A Week later, a small wedding was arranged for the both of them. Though, the groom was absent and a stand-in came to represent him. Lilian looked gloomy throughout but had to put out a fake smile. No one knew her whereabouts and every information or connections she had with her close relations were cut off. The only person who was permitted to attend the wedding was her only friend, Bianca who never agreed but had to because of the contract.
They bade each other goodbye even though it was painful and regretful. Lillan felt helpless and bound to a contract that might take her life. Bianca tried her best to discourage her friend but there was something she didn't have. It was money and power. These two elements can help or ruin a person.
Lilian was taken to an hotel where she was counseled on how to act like the wife of Lucas King and a member of the king's group.
A young, professional and a smart woman walked into the hotel room after Lilian had settled in. She was wearing a gown and her hair packed in a neat bun. Her red heels were the compliment for her outfit .
"You must be Lilian Quest?..." The woman approached immediately and Lilian ushered in.
"Yes…. I was told that you are my guide on a tour to the king's group and its environs." Lilian mockingly replied with a scowl. The woman noticed and chuckled slightly before walking further into the room.
"Indeed… this is the king's suite meant for the wife of Lucas king.." the woman proudly said and sat on the sofa, gesturing to Lillian to come sit down as she was here for business not pleasantries.
"Hmmm…. I see…" lilian commented and took a bottle of champagne and two glasses, then sat down. The woman just observed everything she was doing and was jotting some things in her notepad. Lilian observed and showed a bit of irritation.
"… I never thought that everything I do will be documented… I might as well also tell you how I use the potty." Lilian remarked and the woman smiled professionally.
"I am just doing my job, Mrs King." The woman spoke with a smile.. Lilian felt cringed by her new title. She had always been known by the name "Quest" and now, she is answering a name that is not her own. There are things that she might not get used to.
The woman noticed her closely and saw that Lilian was trying to process everything and called her back to reality.
"I understand how you feel… but I am here to do my job… before I proceed further, my name is Gladys Park. I am the PRO of the king's group and it's my duty to inform you about everything that you need to know about Lucas king and the king's group." Gladys addressed and brought out a file and gave out one to Lilian who received it. Her expression shows that she was curious to know about her new absentee husband and the charade he was causing.
"You can go through the files and ask me to explain anything that you can't understand.." she continued and scribbled something into her notepad. Lilian inhaled deeply and exhaled before she opened the files. It took awhile before she could finish each page, lest to avoid what happened before to repeat itself.
Gladys opened the champagne with the permission from Lilian who gave her consent. She poured some into each glass and took a sip before asking Lilian if she had wanted some. Lilian nodded in disapproval because she needed to be sober to tackle things properly.
"Anything?" the woman asked, sensing how calm and peaceful she looked.
"When can I see my husband?" Lilian asked out of the blue.
"Your husband?... that wasn't the question I was expecting.." Gladys told her and dropped the empty glass on the table.
"... or can't I?... I am his wife and I need to know about his whereabouts ." Lilian asked her in a serious tone.
"Soon dear… you will soon." Gladys remarked earnestly as if he was urging her to take her time.
"Did you read the rules you have to obey?" Gladys asked immediately and Lilian laughed mockingly.
"Wait… I thought it was just a prank right…. because..I can't…" lilan asked, feeling stupid when she saw how serious Gladys was looking at her.
"It is.. Mrs King… it is…" Gladys warned with a bickering smile that pricked Lilian to the bones. She was confused and speechless. The lies and deceptions were something she couldn't handle.
Some days later, Lilian was driven to her husband's home after spending three days at the hotel,practicing everything she was being told to do and taught. Shame was her best friend when some things she practiced weren't necessary but the rules had made it known to her that she had no choice.
"Can you remind me why I am doing this?" Lilian asked Gladys who urged her to keep up with the exercise.
"you will know when the time comes…." Gladys replied with a scoff.
The drive was expectedly quiet as she was the only one in the car with the driver. Cold chills were inevitable for her. Her palms were sweaty and cold, likewise her anxiety was at the roof. She tried her best to be in good composure but deep down, she was breaking within.
Different thoughts filled her mind. She was really scared. A part of her wanted to stop the car and ran away and the other part told her to keep going with the plans and her reward was at the tunnel's light.
She sighed for the millions of times and the driver couldn't help but notice her moodiness. He was not permitted to speak to her or even reply to her question as it was an instruction from the higher up. He could only look at her through the mirror and pity her.
