The honeymoon
1386 Words
Daphne
I woke up to a weight around my waist.
For a few seconds, I stayed still, half asleep and too afraid to move. Then the memory hit me.
The wedding, the vows, then marrying Casper.
His arm was draped over me, warm and loose, as though it has alway belonged there.
My chest tightened.
Diana never warned me about this part, the quiet intimacy of waking up beside someone that wasn't mine. The way it felt less like a lie and more like something dangerously close to normal.
Carefully, I lifted his arm and slid out of bed. My bare feet touched the cold floor, grounding me. I didn’t look back.
The bathroom mirror felt cruel.
Diana’s face stared back at me. I showered longer than necessary, scrubbing my skin like I could erase the truth clinging to me.
Downstairs, the mansion felt too large in the daylight. Too silent. Every step echoed like I didn’t belong.
“Good morning, ma’am,” a maid greeted, bowing slightly.
“Good morning,” I replied, forcing the softness Diana used so easily.
My eyes wandered as I walked, the mansion was magnificent. I’d grown up counting crumbs. This place felt like another world.
In the kitchen, the chef smiled politely. “Good morning, ma’am. Would you like breakfast?”
“No,” I said quickly. Then the words slipped out before I could stop them. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
The room went still.
The chef blinked. “Oh.. no, ma’am. I have everything under control.”
Heat crawled up my neck.
Diana would never offer help in her own kitchen.
“It’s fine,” I murmured, grabbing a bottle of water just so my hands had something to hold.
I turned and walked straight into Casper.
He steadied me instantly, hands warm on my arms. His lips curved into a small smile. “Careful.”
“Sorry,” I whispered.
He leaned in and kissed my cheek, soft and familiar. “How was your night?”
My heart stumbled. “Fine.”
At breakfast, I felt his gaze on me more than once. Not intrusive. Observant. Like he was noticing small things even I wasn’t aware of.
“You’re quiet this morning,” he said.
“I’m just tired.”
“We’re visiting my parents at ten.”
My fingers tightened around my glass. “Okay.”
Fear crept into me. Yesterday, I’d hidden behind a veil and celebration. Today, I would be exposed.
The Hendrix estate was even more and it made me feel small the moment I stepped inside.
“Welcome dear,” Mrs. Hendrix said warmly. “I know it’s sudden. We just wanted to see you before the honeymoon.”
Casper squeezed my hand as he led me in. I noticed how relaxed he was around his family, how gentle. It unsettled me more than his intensity ever had.
On the rooftop, introductions followed.
His father shook my hand politely but his brother didn’t.
Drake pulled me into a hug that lasted a second too long. His mouth brushed my ear.
“Meet me in my room.”
My stomach twisted violently.
I smiled because I had to. Because I was Diana.
While Casper spoke with his father, I sat quietly, folding my hands together. I felt like I was wearing someone else’s skin.
“I’ll be quick,” Casper said apologetically.
Before I could react, Drake was already gesturing. “Come. I want to show you something.”
Something about his tone made my skin crawl.
But I followed.
The door shut behind us. I barely had time to take a breath before hands slid around my waist.
My pulse increased “Stop,” I said, trying to pull away.
He looked at me like I’d said something ridiculous. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Don’t touch me.”
He scoffed softly. “Just because you married my brother doesn’t mean this has to end.”
His lips brushed my shoulder.
I slapped him.
The sound cracked through the room.
“Are you insane?” My voice shook. “Stay a.. way.. from me.”
“You slapped me?“ Shock flickered across his face quickly replaced by something cold and ugly.
I didn’t wait for him to finish speaking before I barged out of the room.
***
Two days later, I packed my suitcase slowly.
Because something inside me had shifted.
Casper had been kind. Attentive. Protective in quiet ways that made my chest ache. I hadn’t tried to escape again and that terrified me more than anything else.
The private jet waited for us. The thought of been far away for the honey moon made my stomach churned.
I was a virgin and I was living a lie. Every since the wedding night, i hadn't been able to reach anyone at home amd it scared me even more.
Even though Diana had said they’d never slept together. That was the only reason I’d agreed to this madness.
But now?
My first time was approaching fast.
And it wouldn’t be with love.
The jet felt too small for the thoughts crowding my head.
Casper sat beside me, one arm stretched along the back of my seat, relaxed, at ease as though this honeymoon wasn’t built on a lie. Every so often, his fingers brushed my shoulder, absentminded, unintentional or maybe not.
Each time it happened, my body reacted before my mind could stop it. A hitch in my breath. A tightening in my stomach. I hated myself for it.
“Are you cold?” he asked, noticing.
I shook my head quickly. “No. I’m fine.”
He studied me for a second longer than necessary, then reached for the blanket and draped it over my legs anyway. The gesture was gentle and It made something ache in my chest.
I turned my face toward the window so he wouldn’t see it.
We got to the resort, it was beautiful in a way that felt unreal, white sand, endless water, the kind of place people came to fall in love. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
As soon as we entered the suite, I froze.
One bed. It was large.
Casper noticed. Of course he did.
“We don’t have to rush anything,” he said softly, setting his bag down. “You’ve been tense since the wedding.”
My throat tightened. “I’m just… adjusting.”
He nodded like he understood. Maybe he thought he did.
Dinner passed in a blur. Candlelight. Soft music. His knee brushing mine under the table. Each accidental touch felt deliberate in my body, leaving heat behind.
Back in the room, I lingered in the bathroom longer than necessary, staring at my reflection. Diana’s face. My fear and my desire confusing me.
When I came out, Casper was standing by the window, with his sleeves rolled up, looking out at the ocean.
“You okay?” he asked without turning.
“Yes.” I replied too easily.
He turned then, his gaze softening when it landed on me. “Come here.”
My feet moved before I decided to obey.
He didn’t touch me at first. Just stood close enough that I could feel his warmth, smell his cologne, hear the steady rhythm of his breathing.
“You don’t have to be afraid of me,” he said quietly.
The words struck something deep.
“I’m not,” I whispered and that was the truth that scared me most.
His hand lifted, slow, giving me time to pull away. When I didn’t, his fingers brushed my cheek. Just that and nothing more.
My breath trembled.
“You feel like you’re somewhere else lately,” he murmured. “Like you’re holding something back.”
If only he knew.
“I don’t want to ruin this,” I said instead.
His thumb traced lightly along my jaw. “You couldn’t.”
He leaned in, stopping just short of my lips. Close enough that I felt the heat of him.
For a heartbeat, I thought he would kiss me.
Instead, he pressed his forehead to mine and exhaled slowly, like restraint cost him something.
“Rest,” he said. “We have time.”
Time.
The word echoed in my head.
- Writer
