Arranged To Be|18+✔️

'2

The sun glared down on my face like it had a personal vendetta. I groaned, rolling onto my side as dread pooled in my stomach. Today was the day. The day he came back.

Czar Kuzmich.

Just thinking his name made my chest tighten. A cold, calculated man with the power to destroy everything I'd worked for—and now, the power to dictate my future.

Three quick knocks rapped against my bedroom door.

"Z? It's me," Josiah's voice came through soft but heavy.

I slipped out of bed, wiping my eyes and forcing the lump in my throat down. When I opened the door, he stood there, already dressed.

"Ma said to hurry. He'll be here soon."

The look on his face shattered something inside me. He looked... broken. Angry. Helpless.

"I'll be down in a bit," I whispered and shut the door before he could see my tears.

In the bathroom, I took the fastest shower of my life, scrubbing the evidence of the night I cried myself to sleep off my skin. I brushed my teeth, slicked my curls into a low bun, and applied the barest touch of makeup. I dressed in light-wash jeans, a white tank top, and white pumps. Simple. Clean. Neutral.

When I reached the bottom of the stairs, muffled voices drifted from the kitchen—tense and low. As soon as I walked in, they stopped. Czar stood beside my father. He didn't look at me.

Coward.

My father gave me a small, pained smile. I walked past it and grabbed a banana from the counter.

"Are you ready to go, Zariah?" my mom asked, voice brittle.

"Sure, Mom," I said flatly. "Still gotta pack."

"There will be no need for that," Czar said suddenly.

I turned. His eyes locked with mine, sending an involuntary shiver up my spine. His presence filled the room like smoke—thick and suffocating.

"Why not?"

"You'll be receiving a new wardrobe. There's no need to bring anything with you."

I opened my mouth to argue, but the way he looked at me... I bit down on the banana instead.

The kitchen went silent again.

"We're leaving," he said.

"But I'm not done with my banana," I said, lips pouting in mock protest.

Without hesitation, he walked over, plucked the banana from my hand, and tossed it in the trash. "I don't like to wait."

His tone sent a chill down my spine.

I said nothing as I followed. Just before stepping out the front door, I turned to look at my parents.

My father wouldn't meet my gaze. My mother chewed on her lip like it was the only thing keeping her from screaming. I blinked away tears and walked out.

There was no turning back.

—

The car ride was painfully silent. I stared out the window, unsure what part of this felt more unreal: that I was leaving home forever, or that I was doing so with a man who had threatened to kill my father.

Every time I turned to ask a question, he'd glance at me, and I'd shut my mouth instantly. There was something in his eyes—those cold, silver-flecked eyes—that warned me not to test him.

He was beautiful, yes. But the kind of beautiful that burned.

"We're almost home," he said suddenly, his thick accent making the words sound sharper than they were.

I jumped. "Where is 'home' exactly?"

He didn't answer. Just looked at me for a second too long before turning back to the window.

I crossed my arms and stared straight ahead.

Ten minutes later, the car turned into a private gated estate. My jaw dropped.

A mansion.

No, not a mansion. A fortress.

Tall black gates opened automatically, and pristine gardens stretched on for acres. The house rose in front of us like a black-and-white cathedral of wealth.

"This is your house?" I asked.

He nodded once. "Ours, now."

The car stopped, and before I could open my own door, it was done for me. He moved fast, his long legs taking him up the marble steps. I had to half-jog to keep up.

At the door, he typed in a code. The lock clicked open.

The inside was immaculate. White tile floors that gleamed like glass. Monochrome decor. High ceilings and gold accents.

I took one step inside before he grabbed my arm.

"Before you explore, there are rules."

I turned, slowly.

"First: You will have your own room until the wedding. After that, you sleep with me."

My mouth opened to protest, but he pressed a finger to my lips.

"Second: You may go anywhere you like in the house—except my office and the basement. Those are off-limits. If you disobey, I will punish you."

My brow furrowed. "Punish?"

"Yes. Without hesitation."

I glared. "Anything else, Dad?"

His lips twitched. "Yes. You don't leave without a guard, and you tell me where you're going. Always."

I spun on my heel and walked off. This place was beautiful, but it felt like a cage.

I wandered down a long hallway, getting lost in doors and endless corridors, until I bumped into someone.

A girl. Young. Blonde hair tucked in a low bun. Green eyes. Sadness written all over her face. She wore a maid's uniform and dropped a tray of dishes.

"I'm so sorry," I said, crouching to help.

She gave me a hesitant look. "Ma'am, if you're looking for Mr. Kuzmich's room, it's not this way."

"Just exploring," I said. "Touring the place."

Her brows rose. "He doesn't give tours to one-night stands."

I stood. "Good thing I'm not one."

Before she could respond, her eyes darted behind me. Her face paled.

Czar.

He walked up, hand landing possessively on my shoulder.

"Lonnie," he said. "You're treating my fiancée with respect, yes?"

"Fiancée?" she echoed, looking horrified. "I—I'm so sorry. I didn't know."

"It's fine," I said, trying to ease the tension.

"It's not," Czar snapped. "Lonnie, you'll be working through the night."

Her face fell. "Sir, I have to get home to my son."

"Are you arguing with me?"

She stepped back. "No, sir. Of course not."

He turned and left without another word.

I walked over to her, pulling her into a hug. "I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. I'm the idiot who assumed."

"Do you want help? Can I—?"

She shook her head, already backing away. "I appreciate it. But I have to go."

She disappeared down the hallway.

And I stood there, watching her go.

I'd only been here an hour.

And I already wanted to run.

~*~

Ahhh! Chaapter two sorry it took so long for this update. don't forget to comment, vote and share, until next time my lovelies.