Chapter 3 U and I

I woke up feeling weak and tired. Yesterday was so stressful for me. I tried rubbing the back of my head but my hand was numb. I must have laid on it for a long time.

I started hitting it to revive it. After several attempts, it was back to normal and I rubbed my eyes.

The morning sun was visible in the room and it gave the room a new look, different from how it was yesterday night.

Speaking of yesterday night, I remember someone held me and kissed my neck.

I touched my neck and looked around the room to know if anyone was there. I've been checking this room a lot ever since I arrived.

"Was I hallucinating?"

"No, it can't be. It was so real and the kiss had an effect on me...

A knock came at the door and I wasn't sure if I should open the door.

I just sat on the bed, staring at the door with my hand still resting on my neck.

"Ma'am, your breakfast is served" A feminine voice outside spoke.

"Ma'am"

I didn't respond. It felt new to me to be referred to as ma'am. Normally, I was usually the one saying that to someone.

"Ma'am are you awake?" she asked again.

"Y...ye..es thank you. I'd be out soon" I was stuttering. The feeling of being respected was heavenly.

I went towards the mirror by the counter and stared at my reflection.

Will this marriage actually favour me...or am I just a pawn in all of this? In less than a day of arrival, I've felt strange emotions.

An emotion long buried, it would be difficult to revive it and the joy and goodness that comes from being respected.

I remembered the way the female outside sounded. I didn't see her but I knew she trembled while speaking.

I put my hands on the counter and touched something. Someone did enter here last night. I wasn't imagining things.

What exactly happened? How did I end up sleeping on the bed? The last thing I could remember was applying my body lotions.

Regardless, I checked what was on the table.

Lying there was a little bracelet. My bracelet or...

I rushed to my bag–my unpacked luggage...and searched for my own bracelet.

I found it in the small outer pocket of my luggage.

What exactly was going on here?

The bracelet I found looked exactly like my bracelet.

I remember making these bracelets years ago and only two people had them.

Myself and...

I didn't bother thinking further. I dashed out of the room in a haste, eager to find out how this bracelet was in that room and who kept it there cause it wasn't there last night.

I followed the only straight path out of my room.

I reached a hallway that split into three and I had no idea which way to go.

Oh no! I was drugged and brought up last night so I didn't know the way around.

I took the second path that led to...God knows where. The path was narrow and there were no doors or anything, but I kept going.

What exactly has gotten into me?

How could I be running so free and carelessly in an environment I was unfamiliar with?

I reached a dead end. I was tired and frustrated. Tired of all the running and dashing about and frustrated that I couldn't find out how this bracelet got into someone else's hands.

I stared down at the two bracelets in my palm. Each of them had a letter attached to it.

Letter I was attached to mine while letter U was attached to the other. The other bracelet belongs to someone from my past. Someone I may never see again.

I am U and U are me.

I felt nostalgic as memories flooded my mind.

My greatest concern was how the bracelet got into this house.

I stood there thinking about all these, I didn't realize someone was behind me.

"What are you doing here?" came a male voice behind me.

I screamed and dropped the bracelets on the floor.

I spun around and–

– it was the stand-in.

I scoffed.

I quickly bent and picked the bracelets. I looked at him just in time to see him staring at the bracelets in my hands with a look I could call surprise.

I covered the bracelets properly with my clothes. I didn't want any interrogations, besides, where did he come from?. There were no doors around.

"I was looking for the dining room and got lost" That sounded like a pretty good excuse.

"You shouldn't be here and I don't want to see you here next time" His tone was commanding, demeaning and...rude.

I should show him who's boss. I took a deep breath before responding.

"You shouldn't speak to me in that manner. You work for my husband" I countered, putting him in his place. Where was all this husband thing coming from?

He had no right to speak to me in that manner. I was his boss's wife, and as long as he respects his boss, he should equally respect me...unless...he was my husband.

I took a lasting look at him.

"Nah. He can't be my husband" I concluded.

The Bluetooth in his right ear beeped and he seemed to be listening to something.

"The dining's this way" He said and walked away. His strides are long and his shoes echoing along the hallway.

I got a good view of him. He was very muscular and his shoulders were broad. His body build was nice–yeah, I'm going to leave it at nice.

Below his hair, was a mark that seemed to have been caused by a severe injury.

He walked ahead while I walked behind. The thought that I was yet to meet my husband still troubled me. If this man Infront of me was really my husband, then I'd run away.

I turned back to look for where he came out from, but nothing. This house looks luxurious but it was cold and held many secrets.

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He took me down and I met with all the staff working there. They were so nice and lovely people to be around with.

At least my stay here won't be boring. The staff could add liveliness to this house.

I met the female staff that came to my room this morning.

She was quite young and looked naive. She was beautiful as well. Her lashes were long and her lips were pink and full.

I bet all the male staff would be falling for her.

They greeted me after I had my dinner and was leaving. I was surprised. I just waved my hands at them.

I'd never get used to this feeling of being in authority. You can't blame me. I haven't really experienced power.

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I was in my room now, dialing my best friend's number. She had called me 17 good times and I missed them all. She would probably be mad.

"Hey M" I sounded casually when she connected.

"Do you really think it was alright to ditch me at the waterpark yesterday and miss my calls, huh? She fired, obviously not happy.

OMG! I completely forgot about it. I was volunteering to work at a marine park where I catered and took care of the sea animals. I was supposed to meet Miriam there yesterday.

I tried to explain but no word was forthcoming. I didn't tell her about this marriage switch and everything. She probably thinks I was at home and left her.

"I'm sorry M. It completely slipped my mind...and to make it up to you, I have a special gist for you" Miriam was a gossip. She could sell you just to hear gossip. She loved gist more than her own life.

She was the best thing that had happened to me, regardless.

"You see...

I heard a knock.

Can't I have peace and quiet in this house?

"Girl, I'll speak with you later okay. I need to sort something" I said and hung up.

"Who's there?"

"Mr. Darren calls for you"

I recognise that voice. The stand-in.

"Who's Mr. Darren" I was the least concerned about this 'Mr. Darren'.

"Your husband"

My heart froze...