After my punishment was over, I would never take going outside for granted. I felt so much better to be outside again than be cooped up in the house. With my privilege being given back to me, my days were much brighter, especially because I knew when my brother would return home, which was soon.
In a week, the party took place, of which I still had not figured out what its occasion was. I made my way to the kitchen after my afternoon walk outside. Mary was eating a sandwich, which meant she was on her break. "Hello, Mary." I chirped.
"Hello dear, how are you doing?" She asked with a smile.
"Really good, in a week Xavier is visiting again. Again! Maybe he will have some time to listen to the last piece I have learned on the piano." I mused.
"That sounds lovely Ava. He will for sure love it."
"How do you know?" I asked confused.
"Well, I like hearing you play, so he will for sure like it as well. Anyone who would not like that is an idiot." I giggled.
"Mary you can't say that, that is not nice," I said between my giggles.
Mary sighed. "You are so pure my child, I hope you stay that way. The world is way too cruel for you."
A frown appeared on my forehead. The outside world could not be cruel, right? I mean Xavier lived in it and he was not affected by that. He was also pure, right?
"So, Mary can I help you with something?" Mary looked busy preparing the silverware to be cleaned.
"Child you don't have to help me, it is my job." The old lady laughed.
"I know, but I'm bored. Please let me help you." I begged with my hands clasped in front of me.
"Oh, I can't say no to that face. I need to clean the silverware for the party next week. You can help me with that." I smiled. I knew for sure my afternoon was filled with this activity, so I did not die of boredom.
As we were cleaning, the question about the party made its way into my head again. "Mary, do you know why father is holding this party? He has never held any parties here. He went to parties, but never held them here." I looked at her, but she was avoiding my gaze.
"Mary?" I asked as she remained quiet.
"Your father has not told me or any of us for that matter why he is planning this party. We just do as he tells us what to do. You have nothing to worry about, dear." A small 'okay' left my lips and we worked in silence until the job was finished.
• • •
A week later and the whole house was filled with servants trying to set up as quickly as they could. While I was reading in the library, a young man came up to me, informing me that my father wanted to speak to me.
I went my way to his office and knocked on his door. "Come in."
"Hello father, you wished to see me?" I held my hands in front of me, back straight up and legs close to each other. Wanting to appear as politely as possible as it was a stressful day for him.
"Yes, as you know I'm holding a party tonight." I nodded my head as he continued, "I want you to stay in your room tonight and stay there, no matter what. Do you understand?"
I nodded my head again as I said, "Yes, I understand father."
My father dismissed me, and I went back to the library, feeling disappointed. I had hoped I could go to the party. Meeting new people was as scary as it was thrilling. Staying in my room for the whole night was even worse than staying in the house.
Around five in the afternoon a servant made her way into the library. "Young miss! What are you doing here?!" Her face was shocked and filled with worry.
"I'm reading, the evening hasn't started yet so I thought I could stay here for a bit longer." I tried to calm her down. Father had said 'tonight' and that meant after six. "No, no, you must go this instance, the first guests are about to arrive!"
I took my book with me and hurried to my room. Just after I had let myself fall on the bed; I heard the first cars on our driveway. Well, she was right. The guests were indeed close to arriving.
It was mostly men who entered our house, with on some occasions a woman hooked on their arms. It was quite interesting to look at the guests. People from the outside world. Sometimes I wished to be like the woman downstairs. Being able to go into the world without any trouble.
Dinner was served in my room, which was quite depressing. Most of the time I indeed ate alone, but not being able to eat in the dining room because other people were there, people I could not meet, was even worse than sitting alone at the long table.
I had barely touched my food. Some moments ago, I saw my brother entering the house as well and I had hoped he would say a quick hello before he joined the party, but he did not.
To keep me busy, I watched a movie, only I had seen it already six times and it was not fun to watch anymore. I let the movie play in the background as I was looking through the window, in the hope I would see something interesting.
Just when I wanted to get ready for bed, Mary walked into my room. "Ava, dear, put on a dress and go to your father's office." She had a sad face.
"What do you mean? Father told me to stay in my room." I said with a confused face. Why did my father change his mind and why did Mary look sad?
"Please, just do as he says." Reluctantly I nodded my head and quickly changed into a neat dress. When I was done, I walked towards my father's office. When I neared it, I could hear multiple voices. My hands started to get clam, nerves growing inside me. I had not much experience with meeting new people, so I was quite scared. I raised my hand to knock. After a short moment, I heard the words 'come in'.
I stepped inside as was met with six faces. My father was like usual sitting behind his desk. My brother was standing on his right side. In front of them was a younger and older male and on each side of the office stood a bodyguard.
"You wanted to see me, father?" I said in a timid voice. The powerful aurae were clashing against each other in the room. Too many dominant males in such a small space.
"Yes, please come here, Ava." He gestured with his hand to come to his left side. A small chair was settled next to him and he made me sit on it. I quickly looked around the room, searching for any clues which could tell me what was going on.
"Gentlemen, meet my youngest child and daughter, Ava." The two men in front of him looked at me and I shared a quick look with them. When I felt too intimidated, I looked down at my lap. "Ava, I want you to meet Mr. Verlice and his son Edric." I again looked up and when I locked my eyes with Edric I felt a sudden cold feeling washing over me. I never judged people, but he had this darkness around him, which could mean anything but something good.
The contact was broken by Xavier's words. "Father this is wrong." He hissed. I had never seen my brother this angry at our father. "Xavier, stay out of it." Our father snapped back.
