"It's a marriage proposal from Caesar Levovski," Mom read out from an envelope placed in front of us at the dining table. Mom immediately looked at me with concern and then glanced at Dad, who seemed unfazed as he showed no reaction. "Marriage?!" my brother Sariel exclaimed in surprise. "Why?" "He probably wants a part of our oil company." We all turned to look at Dad when he said that. "Well, he owns the largest technology company, so that must be it," added my younger brother Zeke, who was sitting next to Mom. "And cars," Mom added, setting the envelope aside. "Well, it's shocking that we received this proposal, especially since our family isn't well-known. We're quiet and not that popular, so how..." They all looked at me, wondering if I had anything to do with it. I shook my head. "Nope, I don't know him." "It's not like we have to consider it," Mom said. "We're not-" "Let's accept it," Dad interrupted. Mom and my brother were surprised by Dad's words. "Honey-" "Dad-" "Do it," Dad ordered me. I lowered my gaze to my plate. Dad had never asked me for anything before, so it was surprising to hear him order me now. "It will be good for our company, Ate," Zeke said, making me look up. "It will be good for you too," he added with a smile. "Staying in this house is quite boring, and we always worry about your well-being. If you were to marry that person, maybe you'll find another meaning in your life-" My brother suddenly slammed the table and glared at Zeke. "Avi has gone through a lot! That won't be erased by a marriage! And do you hear yourselves?!" he angrily looked at Dad. "Caesar Levovski already has seven wives! Do you want her to be added to his collection?!" I was shocked by my brother's words. Seven wives? He already has that many? I know a lot of rich men marry multiple women for connections, power, politics, and money, so it's not that surprising. But adding one to seven is a bit too much. "Don't raise your voice at me, Sariel," Dad ordered sternly. "Excuse me, mistress." I looked at our butler who was pouring wine into our glasses. I moved aside to let him pour wine into my glass. I watched him as he walked away and returned to his corner to wait for further instructions. We are rich, but are we popular? No. We don't even get invitations to parties. We prefer to stay low-key. People don't know who we are unless they have a specific interest in our family. "Avila, what do you think?" Mom asked, causing the father and son to fall silent. They both turned to look at me. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes. Zeke was right, I need new things in my life. Melvin, would this be alright? Is this the new path you carved for me? Is this the time where I... should move on? I opened my eyes and sighed. "Caesar seems popular. We are rich, but we lack in that area. Having him in our family will increase our status and reputation. We will be known," I said, looking at all of them. My brother fell silent at my words and sat back down. "But it means marriage, Avila," Mom said with concern. I smiled at Mom. "It's okay, Mom. Don't worry, it's not like I'm sacrificing my life. Who knows? This could be a new chapter for me," I said, glancing at Zeke who smiled back. "Do what you want," my brother said, standing up and leaving. He's upset. Sariel left the house that night and never returned. As for the letter, we accepted the proposal, and after a day, a car suddenly appeared at our front door to take me to Caesar's mansion. I have lived in Caesar's mansion for a week already and I haven't seen his face since I started exploring the place. However, within just two days, I realized that Caesar has a large estate. This estate contains ten mansions: one for each of his wives and one for Caesar, located at the center of the estate. Many people came to get my opinion about the wedding, and after two weeks of preparation, the wedding day arrived. I wore an expensive dress in a beautiful venue filled with guests, including my family and his wives. On that day, I met my husband for the first time, wearing a black tuxedo. He showed no expression. He was as cold as ice. After the wedding, he left for some business he needed to attend to. This wedding was squeezed into his schedule, so he had only a limited time to spend. That night, I waited in my room for him, but he didn't come. And the night after that, and the night after that, until I got tired. I'm starting to regret my decision. Until one of his wives came to visit.
Chapter 1 Congratulations
Chapter 1
"Congratulations, Mrs. Levovski," said a man I didn't recognize.
He gave me a slight smile and a small bow before approaching my husband, who was chatting with some other men, likely business associates.
I had been sitting here for a while as everyone else enjoyed the celebration of our wedding. We had sat together initially, but he left right away. We haven't even exchanged a single word since then.
I picked up my wine glass and took a small sip, finishing what was left.
"I need something stronger than this," I whispered, setting down the empty glass.
I looked around. Everyone was absorbed in their own worlds, some talking to each other while others glanced at me or my husband.
Caesar Levovski-during my two-week stay in one of his mansions, I learned that he rarely comes home. There are scheduled days for wives to spend time with him, and everyone knows this marriage is purely political.
I surveyed the venue. Every design choice here was run by me-from the theme to the flowers and the plates.
I took part, but some of the decisions were made by the event organizer.
Preparation and organizing an event are out of my field of expertise, but seeing the result now, I already want to learn how to do it, especially now that I am a rich man's wife.
So, this is how it feels to have an expensive wedding...
I gave a bitter smile and reached for the wine bottle to refill my glass.
"Mistress, we don't want you getting drunk," said Michael, bowing as he whispered to me.
