A few days had passed since the whole Aurelius-sleeping-in-the-guest-house fiasco started, and honestly, it still irked me. It was embarrassing, and what made it worse was how much Aurelius seemed to enjoy it. He was practically thriving in this awkward arrangement, acting like it was no big deal. But that wasn't the worst part—what bugged me the most was how close he had gotten to my father in such a short time! They were talking more than I had ever talked to him. My dad, who barely noticed I existed most days, was suddenly all buddy-buddy with the man I was supposed to marry. It didn't make any sense!
Phelia had a blast teasing me about it, of course. She wouldn't let a single moment pass without reminding me of it, chatting my ear off until late into the night. Xavier and Simon were no better. They both found this situation hysterical. To be honest, I had to mute the group chat just to get some peace and quiet.
Then, as if things weren't frustrating enough, my mom—the "perfect" housewife who made everything look effortless—started up with the baby talk. "When are you giving me grandchildren, Callista?" she asked with that same smile she always wore, like she had no clue what kind of pressure she was putting on me. Why didn't she ask my older brothers? They were married, for crying out loud! But no, I was her favorite target.
I tried to let it slide, focusing on my college work and keeping my head down, but I couldn't take it anymore. One evening, after enduring another round of teasing and pressure, I snapped. It wasn't even just the pressure anymore—it was the sheer absurdity of the situation. I stormed right into the living room, interrupting their conversation, and shouted, "Why can't we get him a new house?!"
For a moment, everything went silent. Both my father and Aurelius stared at me, eyes wide, like I'd grown a second head. But I didn't care. This was ridiculous, and it had gone on long enough.
My dad, ever the picture of calm, responded with a sigh, "We don't have any money, Callista."
His tone was so nonchalant, it made my blood boil. I fired back without thinking, "Father, you're a billionaire."
Aurelius snorted from the couch, and that just pushed me over the edge. I could feel my face flush with anger. Why did it always have to be me? Why did I have to be the one to deal with all this nonsense?
I crossed my arms, my voice cutting through the tension in the room, "You own five companies, Father. Five. And Caelus is the CEO of all of them, managing them under your name. You, the chairman of every single one of those companies—internationally, no less. And you're telling me we don't have money?"
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. The way he spoke so calmly about it, like I was the crazy one for questioning it. "Is this some kind of joke? Because from where I'm standing, it seems like we're doing just fine financially. You're literally a billionaire." I let the words sink in, my frustration building. "So, no, I don't buy it. We're not broke."
Aurelius let out that infuriating snort again, and my patience snapped like a brittle twig. The audacity of it all—my own father, this man I barely spoke to, shrugging off his wealth as if it meant nothing, while I had to live through this mess.
My father sighed heavily, as if the whole conversation had been a burden to him. Without saying another word, he reached into his pocket and handed Aurelius a sleek black card. It gleamed in the dim light, as though it could solve all of my problems in a single swipe. Wow. Just… great. That was just perfect for him—absolutely perfect.
Aurelius, ever the smooth operator, took the card without hesitation, a grin tugging at the corners of his mouth. His eyes met mine, and I could see the amusement dancing in them. He didn't even flinch.
"Buy yourself a house," my father said nonchalantly, leaning back in his chair like it was the most casual thing in the world. "Your future wife here wants your seed immediately."
The words hit me like a slap. My face turned an alarming shade of crimson, the blood rushing to my head so quickly I thought I might faint. I opened my mouth to retort, but nothing came out. What the hell?
Aurelius, ever the devil-may-care type, chuckled under his breath. "Well, when you put it like that," he said, voice dripping with mock sincerity, "I'll see what I can do."
I shot a glare in his direction, my fists clenching. If looks could kill, he'd be six feet under by now.
Meanwhile, my father didn't even seem to notice the tension in the room. He was so absorbed in his own world, probably already thinking about something else. "Make sure it's big enough for the both of you," he added, as though arranging for me to be forcibly married and settle down was the most normal thing in the world.
I stared at him, my heart pounding in my chest, torn between fury and disbelief. My whole life felt like it was spinning out of control, and yet, my father was treating it like a casual transaction—like I was some object to be handed off.
Aurelius, sensing the tension, leaned back in his seat, twirling the card between his fingers. His smug smile didn't help matters. "You heard the man, Callista. Maybe you should be thanking your father. It seems like he's looking out for both of us."
I couldn't help it. I snapped. "I don't need your house, or your money. I need a life of my own."
