Chapter 9
1223 Words
Evelyn's Pov.
In the garden, I stood, breathing in the gentle midmorning air that felt oddly relaxing. Inviting scent of flowers wafted along with the breeze.
Each hour that passed filled me with a growing unrest, it was only two days after that dreading call from my father with strings of incessant messages from him asking me for updates. My wedding was tomorrow, it was too mind consuming to precess it all at once.
Father's scathing and suspicious words kept me up at night, although I wanted to speak to Adrian about it, I was afraid for my family's sake, plus I haven't seen him since he walked in while I was having my dress fitted.
Deep down in my heart I knew without doubt that I had no intention to comply with my father's gibberish orders.
I threw a quick glance at the balcony I knew belonged to Adrian before shifting my gaze towards the kitchen, where Mrs Greene concentrated on the dough she was mixing.
As if she knew I was watching, her eyes met mine and we both shared a chuckle, she was a natural and I could tell that none of the feelings expressed through her constant seraphic smiles were fake.
I sauntered into the kitchen, "Do you need any help?", I asked.
"No, I don't darling. Tomorrow is your big day so I don't want you stressing. Why don't you rest in your room?".
"I'll go crazy if I spend another minute in that room alone", That was not the complete truth, I was afraid to be alone with thoughts of what to do about my father's threats.
" I understand. I couldn't eat or sleep properly while I was preparing for my wedding", She chuckled. Her glazed for in while as she recollected the memory.
I'm sure she married out of love, not sold off by her parents like a prize.
"Adrian's in the his study though", she added. His study was the last place I wanted to be, but she didn't need to know that.
"I thought he wasn't at home", I subtly changed the discussion.
"Oh don't mind him. He could be locked up there for hours working, stubborn workaholic", she huffed in a way that still sounded like a joke. However, my tummy was too taut to find it funny.
I sat watching Mrs Greene, the enticing smell of freshly baked pastries filled the air. This probably in preparation for the wedding tomorrow.
"I baked the cake early this morning, do you want to check it out?", she said excitedly pointing at a big boxed cake.
"I'm sure you did a brilliant job, Mrs Greene. Thank you".
"Adrian mentioned that the wedding would be a very private affair, that sounded ridiculous to me but I'm sure you know how adamant Adrian can be", she sighed.
"I'm fine with the small preparations", I said. What I couldn't say was that the marriage meant nothing to Adrian. I'm not sure she's aware that this marriage is a sham.
I was busy fidgeting with a napkin when the shrill ring of the landline disrupted the soft humming coming from Mrs Greene.
A black vogue phone completely out of place in this contemporary kitchen. I jerked a sound intrusive sound.
"Let me get that", She said pulling off her apron. I nodded watching as she picked up the receiver, her brows scrunched in confusion once she heard the caller's voice.
"It's for you, Evelyn ", She whispered, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.
"Hello", I said tightening my grip on the receiver.
"I'll get right to the point, slut", Victoria's voice dripped in disgust confuses me for a bit.
"What do you want?", I asked keeping my voice steady.
"Nothing serious, just thought I need to tell you something important", She replied in the usual condescending manner she always addressed me with.
"Incase Adrian forgot to mention, we have history, we were passionate lovers", Her cocky tone made it obvious she was enjoying every bit of this ridiculous show.
"Don't be dumb, my dear. What you had with him is now history, in the past, where it will continue to remain", I said determined to let her know she wasn't in control anymore.
"Adrian will never settle for someone as plain as you! ", she yelled.
"And I'm the one getting married. Move on". The words seemed to bubble out of my mouth with ease.
" You don't know ----", the receiver is suddenly snatched from my hand. I could tell from his familiar cologne that Adrian was beside me.
I looked up at him, watching as he ends the call dropping the receiver on the kitchen slab.
"Come with me, now", He ordered. He walked up the stairs leaving me utterly distressed.
"It's alright. It's that witch's fault not yours just make him understand", Mrs Greene said calmly.
I nodded before wending my way towards his study.
The door was slightly ajar so i opened it stepping inside.
The study smelt just like him musky and enthralling, and I took deep breath watching him as he stood with his arms crossed observing me.
"Ignore Victoria's call from now on", He said flippantly.
"She's unbearably rude to me, Adrian", I told him still reeling from her words.
"I'll talk to her. Don't worry about her ", He said. My head pounded in hurt, I was the hurled with condescending insults and I hated the way Adrian made my feelings seem unimportant.
Victoria's mission today was to plant doubt deep inside me, what she didn't know was that the union between Adrian and I was fake.
I held back any further words and focused on the blue jewelry box he slipped out from his pocket.
He moved towards me opening the box to reveal a diamond cut ring, that glittered brightly under the dimmed light of the study.
I stood transfixed as hands move to hold my palm, my pulse raced tragically at his touch. My breath hitched, betraying the calm I was trying to maintain.
He fingers brushed mine as warmth spreads from my chest to my trembling fingertips. His close proximity is both welcoming and dangerous and his dark eyes flipped to my eyes for a while.
He slipped the cold ring into my finger, I noticed the way his eyes lingered on my fingers before he hummed in approval slipping the ring off instantly.
"I'm glad it fits", he said widening the distance between us.
My heart thudded mercilessly as he retreated to his chair, completely unaware of how he has rendered me useless.
"You'll be meeting my junior brother tomorrow, we are not on good terms. He's oddly charming but don't fall for it", He said waving his hands like he was tutoring a child.
"It's not like I have a say anyway", I whispered turning to leave.
"Till tomorrow then, wife", He smirked in a tone that meant he didn't need my presence anymore. My opinion didn't matter at all, and the realization stung almost harder than my family's neglect. I was simply a rag doll, decorated to fulfill a purpose and discarded later on.
As I climbed up the stairs, I heard Mrs Greene's loud chatter with the other household staffs, and I hoped I could disappear and escape all his pain.
- Writer
