When I was young, I never really understood the meaning of death. I just knew it was the last thing that would happen to a person.
Once, I thought it was a reward for wickedness, or something that happened only to old people and once they die, they go up into the sky and become stars. I wanted to be a star, but I didn't want to die. I was terrified of ceasing to exist and not be able to visit the beach nor eat my favorite dessert and play tea party with my dolls.
As I grew older, death wasn't the most terrifying thing anymore. It was the way people forget the dead and move on with their lives.
"You have to be happy and move on sweetie." I remember my mom once saying to a friend of hers who lost her husband to cancer. She took to the advice, remarried and was happy. Why? I kept asking myself. Why is it this way? Time went by and life taught me there wasn't any other way to go about it. They're not completely forgotten but life has to go on. And that's when I decided. I decided to live my best life and do whatever I wanted to do 'cos in the unpredictable end, we'd all become memories.
"Earth to Crystal." Sean snaps his fingers at my face, startling the shit outta me and earning my infamous glare.
"Sorry," he chuckles mockingly, raising both hands in surrender and sits on the couch, "I didn't mean to startle you Crystal."
"I see you enjoyed the food." He looks at the empty plates on the ground and smiles satisfied, "a 'thank you' wouldn't be so bad you know."
I stay silent, looking at my wounds slowly healing. It's painful but I've been through worse.
"Are we really back to you keeping mute?" He asks sounding frustrated and I look up at him. He doesn't really expect me to thank him does he? I might not have enough strength or energy to hate or resent him but I surely do not like him. He did all this just to have me with him, without conscience he hypnotised me. He should have killed Dylan himself, such a coward.
"If you really hate me that much, why did you come into my room?" His voice holds an emotion I can't decipher and I wanna respond but realise I don't have an appropriate answer. Why did I really go there? Was it curiosity? Deep down I know it's much more than that but I can't quite place my fingers on the answer.
"I thought as much," he smirks and I frown a little, confused. Like before, he snaps his fingers and a dress and pair of silver shoes appear on the part of the bed just beside me. A beautiful short red dress, with long sleeves and well detailed silver embroidery running along both arms and neck. The sun rays shine beautifully on it through the curtains causing it to luster and I don't know when I start to run my fingers on the soft fabric, admiring it.
"You like it?" He asks and I withdraw my hand, gaining back my composure. "Well, you should put it on quickly, they await."
"Who are they?" I ask without thinking and he rests his back smirking at me with a cocked eyebrow.
"Look who's talking now." He chuckles and I fold my arms at him.
"Well, they're my," he pauses and taps on his chin as if thinking or searching for the appropriate word, "subordinates." He says after a few seconds.
"Subordinates?" I ask, "and you're superior to them in what way?"
"Every way."
"That's not a satisfying answer." I say and he smiles.
"Ofcourse not."
Sighing, I get up and go change in the bathroom, noticing the blood stained nighty was nowhere to be found, no single trace of blood is on the floor and the mirror looks just as good as new. The only evidence of that night ever happening were the scars on my hand. It's no wonder he gave me a long sleeved dress this time. Hurriedly, I discard the clothes on my body in the laundry basket and put on the dress he gave me. It stops just above my knee and hugs my body perfectly. It wasn't easy putting my hand through the sleeves and the cloth pressing on it hurts bad but I'll toughen it out. It's just for a few minutes.
The dark circles around my eyes seem unshaken, looking just like it did the last time and my skin is just a little less pale. Brushing my fingers through my hair, I leave it to fall over my shoulders and exit the bathroom once I decide I look decent enough. Sean looks at me from his sitted position on the couch and smiles admiringly, getting up.
"Let's go." He says and puts out his hand for me to take but I don't. I still have a few questions.
"No instructions today?" I ask and he sighs, putting his hand in the pocket of his black suit pants. His jacket is unbuttoned as well as the first two buttons on his wine coloured shirt, revealing a little of his broad and hard chest. Focus, Crystal focus.
"Nope," he responds, "just the same as before. I'm sure you remember." He says and I nod.
"Why did you say I'm your betrothed?" I finally ask the question that's been pestering me the entire time.
"Because you are." He says.
"I don't remember having such discussion nor agreement with you."
"No we didn't."
"Then why am I your betrothed?" I ask getting a little pissed at his brief and unreasonable responses.
"Because I chose you." I surely wasn't expecting this response so I just look at him with wide eyes like the confused fuck that I am.
"Now," he lets out his hand again, "shall we go?"
Nodding slightly, I take his hand and we walk out of the room heading downstairs with series of thoughts flooding through my mind.
He chose me? Is he allowed to choose just anybody he pleases and make them theirs? I suddenly feel like an item for sale, an item he bought. Bought? More like stole. His so-called 'subordinates' surely do not seem to buy into the idea of him marrying me, all because I'm a human? Who or what are they exactly and why do they resent humans? I remember how Sean flared up at the mention of his mother the last time and chills run through my spine as the sickening crack from Aiden's--I think is his name--breaking nose finds its way to my head. I can only hope nothing like that happens again.
All too soon, we get to the table and like before, the aura changes and I can feel eyes all over me.
We sit at the table and I look up to find everyone sitting in the exact position as the last time.
Miranda's eyes meet mine and I look back down immediately, my heart racing in fear.
"Shall we begin."..
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