My father finally looked up at me, a flash of annoyance crossing his features. "You'll have it, in time," he said dismissively, as though I were just being dramatic. But I wasn't. I was suffocating in this chaos, and I was tired of being treated like a pawn in a game I didn't ask to play.
But Aurelius—Aurelius just smirked, his eyes glinting with a mix of mischief and something darker. "Oh, I'm sure you'll get your life back… once you get used to mine," he said with a knowing smile, leaning closer as if to make some unspoken point.
I wanted to scream, to throw something, anything, but instead, I just stood there, rooted to the spot, feeling more trapped than ever.
I stood there, my mind racing as I processed everything. The black card was still in Aurelius's hand, and I couldn't help but wonder just how much power it held. How many zeros were attached to that thing? It wasn't like my father was known for being generous unless it suited his purpose.
Aurelius must have sensed my thoughts because his grin widened, as if he knew exactly what was coming next. Without a second thought, he stood up from his chair, straightening the hem of his jacket as he looked at my father with a playful yet calculating glint in his eyes. "Well, I'll take your offer seriously, Chairman," he said smoothly, flipping the card between his fingers with a practiced ease. "In fact, I think I'll need something a bit more... fitting."
My father, who was already half-checked out of the conversation, barely looked up. "Don't spend too much," he muttered, waving a dismissive hand. "We're not running a charity here."
Aurelius's smirk only deepened. "Oh, don't worry. I'm sure this house will be an investment." He turned to me then, his eyes softening just enough to mock concern. "You're going to love it, Callista. I'm sure it'll be just the perfect place for us."
I could feel the air in the room get thick as he walked out the door, card in hand. There was no turning back now. My father didn't seem to care, still buried in his thoughts about business and whatever else filled his endless world of numbers. But me? I was fuming.
The next day, the shock hit like a freight train.
It was a mansion.
A real mansion. Not some generic luxury house with a big yard and a fancy kitchen—no, this was a whole different level. It had marble floors that sparkled in the morning sun, grand chandeliers hanging from the ceilings, and large windows that looked out over a sprawling garden that seemed to stretch on forever. The place was huge—too huge—and yet it felt strangely empty, like it had been built for someone who needed constant attention.
When I stepped inside, it took a full minute for me to gather myself. The sleek modern design of the foyer clashed with the opulence of the space, creating a vibe that was too polished, too cold. I wandered through the rooms, barely able to comprehend how anyone could live here, let alone a man like Aurelius.
"Welcome to your new home, Callista," Aurelius's voice echoed from the hallway, a playful edge to it.
I turned around, still processing everything. "You bought this... just like that?"
He raised the black card with a flick of his wrist, that smug smile plastered across his face. "You didn't think it was a joke, did you?" he teased, walking further into the living room. "I mean, I was going to settle for something smaller, but I figured... why not?"
I stared at him, speechless for a moment. "This is insane. Do you even know how to live in a place like this?"
He leaned against the wall, still grinning. "I think I'll figure it out. I have everything I need right here." He gestured to the luxury of the house like it was nothing.
The whole thing felt so... overwhelming. The house was massive, and yet it felt so empty, like a void just waiting to swallow me up. I couldn't fathom living here with him. It wasn't just a place for us—it was a symbol, a statement. Aurelius was showing me that he could do whatever he wanted, whenever he wanted. And now, I was trapped in it.
"You know," he said, looking at me thoughtfully, "I think you'll come around to it. It's just a matter of getting used to how things work around here."
"Things work your way, you mean," I shot back, still reeling from everything. But he didn't even flinch, that smile of his unshakable.
"Exactly," he said, voice dripping with satisfaction. "It's a little inconvenient at first, but once you settle in, it won't seem so bad. You'll get used to the power, the wealth... and, of course, the mansion."
I could feel my anger bubbling again, but I held it in, trying to make sense of everything. How had it come to this? How had my father allowed this to happen? How had I allowed it to happen?
And yet, here we were—stuck with a mansion that didn't feel like home and a fiancé I barely recognized.
"Well," Aurelius said, breaking my thoughts, "this is where the next chapter of our lives begins."
As if it were all already written. As if there was no choice in the matter.
My heart sank. This was my life now.
Although this mansion was technically smaller than the Valemont Estate, it still felt enormous to me. Easily the same size as my father's mansion, if not just a little more... modernized.
I turned to Aurelius, frowning. "Where are the servants?" I asked, genuinely curious. A house this size would need a small army to maintain it.
