His ( A Tom Riddle Love Story)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Chapter 17

Cindria's POV:

7 years later:

Tom and I graduated from Hogwarts and we both began to live together in his uncle's mansion. Tom never talked about him and the only information he provided me was that he was sent to Azkaban, a wizard prison, for killing somebody.

Tom asked for my hand in marriage once I turned the age of 18 and we had a small wedding at a rose garden.

It was perfect.

Tom's changed quite a lot in over this time period, his facial features grew to be more handsome and he told me that he loved me countless times every day.

Something was off about Tom.

He's become a little bit more frightening, and sometimes his eyes flicker from the lovely brown ones I've come to love to bright cold red ones. Tom's been having more and darker cloaked people over every day, and they always have these secret meetings in the meeting room.

I'm never allowed to join, Tom said I wouldn't like it very much.

When Tom went to his secret meetings, I would roam the hallways or read in the library until he returned. Today, I felt like going outside to the muggle world and buying me a nice cup of coffee and a gingerbread cookie from the cafe.

It was a 15-minute walk that I quite enjoyed.

I sat up from the satin-sheeted bed, Tom laid beside me, still sleeping. The room was a bit dark and eerie, scratch that, it was dark and eerie. The master bedroom had black walls and a white ceiling with a black decorated chandelier. The only light that lit the room was the white lamp that resided on both sides of the king bed. The black porcelain tiled floor was sleek and clean. In the corner was a white vanity and a cushioned black chair, beside it was a black decorated chest.

I ran my hand through my black hair, it currently fell to the middle of my back. Tom had forbidden me to cut it, he even throws a fit when I get it trimmed. I massaged my scalp, and the feeling of something bad happening stabbed my gut.

No matter, I get that feeling all the time.

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"Don't talk to anybody, don't stop and try to help anybody either! Don't you dare-" Tom started, watching me with narrowed eyes as I put on my coat.

"Tom, you don't have to worry so much," I said, smiling at him while I tied my hair back in front of the long mirror. I fixed my small gold wedding band on my wedding finger, my eyes studying the lustrous diamonds that decorated the ring.

Tom let out a groan before walking over to me and wrapping his muscular arms around my waist, hugging me from behind. He plopped his chin on my shoulder and watched me through the mirror.

"Even if you tell me not to worry, I will always worry. You're the love of my life, if I could, I'd tie you up here in this bedroom and not let you go anywhere. Now that I say it out loud, it's actually very tempting," Tom said, tickling my sides.

"I wouldn't give you a moment's rest, though, I'd always be trying to escape, Lord Voldemort," I laughed, turning around in his arms.

He nipped at my nose playfully before rolling his eyes.

"I told you not to call me that, when I'm with you, and just you, you call me Tom, remember?" he reminded. I smiled a bit before nodding and pulling away from him.

I slipped on my shoes and could feel Tom's stare burning into the back of my head.

"Yes, Tom?" I finally asked, turning around to face him.

"Why don't you have breakfast at home with me?" he asked, his brown eyes piercing my own blue ones.

"Because I want to have breakfast outside, and you're too busy to eat breakfast with me, remember? You have a meeting that's going to start in a few minutes," I told him.

He frowned a bit before pushing himself off the vanity and walked towards me slowly as if I were his prey.

"You know I'd cancel it if you asked, say the words, say 'Tom, I want you to come and have breakfast with me please' in that innocent tone that you have, I'd cancel it and won't even look back," Tom said, resting his forehead on my own.

I could feel my heartbeat increasing and my face growing red.

"I know how important these meetings are to you, Tom, I wouldn't do that, that would be selfish of me. How about if you let me join the meet-" I began to ask before I was cut off with Tom's lips.

He kissed me sweetly, placing his arm around my waist and pulling me closer to him. His hand caressed my cheek gently while his lips attacked my own. My hands rested and curled at his defined chest, warming my fingers. Without asking permission, his tongue collided with my own and fought for dominance. I could feel myself becoming lightheaded and I pushed myself away from Tom so that I could breathe.

"I'm guessing that's a no then?" I said after calming my racing heart.

