THE SUBSTITUTE BRIDE

Chapter 7

Alex’s POV

When I woke up, the sun was already shining brightly. I folded my bed and placed it beneath Uriel's bed. Uriel forbade all of his maids from entering our room and even refused to allow them to clean the inside. He said I will clean our room from now on. I understand why Uriel did it. He did it so people in his house won't notice that we don't sleep in the same bed. Uriel is quite clever.

I frowned. How ungentlemanly of him. I was put to sleep on the floor because he slept soundly on the soft bed. It's not that I'm acting because I'm used to sleeping on the hard floor, but as a man, he should have caved and let me sleep in his bed. But what can I expect from someone like him? He didn't love my twin sister and married her only because the two of them had a contract agreement.

"Oh, God. Alex, this situation you've put yourself in is a complete disaster," I thought to myself before I walks into the toilet.

I showered and changed my clothes as soon as I put my bed away. I don't have to buy any new clothes because Alexa has a large wardrobe in her walk-in closet. I simply chose her clothes that are decent and distinct from her other clothes.

When I went downstairs, I went straight to the kitchen. My stomach was grumbling. Nana Lorena was busy cooking in the kitchen when I arrived.

"Good morning, Nana Lorena," I greeted Uriel's servant with a smile.

"It's already noon, Alexa," she answered without a tinge of a smile on her face.

I noticed that she didn't seem to like me since yesterday. She appeared to be enraged last night when she saw Uriel on top of me. It looks like she doesn't want Alexa as her boss' wife.

I sighed secretly as I remembered what happened last night. When Nana Lorena opened the room, she saw Uriel on top of me while my two pillows are on the floor so I know she thinks that we are doing our honeymoon. I then covered myself with a blanket out of embarrassment. Nana Lorena immediately closed the door and didn't continue to tell us the reason why she knocked on the door. It's a good thing that Uriel didn't say anything afterward. I dozed off while wrapped in a blanket.

"I'm sorry, I woke up late. I fell asleep almost at dawn that's why I woke up late," I explained to her, who still looked at me strangely. "Where is Uriel?"

I was startled when Nana Lorena dropped the ladle in the sink and created a loud noise.

"He's gone to his company. I bet he's ashamed to wait for you before going to work," she boldly said with a tone of mockery.

I couldn't stand the way she was treating me. I don't disrespect people who are older than me, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let her treat me like this.

"Nana Lorena, do you have a problem with me? Why are you talking to me like that? Perhaps you're forgetting that I'm not a servant in this house. I'm your boss' wife, which means I'm your boss as well," I seriously said, emphasizing every word. Not that I'm bragging about becoming Uriel's wife, but if I don't tell her like that, I'm sure she'll continue to treat me this way in the long run. My twin is already bullied by her acquaintances. Is she still being bullied inside her husband's home?

"You just got married, but you act as if you own this house. Who do you think you are? Don't think you are the queen of this house just because our boss married you," she said with sharp eyes.

I took a deep breath to maintain my patience. This old woman ruins my morning. When I don't remember doing anything wrong to her. I'm not sure why she treats me like this.

"I'm not behaving like a queen in this house, Nana Lorena. I'm treating you well and speaking to you respectfully, but this is how you respond to me. You're already old but you act like a child throwing a tantrum."

Nama Lorena's eyes suddenly lit up when she heard what I said. "You have a thick face to say that on me!" she shouted. She was about to hit me, but I promptly grabbed her hand and strongly pushed her away from me. She almost fell if only she hadn't quickly held on to one of the kitchen chairs.

"Don't try me, Nana Lorena. I'm not afraid of you and I won't let you hurt me. Where have you ever seen a servant who dared to slap his master's wife? Next time you do it, you'll see what you're looking for," I told her, my face flushed with repressed rage. I turned away from her and walked into the living room before I could say anything negative words against her. I'm hungry, but I can't eat in front of that old lady, who looks like she is having her menopausal day. I'm not sure where Nana Lorena's rage came from. It isn't good. It seems like my stay in this house will not be peaceful.

"Ma'am Alexa, I'm here to apologize for Nana Lorena. She's been thinking too much lately, that's why she behaved like that," a female servant said, approaching me. It seemed that she had seen and heard what that old lady told me. "I'm Loyda, by the way. If you need anything, just call me."

I take a look at her. It's a good thing she's not like that old woman. At least I have someone in this house who can talk to me nicely and ask for help with something.

"I'm hungry, Loyda. Can you go out and buy some food for me and bring it to our room?" I asked. I don't want to eat what Nana Lorena prepared. I'm scared that she might have used muriatic acid and mixed it in her food. That old woman is frightening.

"Nana Lorena cooked a delicious dish, Ma'am Alexa. She is a good cook. I can get food for you and bring it inside your room," Loyda said to me with a smile. I smiled and nodded at her, then I went back to our room.

It wasn't long before Loyda knocked on the door and brought food for me. I took the food and thanked her before closing the door. In fairness, that old lady is indeed a good cook. If only she didn't show me the roughness of her behavior, we would get along.

I asked Loyda to bring out the plates after I finished eating. I stayed in the room for an entire day and decided to come out only to see Nana Lorena's face. All I did was watch TV shows. I decided to sleep on the bed when I got tired of watching. My eyelids were droopy. I'm not sure how long I slept, but I was startled when someone suddenly pulled my arm harshly.

"Wake up, Alexa! What did you do to Nana Lorena to make her want to leave my house?" Uriel yelled angrily, his face is very dark. He just arrives because he was still dressed in long sleeves and a tie.

"What are you doing, Uriel? You're hurting me. What's wrong with you?" I asked him in surprise.

"Never mess with my people here in my house, especially Nana Lorena. Don't act like you're the owner because you know we're not a real couple," he gritted his teeth.

I can already figure out why he is upset with me. I'm not sure what that old woman said to Uriel, but I'm sure what she said was a lie and motivated by rage. I can't help but feel pain, even though I know I have no right to be hurt. He is upset with me despite not knowing what happened. Is he going to treat me like this because we're only married on paper? I yanked my arm away from him.

"You're angry without even knowing what happened?" I asked him. "And I'm not pretending to be the owner of this house, Uriel. Yes, we're only married on paper, and I have no right to this house, but that doesn't mean I'm going to let your servant insult and hurt me. I'm only defending myself, Uriel. I won't be oppressed by anyone inside your house," I said firmly. Her life will be difficult because her husband will not support her. Fortunately, she bolted, and I took her place. Thank goodness I can fight and defend myself.

I walked towards the door to leave after saying those words to Uriel. I hadn't even opened the door when it suddenly open and hit my face.

"Alexa! Are you okay?" Uriel seemed concerned as he quickly approached me. I shook his hand when he was about to touch the part of my forehead that was hit by the door.

"Don't worry about me. What you need to worry about is your maid who plans to leave your house," I told him with a blank expression, and then I left the room completely. I threw a bad look at Nana Lorena, who opened the door for me. She didn't even say sorry to me, instead, there was a triumphant smile on her lips, but it quickly disappear when Uriel cast her a glance. I just shook my head at what the old woman did. What is her problem with me? And why does Uriel value her like that? It seems like that old woman means a lot to him.