Will you hold me?

My name is Vivian Rosales, I am a 16 years old girl living in the maid quarters with my mom at the Collison Mansion. My mother is Martha Rosales she is a single mother and currently working as Mr Samuel personal cook. He really loves her cooking as her dishes reminded him of his late mother cooking. My mother has been working here for almost 10 years but we just moved in to maid quarter 3 years ago after my nana passed away. I am just a petite girl with a long black hair, a simple girl who dont have much passion except for cooking and taking photos.

I usually spent my time either reading romantic novel or with my mother in the kitchen.

Today is the day that I first saw him. I was walking back from school and today I did not use the service door like every other day. Collison's family was on holiday so theres only servants left in this huge mansion. I briskly walked through the garden beside the mansion since that is the quickest path to the maid quarters. I heard a loud laughter coming from the pool which situated beside the garden. No one suppose to be here but it seems like a party being held since the music was playing at full blast. I stopped my track and hide behind the trees in the garden to take a peek on what is happening. There I saw the pool was full of people. Girls were dancing in their bikinis, some couples were making out in the pool, they definitely look older than me like a college students. So this is how rich kids partying, I thought to myself.I was thinking to take a different route but my eyes fell on a guy sitting on the lounge chair playing with his phone while his beautiful blonde girlfriend on his lap looking frustrated trying to get his attention. He was fair, almost pale white. His unfathomable, deep blue eyes contrasted exceptionally with his light toned face. His eyes were as deep and expressive, where you could get lost if you stared long enough. He had a chiseled jawline and a devilish smirk that can melt any heart. He is by far the most gorgeous boy I have ever seen.

I take out my phone turned on the camera zoomed in and took his photo secretly, such a stalker right.

I am not creepy but I like what I like. My phone gallery are full of photos of things and people that I like but he is the first guy, a stranger that I took photo of. Little did I know, this gorgeous guy will be the only guy that will fill not just my gallery but my heart too.

I keep my phone in by backpack and start walking towards the maid quarters. I reached the small room that I shared together with my mother feeling excited with the photo I have taken today. I put aside my hearing aids, oh did I told you I am deaf for both ears. I loss my hearing 6 years ago due to high fever that caused cochlear damage, but it is quite okay I am not mute I can still hear normally with the device. Most people do not aware I am with this disability since I will always cover both my ears with my hair. I dont even learn how to read sign language and I still go to school with normal kids . Coming back to my story, so I take a quick shower, changed to my comfortable pjs and put on my hearing device. Then I quickly take out my phone from my backpack. I transferred photos of the day into my laptop. I took a lot of photo today and the most special one is the handsome stranger. I smiled to myself thinking how nice if I know his name.

So I waited for my mom to come back from her shift, she is not the only cook but she will specifically prepared all the dishes for Mr Samuel. Hence when Mr Samuel is not around she will only be working for half day.

It was 4 in the evening when my mom came back. I kissed her cheek when she put a jar of cookies on my desk. She always bring baked goods for me since she knew how much I love them. I never step in the huge mansion so mom will bring back food for me and I will be eating the room.

"Hi mom, its quite late today. I thought you are working til 12noon today." I asked her.

"Oh dear, Mr Samuel grandson is throwing a party for his friends today so I helped a bit in the kitchen." My mother replied while kissing my forehead as she sat beside me. I love it when she kissed my forehead. She was stretching her back and both her arm. I naturally help to massage her neck and shoulder seeing how tired she was. I want to ask her about the handsome guy but I think I will ask her another time. He must be the grandson after all he almost has the same features as Mr Samuel. I open my phone and try to read more about Collison family. They are the most influential family in the country so it was not hard to read about them. Mr Samuel has a son named Jacob whose wife has passed away and Jacob has a son name Keith currently studying in Harvard in Bussiness and Economics. I searched more for Keith Collison and yes he is the gorgeous guy that I saw. He is just 20 years old but he was named as the most influential bachelor. Keith was previously known a child prodigy, he is genius, he excel in sports, studies and he can speak multiple languages. As he grow up, his prince like features automatically increased his fame. I wonder how come I just read about him. I shrugged, he is someone that I can only adore from afar. If only he knows me.

