Aveliene's pov:

I felt the sunlight hitting on my face. I slowly opened my eyes rubbing them with my palm to get a clear vision. I was feeling dizziness.

I looked at my surroundings, the events of yesterday came crashing on me.

I am married now and that also with the hottest eligible bachelor, Vaughn Rodriguez.

Thinking about him, I remembered our last night's heated conversation more appropriately argument. I took a glance at the clock it was ten in the morning.

Mostly I wake up early, but I think due to the tiredness I slept more.

Slowly I make my way, towards the washroom. I looked at my myself in the mirror.

I was still wearing my wedding dress since I didn't changed last night.

My eyes are red and puffy due to constantly crying . My skin looked more paler. My make up and hairs are messed up.

Overall the girl standing infront of me was not me. Cause she was looking so weak and...vulnerable. Yes this word correctly suits me right now.

My whole life has changed. I thought my wedding will be a start of a new and happy life but it is turning out to be opposite of that.

"I am proud of you Aveliene",

My dad's words rang in my mind. His and mom's happy faces when they were so excited for the wedding flashed through my eyes.

I can't be weak afterall I am a daughter of a great gangleader. I will not submit to him easily.

Now I know I have to be strong, I will give this marriage a chance. Not only for me but also for my parents. For their happiness.

I will try to sort out the problems with Vaughn.

I then stripped out of my wedding dress and stood under the shower. The warm water dripping over my tensed muscles, relaxing them.

After taking a long shower, I stepped outside and wrapped a towel and went towards the walk in closet.

Everything was already settled so I don't have to do any unpacking.

I looked through my dresses. And choose to wear a peach summer maxi dress with golden belt accentuate my waist. I sat on the chair infront of my vanity, putting on light make- up.

I just put a mascara and lip gloss.

I took my iPhone and went downstairs to have breakfast.

As I reached the kitchen I saw lady in late twenties cooking pancakes.

She noticed and gave me a smile.

"Good morning Mrs. Rodriguez, I am Ella, Mr. Rodriguez's housekeeper.", she greeted me while giving a motherly smile. I was still not used to of my new designation but smiled back to her.

"Good morning Ella, and call me Aveliene." I said politely while she nodded.

I went there and helped her in making the breakfast. We chatted and she told me about herself and her six year old daughter.

I set the table and asked Ella about Vaughn.

"Mr. Rodriguez would be in his gym. It's his work out time. I will serve him later", Ella told while serving the pancakes.

"I will make him a coffee just tell me where is the gym?", I said even though I still remember his harsh words but I will not lose hope and will try to make this marraige work.

"You are really a nice lady, Miss Aveliene unlike the others, sir bring home." She said and immediately realized what she has said and apologized.

I had known earlier that he is a player, but I don't want him to continue this after our wedding.

"Where is his gym by the way?", I asked Ella while changing the subject and went there following her instructions.

I knocked on the door but ther was no response, so I entered inside and saw the fascinating side infront of me.

Vaughn was doing push-ups and that also shirtless. Instantly I could feel the atmosphere getting hot.

And it is not due to weather.

He noticed me and stood and grabbed the towel. Now I could clearly see his musculine body with abs. His hairs were messy while sweat was dripping from his forehead then to his cheeks and all the way down to his abs.

How would it feel to trace my fingers over it.

I immediately put that thought aside. I don't know ,what happens to me when I am around him.

He noticed my stare, and slowly approached me. My heartbeat increased as he came closer. The fact he was shirtless wasn't helping either. This was the first time I am seeing him like this but I am wishing for more.

He slowly leans down to my ear and whispered,"Enjoying the view Miss Lawrence." Immediately my cheeks heat up. Damn hormones. Why I always embarrass myself.

He slowly backed away taking the cup of coffee but not before his elegant fingers brushed against mine.

As I saw him slowly drinking it. My eyes again went down to his abs.

Gosh now I am really behaving like a teenager, who is drooling over his crush.

Before I could further embarrass myself I quickly left the gym and went downstairs to finish my breakfast.

"Are you alright, Miss Aveliene?", Ella asked with concern.

"Yeah, why?" I asked while try to act calm.

"Your cheeks are red, Miss Aveliene, are you sure you are fine?" She asked with concern.

"Yeah I am sure. It's just too hot today."

I quickly replied although I was not talking about the weather but she bought it and nodded.

After finishing my breakfast I went upstairs to my room.

I opened my phone and check the chats there was not so many messages so I switched it off , I think everyone is giving us sometime alone only if they know the truth, I sighed and laid on the bed.

After few minutes there was a knock on my door. I went and opened it, there was a maid standing there.

"Mrs. Rodriguez , sir wants to meet you in his study." I nodded while remembering the conversation of previous night, I wondered what important discussion he wants to have maybe I will get the answers to my questions today.

I followed her as we reached a room. She then the took my leave as I knocked at the door.

"Come in", I heard his deep voice which I have become a little fond of.

I took a deep breath and entered in. I took a glance at his study room it was spacious and nicely decorated with expansive modern decors. There was a big study table, with files and everything was neatly organized on it. There was also a bookshelf at the corner.

So Mr. Rude Rodriguez likes to read.

I then looked at Vaughn who was sitting at his study desk glancing at the file in his hands. He was now dressed up in dark blue shirt and black pant. Still looking handsome. His chocolate brown hairs were wet ,signalling he has took a shower recently.

