"Ms. Snow, get up. Ms. Snow- Casey! Wake up!" it was Alicia's voice that was interrupting Casey in her sleep.

"What time is it?" The teenager groaned.

"6 am. 7 o'clock breakfast, but in 30 minutes you will be in Raphael's office"

"I'm not going anywhere. Bye"

Is he insane? What kind of bastard makes such a request? Eliana definitely need to break up with him. That was the first thought that came to Casey's mind.

"If you do not come on your own, someone from security will have to carry you there" Alice informed.

"I can't stand this fucking house!" Casey jumped out of her bed feeling ready to murder someone.

Alicia flinched at the teenager's colorful language and her lips tightened into a thin line, but she made no comment. It was not her job to teach the brat manners.

Casey, for lack of better choices, got dressed and let Alicia take her to Rafael's office.

"Good morning," said Raphael. He looked fresh and ready for a day. Who looks like that at this hour? He's a total psychopath.

He had a pen in his hands and was writing something down on his calendar when Casey, with dark circles under her eyes, disheveled hair, and a sour face, was standing up in front of him waiting for him to reveal what the hell is his problem.

Casey looked around the room and decided that the snobbish decor was the perfect match for that filthy rich, stuck-up bastard.

"Please, have a seat," said Raphael.

"What do you want?" she asked rudely. She looked him straight in the eyes with a stubborn look he returned them looking at her with cold eyes.

"Casey, you are a guest at my house and as long as you live here you have to follow certain rules. The first rule you should remember is this: The last word always belongs to me "Casey looked away suddenly a bookshelf at the other side of the room seemed to look very interesting.

She didn't want to listen to him.

He looked at his watch." Breakfast will be ready in a moment and I expect you to be present at all meals unless you have a valid excuse to be absent. Showing disrespect, for example - raising your voice, cursing will always do you more harm than good, so please remember this for the duration of your stay here. The school you have been admitted to has an impeccable reputation and my family is well respected in the community, so I expect you to behave properly and excel academically"

"What are you playing my daddy now?" Casey asked, her voice dripping in sarcasm "Let's get something clear. Just because you fuck my sister doesn't mean you can order me around"

"As I said this is my house and I expect you to behave in a manner every child in this house does"

"Great, I don't intend to live here for long anyway"

"You will live her as long as your sister is here. Do you understand everything I just said?" He asked politely.

Casey had her arms folded and was standing still staring at Rafael. She didn't move from the spot.

"Sure thing," she said, her voice clearly was telling otherwise. "Now you can tell me what's your deal"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean what's your business with my sister? Eliana is naive. She doesn't understand that people don't do anything selflessly. My point is that regardless of the fact that if you try to hurt her, I will kill you"

"You will kill me?" Raphael repeated slowly, "Do you know what that words means? Do you know what it means to kill a person?"

"I would have to see you as a person first," said Casey. "Oh, and one more thing," she looked back with her hand on the door to meet her eyes once more. Rafael "I don't give a shit about your rules," she said sweetly and slammed the door.

___________________

I was invited to Rafael's office at a horrendously early hour, and so was Casey as I found out. She walked past me with a sour expression on her face. She sent me a death glare as I was walking by. I guess it was deserved it.

When I entered Rafael's office I instantly started analyzing the interior. In the center of the room, there was a desk with two red armchairs on one side and a brown leather chair on the other side. The office was spacious like every room in this house. It had enough space for a fireplace, liquor cabinet, and a large bookcase packed with books.

"Sit down Eliana" with a hand movement he pointed to a chair in front of him. The golden signet was "I know you're making a driver's license right now but until you get it one of my employees will be taking you to work "

"Have you ever seen a grocery store worker with a driver? I will just take a bus"

"You're about to inherit multimilion dollar fortune i dont think thats the case for the most of grocery store workers"

"I am just making a perfectly valid point that it would be weird to have a driver"

I was trying to be reasonable here. Why is he so difficult?

"This will not be just your driver. He will be your bodyguard and he will accompany you anywhere you go"

"But it's not necessary! My plan did not include any security"

"It was not a well-thought-out plan then. You think being married to me is enough to keep you safe? There are many people who would love to get their hands on my fiancée. Security is to make sure that these people cannot touch you "

I was quiet. I didn't like that he makes this decision for me.

"Giovanni" Rafael pointed at the man who just entered the office, "Will be responsible for your safety whenever you're planning to go out remember inform him about it. Every time you go out, Giovanni is supposed to act as your shadow and you have to be sure that he is behind you"

"Good morning Miss Snow, nice to meet you," Giovanni bowed politely.

"Likewise"

The introduction was short. When Rafael and I were alone again we decided to speak about yesterday's situation in the living room.

"I would also like to apologize for Casey's behavior "

"Casey should be apologizing for Casey's behavior,"

"My sister and you are unlikely to get along. She doesn't like to follow orders. I warned you about this "

"But we'll get along great because your sister will soon understand that these attitude will get her nowhere in this house. Speaking of the house. While living here, you will often come across my business partners. Please, keep your exchanges with them to a minimum and always be kind to them. For your own safety, don't get in their way "

"But they won't hurt us, will they? Especially Casey. If something ever happens to Casey ... "

"You will kill me? Your little sister said exactly the same thing to me because she was worried about your safety"

"Wait ... Casey told you this?"

"Usually I don't let the people get away with death threats, but in this case I made an exception. For the future, watch yourself" I nodded, but I wasn't really listening to him. I've been busy thinking about the new realization I had about Casey. She worries about me.

Rafael got up from behind his desk and terrified I watched as he walked around them to stand in front of me. He leaned towards me and looked into my eyes deeply "Am I boring you, love? Come back with your thoughts to my office I am not finished speaking. I will say it only once Eliana - never threaten me again. You won't like what will happen if you try again" I swallowed hard

"Rafael?"

"Yes?"

"You are in my private space"

"Mhm" he confirmed and he came even closer and looked into my eyes as my breathing grew heavier with each second. Suddenly he placed a gentle kiss on my lips.

"W-what are you doing?" I asked breathlessly.

"It's a punishment. For trying to threaten me "

"A-ah, okay" I confirmed weakly, which I think he took as an invitation because he grabbed my face in both hands and placed a kiss on my lips once more.

🌹🌹🌹

Hi guys!

How do you like Eliana's punishment? 😉