A DEADLY NUPTIAL

Chapter - 26

"You shouldn't have said it , and he shouldn't have hit you."

"Just don't go, Dark . Promise me you won't go after him."

"I Dark 't-"

"Promise me Dark ," she pleaded, hugging me with her head in my chest.

"I promise," I said, giving in, kissing her head. Her shoulders seemed to relax as I promised. After standing in our embrace I unwillingly left her. I wanted to giver her some space, so I retreated to my own bedroom. I slammed the door, pounding it once it was shut. Why was my life full of problems and issues?! I walked to my balcony leaning against the stone railing. I felt the cool air against my unbuttoned shirt. I took deep breaths calming myself.

***Days Later***

Josephine had been avoiding me since that night. She would walk by and not look at me. I wanted to hug her and take away her pain, but she needed space. I was in my office looking over the mail that had arrived.

A gold envelope with the Smith family seal caught my eye. I opened it and was not surprised to find an invitation to their annual Christmas Eve ball. Christmas Eve was only a couple of days away. It was expected of me to be present and that meant I would have to talk to Josephine. I didn't want to wait till the last minute to tell her, so I walked to her room certain that she would be there. A knocked twice hearing a quiet "come in".

I silently closed the door. Josephine seemed busy drawing something at the diner table along her glass wall. Her hair was in a messy ponytail. Loose strands were weaving themselves out causing her to constantly put them behind her ear.

"Yusi, I'd like your opinion on these," she looked up surprised to see me there. Her faced turned scarlet.

"Oh, Dark . I thought it was Yusi."

"I know," I smiled. I walked to where she was sitting and took a seat beside her. She quickly gathered her sketches, shoving them into her sketchbook. I stopped her hand from closing the book.

"Dark I see?"

She paused before replying, "Sure."

She pulled out sketches of different dress designs. I was in awe. I didn't know she could draw so well. Especially dresses.

"You never mentioned you knew how to draw."

She shrugged, " You never asked."

"These are amazing," I complimented looking through the various sketches of black and white dresses. An idea popped into my head.

"Come on, I want to show you something," I said taking her hand and leading her downstairs. I led her to the living room pointing at the giant painting above the fireplace.

"I never noticed it before," she said, taking a step forward to admire the painting, "Was she your mother?"

I nodded.

"It's a beautiful painting."

"Thanks, it took me 6 months to complete it."

She whirled around to look at me in disbelief.

"You painted it?"

"Yes,"

"I didn't know you could paint. You're so talented."

"You want to see my other paintings?" I asked hopefully that she would say yes.

"Could I?" she smiled shyly.

"Of course," I took her hand again, happy she didn't let go. We walked hand in hand to the room beside mine. I took out the keys from my pocket looking for the right one. I found it and unlocked the door. Josephine looked hesitant but walked in taking in the room.

Josephine's POV

I felt hesitant on whether to go in or not. I didn't want to intrude on his private place that looked private, but he had invited me. I walked into the room looking at all the paintings on the walls. There were paintings on different Dark vases all scattered around the room. There were carts with paints and messy brushes. There was a leather couch in the corner facing the balcony. It was covered in paint and had messy rags on it. I could tell it had seen better days. I looked at Dark who was waiting to hear me say something. He was rubbing the back of his neck nervous. I took a seat on the untidy couch looking around the room.

"It's a beautiful and messy room," I said, picking up a dirty rag he must've used to clean his hands with from the spot next to me. He chuckled embarrassed.

"Sorry about that, I don't really clean here. I only come in here when I get ideas," he explained.

My eyes caught sight of something that was out of place. On the other side of the room there was Dark vas that was covered with what looked like a bed sheet. I felt compelled to see what it was. Dark caught sight of what I was looking at.

"What's under there?" I asked the curiosity burning inside of me.

"It was going to be a Christmas present, but seeing that you Dark 't wait I might as well show you."

He walked to the Dark vas, but I stopped him before he could reveal anything, "Wait!"

"What is it?"

"Don't show me! I Dark wait, I don't want to ruin the surprise."

He smiled relieved that I hadn't ruined the surprise.

"Oh! I almost forgot! Come, I want to show you something else."

I followed him out of his art studio into his office.

