Chapter 8

Jessica's POV

I was surprised the moment we entered the Latsis property. The estate was very massive.

Big trees, trimmed bushes and beautiful flowers of different kinds were seen the moment the huge iron gates opened. The car turned a curb then drove through a long wide road. Straight ahead stood proudly the huge three-storey mansion that looked like a modern castle.

My eyes grew so big.

My goodness. When I thought I married someone rich, I never imagined this rich! The Latsis are insanely rich.

When we entered the mansion, I spun in a full circle taking it in. Everything looked so elegant, expensive, spotlessly clean and shiny that I was afraid to step on the floor or touch anything. I might have lost my memory, but I had a feeling that I had never seen or been to an extravagant and luxurious house like that of the Latsis in my entire life.

I wonder where and how I met such a wealthy man for a husband, because I feel like I'm just an ordinary girl who lives a very simple life.

"Everything here is so beautiful," I said to Kora.

"This is just the foyer." Kora looked at me with an amused expression. "Wait till you see the whole house."

She guided me to the main living room.

My mouth dropped open.

I was momentarily speechless seeing the exquisite living room. I felt like stepping inside a glossy page of a billionaire's home in a magazine.

My eyes riveted at the black shiny grand piano that stood in the center of the room. I felt a sudden leap of happiness the moment I saw it. I wanted to touch it, to feel the shiny black and white keys with the tips of my fingers.

"Did Troy play the piano?"

"No. Only Mrs. Latsis. She's really good at it."

My heart suddenly fluttered upon knowing that my mother in law is a good pianist. "I'm excited to hear her play."

"You will hear a lot, she plays every day when she's home."

I studied the luxurious white furniture set. Huge sofa set with two corner tables and a marble table at the center. The floor to ceiling curtains at the back were also in matching white with gold and silver embroideries. They were all parted in the center and tied in silk gold ropes at the sides, showing the nice view of the garden outside.

Beautiful flowers inside elegant vases, dainty figurines, and brass lamps were everywhere. Hanging on the high ceiling was a massive crystal chandelier, and I had no doubt that the paintings on the walls were from the world's famous painters.

My eyes caught the picture frame standing alone on the corner table. I moved closer and stared at the family picture of the Latsis.

I touched the silver frame, and turned to Kora when she said, "It was taken during Mr. Troy's last visit. That was a very memorable moment for the family. His mother played the piano while Mr. Troy sang. He had a very nice voice. And Mr. Latsis, I mean his father, happily danced with Miss Skylar."

I studied each face in the picture. Mr. and Mrs. Latsis aged beautifully as a couple. The way they held each other's hands showed how much in love they were.

Skylar, the only girl among the siblings, was a very pretty woman. She stood between the two men, behind Mr. and Mrs. Latsis.

My eyes focused on Aaron, who was seated on the arm of his mother's chair. Undeniably, he looked more like his father and even dressed the same in a classic suit.

I shifted my gaze at the two men. One was short. He had long brown hair, almost to his shoulders with a full beard. The other man looked dashing and stylish, with clean cut dark hair.

"Is this Troy?" I asked Kora, I pointed at the posh guy.

"No, that's Mr. Edward." She looked at me with sympathy. "The long-haired guy is Mr. Troy."

I stared at the image of Troy and suddenly, I felt so sad that I had no recollection of him or whatsoever. It was like staring at a complete stranger.

Why is it that I don't feel anything towards him, even an attraction? Did I really love him? Well, obviously I did, because I married him.

But I felt that I preferred tall and lean men, with clean cut hair and well-shaven faces. My eyes immediately riveted at Aaron and suddenly my face turned so hot. I remembered the feel of his lips against mine and his wonderful manly scent.

Oh no... what is wrong with me? Thinking about Aaron that way is crazy.

"Do you want to see your room now?" Kora asked.

"Yes please," I answered and we walked to the East Wing.

It was a very beautiful elegant room with a queen size bed, princess style vanity table, marbled bathtub, small living room, and entertainment set. The amazing view of the garden took my breath away.

"I should leave you now. Mr. Latsis wants you to rest, so you'll recover fast."

"Of course," I answered.

That's what he wants, for me to recover sooner so I can leave the country. He made it so clear yesterday that he doesn't want me here.

To my surprise, I fell asleep the moment my head touched the pillow. I only woke up when a maid brought me lunch at one in the afternoon. Her name was Maia. She was young, probably in her early twenties. Unlike Kora, she is very talkative and fed me with a lot of information.

"Among the family members, only Mr. Aaron lives here. His parents stay in Wellington to manage their farm. But they will arrive tomorrow to see you."