A confused look settled on my face and I tried to make contact with Xavier, but he avoided my gaze. My father then turned to Mr. Verlice and his son. "After seeing my daughter, do we have a deal?" Both men turned to me one last time and stood up. Mr. Verlice held his hand out and said, "We have a deal."
Upon shaking their hands, my father looked at me. "Ava dear." He took his hand back and put it on my shoulder. "You will be marrying Mr. Verlice's son, Edric."
I was in a state of shock when I heard those words and not the good kind. My breath hitched. I was lost for words. I just could not grasp the fact I would marry a total stranger. I did not know a lot about social engagement and social activities, but what I did know was that two people marry out of love, not out of a deal. At least that is what all the romantic novels and movies told me.Sure, I had read about arranged marriages, but that was in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Not in the present.I knew I was too long too quiet. I had to say something, but what?"I-I am a-afraid I-I do not u-understand." I stuttered.When the words left my mouth, a sinister smile was plastered on the young male's face of Edric. A shiver ran d
The magazines felt like heavyweights on my lap. I could not speak. Silence filled the room. Time went by."Look Ava, I know you don't know my son, I can understand this might be difficult for you. But this wedding will take place, nothing can change that. So, I suggest you quit your whining about this and pick out a wedding dress." Miranda said stern.I looked at her. Her lips were pressed in a thin line and she had a deep frown plastered on her forehead. Her eyes were cold, telling me to obey her.I looked back at the magazines and slowly opened them. Looking at the white dresses. None of them were appealing to me. Nothing about all of this was appealing to me, but apparently, I whined, and I did not want to displease her. So, I started to act like a proper lady and listened to my elders."The pages with the folded ears are the dresses that might be fitting for you." I turned to the next page with a folded ear. "Oh, this is my fav
I was waiting in the foyer for the Verlice family. I was leaning back and forth on the ball and heel of my feet. Trying to calm down my nerves, only it failed. I tried to fumble with my dress, again it did not help. Xavier, who was standing next to me, grabbed my hand."Relax little sister. I am there to protect you, might Edric do something foolish." My brother whispered in my ear, tickling me.I sighed. "I know brother, but how about when we are alone." I looked up to him, showing my concern. "What do I do then? I have never been with a man alone, you excluded.""I'm sure... he has a good pair of eyes, to see you need to be treated like a queen." Xavier tried to assure me.Only it did not help me. The cold look in Edric's eyes had n
All week I was scared and confused. I even had forgotten about the fact I was now finally eighteen. The moment in the rose garden with Edric was absolutely terrifying. And to top that off I had all these questions in my head. What did Edric mean by mafia and underworld? I had tried to look it up on my laptop, but it had many restrictions on my internet access. A lot of websites I had no access to and I was too afraid to ask my father or my brother.The whole week I was stressed and today did not help. Today was the wedding.I was already sent to the bathroom to take a shower by Miranda. To say I was shocked was an understatement. She was the one to wake me up and was already yelling directions. Everything had to be perfect, was Miranda's motto today.I had hoped I would have t
The morning I woke up I felt awful. Memories of the last night were flashing through my mind. Tears streamed down my face. The way Edric treated me last night was not how a man should treat a woman. What did I do to him? What had I done to make him act the way he did to me?I turned to my side, creating as much distance between us as possible. Only it hurt, a lot. My whole body felt sore. I could already see the bruises on my wrists. I did not want to know how many more were painted on my body.I heard a grunt coming from the other side of the bed. My body tensed. Please go back to sleep, I thought."You awake?" I heard Edric asking me in a raspy voice.I did not dare to speak a word. I was afraid if I made a squeak, he might do somet
The next morning, I again, walked on eggshells around Edric. Fortunately, he did not bother me last night. But I had barely slept. My fears kept me awake. Just when I had managed to sleep, I was woken up by him, the evil man that is my husband.Quickly I made my way to the kitchen to get his breakfast, making sure his coffee was ready when he entered the room.Once again, I had hardly touched my food. Stress did not let me eat. I barely dared to even move. Afraid that with one movement I could make him set off.We ate in silence as there was not a need to make conversation with such a vicious man until Edric himself spoke up."We are going out tonight. So, no need in making dinner." With that, he left the house.When I heard the front door closing, I could breathe again. I sighed. I did not know when he would come home, but I knew I had some hours to myself, free from him. How ironically. All my life I wished for a friend, for company and now
We were driving back home, but my mind was still thinking about the conversation during dinner. Edric had not said no to Leo because I was his wife, he said no because he thought I was not pretty enough, and he was afraid of his reputation being damaged.To say I felt horrible was an understatement.When we came back, I immediately made my way inside to take the high heels off my feet. Slowly I headed upstairs as my feet were hurting. Entering the bedroom, I went to the bed to sit. I looked at my feet for the damage, it was not that bad. My skin was a bit red in some places, but no blisters, fortunately.I stood up after I had collected all my energy to make myself ready for the night when Edric walked in. "Where are you going?" He asked me in a dark voice. He loosened his tie and unbu
Two weeks. Two weeks went by and my life had not gotten any easier living with the devil himself. I tried to listen to him. I really tried. I did what he asked, what he ordered me to do. Nevertheless, he always found a way to punish me with a slap, a punch, or a kick.My bruises, however, did not increase, he would only hit me once to make his point. Making clear that it was him who was in charge. Not me. So, the bruises stayed on my body, once healed another would be painted on my skin.Most of the days Edric would be away. I had no clue where, but I did not care. I only cared for his temporary disappearance. For a short period of time where I could breathe without having to look over my shoulder. A time of peace.Some days he would be at home, mostly on Sundays, and then people