Family Affair
Natalie smiled as the car pulled into the circular driveway of her new home. The landscaping and front of the home was like something out of a magazine, and she was anxious to get inside. She wasn’t shocked that the mansion was as beautiful as it was. After all, she’d married a millionaire. Even though her new husband was fifty-four years old, more than twice her age, for that kind of money, she could live with the age difference.
Shortly after meeting William, although her mom didn’t approve, they were engaged. Their wedding was perfect, right out of a fairytale. He showered her with the best, not holding back on the spending. Natalie didn’t have to do anything but point out what she wanted and say no to what she didn’t want. And since he knew Norma, Natalie’s mother, wasn’t too happy with a man his age marrying her baby girl, he eased her concerns about the relationship with a few pricey favors. He never outright said it, but Natalie knew it was his way of keeping her mother quiet and out of their business.
Natalie walked into the foyer beaming, and the staff made a fuss over her, making sure she felt at home. Having a full staff at her disposal was going to be something she could easily get used to, and she couldn’t wait to fill her role as Mistress of the house.
“Mrs. Brookdale, welcome home,” one of the staff members said. “We will take all of your things up to your master. Mr. Brookdale is on the main terrace waiting for you.” He pointed her in the right direction before picking up her bags and heading up the stairs.
She took another look around the massive entryway and admired the gorgeous crystal chandelier and grand staircase before she headed out to the terrace.
She stepped out on the terrace and called out his name. “William.”
He was reading a book and sipping on something dark on the rocks.
“Natalie, darling, you’re here. How was your flight?”
She’d had to finish up a few minor details in Chicago before she could join him in L.A. He was in Chicago for business the night they met, and since he was tall, dark, and handsome with eyes blue enough to dive in, his twenty-five year old wife didn’t mind the age difference at all.
“My flight was fantastic, love. It was so comfortable and much better than coach on Southwest,” she joked. He didn’t laugh. Natalie shook her head at his serious demeanor and thanked God her days of riding in coach were over.
“Well, get used to it . We do it first class all the way.” William spoke properly, like a college professor, she thought. She knew she wasn’t so eloquent and made a mental note to work on her speech so she could speak like she belonged in his circle. “I have your entire day planned,” he continued, “and I want you to feel at home. I will have Frances show you around, and then Carl will take you to the spa and get you all prettied up and then shopping to find a dress. Tonight, my son is coming into town, and he can’t see his new stepmother looking like she just walked out of a trailer park.”
Natalie didn’t like that comment. She was gorgeous, and although her nails were a bit longer than average and her new bright red highlights weren’t what William was used to, she felt she was far from trailer trash. But she didn’t want to argue with him on her first day home, so she agreed to make whatever changes her husband felt she needed to make. He pressed a button on the intercom and called for Frances. The maid was there in a couple of minutes to give Natalie a tour of her new home. In each room they entered, Natalie’s eyes lit up like a kid at an amusement park. She knew she was going to love living there.
“Come, Mrs. Brookdale, this way,” Frances said. Natalie followed her into the master bedroom. “This is your master suite, and as you can see, every amenity you need is in this room. Your sitting area is over there and the fridge, wet bar, and coffee station is over here.
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