Chapter 3
1273 Words
“You look beautiful today,” his words sliced through the silence, and I glanced at him. The dirty blonde, tall and slim, light-skinned, smell of pride, final year student.
“Thanks.”
I was eating so quickly so we could leave already— leave him at the table by himself since he so wanted to sit on this table.
Mira's face mirrored mine—dark, tense, disgusted. Josh– Josh wasn't even looking at all. His focus was on his plate. And I cannot blame him for that. Since Fred had threatened Josh and broke his nose during year one, the boy goes calm automatically in Fred's presence.
People around the canteen watched our table like we were acting in a movie— following a script.
Fred Austin is the son of a wealthy politician, just like my father. Surprisingly, we ended up in the same school. Surprising, my foot! That's a surprise for me alone.
“So, what was my darling fiancée talking about before I came?” Fred asked, smug still dancing at the side of his lips.
My lips twitched in disgust.
Did I mention that I hate this guy?
“Nothing, Fred. We were just eating.” I replied and pushed my plate away from me. I had clearly lost my appetite.
“What is it? You don't like the food? I can order another,” he proposed, but I stood up instead,
“No, thank you. We really don't have time to eat. We would like to go study.” I replied.
“Mira, Josh,”
They both stood up as well.
Fred let out a chuckle. He knew he was the reason I was walking out of the canteen without eating. He knew, yet he didn't care to give us our privacy at least.
“That's alright.” He replied. But then asked, “Did you know I was speaking with my dad just last night?”
I barely kept from glaring at him.
Well, I was having a good time last night if you ask me. And I really do not want to hear what you and your dad were speaking about.
“No,” I replied instead.
I didn't want to even stand to listen, but I just couldn't leave as well. I forced a smile at him to continue, and he did.
“Looks like we are locked in the wedding right after your finals. Perfect timing, don't you think?”
My eyes widened, “What?”
My heart dropped, he couldn't be serious. I felt my world shrink and blow up right before my eyes.
“Oh, your father hasn't told you? When last did you speak to Mr. Monroe?” He asked casually, completely pleased that he got to know all these before me.
Fred smiled wider when I didn't speak. “It’s already in motion, Ember. It’s what our fathers wanted. A clean alliance. A strong family. You and me? We’ll make headlines.”
I don't want to make any f*****g headlines!
My blood was boiling hot now. My jaws clenched, I was seeing red. My father called a few minutes ago and didn't tell me about this. But what difference does that even make?
“Listen, Fred,” I began. My index finger poked the table as I spat through gritted teeth, “I am not going to marry you. The earlier you get this, the better for you, your father, and my father!”
Fred chuckled. He leaned back, unbothered. “Come on. You’ve always known this was happening. Might as well enjoy it.”
Mira jumped in, her voice sharp. “Back off, Fred. She’s not marrying you.”
Fred's sharp eyes met hers and I glared at him. One more eye threat and he'll know that these guards following me like dogs have teeth and sharp claws.
“Ember. Ember—”
“I am not marrying you. Get that into your thick skull.” I bit back, not letting him finish.
I turned to leave, but his voice, clear and loud for everyone in the canteen to hear, rang through the hall as he stood up,
“You're mine, Ember Monroe. You know that.”
I walked back to him, anger rising in my veins as I spat, poking him in the chest, “I belong to no one!”
He held gaze with mine. His smugness slipped from his lips, his expression flattering, his piercing gaze fixed on me, and he grabbed my wrist as I was about to leave.
His hold was firm as he pushed me closer to lean on him, he whispered,
“You’ll come around, or your daddy will make sure you do.” A chill ran down my spine. I hated that his voice sounded like a promise.
With that, he walked away.
I closed my eyes, my eyes watered, I held it in. Not wanting the crowd to see me cry.
I stood still for a while, trying to recollect my thoughts, but I couldn't. I was mad. Furious.
My fingers curled into a fist. I wish he could disappear. All of them.
“You okay?” Mira asked. I didn't respond but, instead, marched out of the canteen, all eyes still on me.
I sniffed when I got out, and wiped my face.
“Are you okay?” Josh asked. My eyes shifted to him and he stepped back. I didn't mean to glare at him, I just couldn't control myself.
“No,” I replied. “He’s disgusting. And this? This whole arranged marriage like we’re in a damn political fairytale? It’s insane.”
“Don't worry. You are not getting married to him.” Mira coax. “I'll kidnap you first,” she added firmly.
I let out a weak laugh and then sighed. The truth was pressing hard in my chest. The wedding, it’s closer than I thought. I was going to be given out like a property, like I didn't mean much.
Josh finally spoke. “You can’t just run off every time something goes wrong.”
“I'm not running,” I replied, not even looking at him. “I just want to breathe,” I added, voice choking.
“Come with me to the bar tonight.” Mira blurted. My head snapped to look around, my heart palpitating. Again, the bodyguards were following from a distance.
Can she stop doing that?!!
“Yeah,” she said. “It’s quiet on weeknights. Good music, stronger drinks. And sometimes Killian shows up.”
We knew which bar she was speaking about. The biker's bar. I had never gone before. I just feel it would be more complex than the streets, so I have never followed her before.
“That's not a good idea, Ember.” Josh intruded, “It's dangerous. What will your father say when he hears you went to a bar? Let alone that bar?!”
My jaws clenched.
“If my father doesn't care about how I feel about the decision he makes, why should I care about how he feels about mine?”
“No, no, Ember. You don’t know what happens there. The races are one thing. That place is the real deal. That’s Reaper territory. You don’t belong in it.”
“I don't belong anywhere.” I managed to say before walking further into the library.
Maybe that's what I needed. Maybe I should get myself a strong drink to forget all of these, even if it's for a night.
Or maybe I was saying all this because I know I'll meet him there.
Killian Frost.
- Writer