Soon they entered a private road made for only the King's families. They drove for a while and they came to a big mansion. The mansion was in the middle of nowhere, secluded from life. There was a dark aura which Lilian perceived as they drove in.
Lilian knew at that moment that her life was going to change and it might not be for good but for the worst. She felt sick and pale as she breathed into the strange air when she stepped out. The air was harsh and cold which made her shiver immediately. She regretted wearing her coat when Gladys suggested it before leaving the hotel.
Her palms grew so cold and hard as she scanned around the house. Her whole body became stiff from the cold. Lilian was waiting for someone or anybody to usher her in but to her dismay, she was the only one standing by the door. The driver drove off immediately and dropped her and her belongings.
"Nice welcoming indeed!!" she said between gritted teeth and walked to the doorstep.
Her right hand knocked on the cold door twice but no response. She sighed frustratingly and turned the door knob slightly. To her utmost surprise, the door was already opened.
Anger swells up within her. She started regretting her decisions again from the start. Lilian mumbled within her and dragged her belongings into the house. When she entered, great warmth surrounded her and breathed in relief. She looked around with one glance and admitted that the house looked okay for living but felt empty.
There was still no one waiting for her or even ushered her in. Her absentee husband wasn't even waiting for her. She chuckled deeply when her expectations wasn't met
"What was I expecting?... I am on my own here." She chuckled lightly and took her gaze to the long stairs.
"If my husband can't come down to meet me, then I am going to look for him!!" Lilian said with all determination. She promised herself that she wouldn't show any weakness when she had stepped into the house.
Just as she was about to take a step by climbing the stairs. Lilian heard a voice indicating her unknown presence. Lilian quickly turns to see a woman in her fifties, slim and tall staring hard at her. She wasn't smiling but her countenance was warm.
"Oh… sorry… I…" lilian tried to explain the intrusion.
"Good morning, Mrs king… pleasure is mine…" the woman said with a slight bow.
"Good morning…?" Lilian replied with a bit of confusion and anxiety.
"Mrs Landon…I am the housekeeper…sorry for not ushering you in.. we are short staffed and I was busy." the woman replied to her and walked up to her belongings.
".....not at all!... I didn't see anyone when I came in…" Lilian tried to explain but before she could move further to her. The woman had carried her bags and climbed the stairs quickly. Lilian had no choice but to follow her behind.
The woman spoke to her in a hurry and took her to her room. The room was spacious and befitting for her standard, probably way above her standard. Mrs. Landon dropped the bag beside her bed and opened the curtains and adjusted the bedding. She was always in a hurry and this puzzled lilian.
"So sorry to ask... why are you in a hurry?.. is something happening that I know of?" lilian asked in the most pleasant tone to avoid misinterpretation. This made the woman pause midway in what she was doing and laughed loudly then her expression went back to her non smiling face which made Lilian cringed.
"you will know when the time comes…" she replied bluntly and continued with what she was doing.
"Nobody is telling me anything!!!... What is going on in this house?... Why am I here?!!!" Lily screamed out of frustration and the woman looked at her worryingly. Her silence made Lilian scared and doubtful. There was something nobody was telling her and to find out is scarier than the former.
"Nobody told you?"The Woman asked in a concerned tone.
"Tell me what?... Am I going to die?... is this a new way of kidnapping because I don't know where I am, who I got married to?... Everything is so confusing and weird… please tell me anything…please!!!" Lilian begged earnestly and the woman gave her a quizzical look and made no comment.
"No answer huh?" Lilian scoffed and roughly brushed her long hair backward.
"Just get ready…. I will come get you in an hour… I hope you have gone over the rules and regulations of this house,right?" The woman announced and left without getting a reply from lilian.
An hour later, Mrs Landon walked into her room and made an announcement. Lilian was expectant and scared because of the unknown.
"We are going to meet your husband, Lucas King and please be at your best behaviour. He doesn't like to be stressed and be attentive… is that clear?." Mrs Landon cautioned in a serious tone and lilian nodded in reply.
"Just follow the rules and everything will be fine….." Mrs Landon hesitated before opening the door. She knew deep down that everything would not be fine even if she was here.
They proceeded to the other side of the hallway. Lilian walked behind and constantly looked at every hidden detail her eyes could catch. There was a possibility that she might escape from this nightmare. They walked on to the extreme end and faced a door.
Mrs Landon knocked on the door once and opened it. They both entered and what Lilian saw shook her to the ground. Her gasp slipped out of her mouth unexpectedly. Lilian had expected that things might not go her way but never did her thoughts ever go there.
"Meet Lucas king, your husband." Mrs Landon introduced calmly.