Prologue

I feel lazy and lifeless while packing up my things. Today is the day that I'm going to move out and live with the Morgensterns. I almost forgot about this.

"Do I really need to do this?" I asked myself.

"Roma!"

I glanced at that person who suddenly came into my room. It's my sister, Reine.

"Do you need some help?" she asked.

I glared at her, "Why you look so happy that I'm leaving?"

"No, I'm not," she pouted.

I just rolled my eyes and kept on packing up. I'll just bring those clothes that I always wear. Then my favorite books, anime DVDs, and drawing materials.

"Roma, is your fiancé really a rich man?" my brother, Rayver, suddenly came in.

"Who cares?" I responded sluggishly.

"Write us a letter, okay?" my youngest brother, Ryler joked.

I sarcastically smiled at them, then rolled my eyes.

"Are you guys here just to make fun of me?" I asked.

"Nope. Mom said you should hurry. Because someone sent by the Morgenstern family will fetch you anytime today," Reine answered.

I just heaved a sigh and shook my head.

"Roma, your fetcher was already here," my mom suddenly said after popping on my doorway.

I quickly put the remaining things to my travel bag. Then I immediately head out my room with my bag of things. Two travel bags, and my school bag were the things that I'm bringing with me.

I saw a man standing near our door when I came out from my room. He was a tall and tan-skinned guy with an innocent-looking face who looks like in his 30s, wearing a white long-sleeved button-down polo, formal black vest, and his necktie and slacks were color black as well.

He looks like a decent, well-mannered butler.

"Hello. I am Earl, Young Master Caden's personal butler. I am the one who was assigned by Master Michael to fetch Miss Roma," he said, and even his voice sounds polite.

"He was a handsome butler," Reine whispered to me, and I simply poked her with my elbow.

He came up to me and get my baggage to help me carry it. Earl head outside our house first, then I just followed him, and my family followed next to me.

We saw an expensive-looking black car parked in front of our house. Earl put my baggage inside the back of the car.

"Take care of yourself there," Dad told me and I noticed that his eyes were a bit watery like he was about to cry. I felt a bit sad because of that.

"Give us a call, okay?" he added, then he simply rubbed his eyes.

"Yes, Dad."

We don't have a choice for now. Michael doesn't want to let go of us anymore. We can't blame him either. My father has been escaping from him for almost thirty years.

"We must leave now, Miss Roma," Earl informed me.

"You must go now. We're just going to call you some time."

I just nodded at him, then I entered the backseat of the car when Earl opened the door for me. After he closed the door, he quickly entered the driver's seat.

I waved at my family as the car moved. I looked at them at the car's side mirror until they were gone in my sight.

I heaved a sigh as I felt like there's an empty space left in my heart. This is the first time that I'm going to be away from my family.

I remembered what my mom told me about Dad's hiding and escaping from his debtor. For almost three decades, Sir Michael finally found Dad and he actually found us three years ago.

But Michael decided to just observe us first secretly before trapping my dad and caught him, then offered this stupid engagement.

In other words, Sir Michael left my dad no choice.

--

After several minutes, I just realized that the car had stopped. My mind was actually blank so I haven't managed to see where did we pass by.

And when I peeked at the window, it's when I realized that I was at the exclusive subdivision for extremely wealthy people. This subdivision was famous here in our town for being lived by elites.

You won't see any small or simple houses around here. Large mansions with different styles and themes, vast land properties, incredibly high and sturdy gates were all that you can find here.

The vicinity was also peaceful and quiet, and you won't see any bystander around.

Earl honked the car in front of a high and solid gate, made of steel, and I got amazed when it opened automatically.

As Earl drove the car inside, I was astonished by the picturesque scenery of their front yard. A vast, clean pathway, and there's a large fountain of an angel at the center. The gardens around were beautifully landscaped with different flowers and plants.

And when Earl parked the car, I also noticed some other expensive cars that were parked here. After he gets off the car, he immediately opened my door and I went off. Then he got my baggage at the back of the car and he led the way through the mansion.

