SERIN CITY
"Young Miss, you were requested to visit the Murray Mansion today."
I was in the middle of a virtual meeting when my father's chauffeur came to my office to relay the message. He was bowing low as usual, avoiding meeting my eyes.
Sometimes I told him not to act that way, since we both held the same position in the Collins family: we were their slaves.
But Mr. Shaw would just smile at me and say, "I would not dare, Young Miss… You are a princess yourself…"
His words always confused me, but since I was adopted at ten and became the youngest Collins daughter, I figured that's what he meant.
"Alright, let's continue our meeting on the 20th," I said, ending the virtual call and rescheduling for two days later. I looked up at Mr. Shaw and nodded, even though he wasn't looking at me. "Give me a minute."
I set the folders down, cleared out my desk, and locked the crucial documents in the vault under my table. Then I stood up, walked to the door, and told Mr. Shaw, "Let's go…"
Whenever he came to my office, it meant he would drive me to the Murray Mansion. That's how it had always been.
"After you, Young Miss…"
In front of the elevator, Mr. Shaw pressed the button and escorted me toward the underground lot. I waited for him to bring the car around, and it didn't take long before my car, a black Maybach, pulled over in front of me.
Mr. Shaw was about to get out of the car to open the door for me, but I stopped him hastily. "I can do it myself."
Mr. Shaw bowed and returned to the wheel, while I climbed into the backseat and sat quietly. I placed my purse on the seat beside me and clasped my hands on top of my lap.
As time passed, I tried to calm my racing heart and waited to arrive at our destination. Even though I'd visited the Murray mansion many times during the day, I still felt this way each time.
Sometimes, a knot forms in my stomach and a chill runs through me, leaving a quiet protest in my heart.
I've been providing extra service to this business partner; however, I can't help but feel disgusted with myself.
Still, for the sake of this vital partnership, I have to be available and visit the mansion whenever he calls. It doesn't matter if I'm in a meeting or asleep—I can't say no.
At first, I was forced to do this, but as the adopted daughter of the Collins family, this feels like my only value. So I swallow my pride and give everything I have.
Sometimes my heart races with hope. But unrequited love never ends well, so I have to stop dreaming about something I shouldn't covet.
Because when this ends, my illusion will break.
"We're almost there, Young Miss." Mr. Shaw finally announced, pulling me out of a trance after he battled the traffic for 30 minutes.
I opened my eyes and looked out the window as we entered the estate's main gate. It was massive, and the landscaping was as grand as the people who lived here.
From the main gate, Mr. Shaw drove up to the hills and parked the car at the mansion's front door.
I got out slowly and walked to the main door, where the Murray butler stood waiting. I greeted him, but didn't linger and waste time. I hurried to the grand staircase and headed straight to the guest room that had been set up for me.
I've been coming here for two years, but I'm still not familiar with the mansion. I'm not allowed to wander, so I've never seen Mr. Murray's bedroom.
I admit I've been curious at times, but I know my place. The last thing I want is to break his trust.
Two years ago, my adopted parents almost went bankrupt, and Mr. Murray is the only person who extended help to the sinking company.
But of course, my adopted father had to kneel, beg, and humiliate himself first.
Mr. Murray is a ruthless businessman who never helps anyone unless there's something in it for him. So Dad offered me as a pawn.
Sometimes I wonder what promises Dad made to Mr. Murray that led him to keep me as his mistress all these years.
As the adopted daughter of the Collins family, I don't see much value in myself.
That's why I can't say no whenever he calls me to the mansion.
The mansion is unlike any other. Even the ceiling is grand, and every corner is filled with luxury.
But I wonder how lonely the owner of this place must be that he is calling someone like me to fill that emptiness.
Many women have tried to get close to Mr. Murray, but none of them succeeded. I should feel proud, but all I feel is shame.
"When will this end?" The question brings up a lot of mixed feelings.
It's been two years of secret meetings.
For two years, I've felt an endless, hollow emptiness, like a puppet with no control over my life.
Gladly, the manor was quiet every time I visited. Somehow, it gives me peace of mind and helps me forget unnecessary worries.
"Well, whatever…"
For years, I've given myself to Mr. Murray. By now, I should be used to my role and know better than to want his affection.
I'm here to pay off my family's debts.
Since there's only one reason I'm here today, I go straight to the guest room where Mr. Murray will join me later.
The bedroom given to me is five times bigger than my room at the Collins Mansion, which is in the maid's quarters, because Madam Collins doesn't like seeing me around.
The reason I never refuse to come here is that I get to experience a bit of luxury.
The king-sized bed on the right side of the room looks so inviting, and the floor-to-ceiling window gives a perfect view of the Highlands.
The walk-in closet and bathroom are on the left side.
Somehow, the closet is always filled with clothes in my size. Sometimes, it makes me imagine that he might love me.
But I know it's just the butler's doing.
Many times, Mr. Murray rips my clothes, which end up in the trash bin. And so I am grateful to Mr. Jones for hanging clothes for me to wear on my way home.
But these clothes are from luxury brands. Once, I came home wearing one, Mrs. Collins exploded in anger.
"How dare you waste our money with your capriciousness? You are only an adopted daughter! Don't you dare covet something not yours!"
Since then, I have ensured to bring spare clothes that are no longer in style. In this way, I am safe from Mrs. Collins's scrutiny, sizing me up to see what kind of clothes I am wearing. She hates to see me wear expensive clothes over her biological daughter, Monica.
So I wondered,
What would Mrs. Collins do if she found out I sleep with her dream son-in-law?
"Hah!" I let out an amusing laugh and placed my purse, wristwatch, and jewelry on the nearby accent chair beside the king-size bed before I walked to the grand bathroom and stripped.
I bet Mrs. Collins would explode if she saw me bathing in this glass-walled bathroom with a gold tub in the center.
Curtains covered the windows, and hot water filled the tub. I lit dozens of candles to brighten the spacious room.
Across from the tub, the floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the city. Every time I looked out, my cheeks flushed.
During night showers, he would hold me from behind as we looked out at the city lights, whispering words that set my desire on fire.
I hated it every time. Even though I tried to deny his effect on me, my body still craved his touch whenever I remembered those moments.
"This won't do." I needed to cool the heat inside me, so I hurried to the shower and let the cold water wash away my unnecessary feelings.
I sobered up quickly, but the reality didn't change.
There's no way out for me. I have no choice but to act like a seductress in front of him.
Remembering those scenes is just part of preparing to please him. Still, part of me protests, but there's nothing I can do except swallow my dignity.
I felt like prey trapped in a gilded cage. I should have just kept quiet and looked the other way.
"Alexa, play love songs," I commanded as I stepped my foot into the tub.
Alexa played a love song playlist as I soaked in a bubble bath. The fragrant scent filled the air. I closed my eyes and shifted in the tub.
The music slowly eased my nerves and put me in the mood. I reached for the champagne, grabbed the bottle, and popped the cork.
I poured the contents into the flute, watched the bubbles for a while, then gulped it all in one go.
The champagne actually suited my taste. It was unlike any wine or liquor I'd tried before.
As the Collins family's puppet, I have to handle contracts and serve drinks to clients based on their preferences. To do this well, I even went to a school to learn about different kinds of alcohol.
"This is new…" I checked the label, read the details, then refilled my glass and drank it down like it was just water.
"Having fun alone?"
A sexy voice sounded behind me. I whipped my head and saw a man leaning on the door frame, gazing at me like a lion eyeing a delicious rabbit he could devour.