That early evening, after the sun had set, a white Bentley stopped in front of Sarah's apartment building.

Sarah let out a soft sigh before turning to Freya at her side. "Thank you for everything, Mrs. Blackwell," she flashed a faint smile before placing her hand on the door.

"Sarah."

The young woman was forced to halt her attempt at opening the door and met the older one's face once more.

"Those clothes are not for decoration in your closet. Against my wishes, you insisted on marrying my son. Therefore, for the sake of our reputation, I need you to keep up appearances. That means you'll quit every menial, serving job you have."

"Um, but..."

"There will be no argument about that."

Sarah stared at the woman. Her lips parted a few times, yet she couldn't find the right words to plead her case as soon as possible. Then she lowered her eyes from Freya.

"I need the money."

Freya watched her for some time, and then she looked away from her.

"To be a Blackwell comes with a lot of sacrifices. I had to give up some things as well."

Sarah lifted her eyes to her. The silence between them felt heavy. Suddenly, for Sarah, she didn't seem like just a character. This was a person with flesh and bones and a story of her own.

"Be alert. I will call you anytime as the wedding preparation progresses. Do you understand?"

Sarah nodded before she opened the door and stepped down from the car. After she shut the door, the driver handed her the numerous shopping bags that he carried out from the boot of the car.

"Thank you." She appreciated although they were too many to hold at once.

Sarah watched them drive away before she made her way into the building and then the elevator.

"Sarah, is that you?" Jerome called out from his bedroom as he heard the door unlock.

"Y-yes dad." She struggled to close the door.

"Wow." Aaron stood at the corner separating the living room from the corridor with both hands in the pocket of his joggers. His father marched forward behind him.

A loud sigh left her lips as she finally left the bags on the floor and went on to slump down on the couch.

"I almost didn't recognise you with the new hairstyle and clothes," Aaron commented and Sarah found herself smoothing her hand over her newly treated hair.

Freya had dragged her to a salon after the shopping. For as long as she could remember, she had managed her hair herself. Now, with a few cutouts of the split ends, shampooing, and conditioning, it had a new shine.

"At least you got me something, right?" Aaron's question forced her out of her thoughts and she watched him snoop into the bags.

She stood on her feet, marching back to the bags. "Yes, if you're okay wearing ladies' clothing."

Aaron stood straight and took a step back.

"Hi, dad." She shared a hug with her father who watched them.

Sarah carried some of the bags and fixed her gaze on Aaron.

"Can you help me with the rest?"

Aaron scoffed. "For nothing in return? I don't think so."

Sarah watched him walk away and into the room he shared with his older brother.

"I'll help you." Jerome went ahead to pick up some.

"No, it's fine. I'll come back for it." She forced him to let it go and take a seat instead. Then she hurried to her room with some and returned for the rest.

"Have you had dinner?" Sarah asked her father when she returned to the living room.

Jerome nodded. "Yes."

Sarah stood in the kitchen. "Dad, peanut butter and bread is not dinner. I'll make you something."

"It's fine, Sarah. You've been out since morning. Go and rest."

"I will, after we have dinner together, including Mr. Selfish in the bedroom."

Jerome laughed lightly and Sarah smiled at the sound of it.

After dinner, Sarah stepped out of the bathroom in her bathrobe and marched back into her bedroom. She brought out her phone from her purse and noticed there was a missed call from Ramsey from an hour ago. A light panic flooded her and then she sat down on the bed. Sarah contemplated calling back. Finally, she did it and held the phone close to her ear.

"Hello."

Sarah felt her heart race at the sound of his voice. She blamed it on her nervousness.

"Hello. I—I saw you called. I'm sorry that I missed it."

"Yeah. No, it's okay. I just... I found out late that you were with mum. I... I wanted to know if you're okay. She didn't say something horrible to you, did she?"

Further to the concern he showed, Sarah noticed the irregularity in his breathing.

"You sound out of breath. Are you okay?"

"Yes. I went out for a jog."

"Oh," Sarah smiled, lowering her head.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, nothing. Mrs. Blackwell bought some clothes for me and... she didn't do anything hostile." Sarah bit her lower lip as she closed her eyes. She hated that she had to lie to him. But it was better this way. The last thing she wanted was for there to be another argument between him and his mother once again.

"I'm glad. Sarah, do you want to have brunch together?"

She sat up. "Brunch?"

"Yes. Can you meet me at the office tomorrow? I'll send you the address or do you have something else planned?"

"No. Yes. I mean, let's have brunch together."

"Okay. I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

"Good night."