"Look at me child" Mr Samuel called me to see him today. I am so nervous, I dont know what is wrong and why he called me. I have been staring at my feet since I entered his office. Mr Samuel was sitting behind a large mahogany desk at the centre of the room. With several bookshelves and books lining in the woods panelled wall and dark furnishing showed how old this room. Its like a set in movies in different centuries. I slowly look at the man, the light streaming from the soft glow showing his sharp features and there is a kind smile plasted on his lips.

"Did.. I do anything to your dislike s..ir? I.. will redo it again." I stuttered

I just joined as the cook of the house replacing my late mother position a month ago after my mother's death. I was supposed to complete my studies in culinary academy but since I lost my mother I cant manage to pay the fees, so I decided to quit from the academy. I passed the interview since I have similar style in cooking just like my mother. I still staying in the maid quarters. All the servants here are like my family, they are very close and has been giving me endless emotional support since my mother's death but i have yet to see any of the Collison's family member face to face. I was hired by the head butler Mr Rand. Since I joined, I have never had any complaint but I was suddenly called by Mr. Samuel.

"Relax child, I have nothing against your cooking skills they are amazing I should say, the taste itself maybe better than Martha's." He chuckled

I look at him, not brave enough to stare releasing the breath I have been holding.

"Thank you sir"

"Well I have a proposition for you, I want you to marry my grandson" He stated calmly like it doesnt carry any weight to it

"Me? Marry your grandson? Marry Mr Keith?"

I let a small laugh "You must be joking sir"

"Yes, Keith Collison my only heir after Jacob of course. And no I was not joking. If you agree we will sign the prenup"

"But why me Mr Samuel, I am a servant, I dont even finish my studies or even I did I am a disable person sir. We are from two different world and mine doesnt collide with him. I bet he will not agree to this too."

"Yes he may not agree at first he will accept it regardless. I agreed with what you said, but I want his wife to be able to support him emotionally and physically. Why would I find him a wife that is career oriented as him? As rich as or as educated. He got it all. I want him to have a loving family. Someone who can love him unconditionally. And I know you like him too" He stands up and slowly walk to me and pat my shoulder.

"Err you know?" I am super puzzled, how did he know? Only mother know how much I like Keith. Since the first time I saw him I have been keeping myself updated with his news. I keep his pictures in my phone, diaries, laptop like a crazed fan I am. I know every little details about him what he like to eat, his dislike, his vision, his hobbies, his bestfriend,his usual club, his girlfriend, hisbpast girlfriend, I know every single thing you name it. But not because I want him, it never crossed my mind, He is like a superstar and I am his fan.

"I know your secret child, your mom told me about it" he said gesturing me to sit on the sofa as he take a sit beside me.

"But it doesnt justify any of this, this proposition but I may say its crazy he doesnt know me what if think I am some gold digger that brainwash you into making this decision."

Mr Samuel put his hand on top of mine.

"Listen child if you know our family at all, we have no women in this family. Keith has no mother figure, I lost my wife long ago too. We raised him as we see fits. He is a great guy but a lost cause when it come to woman of his. We can sign a prenup, you write your own condition as you wish but I know Im right about you. You will love him unconditionally and he will too. Sleep on it, tell me you decision tomorrow" I nodded weakly.

I went back to my room. This is super crazy, things that only happen in movies happening to me. I am pacing in my room biting my nails, when Im agitated or nervous I have this habit. I stopped and look at myself in the mirror, I am 5 ft 3 inch, I am fairly slim and fit, not curvy, no striking features in my bone except people always compliment that I have a big golden eyes,

and pretty smiles.

I know Keith go to girls, his type is never far from Victoria Secret model. He dated one too. I am not like them even my closet is full of modest cloth. I tend to wear long skirt and blouse on my daily basis. Guy dont woo me at first glance, even if there is a guy who interested in me they walk away knowing my disability or some asked me to changed my styles so I am used to rejection. Only my mother love me unconditionally.

