Chapter 1 ISABELLA PLIGHT

ISABELLA P.O.V

I staggered as I felt my feet already sore as the little bag on my hands dangled. I have trekked quite a distance and it was already late. I hastened my pace as the cold breeze hit me, the winds hallowed and the tree seemed to be dancing to an unforeseen music as it flapped its wings to the rhythm of the rain and the rain poured heavily on me adding to my frustration.

My hair stuck to my face like glue and I adjusted my glasses to see clearly, my clothes clung to my body, as I shiver in the cold, I'm almost there. I encourage myself as I sight the house gate upfront.

I'm Isabella Santos, a countryside girl who was lucky enough to get the attention of the almighty Xavier Gustavo, the heir to the Gustavo group limited, most wealthy and powerful Family in California, or should I say unlucky" sighing

Xavier met me at the coffee shop where I worked and confessed his love for me. It was a dream come through, I had always had a crush on him, and finally I'm engaged to him.

I know you might be wondering, then why do I look pathetic now?

Getting into to the Gustavo family is not as lovely as I thought, his family hate me with the last drop of their blood, his mum his making life a living hell for me, and his kid sister Macy is worst than the devil, his father is not always around so there's no way to show is disdain for me but I know he hates me with the distasteful looks he gave to me, the day Xavier introduce me to them.

Finally I sigh as I got to the front of the gate, I called the attention of the gate man with the bell.

"Madam, why are you walking in the rain??"

"I just went to get something Mr George, I'm fine" I assure him, as he looks worried, he's the only person who cares about me in this house apart from Xavier.

I gave him a reassuring smile and walked straight to the mansion.

I got to the sitting room, to see Macy and Ma Hilda (Xavier mum) sitting on the velvet sofa, their attention on the show playing on the television .

"Here...stretching my hands to Macy to give her the bag I was holding.

"Trash it, I don't need it anymore"

"What!!! But you said you were having a headache and I had to trek under this dreadful rain to get you the medicine" I said, already frustrated.

"And I said I don't need them anymore!! She yells, focusing back on the show they were watching, with Ma Hilda smirking like a witch.

I took a deep breath and turned to go upstairs. I need to get rid of this dress or I will catch the fluid.

"Wait, get me a glass of water"

I turned to look around and some of the maids were lingering around doing nothing, why's Macy bent on frustrating me she could have sent any of them.

"Macy please ask any of the maids to get you water, I need to change out of this wet dress please" I pleaded with her, trying to leave.

"Don't dare walk out on me!! I ask you to get me water and you're referring me to those maids!! Are you crazy??

I glared at her, I just wanted to hit her badly, as I folded my fist firmly, pinching my palms to get a hold of myself, I'm trying to avoid trouble. I left for the kitchen to get water for her.

"What's this, I said orange juice not water!! She yells

I stared at her, my eyes bugging out in bewilderment

"But you clearly asked for Water Macy" I replied still wondering what this little devil is up to.

"You're indirectly calling me a liar, in my own father's house??" She makes a babyish face and starts fake tears.

"How dare you make my precious daughter cry!! you dirty thing?? Madam Hilda yells

"But mum, you were here, I did nothing to her....

Pahhhhhhh...that was the sound I heard my face sting, as my eye rolled uncontrollably as the impact of the slap hit me. I'm definitely going deaf was what crossed my mind as I couldn't hear anything for a few seconds, with my glass half broken.

"I'm not your mother, your wretched mother is in the countryside" her voice icy

My chest tightened at the weight of her cruel words, tears dripped off my eyes as she said all of this to me, I hated myself for being born poor and being a weakling.

I strain my eyes as I saw some of the maids whispering, some were mocking me and some had pitiful looks on.

The door opened as a long pair of legs in a straight tuxedo trouser strolled in..with the perfect face ever, sharp nose, amber eyes, with a well shaped face edge...

Xander...

The one I'm enduring all this for, my eyes lit up with glit, finally I will be free for the rest of the day.

"Good evening mum" pecking his mum

"Evening Son"...

I looked down pathetically biting my fingers, I patiently waited for him to notice me.

His dark eyeballs caught my gaze, as my stomach knotted in excitement of his presence. This is how much control his presence has all over me, the reason I'm taking all this burden in.

"Isa..why are you all wet" he asked with his gaze transfixed on me.

"I was sick, and she offered to get me medicine at the pharmacist, she's such a lovely lady....

Macy walked up to me holding my hands, I stared awkwardly at her, she really needs to win an award in acting.

"I know right, she's a sweet soul," Xavier said, smiling at me as my chin widened and lit reddish, blushing. I'm totally whipped.

"Come, you need to get change," Xavier said, grabbing my hands as my body reacted to the feelings of his hands on mine, yes I might be engaged to him but we don't spend much time together, he's always working and spend little or no time with me, I sigh in defiance.

"You should have let the maid get the drugs, now you're all wet!! you even get your glass broken,stop being clumsy Isa"

I looked at him, when will he ever understand what I'm passing through, all my emotions are upside down as tears slip off my eyes.

"There you go again, crying like a baby..Ahhh" he turned his back to me as he walked to his closet.

"When are we leaving?? I muttered out the only thing on my mind.

He stood rooted and stared at me.

"I've explained to you Isa, we will pack out after our marriage, I'm preparing our home

Two weeks and I will be out of this hell hole, it would just be me and Xavier alone, I will just have to endure till then.

I walk up to Xavier as I help him out to undo his button..hmmm I sniff him, the perfume on him smells feminine.

"Did you go somewhere before coming home??" I asked him inquisitively.

"yah, I had a meeting with a client.

"And it involves her kissing you ?? I asked as I saw the lipstick stain on his shirt.

His jaw dropped as he stared at me, I just don't want to believe the man I'm enduring everything for is cheating on me.

"Talk to me! I yelled, my emotions were disrupted as my heart beat rapidly..my lashes wet with unshed tears..