Broken Fantasy

Chapter Sixteen

      "Of course, anything for tea."

C H A P T E R    S I X T E E N

Audrey's Pov

I stared outside; it's been a long day. Actually scratch that it has been a long week. I just wanted to forget everything and stay like this forever. I brought my knees to my chest and held onto myself tightly.

"Just end the marriage if you feel like it's suffocating you," Chloe said. I turned my head slightly to the side facing away from her and sighed.

"I'm done explaining, I can tell you the reason why but you'll probably think that I am making an excuse or something." Her face softened as she put the pillow on her lap.

"Try me," she said softly. The look on her face screamed out that she genuinely wanted to know. I sit up straight and cross my legs on the chair that I was sitting on. Should I tell her?

"I've been trying to convince my grandpa for the past weeks. I didn't know about the marriage until you all came to my house that day. I've tried to stop the marriage by telling him that I have a boyfriend. He even met him, but it didn't work out." I said frustrated. I knew that I couldn't do anything about it and that is why I need to get Connor to do it. Why isn't he trying in the first place? Why is he making me do it?

"I can't stop this marriage, but Connor can. Why can't he just tell them that he has a relationship with Sarah?" I asked.

"He can't. At first, he said no, but Grandpa used something against him and now he can't refuse. Like, he can't say no. If he does, it will harm everyone in our family and it's all up to Connor. That's what Connor at least said, he didn't tell anyone what grandpa told him and he refuses to tell us," Chloe said sadly.

"I can't either because of some reason my Grandpa can't back down from this contract marriage either. I'm not sure what it's about, but all I know is it's been stressing Grandpa a lot. The things he told me, like, I'm in no position of arguing with him because there is no way for me or for him. Our lives are messed up and I wish I could go back to the way it was before," I whispered. None of us said anything after that. It was a very peaceful long silence.

"Why would you go back to that life?" she asked. I wasn't sure if I should feel offended or not, but it's true what I went through. I'd never want to go back to it again.

"It was peaceful," I told her honestly.

"You never felt lonely?" she asked.

"No, I had Kylie and Sarah before this mess and now I don't," I told her. I missed them so much and I wanted everything to go back to how it was before. I don't know why I was telling her everything but I felt relieved. I guess, no one has ever listened to me because I'm used to listening to others talking about how they feel.

"You really care about them do you?" she asked.

"Of course, even though they're upset with me I wouldn't want them to get hurt." She nodded, understanding.

"Why are you being nice to me all of a sudden?" I asked.

"I'm just trying to understand the situation and I wanted to make my own judgment." I felt happy, knowing that she isn't going to judge me quickly, maybe I still have a chance. Maybe we can be friends right? I hope ignited in me as a small smile made its way on my face.

"What do yo-"

"Just because I asked you a question doesn't mean I like you." She grabbed her headphones and stuffed them in her ear.

"Oh," I muttered. Silly me, why would I think that we could ever be friends? I don't deserve to be her friend. My heart hurts a little. Why can't people just like me? I looked back at the beautiful view, I felt someone was staring at me so I turned around to find Chloe staring at me weirdly.

"Why do-"

The door slammed open harshly. Connor was looking around the room as if he was trying to find something or someone. He walked towards me and grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the room and into his.

"What-"

He hugged me. His hands wrapped around my waist tightly and brought me closer to him. I felt his warmth radiate off of him and onto me. The butterflies in my stomach erupted in my stomach as I felt his face in the crook of my neck. Each breath I took gave tingles everywhere. He slowly brought his mouth to my ear. I felt his lips brush ever so softly as I shut my eyes.

"Hug me."

I tried to move back but he brought his cheek against mine stopping me and I complied. I went on my tippy toes and wrapped my arms around his neck and held me tightly once again. I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed furiously. I've never been this intimate with a guy before. I hid my face in the crook of his neck. I felt his warm breath piercing through my neck.

The way he wrapped his arms around me felt happy and safe. Why was he hugging me in the first place? I tried to pull away, but he stopped me once again.

"Stop moving," he said harshly. I felt his fingers digging into the side of my shirt. The warmth that I felt was now gone and I felt cold. I winced as he dug into my skin, surely leaving a mark. I felt my eyes water, the pain was unbearable. It hurt so damn much.

"Connor, what are you doi- sorry forget I'm here, continue, you two can come down for dinner whenever."

I didn't have to turn around to know that it was Lauren.

"We'll be down in a minute." His deep voice vibrated my whole body and he finally let me go when he heard the door close. I turn around to see Lauren gone. What was the point of him hugging me? He walked towards the door and stopped.

