Elena let out a tired yawn, pushing herself up weakly against the silk sheets of the king–sized bed as her eyes fluttered open.
"Good morning, Mrs. Power." The entourage of maids bowed in greeting, jerking a drowsy Elena wide awake.
"Breakfast will be served in ten minutes, Mrs. Power."
"What…. what is going…."
A sharp gasp tore from Elena's lips as she took a quick glance around.
The sophistication–the luxury, where on planet earth was she?
"Your husband is out for a brief interview…."
"Wait a second, what are you talking about?" She cut in and sprang off the bed losing her balance as a painful sensation tore its way through her legs.
"Oh my goodness, ma'am. Are you okay?" A maid rushed to her side, guiding her up and helping her back on the bed.
Elena swallowed painfully hard as it dawned on her, she did in fact have sex last night.
"No…. No, it's just… it's just in my head, it didn't happen…."
She snapped her gaze back to the bed and ripped the sheets off, landing her eyes on the bloodstain on it and glancing down at herself, realising for the first time she was in fact naked.
"Ahhhhhhh!" A piercing scream tore from her throat.
"Ma'am, is everything alright?"
"Ma'am, are you okay?"
She broke into tears, grabbing the sheets and wrapping it around herself.
What in the world happened last night?
"Think Elena, think… think…"
She looked up sharply and spotted a portrait on the wall, Adrian's face ringing a loud bell in her head.
She lost her balance and collapsed on the floor as memories of last night trooped its way back to her,
"What…. What did you do?" She quivered as a cold chill of fear swept its way down her spine.
The terrifying part wasn't that she had lost her first night–it was who she had lost it to.
"Ma'am…."
"I need to leave, get me clothes…. clothes." Elena cried,
"But ma'am…"
"Now!" She whined.
She wasn't going to let him meet her here, her life was definitely over, she knew it.
"But ma'am…."
She hurried off the floor as the maids scampered around, one returning almost instantly with a dress from Adrian's closet.
"Thank you." She mouthed breathlessly as she let the sheets fall, slipping into the dress as her body frantically shook.
"But, ma'am…."
Ignoring the pain in-between her legs, Elena scurried her way past them, bolting from the vast room and slipping through the door, crashing straight into the heavy armed guards at the door.
"I'm, I'm sorry…."
They bowed without a word to her, not even a glance.
"Can I just…. go?" She mouthed, anxiously sinking her teeth into her lower lip.
They totally ignored her.
"Please…."
A tired sigh escaped her lips as they wouldn't bulge. She knew there was no need attempting to slide past them, they were clearly assigned to keep her in that room.
"Good morning, Mrs. Power."
Elena heard and looked up, landing her eyes on a man in a crisp navy suit, neat and composed, walking his way to her.
"My name is Marcus Hale and I'm your husband's personal assistant."
"I am not Mrs. Power, what is going on with everybody?" She whimpered, shoving her fingers into her messy hair frustrated.
He smiled.
"Do you need help with anything?"
"Yes…. I need to leave, can you take me to where I can get a cab or something?"
"I'm sorry, you won't find one of those here."
A dry chuckle escaped Elena's lips as his words shattered whatever hope of leaving this madness was left in her.
"But I can take you…."
"Really? You will?" She rushed, a smile appearing on her lips as he motioned for her to follow.
"Thank you." She heaved, hastening her steps as they glided down the grand hallway.
"At your service ma'am."
Elena made sure to keep her head down, as though she feared to cause anymore trouble.
"Is she really Adrian's wife?" She heard some group of maids whisper as they quickly scattered, clearing the path before her.
"Of course…. I hear the wedding is already in motion."
Elena let out a quiet breath to calm her thundering heart, all she needed to do was get out of this place, she had no concern whatsoever for the rumors going around about her.
"This way, ma'am." he mouthed and led the last step out of the suffocating house, into the sunlit courtyard, where sleek cars gleamed like jewels, set parked in a neat line like ornaments.
"Come along, ma'am."
She swallowed hard to loosen the tightness in her throat as her gaze wandered around, the more luxury she could capture with her eyes, the more terrifying it became–proof of just how deep a trouble she had gotten herself into.
"Ma'am…."
She forced a smile and quietly made her way into the Porsche car. Marcus, shutting the door and getting into the drive seat.
"So, where am I taking you?"
"Luxview media…." She mouthed inaudibly, a surge of sadness hitting her as her mind ran back to last night.
How was she supposed to face her mom after all that happened last night, she literally lost her job and virginity on her first day.
She batted the tears brewing in her eyes away and looked up, catching sight of a group of women from the balcony, impeccably dressed, all glaring daggers at her as the car slid out of the mansion.
"It's all over now." Elena muttered and exhaled deeply, resting her banging head on the headrest, shutting her eyes as relief washed over her.
"Do you mind some music, ma'am?"
"No, thank you." She declined, tucking in her lower lip as silence stretched through the drive, broken only when the car pulled up to its destination.
"We're here, ma'am." he announced and snapped Elena's eyes wide open.
She stole a quick glance around as a storm of press and paparazzi surged just beyond the car windows, swarming as though a celebrity had just arrived. She didn't care.
"Thank you for the lift." She blurted and without hesitation, pushed the door open.
"Wait, ma'am…."
Elena rushed out of the car, about to slide her way past the chaos when the clicks and flashes of their cameras spanned towards her, leaving her frozen–confused.
"Mrs. Power, can I get a minute?"
"Is there a reason the wedding is being pushed up so quickly?"
"How did you manage to stay out of the spotlight for so long?"
"Was the talk about your husband reconciling with his ex just a rumour?"
Elena stumbled on her feet as a wave of light-headedness washed over her–threatening to send her crashing down entirely.
"Back up, people. Back up!"
Security closed in around her as Marcus swiftly reached her side, guiding her into the building and away from the chaos.
"Mrs. Power."
Elena looked up, her eyes landing on Mrs. Marlowe, leading the way for Adrian Power and his crew, all smiles.
"What is…."
"There was no need to hide your identity from me, Mrs Power. I would have welcomed you properly." Mrs. Marlowe said, chuckling dryly and offering a slight bow to Elena.
Elena trailed her frustrated gaze to the floor, biting on the edge of her lower lip, hard enough to draw blood, her body trembling on the verge of explosion.
"My wife and I will be on our way now, thank you for your time." Adrian cut in, causing Elena to look up sharply.
"Sure, Mr. Power. Have a nice day."
His hand seized Elena's, locking their fingers as she stood–breathless and wordless.
"Come on, babe."
He pulled her along and led the way out of the building walking right into the chaos of paparazzi outside, each pushing and pulling to get a word from him.
"Mr Power, is it true you're marrying this woman just to get back at Meghan Carter after she rejected your attempt at reconciliation?"
"Mr Power, How long has it been since you've been together?"
"Mr. Power, is it true you barely know this woman–that this so called marriage is nothing but camouflage?"
A scoff escaped Adrian's lips.
"Say something Mr. Power–anything."
Adrian halted in his tracks, his arm snapping around Elena's waist and pressing her tightly against him, leaving her stunned and confused.
"What are you doing….."
He hooked a finger under her chin, forcing her gaze up.
Elena swallowed hard, her throat tight, and before she could get another word out Adrian seized her mouth in a crushing kiss.
As expected–more clicks and chaos erupted.