I was one week in of my horrendous punishment. It felt like the whole world was punishing me by letting time go so slowly. In the morning, my teacher arrived, and we would work until one in the afternoon. Then I would have lunch alone. When I was done eating, I would join Mary in the kitchen as our chef would teach me a new recipe. By then it would be around three in the afternoon. I would go to the library and play the piano until four and then I had nothing to do anymore. This was my routine, day in and out.
I had already watched all the movies I was allowed to watch; I had done all the hobbies I was allowed to do, which were not interesting anymore, and I could not go outside of the house. I was forbidden to go anywhere outside our borders.
I had never been to the movies, to the mall, to the library, or to school. I was very isolated from the world and because of that, I had no friends to keep myself busy with. I had never gossiped before or had a fight with somebody. Not even with my brother.
I never could consider my big brother as a friend. He was ten years older and by the time I was old enough to play with him, he was already going to high school. Xavier was always busy, either with school or with our father. He had to make my brother ready to take over the 'business'.
Still to this day I had no idea what he meant by that. Do not get me wrong, I had asked multiple times what kind of business my father owned, but he never gave me a clear answer. The very same way as he always dodged the question of why I could not leave the premises.
Today I had skipped practicing my piano exercises, I was not feeling like playing as I felt quite blue today. I sat in front of my bedroom window which showed me the front yard. As I was looking at the birds flying outside, having the time of their lives, I saw a car making its way on our driveway. But it was not any car, it was my brother's car.
I smiled. It had been months since he had visited us. I run to the foyer to wait for him. Just as I stepped down the last steps of the stairs, the door was opened for my brother. "Xavier!" I run up to him and gave him a big bear hug.
The sound of chuckles was echoing in the large hall. "It's good to see you too, little sister." I backed away and showed him a toothy grin.
"Ava! That is not how a proper lady welcomes her brother." My father scolded me. My smile faltered, my head hanging low. I stepped further back so my father could greet my brother.
"She is just happy to see me, father," Xavier said while giving him a hand, that was their way of greeting each other. Quite distant if you asked me.
"Yes, but a lady does not let her emotions influence her behaviour. I thought she had enough etiquette lessons, but maybe I should hire somebody to re-educate her." My father mused.
Please, please, please Xavier, help me, I pleaded in my head. Those etiquette lessons were even more boring than dying of boredom. With a pleading look on my face, I begged my brother to help me.
"I think it was a slip-up, nothing to get too worried about." My brother said. I looked at him, showing how grateful I was for his words. He chuckled as a response to my thankful demeanor.
"I suppose so." My father mumbled.
Both men started to make their way to the formal living room. Just when we were about to enter the room, my father turned around. "Ava, go to your room. I have some business to discuss with you brother."
A small sigh escaped from my lips, as I turned around. Xavier was not even ten minutes home and I was sent away because of their 'business talk'. I wanted to talk to my brother too. Could they not wait until after dinner?
I stomped up the steps of the stairs as I made my way to my bedroom. I was lucky that we had a carpet covering the stair, or otherwise, my father would have heard me. I sat on the couch, trying to read a book to make time go by faster. It was easier said than done.
I could not concentrate. I had missed my brother and I wanted to see him. I looked at the clock and it said six in the evening. I had to wait another thirty minutes before dinner was being served.
I paced, I sat, I laid down, to keep myself busy.
Then finally it was five minutes before half-past six. With a smile, I made my way to the dining room. Upon entering I saw both my father and brother were not present yet. I sighed but let this not determine my delighted mood. I could wait for a few minutes, so I could dine with my brother.
Exactly at six-thirty, the servants made their way in the dining room, setting up the dinner for this evening. Only I saw it was for one person. "Pardon? Why are you not setting up dinner for three?" I asked politely.
"We were instructed you were to eat alone. Master and the young mister are dining in the home office." A young man answered my question. My happiness being crumbled down. "Oh okay, thank you," I mumbled.
My appetite was gone. For thirty minutes I played with my food. Now knowing for sure they were not coming down; I left the room. I quickly visited the kitchen to see if Mary was still there, but she had already left.
Again, I spent the evening alone. Like always.
Last night I moped, but today was going to be different. Today was a new day and that meant a fresh start. I could not be grieving all the time about the fact I was alone, that would only make me sadder. No, each new day needed to be faced with a new ounce of happiness. I got myself freshened up and picked proper clothes to wear for a proper lady. This meant a skirt, not too long, not too short. Matched with a blouse. I tied my hair in a ponytail and headed to the dining room for breakfast. Normally I would be alone, but now I saw my brother already sipping at his coffee. With a smiling face, I greeted him. "Morning." I chirped. "Good morning, little sister. Did you sleep well?" Xavier asked as he put his phone away. "Yes, and you
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.
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