As I gazed out the window, my vision blurred by tears of frustration and despair, I couldn't help but think that I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I was married to the most obnoxious, arrogant man on earth. His condescending attitude and constant belittling had already begun to take a toll on my self-esteem. I felt trapped and suffocated in this loveless marriage.
The car suddenly came to an abrupt halt, signaling our arrival at our destination. I couldn't believe I was already home - or at least, what was supposed to be my home now. I didn't regret pouring tea on him the first time we met; in fact, I wished I had done more to express my disdain for his haughty demeanor.
As I adjusted my gown, trying to compose myself, I felt the gentle evening breeze caress my face. The driver opened my door, and I stepped out into the night air, my eyes widening in awe at the sight before me. The house was nothing short of magical - a castle-like mansion that dwarfed my father's house in comparison. The sound of gently burbling water drew my attention to the beautiful fountain in front of the house, surrounded by lush greenery. Beyond that, I saw a sprawling golf course field, and a large-sized pool that glimmered in the moonlight. I couldn't take it all in, as the darkness hid many of the estate's secrets, but what I saw left me breathless.
"We're here," my husband said dryly, his voice dripping with disinterest, as he got out of the car and started walking towards the mansion. How welcoming. I struggled to gather my gown, trying not to trip on the delicate fabric, and he watched me with a bird-like expression; cold, unfeeling, and utterly unhelpful.
"Asshole," I muttered under my breath, before walking towards him, trying to match his stride. He didn't flinch or react, but I knew he had heard me. I didn't care. I was beyond caring. I just wanted to get through this miserable evening and find a way to survive this loveless, suffocating marriage.
As we passed through the dimly lit corridor, the only sound being the soft creaking of the wooden floor beneath our feet, I couldn't help but feel a sense of dread wash over me. "This way," he said curtly, his voice devoid of any warmth or emotion, as he led me up the stairs. I held up my dress, the delicate fabric rustling softly, and silently followed behind him, my mind racing with thoughts of escape and freedom.
Finally, he stopped in front of a door, pushed it open, and revealed a room that took my breath away. The king-sized bed, adorned with plush pillows and a soft, velvety duvet, looked like a haven, a place where I could escape the nightmare that my life had become. I forced a smile, trying to appear nonchalant, and turned to him, saying "Well, goodnight" in my sweetest tone, hoping he would leave me alone.
But he didn't. Instead, he entered the room, closed the door behind him, and locked it with an ominous click. My heart sank as he turned to me, his eyes gleaming with a predatory intensity that made my skin crawl. "Strip," he said, his voice low and husky, sending shivers down my spine. I thought I misheard, my mind refusing to believe what he was asking of me. "W...what?" I stuttered, trying to stall for time, hoping he would come to his senses.
But he didn't. He took a step closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and repeated the command, emphasizing each word. "I. Said. Strip." He started taking off his tie, his movements slow and deliberate, like a predator preparing to pounce on its prey. "We're married now, I think it's time to consummate the marriage" I felt a wave of panic wash over me as I realized what he wanted, to consummate our marriage, to claim me as his own. I was not ready, I didn't think I'd ever be ready, and the thought sent me into a tailspin of fear.
Without thinking, I stumbled backward, my heart thumping in my chest like a wild animal, and dashed into the nearby bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me. I leaned against the door, panting, trying to calm my racing thoughts, and locked it, hoping to find a moment's peace, a moment to gather my wits and figure out my next move. But deep down, I knew it was only a temporary reprieve, and that eventually, I would have to face the monster that lurked outside.
He knocked on the door, his voice sounding tired and resigned. "Ava," he said, his tone softening slightly. I panicked, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. "Please don't hurt me," I whispered, wincing at my choice of words. I knew I had been acting tough, trying to pretend that I wasn't afraid of him, but in that moment, I was vulnerable, and I couldn't hide it.
He sighed, his voice laced with frustration. "I'm not going to hurt you or force myself on you, Ava. You're clearly not a fan of mine, but I'm not an abuser. I promise. So, please, come out." His words were laced with a hint of desperation, and for a moment, I wondered if he was telling the truth.
I stood up from the cold tile floor, dusting off invisible dust from my gown, trying to compose myself. I heard him say, "We won't do anything if you don't want to," before he walked away, leaving me feeling relieved but still wary.
I made my way to the closet, trying to avoid him, but as I opened the door, I was met with a sight that made my cheeks heat up. He was undressing, his shirt already off, revealing his chiseled torso. "Oh, sorry, I didn't know you were...there," I stuttered, trying to apologize as I quickly turned away, my heart racing.
I changed into a nightgown, trying to calm my nerves, but when I came out of the closet, I saw him lying on his stomach, shirtless, his eyes fixed on me. "Why are you here?" I asked, trying to sound assertive, but my voice trembled slightly.
He didn't reply, just kept staring at me with an intensity that made me uncomfortable. "Alex, why are you here? Go somewhere else," I said, trying to sound firmer, but he just stood up abruptly, taking me by surprise.
"This is my room, Ava," he said, his voice firm, his eyes flashing with anger. "And if anybody is going to leave, it'll be you." With that, he turned and went back to bed, leaving me feeling shaken and unsure of what to do next.