CHAPTER 3 : THE REALIZATION

Lilian looked up at the mansion with her mouth agape.. she couldn't believe a house be this huge. Her parents house didn't even come close to what she was looking at .

A couple was waiting for them at the gate and when they approached them , they actually bowed in greeting

" Welcome back sir " they greeted

  She had not get picked her jaw up from the ground yet.

He nodded his head in return

"This is my wife , Lilian, kindly show her to her quarters. I have a meeting to attend to "Xavier said turning to leave already.

Lilian wanted to say something but held her tongue not wanting his condescending reply. She watched him leave before facing the unknown couple.

" Right this way ma'am" The woman said

" ohhh noo.. Just call me Lilian" They were older than her.

As they walked into the house up the stairs the couple introduced themselves

"My name is Timothy and this is my wife loveth. We are both the housekeepers of the knight Manor"

" How long have you worked here" she asked them.

" We originally worked for the young master's parent and was transferred here when he moved and was in need of our services. He needed people he could trust and we were handpicked to work here". The wife said almost robotically.

" Here is your room and the entire east wing is for you to enjoy. If anything is not to your liking , kindly call for me and I would straighten it out right away"

" The west wing is reserved for the young master and try your best to keep it that way" They were so strict.

Again with this rule . It's not like she was dying to go to his quarters .

"Aren't you a little curious as to how am I his wife " Lilian asked them

" No we are not!. We try our best to stay out of the young master's affairs . Beside you wouldn't be the first lady he was brought home as his wife " The woman spoke mockingly.

Lilian could admit she was both stunned and confused but before she could find out further what other wife , they couple turned to leave .

" Dinner is at seven , a maid would be here to inform you. Enjoy your evening." They said.

Lilian was finally left alone to her thoughts. She still couldn't wrap her head around the events that unfolded in the last 24 hours . From her sister running away to being called by her father at the last minute to take part in a mockery of a wedding.

She switched on her phone to find several missed calls and text messages from Ben and shockingly a message from her sister. Lilian and her sister had never been on the same team. After her mother died , her father remarried and together they had a daughter . Ever since then , Lilian was pushed to the side and only needed when she was of service. Her once loving father turned his back emotionally on her and showered his new family with love and care.

Lilian still lived with them until she was finally able to move out. Her father was a businessman as well as a senator so they were once well to do , that was the reason fraud charges at first shocked her.

She first opened the message from her sister too scared to open the ones from Ben.

" I heard you got married in my place. I'm sorry but I was not ready to commit and leave Jeremy… consider it a favor after all he's way out of your league" Lilian was not phased at the tone of her message.

Jeremy was the scum of all scum , according to him , he was going to be the next big hit in the music industry. He was a lazy sleazebag, he one tried hitting on her and when she turned him down. He told her sister the opposite of what happened . Ohh what a big fight it led too with of course Lilian's father at Cindy's corner .

"Well they belong together "Lilian thought

Finally with a heavy heart she opened Ben's message.

A series of " Call me " to " How could you do this to us" lined her screen . With each one she read , her heart broke a little more. The voicemails were not any better.

" I heard the news , I went to your house you weren't there. Please Apples, tell me it's all a joke. I went to your finally home, your father confirmed it. I wouldn't believe it until I hear it from you " He was still hopeful.

Lilian crumbled to the floor sobbing as she remembered how they met.

She was at a grocery store going through the fruits and vegetables isle when they bumped into each other. She was there to pick some apples and so the nickname stuck. He invited her for coffee and ever since then , they had been an item.

"It felt like love at first sight" Lilian would tell anyone who was willing to listen.

As she sobbed on the floor , she played another voicemail

" I saw the videos… I just want to know why?.. Did I do something?? We were planning on getting married for God's sake!." He voice at lost all hope.

Lillian threw her phone to the side not wanting to listen to Ben's any longer . She was not strong enough to continue. She knew she would run to him and she couldn't do that as a lot was at stake.

A knock was heard at her door.

" Who's there" she answered not in the mood to see anyone.

" It's time for dinner and the young master requests your presence at the dinning room" The voice answered.

Lilian wanted to rebel and not go but decided against it . She wanted this contract to be as peaceful as possible.

" I'll be right there" She forcefully replied.

She decided to go down with her puffy face and red eyes. She wanted him to notice that she had been crying . Yhdt he had been thr source of her tears. Whether, he had any compassion in him.

After a lot of wandering she finally located the dinning room. Xavier lifted his head and took her in

" You're late " he said ignoring the fact that she had been crying.

" Dinner starts by 7 , I expect you to be punctual next time " He said continuing with his meal.

" I am not a child, do not forget I am also helping you . So don't act as though I am nothing but a burden!!!. I would love to see what your contractor would think if he finds out we are not really married" she wanted to strangle him

" Are you threatening me" He chuckled bitterly

" Ohh noo dear husband. How could I threaten you? After all you are family.." She threw his words back at him.

She could she a ghost of a smile but was gone before she could blink.

" Have a seat" He said .

A brown envelope was waiting for her as she sat .

" what is this " she inquired.

" Open it " ohh how wickedly his eyes gleamed.