My life was so wonderful. I had no work-and, no husband. I just strolled in this giant of a house whenever I got bored of watching TV, talking to my friends, or reading books. There was nothing for me to do. Others were prohibited from talking to me, and I didn't understand why they followed the rules when the owner wasn't even here to check.

I didn't know why every one of them was so loyal and trustworthy of him. It was like they worshipped him, or something. Over the last two weeks, I had eavesdropped on a few conversations that the maids were having.

They totally admired Yuvaan, and didn't stop gushing over how he helped them when they were in need of work. Even his security guards and drivers were always talking about him, or something which indirectly involved him.

Couldn't they at least have a little chat with me? I was feeling like I was invisible.

Only Grace talked to me, but it was only related to whether I had food on time, or not. I tried to get her to reveal the secrets she was hiding, but that woman was smart.

She told me that it was not fair what was happening to me, and she felt bad for me, but in the end, she was Yuvaan's Nana. She could not go against him, no matter what.

I understood what she was trying to imply, so I stopped bothering her. Pressurising her to tell me something she didn't want to would be bad on my part.

I sighed and sat down on the sofa in the living room. I switched on the TV and just watched anything. My mind was blank, and the memories from the past two weeks flooded my mind. I got married thinking that doing so would make my so called parents happy. But I was wrong.

How did I manage to believe them again when they had already betrayed me before? How did I forget what happened when I had cried and asked them to help me? How did I let it happen all over again?

Suddenly, the TV remote was snatched from my hands. I looked up at the culprit who had shut off the TV and scowled. How dare he do that? I moved my hands to grab the remote again, but he threw it away. I got up and pushed past him.

I grabbed the remote from the floor and switched on the TV. That person again tried to take it away from me, but I clutched it tight in my hands and refused to let it go.

"Give it to me," he commanded.

"No!" I yelled.

"Reyna, I am warning you."

"I said no!"

"Reyna!"

"Fuck your-"

Slap!

A loud ringing sound resonated through my left ear, and I stumbled back. He hit me so strongly that the impact traveled from my cheek to my toes.

The remote fell from my hands, and he picked it up. He shut off the TV and stared me down.

I caressed my throbbing cheek as tears welled up in my eyes. I looked at him and opened my mouth to shout at him, but my eyes finally registered who was standing before me.

Yuvaan. When did he return?

"Did you just forget who I am?" Yuvaan thundered. "I left you for a few days, and you thought you could do whatever you wanted?"

He stepped towards me, and I crawled back. He looked so angry. I didn't like when someone took out their anger on me for something I didn't do.

"I was just watching TV," I explained in a low voice.

"Oh, I didn't see that," he replied sarcastically.

I gave him a sad look, and his rage increased more. He grabbed my hand and threw me in a corner. After that, he called up all his maids and other employees. All of them lined up in the hall and exchanged worried looks.

Yuvaan motioned for me to come forward, and I did as ordered. My cheek still hurt, so I walked towards him, and he made me stand in front of everyone.

"Don't worry, guys. I haven't called you here to evaluate your monthly performance," he announced which made others sigh in relief.

"As you all know, this person standing here," he pointed towards me, "is now a part of this house and my wife. I have already informed you to not get involved with her, and I am glad you are doing that, but it looks our new member has a lot of free time on her hands."

He glanced at me and smirked. I didn't like that look. He was smiling, but there was nothing good when he did that to me.

"I understand how much work you all have to do, and it has been a long time since you got a proper holiday. So, here is your chance. I am giving you all a week off from tomorrow onwards. Enjoy your vacation." He clapped his hands, and his employees beamed in delight.

"Sir, everyone? Who will do all the work then?" one of them asked.

"Who else?" Yuvaan asked and looked at me.

"M-me?" I stuttered.

He nodded, and the smiles from everyone's faces vanished. They thought he was joking, but Yuvaan assured them he was serious. Except for his personal driver, Grace and her assistant, everyone was told to pack their bags and leave tomorrow morning.

"But before you leave, I will ask you to teach your new replacement how to do the work. Because if she failed in her task, she would be getting the punishment as it is, but I will cut off the relative portions from your salaries too," he said.

"Yuvaan, how can you expect a single person to do all the work?" Grace argued.

"Relax, Nana. It is not much. I am sure if a girl can marry someone she hardly knows for the money, she can also do anything for it, right?" he replied.

Grace shook her head in disappointment. I on the other hand was not sure what I was supposed to do. I had never done the housework, except for cooking because I liked it. But other than that, I had never even picked up a broom in my entire life.

"What are you guys waiting for? Leave, or I will cancel your holidays," Yuvaan said.