The Morgenstern's mansion has a modern European architectural style, that was wide and high with two floors. Its colors were white with a shade of mustard yellow. I entered the terrace after stepping at a three-step stair before getting on the door.

The door was large and tall, and looks like made of sturdy and expensive wood. It was also painted in maple brown. Earl opened the door and I entered following him.

Then an old lady, looks like on her 60s, greeted us. She's wearing a royal blue and white maid's uniform that has long sleeves and it were rolled up on her arms, and wearing a white apron.

"Oh, Earl," he greeted him with a smile.

"Hello, Mrs. Cruz," Earl greeted the old lady politely.

"Is she Miss Roma?" she asked.

"Yes."

"Welcome, Miss Roma," Mrs. Cruz greeted me. She has a warm smile and a calm aura like a gentle and kind grandma.

I noticed how broad their living room is. The sofa set were white in color and looks soft. There was a center table that was made of laminated glass, while there's a brown carpet covering the smooth floor that was made of white marble.

Shades of white and beige were the color palette of the house interior. Their windows were wide and tall, covered with white curtains.

There were vases and big jars displayed everywhere that looks expensive and antique. The ceiling was also high and there were some big and sparkling chandeliers that were hanging.

The ambience was calm, serene, and sophisticated. It's a bit awkward for me to walk around here as someone who went first time on this kind of place.

"I'm gonna show you your room, Miss Roma," Mr. Cruz told me.

"Okay."

Mrs. Cruz headed first while Earl and I were next to her.

We climbed up to a spiral staircase that was made of white marble. Then we gone through a wide hallway and I can't help but to feel astonished while looking at the exquisite paintings that were displayed on the walls.

"We're here."

I stopped walking when Mrs. Cruz said that and I saw them stopped at the front of a door. She opened it and we went in.

My eyes widened in awe when I saw how vast the room is and how pleasing it was to the eyes. I think it was thrice larger than my room at my house. White and pink were the colors painted all over the room. The place looks cute and refreshing.

It has a large bed with an extremely soft and bouncy mattress. It has also four large and soft pillows, and a comforter blanket.

It has also a study table at the corner, a vanity mirror, a walk-in closet, and its own bathroom.

I can't still process in my mind that this is the room that I was gonna use. It looks like an expensive and cozy hotel room.

"Young Master will be arriving at the afternoon. He still has classes every Saturday," Earl told me.

Yeah, right. That jerk was already in college that's why. I just shrugged my shoulders. I really don't care anyway.

"We're heading now, Miss Roma. If you need anything, don't hesitate to reach us," Mrs. Cruz reminded me.

After they left, I started to unpack my things.

--

I slowly opened my eyes and when I glanced at the window, I noticed that the sky was already bright orange.

I rubbed my eyes and get up. I looked at the clock and I saw that it was already past five in the afternoon. I think I got sleepy by being tired of unpacking and fixing my things.

I feel thirsty so I stood up and head out my room. I walked down the hallway before getting down the staircase.

I started to wonder where the kitchen might be when I reached the living room. Then I saw a maid vacuuming the carpet.

"Excuse me," I approached her.

"Yes, Miss?" she seemed startled by me. She looks like somewhat the same age as Earl.

"Where's the kitchen?"

"Ah, just go straight there then turn left," she answered me while doing hand gestures.

"Okay, thank you. What's your name?"

"My name is Sunshine, Miss."

I just smiled at her then nod.

I walked away and left Sunshine there as I follow what she told me. And when I reached the kitchen, I was amazed by how spacious it is here. And it has complete kitchenware and appliances that were using for cooking.

It has also a mini bar and a wide island kitchen table. And when I found the fridge, I went to open it and get some pitcher of water. I put some water on my glass that I got from the cabinet and put back the pitcher inside the fridge before drinking.

"Hey."

I got startled when I heard someone spoke. He's looking at me with confusion.

"Cassandra?"