"I've told you several times, Cindria, you wouldn't like these meetings, you don't belong in a place like that, the answer will always and continuously to be no," he said, his voice holding finality.

"Fine," I said, knowing to drop the matter this time, but I knew I'd bring it up again sooner or later. "I'll see you later then."

I gave him a quick peck on the lips before walking out of the room.

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I walked down the busy streets of England, and breathed in the cool autumn air and smiled softly to myself. At this time of year, 6 years ago, Tom and I would have been in Hogwarts.

I wandered the sidewalks, careful not to bump into the crowd of people that walked in the opposite direction. I stopped to gaze at the shops, to be more precise, an antique store. It reminded me of all those tiny antique items Tom had treasured; a ring, a locket, a cup, and a diadem, all of them were securely hidden right after Tom had shown them to me.

I turned away from the Antique store and I felt myself bump into somebody. I grabbed them to steady myself before getting ready to look up at the stranger and apologize for my clumsiness.

I looked up and felt my heart stop for a minute.

Caleb Chase.

"Cindria? Is that really you?" I heard Caleb ask in astonishment.

I ripped myself away from his arms and began to move in the other direction, my pace a fast one. I could hear the footsteps of others walking, but I wasn't sure if Caleb was following me.

"Wait! Cindria! Please wait!" I heard him call out.

I looked back to see him standing right behind me, his arms at his sides, not reaching out for me. That made me relax slightly.

Memories of what happened back then flooded my mind and I trembled slightly, reaching out for my wand that resided in my long jacket.

"Yes? What is it that you want?" I asked him stiffly, not wanting him to hear the tremor in my voice.

"I just want to talk, that's all, I know you don't trust me because of what happened in the past, and in all honesty, I have no idea what happened either but all I want to do is talk, I won't try anything! I swear on Merlin's beard that I won't," he said, looking desperate.

Caleb had changed a great deal since last I saw him, he had grown taller and put on a bit more muscles. His blond hair was long and fell at his sharp jaw, his green eyes were warmer, and his dimples were more prominent.

I was always a believer in second chances, but I was still hesitant when I nodded in agreement. I followed him to the cafe that I originally had planned to go to, we both sat down at a booth that resided by the window.

We ordered our drinks and sat in silence until they were brought to us.

I sipped at my tea while watching the outside busy streets full of people who rushed to get to places.

"How are you Cindria?" I heard Caleb asked, startling me.

"I'm doing just fine, h-how are you Caleb?" I stuttered, placing my cup of tea back down on the table.

"I'm alright," he smiled. It was a warm smile, one that reminded me of the past and the laughs that we once shared before that incident.

"Are you still with Riddle?" he asked, taking a sip of his own beverage.

I nodded my head positive before showing him my wedding band.

"And I'm presuming you're happy?" he asked, looking up to meet my eyes.

"I am, I truly am happy with Tom," I answered him, looking away from his scrutinizing gaze.

"You know, once upon a time when I was younger and much more full of myself, my eyes fell upon the prettiest girl I had ever seen. She was kind, unique, and had this innocent thing going on which made her adorable. Sadly, she was already taken by someone else who I thought didn't appreciate her. I tried getting her attention, I drew her portrait trying to impress her, I made her laugh, and I felt that we both clicked with each other," Caleb began, his head turned to the window.

"But then the night I tried to confess to her, I blacked out and when I regained myself again, what do I see? The girl that held my heart, crying, running into the arms of another man because of something I supposedly did. That night was the last time we ever talked, I tried as hard as I could to remember what I did, but I can't! I would have never done anything like that in my life, and I can't erase the image of your eyes staring at me with such fear as if I were a monster. I am truly sorry Cindria, I don't remember ever trying to do anything to you but I am really sorry for making you go through such an experience."

We stayed quiet for a while, no words spoken between us.

"You were a great friend Caleb, I really did enjoy your presence. I don't understand what happened in the past, but I am willing to put it behind us, and maybe we can start over? Friends?" I asked, offering my hand up to shake.

Caleb grinned impishly, reminding me of the past again, before shaking my hand and repeating the word 'friends'.

Thank you for reading!