Beautiful and Lonely

 

Despite flying all the time, Fiona still thought an airport was like a canvass full of anxiety.

 

The sea of people moved with ease as the lights from the tall windows hit them. The serenity and chaos would usually give her some unexplainable emotion of sadness.

 

This time, though, the feeling didn’t come. She wondered if it was the champagne.

 

She eyed the clouds that rested on the skies as she walked out of the private plane Luca arranged for her. The plane was under his name, but he insisted it was hers now. He said it was some bride price.

 

“Welcome to Hong Kong International Airport, Miss Chen. I am Robert Hou, I will be your chauffeur for today.” The man was wearing a tuxedo, especially his white gloves made him look more professional and mature. Fiona smiled and let the man handle her suitcases before she walked inside the black Mercedes that was waiting for her, just a few steps away from the plane.

 

“Mr. Han is a little preoccupied. He asked me to take you to his estate. That would be in High Park.”

 

Fiona nodded.

 

High Park was considered the most expensive estate in Hong Kong. A place was so exclusive and expensive that only millionaires could practically live there. Fiona remembered reading something about the neighborhood being the most expensive estate in the world.

 

Fiona checked her phone and realized that Luca actually sent her a text telling her that his grandfather had another attack and he needed to go see him. He asked her to wait for him in the house and take as much rest as she needed.

 

Luca already told her that his family was like a literal war zone. People would always find each other’s weaknesses and would try to use it against them. It was just a big bloody war.

 

A smile appeared on her face. The thought of facing his family was making her excited—it was everything that she wanted. In her boring, routine life, Fiona craved for something like this.

 

She closed her eyes, hiding her excitement as she made herself comfortable. The driver informed her that it would take at least forty minutes before they arrived at the house. Meaning, she could sleep and avoid the upcoming headache from not sleeping on the whole fifteen hours’ flight to Hong Kong, which was tiring.

 

When Fiona opened her eyes again, it was because she felt the car coming to a full stop. She immediately looked at the two-story house. It was white and modern. It reminded her of a building—square and boring.

 

She looked at the glass that almost covered the house. It reflected the light from the scorching sun, making her eyes squint.

 

“This way, please…”

 

Fiona got out of the car and followed Robert inside. “The master lives alone and would seldom come home. He would usually sleep in his office and would only come back to choose some clothes for his trips. Because of this, the house is a bit lifeless,” Robert said as he opened the huge paneled wooden door. “I hope the new Madam doesn’t mind this. Master said that Madam could make any changes—”

 

“Excuse me… what did you just call me?” Fiona thought she heard him say, Madam. Maybe it was the jetlag?

 

“The master said to call you Madam once we get here and will start calling you Madam from now on.”

 

Fiona blinked her beautiful eyes at the man. She understood the cultural difference, but was this really necessary? “Alright… go on.” She decided to ignore this as she gave the man a fake smile. Then she roamed her eyes in the spacious living room.

 

A minimalist five-seater couch was the first thing that attracted her gaze. It was white, perfectly contrasting with the gray walls of the living room. A huge TV sat in front of the couch. Aside from this, there was a small glass table in between the couch and the TV.

 

She looked at the single huge painting on the wall behind the couch. “That is—”

 

“Master painted it.”

 

Fiona nodded. It was abstract—white and black. It was beautiful, but felt lonely. It reminded her of Luca’s eyes.

 

“The kitchen is found on the opposite side. Master said you can do whatever you want, the number of the interior designer is on your bedside table. You can call them anytime to make any changes to the house. Cleaners would come in every two days to clean the place. Please follow me to the second floor.”

 

“How many rooms does this house have?” She couldn’t help but ask.

 

“Five rooms on the second-floor, two rooms on the first floor. On the first floor, there is one guest room and a gym. On the second floor, we can find a library, the master’s bedroom, the master and madam’s office, an entertainment room, and another guest room.”

 

So… she is going to stay in the other guest room, right? Fiona hasn’t talked about the arrangement with Luca, but they agreed to act like a couple in front of everyone. After all, they were already married. All they needed was the proper ceremony, which would not happen.

 

Fiona wasn’t big on celebrations.

 

So no marriage ceremony. A signed document about this marriage would do.

 

Soon, Fiona realized how wrong she was.

 

“This is the master’s bedroom. I will put the madam’s suitcases in the walk-in closet.” Robert pointed to the door that should lead her to the bathroom. A door leading to the closet should be inside.

 

Once again, Fiona nodded. The room before her was the exact opposite of the dark and manly vibe downstairs. His room was muted and cozy. She was expecting to see a hotel-like vibe of the room. Something as beautiful as the ones in the magazine. Something that wouldn’t have any hint of warmth.

 

She was wrong.

 

This room was warm and something that she would like.

 

“Master said that you can—”

 

“I got it,” she interrupted him. Of course, Luca would want her to be comfortable. “I like this room,” she said with the hope that there would be an extra bed somewhere. A place where Luca or she could lie down aside from this bed.

 

Robert didn’t say anything as he bowed and left her alone in her… new home.