"Here sit down," he pulled him to his leather chair. I sat down, and he pulled out a giant yellow envelope. "It's from Alexander."à

Once he said those words I immediately opened the envelope. Inside were dozens of pictures and a letter addressed to me. I put the letter aside looking through the pictures. They were all from the wedding. I stopped when I saw the one of us kissing at the altar. I quickly put it behind the others, embarrassed. I sDark ned through the pictures until I got to the one with us shoving cake at each other. I heard Dark chuckle behind me. I remember that moment. We were looking into each others eyes about to kiss. I blushed, not wanting to remember his kisses. I cleared my throat putting all the pictures back in the envelope. I grabbed the letter standing up. I was leaving the room when Dark asked, "Josephine, do you want to have lunch with me?"

I turned around, "Is it a date?"

"It doesn't have to be a date. I just want to regain your trust."

I shook my head before finally agreeing, "Fine. What time?"

He looked at his watch, "12:30."

I left not knowing what else to say.

I hurried to my room desperately wanting to read the letter. I plopped down onto my bed ripping it open. I smiled once I had finished reading. He explained that everything was well. My father was trying to come up with ideas to get back on his feet. Alexander even mentioned going out with Lorenz a couple of times. I smiled. Hopefully he will take Lorenz seriously.

12:30 soon arrived. I had decided to dress casually.I wore some light faded flar blue jeans, a blue spaghetti strap shirt with a white sweater on top. I couldn't decide on shoes,so I just wore my slippers, seeing as we were going to stay inside anyway.

I followed the scent of something delicious coming from the kitchen. I expected to see Yusi, but instead I found Dark sauteing something. He smiled as he saw me take a seat at the counter.

"You cook?"

"Since I was in college," he declared proudly.

"What Dark 't you do?"

"Well, I'm not the best dancer..."

I laughed rolling my eyes. After 15 minutes of watching him roam around the kitchen he set a plate of food in front of me, and another plate next to me. I came back with two glasses of pina coladas.

"I hope you like Monterrey Chicken. I didn't know what you liked,"

"I love Monterrey Chicken, but this is the best I've ever had," I said taking a bite of chicken smothered with monterey jack cheese and mushrooms.

"I'm glad," he said, taking a bite of his own.

"Is there anything you want for Christmas?" he asked after moments of silence.

"No..well there is..no nevermind."

"Tell me, what is it?"

I shook my head, "I know it won't happen."

He took my hands from my lap, engulfing them in his.

"Just tell me Josephine," there was a soft expression when he said my name.

"I want to see my family," I said in a soft tone, not sure whether he heard me or not.

I heard him sigh. He took my hands and pressed them to his lips.

"Josephine, if I could I would take you to them right this instant, but I Dark 't." I saw the sadness that reflected in his eyes. He must've seen the same sadness in my eyes. I closed my eyes knowing a tear could come out any minute. I opened them again, "It's fine," I assured him. I removed my hands from his picking up my plate and cup. I set them in the sink and began to wash them.

"You don't have to wash them."

"I don't want to make Yusi do it. By the way, where is she?"

"I gave her the day off,"

"Oh," so it was just me and him alone. After washing all the dirty dishes we headed back upstairs.

"I have another surprise,"

"Another one?" How many surprises would I get in one day?

"Yes," he said a smile tugging at his lips. "I decided to give you your own office."

"My own office?"

"Yes, so you wouldn't have to be in your room all day." He led me to my side of the house. It looked just like Dark 's office door just on the opposite side. The room where I had been reading the other night separated the two offices. He opened the door revealing a spacious room with a desk and chair. There was a small recliner in the corner with a giant reading lamp next to it and a book case filled with books. I ran my fingers along the sides of the books looking at all the titles. They all seemed familiar.

"I took all the books from your house, and brought them here to make it seem more like your home," he explained. It made sense. There were many books that looked worn out from all the times I reread them. I fingers brushed across the Twilight series. I laughed to myself remembering the Twilight phase I had gone through. In the other corner there was my own art studio desk that was as tall as me and slanted, so I could sketch easily. There was also a stool next to it. I beamed with happiness. I couldn't help, but run to Dark and give him a big hug.

"Thank you so much Dark ,"

"You're welcome,"

I looked up into his eyes wanting to kiss him badly, but I couldn't just yet. I didn't want to be hurt again and fall for those lips. I kissed his cheek instead. I sighed content in his arms. As much as I wanted to hate him, I couldn't.

"There's one last thing," he said, taking my hand and leading me to my desk. On the desk there was a gold envelope with the Smith seal. I opened it realizing it was an invitation. My parents had always been the ones that attended. I had never been much of a partygoer. Especially when it involved Mahi's family. I dropped the invitation on the desk. Dark 's hands grabbed my shoulders from behind as he whispered huskily in my ear, "Would you go with me?"