NICOLE'S POV

"Are you still mad at me for what Avalynn did?" I ask my boyfriend when he ignores me. This blow! I mean, what type of man feels insecure after being lectured by that old hag! "Christopher!"

He stops walking before turning his body to face me. "What she did to me was not acceptable for a man. Screw her and your new life."

I sigh. This is childish! "Chris, your lucky she didn't forbid us from riding her plane back here. Just ignore her."

His face turns red. "What? Now your siding with that bitch? Don't tell me that little dyke manage to change you."

Now, he's getting on my nerves! "You know what? Screw you and your ego! Go fuck yourself." I’ve had enough and leave him alone. Maybe Avalynn was right. A man with a mountain ego like that better be dead in a ditch or something.

Hold on, why am I even thinking like that old hag! Ughhhhh! Her negativity is starting to rub off on me!

"You look like you’re about to go crazy." says Mary, my best friend and roommate.

“Oh, I am."

Mary’s the only person aside from Christopher who knows about this marriage.

"I thought that you were going on a lovey-dovey trip with Chris for a whole week. Why come back fighting?" She asks as we walked through the campus.

"Avalynn happened. I don't know how, but she knew that Christopher was following us. It was such a bad trip, but Santorini was amazing!"

We walk to our first class together, and immediately, all eyes are on us. Some are even whispering to each other as their eyes never leave me. What's wrong with this bunch? Did I forget to zip something up? Is it my face?

I want to ask Mary, but she beats me to it when she leans in. "Seems like your trip to Santorini made this bunch wonder what you were doing."

"Hey Nicole, did you meet anyone famous? I heard that the famous model Avalynn and her sister Veronica were in Santorini as well." Asks one of the boys.

"Yes. Avalynn is so hot I wouldn't mind being her slave!" Adds another boy.

I think she would like that. If only they knew how evil and sadistic she is.

"My real question is how was it possible for you to even afford to go to Santorini. I smell something fishy going on." says one of the girls in class. Seriously, what’s a gal girl like her doing in this class?

"Hey! There's no need to be hostile." Mary supports me."

I thank her with my eyes, and suddenly, I hear my phone ringing. When I answer my phone, even Mary is gawking at me now. "Hello?" I say into the phone.

"I told you to bring the car. Why didn't you?"

Ugh. I really should save her number. "I told you I will not use that overly expensive car to go to uni! It's bad enough my classmates are asking me about Santorini and seeing me with this phone." I whisper.

"Why are you whispering? Anyway never mind, my butler will send the car later on. Make good choices."

I don’t have the chance to protest before she hangs up. I scream mentally and wish for that hag to be burned alive! Why can't she just let it go about my transportation! I could just call for Kelly or hitch a ride with Mary if I want to go somewhere!

"Oh wow. Now I, too, wanna marry into the Grimaldi."

I chuckle. "You can take Avalynn." I laugh it off.

"What's wrong? She's the one who called isn't it?"

I sigh. I explain everything to Mary who sees it as funny bantering.

"It's just a car. What's the big deal?" She asks.

"Her kind of vehicle is different than the ones we usually use. It will bring more questions and gawkers."

The class is about to start when a familiar face walks in the classroom together with the lecturer.

"Oh ... my God! NO!" I abruptly stand up from my seat. I can’t believe she's doing this to me!

The butler bows his head discreetly at me. "Yes Miss Bonavich?"

The lecturer and the others are probably wondering why I suddenly stood up.

"Students, meet our new member transferred from London, England. Mr Jackson Smith." Theres no doubt that he is Avalynn's butler who was with us in Santorini the other day!

"Jackson Smith, I hope we will be great friends."

He smiles.

"You may sit at any free seat, Mr Smith." The lecturer informs.

I sit down while watching him go up to the free seat next to mine. ”I hope we will be best friends, Lady Nicole." He winks before the other guys start to talk to him.

"Settle down, boys and girls. I see you’ve joined us, Miss Bonavich. How was your trip to Santorini?" The lecturer asks.

"It was okay." I smile.

"Marvellous. We went through several chapters when you were gone. I'll make sure to email you the materials later on."

I thank the lecturer for his kindness.

When the class starts, I can't shake the feeling that this butler has been watching me since he has sat down.

"Did Avalynn send you here?" I ask while looking at the front.

"Of course, Milady. Her orders are absolute."

Lady? More like tyrant lord. "Whatever you’re doing, I want you to stay shut about the Grimaldi and even your purpose coming here. I don't want any unnecessary attention towards me, do you understand, Jackson."

"Loud and clear. Whatever my lady wishes is my command."

Ugh, he says that but he's doing it right now! I glare at him.

"I have to tell you this. I am not the only one transferring here from the main Grimaldi manor."

What? There are more?I want to ask him, but the lecturer notices I’m not paying attention. I curse the situation I'm in. Why does she have to be this way?! I thought we agreed on not interfering with each other's personal life! We had a deal and a contract that we signed!

“Oh, cheer up, Lady Nicole. Your car is waiting at the dorm building."

