Rachel's POV

As usual, it's been a hell of a week. I hate this life. I hate every bit of it. I've turned into such a pessimistic 19 year old whose outlook on life sucks. These are supposedly the best years of my life. I'm supposed to have friends, a boyfriend, I'm supposed to be in college studying something that will help my future, partying with friends, having fun, living life.

What future? My inner voice torments.

But no. Instead I'm scrubbing toilets and showers. My vision blurs with unshed tears, I was on the verge of crying. I'm simply sick of it all. I don't think I can do this any longer. I don't want to do this any longer.

The constant torments from everybody, grandma being sick, the fatigue, the financial struggles that would follow me for the rest of my life... I wanted to scream!

I pulled the gloves of my hands and went to the vanity where I washed my face. I took a good look at myself and cringed.

My hair was dull and my curls barely curly because it was always up, my eyes were sunken in and honestly atrocious due to the lack of sleep, my dark circles and eye bags obviously had to make an appearance. I looked pale as well which is odd because I usually have a natural tan. I don't know what I am or who I am for that fact but I guess my mother or father must have been of some other nationality because my skin tone was decently tanned.

Grandma never spoke about her son who was apparently my father. She always refused to do so, ignored me or lashed out and hit me when I queried. Eventually, I made peace with not knowing and I gave up.

As for my mother, I knew her name was Carina and that's it. I could barely remember her when she dumped me.

I patted my face dry with a tissue and went back to scrubbing the toilet. When I finished, I decided to take my break. I grabbed my water bottle and a granola bar from the maids quarters and went to sit in the garden.

I took a seat in the far back benches shielded by trees away from everybody. I didn't want to be disturbed. I always wallowed in my misery alone not that I ever had someone to complain to either way. 

It was a beautiful, sunny day. Not excruciatingly hot but warm enough. There was always a calm atmosphere in nature and I loved it. 

I took a sip of my water and then also took out my diary from my apron pocket. I propped my feet up of the bench and turned to my collage pages. I stared at all the things that could be if I won the lottery.

A stunning beach resort holiday at some island, the fanciest makeup and clothes, jewellery – a lot of jewellery, a picture of a plane and the picture that always broke my heart was a family exchanging gifts on Christmas day.

I was materialistic by all means because I've only ever had the appropriate basics to look forward to so obviously, I would crave the luxuries. I wasn't afraid to admit that.

"What you got there, princess?" I heard a voice from across me. Immediately I closed my diary and placed it back in my apron pocket, hiding it from him.

"You always appear out of nowhere," I said and sat properly. I opened my granola bar and began devouring it. I haven't eaten properly in a very long time.

I looked at Alexander to see him holding an apple in his hand. He was leaning against a tree wearing a white vest and some track pants. His enormous biceps on display and his silky hair falling messily over his forehead.

He came closer and kneeled down in front of me leaving the uneaten apple on the bench. "Wh-What are you doing?" I asked confused. His focus was on my abdomen. Unexpectedly he brought his hands up to my waist and then slid then down to my hips before feeling them.

I jerked at his touch and tried to swat his hand away but he didn't budge.

"I don't like this, Rachel. You've lost some inches on your hips and your waist is gone smaller," he casually said and he assessed me some more.

"Excuse me?" I said as I pushed him away.

He stopped touching me and took a seat next to me.

"You heard me. I like my women curvy, not skinny. Eat more food," he preached. He then picked up my granola bar and chucked it over the fence, his bicep flexing in the process.

I huffed. "I wasn't finished with that. And who do you think you are touching me and feeling me like that? You had absolutely no right to do so."

He smirked at me and I was about to give him an earful again, however to my surprise her grabbed my face with both his hands and kissed the living daylights out of me.

I was too shocked to comprehend what was even happening but all I knew is that butterflies erupted in my stomach and electricity went through my veins. I had never experienced a feeling like this before.

I didn't move as he did all the work, he licked the seam of my lips, probing then to open when he pushed his tongue inside. I didn't kiss him back because he had no right to kiss me, that too without even asking me.

Without even thinking about it, I placed my hands on his chest and shoved him backwards breaking the kiss. My hand immediately made contact with his cheek as I slapped him.

I was angry at him for taking advantage of me like that. "How dare you?" I seethed.

He didn't look happy at my actions, instead he was furious. His teal eyes a shade darker than usual and his smirk completely gone.

"You'll regret that, princess," he picked up his apple, abruptly handed it to me and made his way back to the mansion.