Chapter 2 Settling In

• Celia stepped out of the car, the smooth gravel crunching beneath her shoes as she stared up at Alexander’s mansion. The sprawling estate before her was everything she had imagined—grand, pristine, and a little overwhelming. White columns framed the entrance, and manicured hedges lined the long driveway. The house, though beautiful, felt distant, like a world apart from the warmth of her childhood home.
• Her stomach tightened. What am I doing here? she wondered, her mind a swirl of confusion. She had imagined this moment so many times, in so many different ways, but now that it was real, she felt an unfamiliar heaviness in her chest.
• "Welcome to my humble abode," Alexander’s voice broke through her thoughts, and she looked over to see him standing at the front door, his usual calm, confident demeanor in place.
• His presence seemed to fill the entire space, even though he was standing still. His tailored suit, as always, was perfect, as though he’d just stepped out of a boardroom meeting. His dark hair was neatly styled, and his piercing blue eyes looked at her with that same composed intensity that made her heart flutter—and ache.
• “You didn’t have to stand out here, you know,” Celia said, trying to sound casual as she approached. "I could have just found my way inside."
• He raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “I don’t mind a little greeting. Besides, I’ve been expecting you.”
• As Celia approached, she caught the faintest hint of warmth in his eyes, but it was gone almost as quickly as it had appeared. She tried to steady her breathing, forcing her racing heart to calm.
• “Thanks for letting me stay here,” she said, her voice a little quieter than she intended. The words felt strange on her tongue, like she was suddenly a stranger in a world she hadn’t belonged to.
• “Of course.” Alexander stepped aside to let her in, his large hand gesturing for her to enter. “You’ll be comfortable here. It’s a big house, but I’m sure you’ll find your way around.”
• Celia hesitated, stepping past him into the grand foyer. The marble floors gleamed, the high ceilings made the space feel even more vast, and the delicate scent of fresh flowers filled the air. It was beautiful. But the beauty felt distant and cold, like the mansion was a showpiece more than a home.
• “Wow,” she murmured, glancing around at the towering staircase and the expansive rooms visible from the entryway. “This place is... incredible.”
• “Thanks.” Alexander’s voice was light, almost teasing. “But don’t get too used to the glamor. I’m sure you’ll find the place... cozy in no time.”
• Celia smiled faintly at his attempt to lighten the mood. Cozy? She doubted she’d ever feel at home in a place like this. It felt too much like a palace—an impersonal, polished thing that had little to do with the real world she lived in. It was hard to imagine herself as anything but an intruder in this space.
• She could feel his eyes on her as she took in the grandeur of her surroundings, but she refused to meet his gaze. She’d never be able to get him to see her as anything more than a little girl, the daughter of his best friend, if she kept acting like one. It irritated her, the way his presence made her feel small. As though she had to prove herself, even in her own skin.
• Celia set her suitcase down at the foot of the staircase, her fingers lingering on the handle for a moment longer than necessary. She glanced back at Alexander. “Where’s my room?”
• He gave a small nod, his eyes warm but detached. “Upstairs. I’ll show you.”
• As he led her up the grand staircase, Celia found herself trying—and failing—to control the nervous excitement bubbling up inside her. Every step felt heavier, each moment stretching into eternity. He wasn’t even looking at her anymore, his attention fixed ahead as if this was just another day for him.
• But it’s not just another day for me, she thought. This is everything I’ve dreamed about.
• The hallway upstairs was just as opulent, with rich paintings lining the walls and gleaming hardwood floors that reflected the light from the chandelier above. Alexander stopped in front of a door and pushed it open with a casual motion, stepping aside for Celia to enter.
• “This will be your room for the duration of your stay,” he said, his tone nonchalant.
• Celia stepped inside, her eyes scanning the room. It was spacious, with a large, four-poster bed in the center. The furniture was classic and elegant, the decor a mixture of deep blues and golds that added to the room’s regal feel. Everything was perfect, down to the soft, plush rug that lay at the foot of the bed.
• But despite its beauty, Celia felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness settle in her chest. This room wasn’t hers. She was an outsider here, in a place where she didn’t belong.
• “Is something wrong?” Alexander asked, his voice suddenly less casual, as though sensing her unease.
• She turned to face him, her expression caught somewhere between frustration and determination. “No, it’s fine. It’s just... a lot to take in.”
• He raised an eyebrow but said nothing, clearly not understanding. To him, this mansion was just another day at the office. To Celia, it felt like she had walked into a different world—one where her feelings for him were as out of place as she felt right now.
• “Take your time,” he added, as though sensing that she needed space. “If you need anything, I’ll be downstairs.”
• She nodded, watching him leave, the door clicking shut behind him. The sound of his footsteps receded down the hall, leaving her in the quiet of the room.
• Celia stood there for a moment, her hands clenched at her sides. She didn’t want to feel like this. She didn’t want to feel so... small in front of him, as though she were still a little girl. She was an adult now—at least, that’s what she kept telling herself. She’d spent so many years daydreaming of being with him, imagining what it would be like to live in his world. Now that it was happening, she couldn’t let herself fade into the background. She had to fight to be seen.
• I won’t be the little girl anymore, she thought fiercely, her fingers curling into the soft fabric of the pillow. I’m going to make him see me for who I really am.
• But the question lingered, like an unspoken truth in the back of her mind—Did she even know who she really was?
• Celia knew one thing for sure: if she was going to make it through this, she couldn’t allow herself to crumble. She would fight for what she wanted. She’d fought for this opportunity, after all. She wasn’t going to let it slip away without a fight.
• Her eyes narrowed as she walked toward the window, staring out at the vast estate before her. There was so much more to discover here, and she wasn’t about to let Alexander’s cool demeanor stop her. Not now. Not when she was so close.