Everyone scurried off after throwing me a glance, and one maid, a male servant, and a garden caretaker stayed back. Yuvaan told them to teach me everything today and report to him if I wasn't paying attention properly.

"Reyna, from tomorrow onwards, you will be taking care of the house just like you are supposed to be doing. Since I don't want someone freeloading in my house without making his/her contribution, you will have to do your part of the job.

"You will wash the cars, take care of the lawn, clean the swimming pools and the house, and do all the other smaller tasks. But, you won't cook. I know that's your favourite, that's why I am not allowing that.

"I know you are not a superhero who would be able to accomplish everything in just one day. For that, I am not putting any time limit, but you will be given a task by Nana everyday, and if you fail, it will be added to the next day. So, take my advice. Complete your daily work on time to avoid backlogs," he explained.

After that, he left for his room, and I looked at the people in front of me. I didn't know what to tell them and vice-versa. If I messed up, they would suffer too. I hadn't just dragged Yuvaan down with myself, but now others would face the consequences also.

I shook my head and told Grace to tell me everything I was supposed to do. She sighed and took me along with her. Step by step, she explained me the work with the help of other workers and tried to teach me in the easiest way possible.

I tried to remember each small detail and hoped that I wouldn't do something which would give Yuvaan an excuse to torture me more. If only I had stayed back in my room, I wouldn't be standing here and learning how to cut a bush.

So many things were being taught to me one after another in such a short span of time, I was sure that I was being prepared for my doom. Yuvaan was really cruel. Not only me, but he threatened others too. What was their fault? He could have just simply told me to do it-it wasn't like I was in the position to deny him.

It took me almost 6 hours to learn the various skills. The sun had already set, and it was time for dinner. Grace had left to cook, and soon others went to their respective rooms too.

I made my way towards the kitchen, and Yuvaan was already sitting on the dining table, typing on his phone.

He looked up when I entered the room. I opened the fridge and took out a water bottle. All the time, he was staring holes in me. I didn't make eye contact and took my usual position in the corner.

"Did you learn everything?" he asked, and I nodded.

"Learn to speak, Reyna! Don't play dumb with me. If I see you nod or shake your head like an idiot next time I asked you something, I promise I will rip your head off," he roared, and I almost spat the water.

"Ye-yes," I replied.

"Better," he grumbled and muttered something under his breath.

"Are you hungry?" he questioned when he saw me staring at his plate.

I was about to nod, but stopped myself. "Yes," I answered.

"Really really hungry?" he teased.

"Yes."

"You won't get to eat though." He gave a tight-lipped smile.

I looked at him in confusion. "Why not?"

"Because I am saying so. If you want to eat, you need to earn it. Till today, you haven't done anything worthy to earn your own bread. So, just like how others are working hard to fill their stomachs, you will have to do the same too. I can't be unfair towards my own people just because you are my wife.

"You can only eat after you complete your tomorrow's task efficiently. I myself will review it because I know Nana is kind of biased towards you," he said, and Grace threw him a glare.

"Aren't you going overboard, Yuvi?" she scolded.

"No, Nana. I don't think so. Moreover, she is my wife. I think I understand it better than anyone else what is good for her and what is not, right Reyna?" he reasoned with a mocking tone.

I had promised myself that I wouldn't curse at my husband, but...... he was an asshole!

"I am hungry....." I mumbled.

"Awwwww...... Little Reyna is hungry?"

I made a weird face at him in my mind. I didn't want to get another slap. Yuvaan got up from his chair after he was done eating and stood in front of me. He told me to look at him, and I tilted my head.

A glint passed through his black orbs as a devilish smile curled up his lips. How could he look good even when he was staring at me like that? There was no hint of love, or anything close to it on his face. Whereas I was admiring him even though I knew he hated me.

I should hate him too. But why was it so hard to do that? The more he pushed me away, the more I wanted to go closer to him. Would he ever realise my true feelings?

He won't. I was sure he also knew that, or else he would have at least tried to put some effort in this relationship which was fake to him, but a wonderful dream to me which had turned into reality-my dark reality.

Yuvaan studied my face for a minute and then walked away. The clock struck 11 pm, and I also retired to my room with my empty stomach. Grace tried to sneak some snacks to me, but I refused her.

Yuvaan was right. I couldn't just expect him to feed me without getting anything in return. He would not let me do a job because he didn't trust me. And even if I did, I wouldn't be able to afford even a month's rent to live in his home.

I would have to work for my whole life to cover all the expenses, and still I wouldn't be able to pay it all off. I was getting an easy way out of it. Just do the housework and keep him happy.

How much difficult could it be? It was just housework... it wasn't like I was going on a war, or something.

Do you think Reyna will be able to cope up with the housework she deems easy?

You should never underestimate it though 😝