Without a word, Aurelius simply gave a lazy snap of his fingers.
And then, like a scene straight out of a movie, hundreds—no, nearly a thousand—men and women appeared, lining up in perfect formation in the massive front hall. They all moved in unison, like they had rehearsed it a thousand times. With a deep bow, they chorused in perfect sync,
"Good morning, Ms. Valemont!"
Hold on. Hold on. HOLD ON—
WHAT?!
I stood frozen, my mind short-circuiting. Ms. Valemont?! Oh no, no, no, not yet! My face turned red as I flailed my hands in panic. "C-correction! We're still engaged! Not married yet!" I yelped, trying to save what little dignity I had left.
Aurelius only smirked, completely unbothered, thoroughly entertained. He leaned against one of the marble pillars like he was enjoying a private joke. He loved this—seeing me flustered, overwhelmed, and outnumbered.
I turned back to the sea of ex-Valemont estate personnel, still bowing slightly, waiting for orders. My eye twitched. There were so many of them, too many for a normal household.
To test just how far this insanity went, I narrowed my eyes and demanded, "Alright then—do any of you know how to cook?"
Before I could even blink, Aurelius lazily waved his hand.
Instantly, the whole group scattered like trained professionals, heading toward the kitchens. The sounds of pots clanging, knives chopping, and stoves firing up filled the house almost immediately.
I blinked at Aurelius, utterly speechless. "Are they... multi-purpose bodyguards?" I asked slowly.
He chuckled under his breath, that maddeningly smug look never leaving his face. "Of course. What did you expect? They're not just security, Callista. They're trained in domestic management, culinary arts, medical support, tactical defense... you name it." He shrugged as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Valemont standards."
I opened my mouth, closed it, then opened it again, at a complete loss for words. Of course he would have an army of Swiss Army Knife bodyguards at his beck and call. Of course they'd all treat me like some princess from the moment I walked in. This was Aurelius we were talking about.
And somehow, I had a sinking feeling that this was just the beginning.
I barely had time to process what just happened when the smell of delicious food began wafting through the air. Rich aromas—freshly baked bread, sizzling meats, delicate pastries—filled the massive mansion like a warm blanket.
Within minutes, a line of neatly dressed staff began marching toward me, silver platters balanced perfectly in their hands. They moved like clockwork, presenting dish after dish on the grand dining table. It looked like a royal feast—glistening roasted chicken, buttery mashed potatoes, vibrant salads, even a tower of delicate desserts.
I just stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the sheer ridiculousness of it all.
Aurelius casually strolled to the table, picked up a fork, and sampled one of the dishes. He nodded approvingly, then glanced over his shoulder at me, amusement practically dripping from his voice.
"You know, if you keep standing there with your mouth open, they might think you're still hungry," he said with a wicked grin.
I snapped my jaw shut instantly, cheeks burning. "I—I wasn't—!"
He only laughed, setting the fork down and moving toward me with slow, deliberate steps. "Relax, Callista. This is just a fraction of what they're capable of. You're their future mistress, after all. They're trained to anticipate your every need." He leaned closer, lowering his voice to a mischievous whisper. "Every. Need."
My face went nuclear.
"Y-you—you arrogant—!" I sputtered, stomping away from him before he could see me combust on the spot.
While I was busy trying to recover my dignity, the staff didn't waste a single second. As if on an unspoken command, they spread throughout the mansion with cleaning supplies, feather dusters, mops, and tools I couldn't even name.
Within hours, the entire mansion was transformed into something out of a fairytale.
The marble floors gleamed like mirrors, the chandeliers sparkled like they had just been sprinkled with stardust, and every window shone so bright it was almost blinding. The air itself smelled fresh, like new beginnings and polished luxury.
Shining, shimmering, splendid.
I wandered through the halls, stunned speechless yet again. It was too perfect. Almost unnervingly perfect.
Aurelius trailed behind me, hands in his pockets, wearing the most insufferably smug expression I had ever seen.
"You see?" he said smoothly. "I told you you'd get used to it. You just need to accept that you're going to be treated like royalty."
I shot him a look over my shoulder. "I never asked to be treated like royalty."
He chuckled. "Doesn't matter. You are."
He winked, and I nearly tripped over my own feet trying to escape the conversation.
This was bad. Very bad.
Because a tiny, terrifying thought crept into my head—
Maybe... maybe it wouldn't be so bad getting used to this.
If only Aurelius would stop smirking like that every five seconds.
End of Chapter 20.