Chapter 3 – Living With My Bully

• The city hall was quiet. We signed the legal marriage papers in a small room with two witnesses Serena brought along. Within an hour, I was officially married to Serena Hart. It did not feel real. I kept looking at the gold ring she placed on my finger. It was simple, but it felt incredibly heavy.
• Afterward, the driver took us to her penthouse. It was located at the very top of a tall building in the richest part of the city. We took a private elevator straight to the apartment. When the doors opened, I saw a massive living room. The floors were dark wood, and there were large windows everywhere. The furniture was minimal and expensive.
• 'This is your home for the next year,' Serena said, setting her keys down on a small table near the entrance. 'My room is on the left side of the hall. Yours is on the right. You have your own bathroom.'
• I carried my small bag into the room she pointed to. The room was larger than my entire old apartment. It had a big bed with white sheets and a large wardrobe. I set my bag down on the floor, feeling completely out of place. I expected Serena to come in and start demanding things, or telling me what I could and couldn't touch.
• Instead, she knocked lightly on the open door. She was holding a set of keys and a small plastic card. 'This card gives you access to the elevator and the building,' she said, handing them to me. 'I have ordered some food. It will arrive soon. You can use anything in the kitchen. I do not cook much, so feel free to buy whatever you like.'
• I looked at her, confused. 'Are you not going to give me a list of chores? Or rules about where I can walk?'
• Serena frowned slightly. 'No. Why would I do that?'
• 'Because you are Serena Hart,' I said bluntly. 'You used to enjoy making me miserable. I am waiting for the other shoe to drop.'
• She looked at me for a few seconds, her expression unreadable. 'We are adults now, Mia. I told you, this is a contract. I expect you to respect my privacy, and I will respect yours. That is all.' She turned and walked down the hallway to her own room.
• I spent the evening unpacking my few clothes into the massive wardrobe. Later, a delivery man brought a large bag of food from a nearby restaurant. Serena and I sat at the large dining table. We ate in complete silence. It was awkward, but it was not cruel. She did not say a single mean word to me.
• As we finished eating, Serena wiped her hands with a napkin and looked up. 'Tomorrow night is our first public appearance,' she said. 'There is a charity gala for the city hospital. The media knows I am married now. We must attend together and look like a happy couple.'
• My heart sank. 'I don't have anything to wear to a gala. And I don't know how to act around rich people.'
• 'A stylist will come here tomorrow morning with dresses,' Serena said. 'You do not need to worry about anything. Just stand by my side and smile. But be prepared. The press will be aggressive.'