Somehow he looked more good without the shirt, my inner conscience spoke but I shut it.

I cleared my throat to get his attention. He looked at me for a moment, checking me out and finally meeting my eyes. I felt a little insecure under his piercing gaze.

He gestured me to take to take a seat, which I did.

He put the file on the table which was previously in his hand and looked at me with his oceanic blue orbs which held me captivated every time I see them.

"I don't like to beat around the bush so let us start with the important discussion. " He said and I nodded him to continue.

"As I have told you earlier Miss Lawrence, I was forced in this marriage so if you have any silly hope that we will be having our so called " happily ever after", then it will go in vain." He said while air quoting the happily ever after.

"Vau-", before I could say he beat me to it.

"Never interrupt me when I am talking ,Miss Lawrence, I am warning you." He said in a stern voice. I just nodded quickly not wanting to make him angry.

"Well, as I was saying ,my dad wanted this marraige to happen so that the events of the past can be forgiven and both the mafia gangs could begin with a new start. I still can't believe he has forgiven the past so easily, but I have not, and will never forgive." He said in a harsh tone. I flinched at his sudden change of tone.

"I agreed to this marraige not just because it was my dad's wish but I took it as an opportunity to complete the things which were left uncomplete. I will take revenge from you and your family for their 'sinful past deeds'." He said without breaking eye contact. His eyes were now very cold.

"But what I have to do with this and the important thing I don't even know what past you are talking about?", I asked with confusion.

He smirked wickedly and spoke-" You are very naive Miss Lawrence I can see your own father has not told you about your family's sinful past. I think he was ashamed of telling you ,your ancestors shameful and sinful deeds." He paused while shooking his head still smirking.

"Well he himself has not told then its not my problem. For now just know that your ancestors have betrayed mine, decades ago. Therefore now you have to pay for their sins. You will pay the "debts of revenge", Miss Lawrence and from nowonwards-" He said in a threatening tone while leaning towards me as our faces were now inches apart. "You. Are. Indebted. To. Me." His minty breath fanning over my face

Now I was feeling scared.

"If it is related to any business deal then my father can pay it to you." I said to which he smirked while shaking his head.

"Do you think everything is related to money?" He said as it was nothing for him, well he was right as he is a multi-billionaire and even more rich than my dad.

"Its something beyond that, it's about prestige and betrayal, Miss Lawrence. But you are so naive to understand" He said while looking towards me with his piercing gaze which held so many secrets.

"But why me?" ,I didn't realize when these words slipped from my mouth.

Vaughn smirked and spoke-" I didn't choose you Miss. Lawrence but your own destiny has chosen you." He said sternly.

"And you yourself agreed to this marraige so that makes it even fair in extracting the revenge. Nothing will be out of bounds, you have to obey. Cause you are just a pawn, a possession in this game of revenge." He said with a wicked smile and then straightened himself.

But now it was my turn to speak, how dare he could easily decides for my future, for my life.

First my father and now he. Why Everyone keeps making such big decisions for my life without my concern. No this time I will take my stand.

"I don't know about what 'Ancestral Past', you are talking about but I am ready for this game. I will prove you wrong because I trust my dad. He could never hide anything from me. Cause he loves me.

I don't trust you and I will prove you wrong by defeating you in your own game of revenge Mr. Rodriguez. " I said with determination replacing the fear in me, afterall how dare he put such accusations on my family.

He looked at me a little surprised at my sudden outburst while trying to study my mind and spoke" I am impressed by seeing your confidence Miss Lawrence. I think this is going to be interesting. And seeing your determination I have decided to make a 'deal' that if, I repeat if you survived the last debt or precisely task of revenge then I will reward you your freedom. Every last debt and ounce of history will dissappear. And we will never be seeing eachother again but...." He paused.

"But what?", I asked curiously.

He smirked and spoke"But I don't think so you will make it till the last debt, Miss Lawrence."

"I will take this as a challenge." I said with confidence but I myself was confirmed if I can do this or not.

He smiled wickedly and spoke" You are different from other girls Miss Lawrence, I appreciate your confidence. Here sign it." He said while passing me a contract.

"What's this for?" I asked while checking it.

"I am a professional person,Miss lawrence and if we had made a deal so we have to make it official." He said and passes me the pen.

I took and signed the contract making the deal official.

"So what is the first task or a I say debt?" I asked.

His smirk deepened as he spoke-" The task or appropriately debt will be revealed when I'm good and ready. It can be any task ,can happened anywhere and at any time, be prepared. And the method of payment for the debt is entirely upto you." He said while giving his evil smile. While I gulped a little scared now.

"But-" I said but he cut me off.

"You are not here to argue but to obey Miss Lawrence ", he said in a threatening tone and I flinched but nodded.

"Let the game of revenge and debts began, Miss Aveliene Lawrence",Vaughn said and smirked while he stood up from his chair.

"Fair enough, Mr. Vaughn Rodriguez." I said in a low tone and move towards the door. But stopped at hearing his voice.

"Also keep in mind that to the world we may be a loving couple but inside these four walls ,we are nothing but strangers. More precisely, you at all cost will not interfere in my personal life or whereabouts.

We will mind our own business. Don't expect anything from me" He said in a harsh tone.

I nodded without turning and left the room. And came back to my room as taers fell from my eyes. I sat on the bed while comprehending his words.

"We are nothing but strangers"

His harsh words keep ringing in my mind. And somehow it hurts.