"What about Edward and Skylar?"

"Mr. Edward has his own building in Auckland Central, he lives in the penthouse. He owns a television network and produces movies. He's gorgeous and charming, a bunch of girls are going crazy for him, but he's such a picky man. Of course, he has the right to be, being extremely rich and brilliant... and he got his degree from Harvard. And Miss Skylar... well, she's a writer and very successful in that craft. Right now, she lives with her boyfriend in Australia."

"Oh, I see."

"Don't tell anyone that I told you, okay? You know, we have this rule book that doesn't allow us to talk about our employers."

"I know, Kora told me."

She waited for me to finish my lunch, and talked about Auckland.

"I'm sure, Mr. Aaron will show you not just the city, but the whole country. But for the meantime, would you like a tour inside the mansion?"

"Yes, please. The place is so huge, I probably need a map so I won't get lost."

She laughed, "There's no need. There are CCTVs everywhere. All you have to do is wave."

Wow. I was amazed knowing that. I also wondered how the Latsis lived normally with all these eyes watching their every move.

She gave me a tour inside the mansion. The first room we went to was Troy's room located at the opposite wing, the West Wing. There I saw five photos of us together in picture frames, standing on top of a cabinet.

Hot tears rolled down my cheeks as I stared at every picture. Sadness overwhelmed me.

"We look so happy and in love, and yet I can't remember anything. All my memories of us are all gone. Even my feelings for him."

"Don't worry, Mrs. Latsis, I'm sure it will come back soon," Maia said sympathetically.

"I really hope so." I sighed in frustration, then wiped my tears.

After the tour, we went to the living room. I was fascinated looking at the black grand piano.

"Can I use the piano?"

"Of course, Mrs. Latsis."

I sat behind the piano and ran my fingers gently on the keys. Before I could play, Maia reminded me about dinner at seven sharp.

"Who will join me for dinner?"

"You'll probably be alone. It's Saturday, and Mr. Latsis usually has a date," she said before she left to do her job.

For almost an hour, I was playing the piano and loving every minute of it. At first, I was surprised that I could play, then everything just came out naturally. My hands remembered to tap the right keys fluidly and gracefully, making me feel so alive.

The last piece I played was very mellow. I could not remember the title, but I knew deep in my heart that it was one of my favorites. I was lost again, as I let the music engulf me.

____

"What am I going to wear?"

I could not find a dress to wear for dinner. The limited clothes in my wardrobe were all big. Kora explained that she got me bigger sizes because I looked bigger in the pictures.

I chose to wear a loose black sweater instead. The hem reached between my thighs so it was fine. I would be dining alone anyway.

At seven sharp, the butler, Morris, showed me the dining room. Before he opened the door, he complimented me.

"I enjoyed listening to your music this afternoon, Mrs. Latsis. You're really good at playing piano, just like your mother-in-law."

"Thank you, Morris. I'm glad you liked it."

He smiled and opened the dining room door

My eyes immediately grew big. I was surprised to see the man sitting at the head of the fourteen seater dining table.

It was Aaron.

A chef served him his dinner and another staff poured wine in his glass.

Oh my God. I thought I would be dining alone.

"Hi," I greeted Aaron but he ignored me.

Did he hear me?

"Good evening," I said again, but still, it was like talking to the air. He did not even glance at me.

Okay fine, let's ignore each other. I don't give a damn. I'm just here for the food, I'm starving already.

The butler had me seated at the opposite end, facing Aaron. I sat silently waiting to be served.

I could not help but observe Aaron from a distance. He ate his food with finesse. His hands were graceful as he held his fork and knife. He sipped his wine slowly then put the glass down at the side gently.

Such a classy and sophisticated man. But his attitude stunk like a dead rat.

"Is there anything else you want, Mrs. Latsis?" the chef asked after he gave me my food.

"No, I'm good. Thank you." I smiled happily, so excited to dig into the delicious food in front of me.

The men left and I was left alone with Aaron. At the click of the door, his eyes riveted at me like daggers ready to aim.

"Rule number one. Don't come out of your room if you can't wear decent clothes. You're flaunting your thighs in front of my staff!"

I pretended not to hear him and continued eating my steak. It was so good and I felt like I had never tasted anything like it before.

"Did you hear me?" he snapped at me again.

I ignored him and put a spoonful of gravy inside my mouth. I murmured how delicious it was when he burst, "What did you say? Jessica!" he growled like an angry animal, then said, "Rule number two. You look at me when I'm talking to you. Is that clear?"

"Bastard. Damn you and your rules," I murmured silently then drank my wine.