"It's just wine."
He straightened up and said no more. Michael, our family butler, had volunteered to accompany me to the mansion before the wedding. He helped me like a personal assistant.
I decided not to drink more, not wanting to give anyone a reason to talk about me.
I am now carrying the Levovski name and the honor of the Crane family. I can't act as I please anymore.
I sat up straight and took a deep breath.
"Excuse me, Mrs. Levovski," one of Levovski's guards approached me.
I recognized him by his uniform.
He came closer and whispered to me, "Mr. Levovski will leave now. He has an urgent meeting to attend to."
I frowned. "What?" On our wedding night?
I looked at Caesar, who was already leaving the venue.
He left?
The man followed Caesar out.
I didn't want to stand up and draw attention, but people had already noticed and started gossiping.
This is the worst.
I composed myself and smiled.
Even though my husband left, this is a night that must be celebrated. We are wasting food and money if we don't eat and celebrate.
"Did Sariel come?" I asked hopefully as I stood with my mom and dad before their car. Two days had passed since the wedding, and I hadn't seen or heard of Caesar returning to his mansion.
My mom and dad had wanted to speak with Caesar, but he was nowhere to be found, as if my parents' presence wasn't important.
My mom shook her head sadly and held my hand.
"Your brother is just upset about the sacrifices you have to make. You know he hates seeing you sacrifice for this family." She also touched my face. "You're married to a rich man now, Avila. You have to be a good wife just like before. No matter how your husband behaves, you must respect the marriage."
I smiled at my mom. She's really too kind for her own good.
"Avila, I'll miss you," she said, hugging me tightly. I took a deep breath and inhaled her scent, as if this were our last moment together.
She pulled away and quickly got into the car to cry in private.
I looked at my dad, who embraced me.
"Just tell me if you have problems here, and I'll rush in and take you away," he whispered to me during the hug.
I frowned at his words.
"I thought you wanted this-"
"I did," he interrupted, tapping his fingers on my shoulder.
I glanced at Michael and Zeke, who were talking.
"You know, no one's forcing you to go with sister. You're better off without her," Zeke said to Michael.
"I want to serve her," Michael replied emotionlessly, yet still respectful.
"And I'm telling you, you don't need to. Mom knows that too," Zeke whispered his last words before looking at us.
Dad walked away from me and turned his back.
"Zeke, let's go," Dad commanded before getting into the car.
Zeke sighed.
"Don't worry, I'll take care of the mistress," Michael said to Zeke.
Zeke looked at Michael and shook his head.
"Whatever. If this is what you want, so be it," Zeke said, resigned. He approached me, gave me a hug, and then got into the car.
I stayed there until I could no longer see the car.
"What should we do now?" I asked Michael.
"We will return to your studies."
I immediately frowned.
Right.
I have a duty now. That is to study etiquette, to know the history of Levovski and the other wives.
We went back inside the mansion. We headed straight to my room and I grabbed the book I hadn't finished earlier.
I looked at the pile of books I hadn't read and felt a bit discouraged.
"Michael, fix my hair while I read," I ordered, sitting in front of the mirror.
"Yes, mistress," he responded without hesitation.
As I read, I glanced at Michael in the mirror, who was seriously combing my hair.
I smiled.
Michael was the only one I brought from our old mansion.
It should have been a woman, but Michael is great at his job, and I believe I deserve a great butler.
Suddenly, the door opened, and I frowned.
"The master's fourth wife is here. She wants to talk," a maid said emotionlessly and turned to leave but stopped before exiting. "Hurry up," she added before leaving.
Michael stopped what he was doing, and we looked at each other in the mirror.
I put down the book and started to fix my appearance while Michael made a braid.
When we finished, we went to the living room, but my visitor wasn't there.
"Where is my visitor?" I asked a maid who was there.
"Ms. Cassandra is in the garden, ma'am. She likes to stay there."
I raised an eyebrow at the woman.
No one told me that.
I passed by the woman and headed to the garden. I saw a woman sitting there, drinking coffee, with maids behind her.
Those are my maids.
I smiled and approached her. "Hello," I greeted her.
She was surprised by my arrival.
"Oh? You're here. I didn't recognize you; you look different with makeup on."
I frowned at her remark, realizing our first meeting was at my wedding.
I sat across from her. I looked at the table in front of us, filled with sweets and tea.
"Hi. My name is Cassandra Alaister," she said, extending her hand, which I accepted with a smile.
She used her last name, not Caesar's.
"I'm Caesar's fourth wife," she said, smiling.
"I'm Avila Crane. I'm the eighth," I replied, shaking her hand, which she quickly withdrew.
"We know," she said, focusing on her tea.
Michael poured tea into my teacup. I immediately took it and drank.
I heard Cassandra's faint laughter.
"Is that how you act during tea time? You clearly don't know etiquette, do you? Where did Caesar even find you?" she said mockingly.
That was when I confirmed it.
She doesn't like me.
To Be Continued
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