Venom's Alliance: Loyalty's Fracture

Chapter 09

Kalia POV

I couldn't help but take in the house's décor—it was a bit too fancy for my taste. Mostly black with hints of gold in the marble, it screamed luxury and expense. The ceilings were super high, painted crisp white, and the lights made the gold specks in the black marble walls stand out. The furniture was all rich, dark wood, giving the place a classy vibe. Vintage paintings decorated the walls, blending old and new, mixing modern style with a Victorian touch.

Walking through the halls, I noticed how the styles blended perfectly. The black and gold theme was everywhere, from the intricate chandeliers to the velvety curtains framing the tall windows. Even the rugs followed the color scheme, a soft landing for my steps.

Entering the living room, I saw plush sofas in deep shades of black. The coffee table was a piece of art, combining sleek metal and tempered glass.

Lost in my thoughts, I was startled when Easton's voice broke the silence. "Impressive, isn't it?" He stood there; his green eyes fixed on me. I nodded in agreement.

"Make yourself comfortable, my angel. All of this will be yours. "Everything around me seemed opulent, but nothing truly belonged to me – not my choices, not even my own body. I had entered into an agreement, a contract that bound me to him. The terms were clear: I was his in every sense.

As dictated by the contract's terms, I found myself irrevocably bound to him –for an indeterminate duration or until he deemed otherwise. The legal document outlined an arrangement: upon our marriage, a substantial share of his wealth would be extended to me. In return, I was assigned a role – that of a loving wife, devoted and enamored, just as he had specified.

The gravity of the situation weighed on me as I moved through the house, my steps barely making a sound against the shiny floors. It felt like I was navigating a fancy prison, a place of wealth and luxury that was supposed to be my new life.

Easton led me up a grand staircase, and the black and gold theme continued even in the bedrooms. The sight of the lavish bed, covered with silk sheets that promised comfort, made me feel even more exhausted. The en suite bathroom, all marble and shiny fixtures, just added to the feeling of extravagance.

"This is our room," Easton announced with a wide smile as we stood in front of the bed. He was undeniably handsome, his eyes sparkling with excitement. I quickly looked away, reminding myself why I had agreed to this arrangement in the first place.

A mix of disbelief and alarm bubbled inside me. The idea of sharing a room with Easton seemed crazy, even with our strange contract. I couldn't afford to get attached, not emotionally or physically, not to him or anyone else.

I kept my internal struggle hidden and managed to say calmly, "I'm not sharing a room with you. The contract is about pretending. When we're not in public, we stay strangers. So, I'm not sharing a room with you."

His eyes briefly scanned me, lingering a bit too long, before he started moving toward me. He moved with a smoothness that didn't match his tall, muscular frame, closing the distance between us. Instinctively, I stepped back, but he kept coming, and soon I felt the wall against my back. We were inches apart, his hands forming a cage around me. Trapped with no escape, I could feel my heart racing.

He lowered his head, and with a deep, seductive voice, he whispered into my ear, "Strangers, you say." A shiver cascaded down my spine, and my core fluttered with an unexpected sensation. A small voice in my head urged me to break free, to run as far and fast as I could. But I held my composure, determined to keep my emotions in check. I couldn't allow myself to be affected by his touch. I didn't fear him.

"Strangers indeed," I replied, keeping my gaze fixed ahead, striving to appear as unaffected as possible.

A faint chuckle escaped his lips, and once again, his voice, deep and resonant, filled the charged space between us. "My clever wife. But don't forget, even the maids are strangers."