My eyes widen. The car ... the pure white Bentley ...Is here?! THAT OLD HAG IS GOING TO PAY!

***

"Lady Nicole!" My eyes widen when a group of girls call for me. I know them from Grimaldi manor as well! Seriously, she sent a group of maids?! He was right when he said theres other transferring to the university.

"Shhhhh! Just Nicole when we're here. Okay?" The girls apologise.

Currently, I am at the cafeteria, trying to find something decent to eat.

"Lady ..."

I glare at the one who opened her mouth.

"I'm sorry. Nicole, you don't have to pay to eat while we're here. Lady Avalynn asked us to prepare your lunch." They show me their food container. "We have enough for your friend as well." They smile at Mary.

"Really? Don't mind if I do. I'm wondering what kind of food those Grimaldi's eat every day.” Mary grabs my hand and forces me to sit with the butler and maids. When the maids open the container, Mary gasps. "This is what you eat every single day?! Jesus Christ."

I sigh.

One of them gives me a fork. "Eat up." They smile. Well, the food does look promising, and I love to eat ...

“All right." My first bite is heavenly. It's perfect for my taste buds. Not just perfect it's amazingly done as well! I give a thumbs up to the girls who prepared it.

"Tea." Jackson offered.

"Jackson, no need to be a butler here, you promised! All of you did. Please, don't see me as one of your master here, okay?"

They all nod.

"Why are you hating this treatment? If I were you, I'd love it. Hell, you even married someone as hot as Avalynn. Lucky bitch." Mary says with her mouth full.

"There's plenty of food. You don't have to shove it all." I say while wiping her mouth. I take a sip of the cold tea. "Hmmm. Apple tea. This is nice." I thank Jackson.

"Lady Avalynn exclusively ordered it from Turkey. It's the finest blend she could find."

I suddenly have such an uneasy feeling about eating the food and drinking the drinks she provided for me.

"For a person you claimed hates you, she's been spoiling you rotten. New phone, new car, these servants she asked to transferred for you. Is this the person who supposedly hates you for some unknown reason?" Mary is being a smart ass.

"Nicole." I look up to the person who called my name.

"Hey Chris. Join us. We have plenty." I invite him.

He takes a seat beside me and I offer to feed him. "I never knew you have friends other than Mary." He says when he's chewing.

"These are all servants for the house of Grimaldi." I explain.

"Anyway, I won't be walking you to the dorm today. I have a job to go to."

I nod. "Hold on, new job? Where?" I ask.

"The SaraBucks."

Oh, the coffeeshop? "As a barista?"

He nods.

"Another job? What happened at the last one?" Mary asks for me instead.

"I was fired for being rude to the customer."

"Why would you be rude to the customer?" Mary asks again.

"Because he was being a dick and asking for something that doesn't even exist." Chris shrugs.

"You need to be more polite towards your customers, Chris." Mary warns him.

"Nicole, I'm sorry for being the way I was. I let my ego control my behaviour. I just ... I hate that woman to the core."

I rest my head on his shoulder. "It's fine. I understand why you were acting that way." This is one of the reasons I love him so much. He doesn't wait for me to apologise.

"Lady Nicole, I have to say this before you regret it yourself. Lady Avalynn has eyes everywhere. We might not be there when you look around for us, but she has her own ways to make sure you don't make a stupid decision like ... now." Jackson stands up from his seat. By now, all the Grimaldi servants are standing up. "Once the mistress is on the verge of losing it, no one can stop her from being herself. I hope you consider this as a warning from your loyal servants." Jackson ends his words with a smile..

That sounds so serious for some reason. Is Avalynn really that scary? Nah... they’re just trying to make me feel uneasy, right?I laugh it off and enjoy the rest of my lunchtime with Chris and Mary. I thought I had it under control, but my mind can't shake off the things that Jackson said, I end up unfocused for the whole day.

Mary and I are on our way to our dormitory when we both hear a commotion coming from our building. I am curious till I see the real reason for it. I’m trying hard to ignore the pure white Bentley that’s parked in front of the building, but a voice calls for me.

I want to ignore it so badly, but the person takes the liberty to chase me down! "Lady Nicole. I came here with a message from Lady Avalynn." Says the butler.

I sigh before facing the butler while taking the keys he's been dangling in front of my face. "What is the message?" I ask.

He smiles. "Lady Avalynn told me to tell you to get ready by 7 pm. A helicopter will come to pick you up at the soccer field. You are obligated to joined the Grimaldi family for a dinner." He bows and walks away before I can even say anything else.

Helicopter? By 7? It's 6:30! How am I suppose to get ready by 7! Wait! What am I saying? I shouldn't even be going to that dinner! But if I don't ... I sigh. I literally run towards my room and get ready as fast as I can.

This will be such a pain in the ass!

***

"What took you so long?" That is the first question Avalynn asks me when I walk out of the helicopter.

"What? It's your own fault for not texting or calling me beforehand. It was 6:30 when I came back to the dorm."