Sarah held the phone and stewed a little longer within the moment, gazing at nothing in particular. A smile gradually appeared on her face. Soon, she was on her feet and rummaging through the shopping bags on the floor. The least she could do was appear presentable enough and not embarrass his family.

For the first time in her life, Sarah stood on the uphill driveway in front of a wide four-square foot, mid-rise, eight-story building of sleek glass and steel with low-rise annexes. The name 'Blackwell' was boldly written on the body of the building. The ground-floor interior design, furnishings, and lighting were created to evoke a sense of artistic modernity and establish simple recreational experiences.

She paused in front of the expansive reception desk, where two women were seated. The name 'Blackwell' was prominently displayed in bold letters behind them.

"Good morning," Sarah focused on the light brown complexioned young woman with box braids.

She lifted her eyes to Sarah. "Good morning, Miss."

"I'm here to see Mr Ramsey Blackwell."

"Okay. Do you have an appointment?"

Sarah pushed her hair behind her ear. "Um, I think so. We're supposed to have brunch together."

"I'm sorry?"

"He... Can you check with him?"

At first, she was hesitant but picked up the receiver of the landline phone. "Your name, please."

"Sarah, Sarah Miller."

Then she watched the woman make the phone call and in her query to the other person, mentioned her name. Sarah lowered her eyes from her as a negative thought came across her mind. What if Ramsey forgot his plans with her and had already stepped out? She would look like a liar who lost her way. The thought of such circumstances was disappointing.

"He's expecting you."

Her face lit up the moment she lifted her eyes back to the woman.

"His office is on the seventh floor. When you get there, his secretary will attend to you."

"Okay, thank you," she added with a smile and was soon on her merry way toward the elevator.

While she waited in the elevators, negative narrations began to spin in her head. Sarah gulped down and held tighter to the hand of her purse. Perhaps, she had underestimated the impact of her visit here. Sure, they had agreed to eat together but she was walking into his workplace where his employees would see and pass their judgements.

Finally, the elevator doors opened and Sarah stepped out like the few others. She decided to push that worry to the back of her mind and for once, not overthink anything. As she made her way down, she noticed the cubicle spaces with working people who barely noticed her presence.

She turned her head to the other side and stopped, seeing Ramsey in the small boardroom through the transparent glass. He was sitting at the head of the table, while a few others were seated in various other chairs as they conversed. Suddenly, he looked in her direction and their eyes met. She managed to muster a warm smile. He reciprocated with a faint one, then said something to the others before standing up and marching out to meet her.

"Hi."

"H—Hi."

"I hope you didn't have trouble finding your way."

Sarah shook her head with a slight nervous chuckle. "No, it's infamous so... It was okay."

"Good," Ramsey said, glancing into the boardroom he had just stepped out of. He casually put a hand on her lower back to lead her to walk with him then stopped when they were in front of his office.

"Can you wait in my office? I'll be quick and join you."

She nodded. "Yes. Okay."

"Mrs Davidson, could you please get her anything she wants?" Ramsey informed his secretary who got up on her feet at the sight of them.

"Sure, Mr Blackwell."

"Thank you." Ramsey flashed her a warm smile and walked away.

"This way, please, Miss Miller."

Sarah shifted her eyes from Ramsey to the blonde woman in her mid-thirties with a polite smile on her face. She held the dark brown door open for her.

"Thank you." Sarah stepped into the office. Her steps slowed as she took in the interior décor of the large space. Long, grey, translucent curtains concealed the outside view. A large, black leather swivel chair sat behind the mahogany desk. Orange and white lighting illuminated the room, accenting the cream and grey painting of the wall.

"What would you like to have?"

Sarah turned to her, reminded of her presence.

"Oh, nothing. I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Perhaps, a bottle of water?"

Sarah shook her head and added a smile. "No, it's—it's fine."

"Okay."

Sarah turned away to continue her sightseeing.

"Congratulations."

She turned right back to Mrs Davidson who wore a wide smile.

"Mr Blackwell told me about your relationship with him, and I just wanted to offer my congratulations."

Sarah's smile stretched a bit further as she lowered her eyes shyly.

"Thank you."

Mrs Davidson nodded and left, closing the door behind her.

Sarah walked up to the desk and stared at the name plaque on it. It read, Ramsey Blackwell, Chief operation officer. After staring at his name, she walked over to one of the double-seater black leather sofas and sat down. Less than a minute later, Sarah glanced at the door, hoping he would arrive soon. She leaned back and rested her head against the headrest, letting out a yawn afterwards. She remembered how late she had fallen asleep the previous night while her thoughts were consumed by the events of the upcoming day.

Sarah blinked a few times as she widened her eyes, reassuring herself that he would soon walk through that door.

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