After a sleepless night and a hard thinking I know what Im supposed to do.

The next day as promised, I went to see Mr Samuel and told him I accepted his proposition. I will marry his grandson and I signed the prenup. I personally requested that I will walk away with nothing if the marriage is dissolve but if we have a child, the child should be treated as the righful Collison's family.

Mr Samuel disagree at first, he want to offer me atleast 10 million dollar in the prenup but I stand firm with my decision. I have a little savings for rainy days, I can survive anywhere I can work in restaurant as long as I can feel my little tummy I will be okay.

This is the begining of my new life, I do not wish to be chained by money, or a lavish lifestyle. I will give my all to make this marriage work.

Little did I know this marriage will be my hell and my soul trapped without any way out.

Today is my wedding day, I was wearing an A line dress, the dress dripping with sophistication and grace, an elegant but perfectly fitted gown that looks as though it were designed just for me. Its like a dream come true. I look at my reflection in the full length mirror its like a dream come true except my groom did'nt love me. I have no bridesmaid on my own, my family that will be attending the wedding are the servants of Collison's family.

I have yet to meet the groom since I accepted Mr Samuel proposition but did meet Mr Jacob though he is not really a warm person, Im just a servant after all. Butler Rand will be walking me through the aisle since I have no father or brother of my own.

Its time. I saw him, he is the looks remarkably handsome in his black tuxedo waiting for me in front of the priest. He had a devilish smirk planted on his face. I dont know what he was thinking, is he happy, contend with the wedding, I know I do or think so. We stand in front of each other, I stares into his captivating eyes through my veil while the priest reading the wedding vow. It happen so fast, we both said I do and its time for him to kiss me, my very first kiss. I saw keith leaning closer to my face, I closed both my eyes feeling butterflies in my stomach and waiting for the kiss to come. But the kiss didnt come, and my breathing hitched as I heard him whispered to my ears.

"I will make you regret this. Bitch"

Right at that moment I know I'm doomed. His word like a knife piercing to my heart bring me to reality. What am I thinking, a perfect marriage with Keith? I dont deserve him. I should be happy that he's even willing to go through this wedding but what made him agreed in the first place.

After the wedding ceremony ended, Keith was nowhere to be found I was left alone, he was so disgusted with me that he left me alone on our wedding night. The next morning I was told by his secretary Nick via text message that I will need to pack my stuff since I will be moving to the new home that Keith bought for us. I dont have much to pack, basically most I am ready to go with a medium size luggage. I said my goodbye to the rest of the servants in the house especially Butler Rand and I bid my goodbye to Mr Samuel. He just hugged me and thanking me for agreeing with the marriage. He knew his grandson left me alone the night of our wedding but he didnt comment anything. I agreed and I should know what I signed up for.

The house is pretty simple inside out, modern I may say and the kitchen equipment and furnitures are very much up today. I hoped I am allowed to cook here. I was told by Nick that I am the madam of the the house and I will be in charge in maintaining the house wherever I see fit but I should never enter Keith study room and the master bedroom.

I was given a room at the other side of the house. Thus, this only meant my so called husband and me will not bump into each other on daily basis. Unlike Collison's mansion, here there are 3 servant in the house, Emily, the cook and Linda for house keeping and Butler Leonard.

Its been a week since I moved here, not once I saw my husband, from what I heard from Mr Samuel, he was out of the country for business purposes. Well whatever, I read the tabloid so I know better, he was on a beach party with his girlfriend. Am I hurt? a little but no one knows about our wedding anyway. It was a small event for closed family, no reporter or media knew about it. I may have expected this from Keith as well since he said he's gonna make me regret marrying him. Just let him be.

I consoled myself but still a lone tear managed to escape from my eyes. I missed my mother so much. I am married mom, with a handsome and great man. I wish that I can lie to her as much but God knows, I am just a little bird trapped in a golden cage