She doesn't look like she's even listening to my reason! "Excuses. I was in Vegas for some work before I use the plane to come back home and be here on time." Wait, she went to Vegas? "Come on. We're late already." She grabs onto my wrist and drags me inside the main Grimaldi manor.

I really should be getting the hang of being greeted by their many butlers and maids When we walk through the long hallways to the main part of the house. Usually, that's where her family gathers.

"Avalynn, Nicole, you two sure took your time.” Says Avalynn's father, Theodore Grimaldi. He does look smashing in his suit except for ... his girlish side. He came out to me as bisexual the first time we met. For someone who has two daughters, he's really open minded.

"Oh forgive them, Teddy. They're newlywed." Aaaa... that voice only means one thing, Avalynn's mother, Aaliyah Grimaldi is making her way towards us.

"Oh no. Nicole went back to the dorm today. You should’ve plan this dinner sooner. next time mommy.” Avalynn said to her mother.

A group of butlers and maids make themselves known to us. "Dinner is serve." Announces the olde butler. Just how many servants do they have?!

"Where's Veronica?" I ask.

"She will be joining us shortly. She told me that she's on her way from Santorini." Replies my mother-in-law.

I’m surprised when I see my parents and little sisters sitting at the dining table as well. "Mom? Dad? Why are you here?" I ask when I hug them.

"We were invited as well."

I truly missed my family. "Milan, Grace, how's school?" I ask my sisters.

“Good." They both say in unison.

Somehow, Grace seems distant. Maybe I'll talk to her later.

After I greet my family, I go to sit next to Avalynn.

"Don't embarrass me."

She's annoying as fuck. Maybe I should embarrass her.

Before my father-in-law can say anything, we hear someone coming towards the dining hall while singing. "Sorry for being late. Daddy, we should buy a new private jet. The one I was using broke down right before we took off. I'm lucky that it didn't break down while in the air." Veronica takes a seat beside me and smiles at my family.

"Really? I will make it done then. Anyway, the reason why my wife and I summoned you all here today is to announce something we thought we'd never announce again."

Huh? Announce what?

They both take each other by the hands and smile at us. "Well, Aaliyah is pregnant."

Veronica who's drinking her water actually spits it all out.

My parents are happy to hear it, and I congratulate them.

For Avalynn, I'm not sure how she feels. Her expression stays the same as always. Sometimes, I wonder if all the smiling she does for her shoot is actually edited.

"Well, it's about time I have a little brother or sister." Veronica says.

Avalynn takes a sip of her wine and still doesn’t say anything.

"Avalynn, are you okay?" Her mother asks.

"Oh yes. Why wouldn’t I be okay? Congratulations." She smiles, but it goes as fast as it came.

"That explains the countless yelling." Veronica suddenly says.

"Exactly." Avalynn supports her sister.

What the hell are they saying now?

"So this dinner? Just to inform us that?" Avalynn asks.

"No. There's more. Since you’re married now, your mother and I thought that it's time for you to take over the family business."

Avalynn looks up from her plate. "Keep talking."

Thats what gained her attention?!

"The agency, the production house, the theatre, the fashion boutiques around the world, the malls, and even some stocks and real estate, will be yours to handle. Well, if you wish to handle them."

Avalynn smiles as if I can see her eyes sparkling from the news. “So, ... I get to have that because I'm married?" She asks.

Her parents nod. "You do need to take care of your wife now that your married. We figure that a job that require you to travel a lot wouldn't be ideal."

No no no... wait! If she's working in the office without traveling, I can be with Chris all the time!

"That's interesting. I'll be glad to take over. What about you Veronica? Do you want to work in the main office rather than be a model?"

Veronica quickly shakes her head at her sister's suggestion. "There's no way I’d let myself be in some room, and look through mountains of paperwork. I am not Avalynn. I am an adventurous human being. Besides, I love to travel the world."

I hear Avalynn sigh. "Well, I'll make sure to work you like a dog. Don't worry, my sister. You'll have your chance to travel the world." Avalynn winks. Somehow, I think that wink means something sinister.

"How's married life, Nicole?"

I hear Veronica chuckle, but I step on her foot immediately.

"Something the matter Veronica?" Her father asks.

"Nothing daddy. Somehow, I think my foot is going numb." She's staring at me.

"Nicole?" My Mother-in-law calls for me.

"Married life has been fun. Avalynn is kind enough to let me continue my studies." I'm pretty sure she's proud of herself now. Ugh! Why do I have to speak so greatly about this wench!

"So Avalynn hasn’t been giving you trouble? You can tell me the truth, Nicole."

Ugh, I so want to speak ill of her, but, with my parents here, I don't want them to be worried about me. They have enough problems to think about. Avalynn promise me that she will help my parents. "Nope. She's no trouble at all. She's been a good wife to me."

My Mother-in-law hums her response. "That's weird. Avalynn always is known for being the troublemaker. What change?"

Avalynn sighs. "Mommy, that's just mean. I've grown. Don't be so shocked, okay?"

Now, I’m curious. Just how much of a troublemaker was she? If I know that secret well, I can use it against her. Hmm. This is perfect. I grin.