,it was intimidatingly secure. My eyes flickered across the guards stationed at every corner of the house. They weren't just there for show, their stances were rigid, their expressions unreadable, scanning the surroundings like there was a hidden threat lurking somewhere beyond the pristine gardens.

And it wasn't just the guards. The sheer number of staff was overwhelming. Maids walked gracefully through the halls, tending to tasks with quiet precision. I could hear the hum of conversations in the distance,the soft rustling of fabric as they moved like clockwork, ensuring that every surface remained clean and flawless.

I swallowed hard. The Smiths didn't just live in luxury - they demanded perfection. "This life looks too perfect for a bankrupt son," I thought to myself.

As soon as I stepped onto the polished stone,a man in a sharp black suit approached. "Miss Sophia," he said,his voice deep and professional. I blinked up at him. He was tall,built like a fortress,his stance measured,his movements precise.

"I'm Eric," he continued. "Mr Lucas has assigned me as your personal bodyguard."

My stomach tightened. Just when I thought it couldn't get worse. Personal bodyguard?!

I stole a glance towards the entrance,half expecting Lucas to appear and explain to me why I,in particular, needed extra protection. But the door remained closed.

Eric stood firm, waiting for acknowledgement. I crossed my arms. "I don't need a bodyguard," I said cautiously.

Eric didn't so much as blink. "Mr Lucas disagrees."

My jaw tightened, irritation bubbling beneath my skin. Lucas hadn't spoken to me since the arrangements had been finalized. He wasn't interested in our marriage - and yet,he had gone out of his way to ensure I was constantly watched?

Watched!

That's what this felt like. I had always valued my privacy,my independence. But here?. Privacy was nothing more than a forgotten fantasy. Every step I took was going to be monitored, every movement subtly tracked by the security personnel who seemed almost woven into the very fabric of the estate.

I exhaled sharply. "Fine."

Eric gave a small nod,then gestured towards a maid standing at the entrance. "She'll ensure you settle in smoothly."

I got closer to the entrance as a maid dressed in crisp black and white attire stepped forward, offering a polite bow. "Welcome,Miss Sophia." she said politely. "I'll show you to your quarters."

Quarters!

The word alone felt foreign. As if stepping into a world designed for only a select few. The maid led me through the expansive marble hallways,my shoes tapping against the polished floors that gleamed under the soft glow of chandelier lights. The walls were adorned with expensive paintings- masterpieces that looked as though they belonged in a museum rather than a private residence.

But nothing prepared me for what awaited inside. My breath hitched as I stepped through the door, taking in the massive space before me. This wasn't a room. This was a suite, bigger than most apartments, lavish beyond comprehension.

I took slow, hesitant steps forward, running my fingers along the cool silk of the bedspread. How could this be for one person?

It felt absurd.

Back at my father's house,I had grown used to simplicity,to a space that was luxurious but not excessive. Here,the sheer size of my new reality made me feel small, misplaced - as though I was occupying a world meant for someone else.

I let out a shaky breath, sinking into a chair near the window, staring out at the vast property stretching before me. I had agreed to this marriage for stability,for escape,for a fresh start.

But now, sitting in a home that felt more like a kingdom, surrounded by wealth, guarded like royalty,I couldn't shake the creepy thought.....Had I just stepped into a gilded cage?

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As the evening air cooled,I stepped outside of my room to the hallway, roaming the mansion and taking in the sheer scale of its luxury. The Smith estate was a world of its own,a place where wealth wasn't just displayed - it was deeply ingrained in every detail,in every inch of space. This left me wondering if Lucas ever felt his company's downfall.

Bankruptcy?

This didn't look like it. But then, Lucas's parents were the ones behind this arrangement. Maybe they had made sure their son still lived in comfort despite the supposed financial struggles. I brushed the thought away,I wasn't here to question anyone's wealth. I was here for my own peace.

A gentle tap on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts.

"Miss Sophia?"

It was the maid from earlier. I turned back slightly,seeing the maid's polite expression.

"Mr Lucas requests for your presence."

"Lucas?, so he was aware of my arrival the whole time. That proud brat!" I thought to myself.

I followed the maid as she took me to the backyard area of the mansion which had a garden. The garden was beautiful, lined with trimmed hedges, illuminated pathways and a view that stretched toward the rolling hills beyond the estate.

And there, standing near the edge of the infinity pool,was Lucas. His hands were tucked into his pocket,his shirt sleeves rolled up, the breeze stirring his dark hair slightly. He looked more relaxed here than he had when we last met,but his expression remained guarded.

I approached cautiously. "Nice view." I murmured, testing the water.

Lucas barely turned his head. "You get used to it." He nodded, gesturing towards the maid to leave. She bowed politely and left.

Silence hung between us afterwards.

"You asked for me?" I finally spoke, breaking the quiet. He didn't turn to look at me. "I did." His voice was deep, steady, laced with something unreadable. I waited, watching him carefully.

"This arrangement," he continued,his fingers tightening slightly against the edge of the railing. "It's just that - an arrangement."

I exhaled quietly. "I know that already."

He finally shifted his gaze to me. "Then let's be clear on the rules" I folded my arms, arching a brow.

"Rules?"

"You can live as freely as you want. Decorate your space. Come and go as you please." His voice was measured, controlled,as though he had rehearsed this conversation in his mind countless times. "But my personal life is off limits"

I let the words settle before responding. "Meaning?"

Lucas tilted his head slightly. "Meaning you stay out of my affairs. Stay out of my study. Stay out of my business." Something about his tone stirred unease inside me - not fear,but curiosity.

Why was he so adamant?

I crossed my arms tighter over my chest. "I'm not interested in your business." His lips curved slightly,not letting out a smile. "You do realize I didn't come here looking for you, right?"

"I assumed so," he replied coldly.

"Then you don't have to treat me like some outsider trespassing on your territory."

Lucas pushed off the railing slightly, taking a slow step towards me. "You are an outsider, Sophia"

I stiffened,but held my ground. "Why does it feel like you're hiding something?" His expression darkened slightly,his easy demeanor tightening just a fraction. "What exactly do you think I'm hiding?"

I held his gaze, searching for something beneath his surface - something that would explain his distance and his guarded nature. But Lucas wasn't a man who easily revealed his thoughts.

"Forget it" I muttered, turning towards the pathway leading back inside.

"One more thing, Sophia" I turned back,my breath caught slightly at the way his eyes had darkened. "Don't do anything you'll regret."

I swallowed. "What's that supposed to mean?" He didn't answer. And that silence was more unsettling than anything he could have said.