"Are you coming or not?" he says harshly. Why is he being rude? I walked towards the door, but he slammed it shut right behind him making me hit my head against the door. What the hell? I took a step back and the side of my stomach hit the shelf that was close by the door. I shut my eyes tightly and walked towards the mirror to see how bad it was. I pull my shirt up a little to see marks on my sides.

Sighing, I pulled my shirt down and made my way downstairs. Each step I took, I sucked in the harsh stinging pain that each side was giving me.

Walking into the dining room, I found the only seat available next to Connor. It was starting to make sense now- he hugged me in front of Lauren and Sarah wasn't there. He heard Lauren and hugged me to show Lauren that we were spending quality time together. The water was on the other side of the table and I wanted to ask Connor to pass it over, but after what just happened. I was afraid to ask him because he might spill water over my head instead of giving it to me.

I reached over for the jug, but my sides were hurting again. I felt my eyes tear up as I stretched for the jug of water. Connor stopped me and brought the jug closer to me and just when I was about to grab it he poured the water in his cup.

"Mother, your glass looks empty, let me fill it in for you," he said. He filled it for his mother and Chloe, leaving a drop of water in. Really? Taking off my jacket I walk over to the other side of the table and grab the jug.

"Audrey, what happened? How did you get those bruises?" Lauren asked worriedly. I should have left my jacket on.

"My friend hugged me real tight. I'm okay though."

She brushed her hand against my mark and I flinched back.

"Connor why don't you help her after dinner," Lauren asked and Connor nodded without looking up.

He looked guilty like he regretted what he did. Filling up the jug. I walked back to my seat and grabbed my cup, but Connor stopped me and filled my cup for me. I stared at him confused. Why is he doing this? Once he filled it up he put it back on the table.

Should I eat? The last time I ate everyone insulted me. I don't think I should eat. I drank the water hoping it would kill my appetite, once I was done drinking I got up to leave, but Connor stopped me.

"Aren't you going to eat?" he asked.

"I'm fine, not hungry." I wanted to eat, but I couldn't. He grabbed my arm and pulled me down again. He put food on the plate as he held onto my arm, this time he didn't hold it tightly.

I tried to eat, but it was really hard for me. The voices in my head were telling me not to. I tried to shake the thoughts away but I couldn't.

"You're fat, don't eat it."

"What will they say?"

"Just go, you don't need it."

I played with the fork that was in my hand and put it down.

"Just eat, don't think too much." Ignoring him I turn on my phone and do it to pass time.

"Put that phone down and eat if you don't then I'll feed you myself." I choked on nothing surprised that he'd say such a thing. I put my phone down due to shock and nervousness. While he looked down and ate, unbothered.

He grabbed my plate and grabbed my knife and fork. He divided the steaks into pieces and put the fork through it and held it in front of my mouth. I could feel my heartbeat pounding against my chest. He raised his eyebrows at me and motioned me to open my mouth. I complied and opened my mouth.

A smile played against his lips as he fed me. Connor, what are you doing?

Was it weird that I felt happy? No one has ever fed me in my childhood, besides Grandpa. But he did it once. At a young age, I had to learn everything all by myself. The emptiness I felt when I was little felt somewhat full. I wish he could do this again after we get marri-

What am I thinking? He is Sarah's boyfriend. Why am I thinking this way? Do I have feelings for him? I don't think I do? Do I? I don't know but I can't think about it.

This is all fake so don't get attached, even though I get attached to anyone easily. Like, I don't want to lose Aaron because he is my first actual friend. I'm afraid he'll end up leaving me like everyone else in my life had.

I could not have friends and continue on with my life. But I've already experienced it and not having your parents, or siblings either makes it worse.

I opened my mouth once more and we heard someone squeal. It was Lauren; she had a bright smile that stretched as far as it could.

"You two are adorable. Imagine what your children will look like."

This time I choked on the steak and it's stuck. Great, I'm going to die.

Connor grabs my hair and pushes it away. He grabs the cup of water that's on the table and helps me drink it. His thumb against my cheek and his hand caresses my hair and my right cheek making me face in his direction. I look up at him through my eyelashes. I stopped him by holding his hand hoping that he knew that I was done.

"Are you okay?" He asked with concern and I nodded. I remove my hand from his, but he grabs my hand back instantly holding it again. It's like he didn't want me to remove my hand away from him as if he wanted me to be by his side.

"I'm glad that you two are getting along with Connor, but we are sitting at the dining table, save that for later," Jullian said.

Connor looked at his grandfather confused and then back at me. Everyone laughed and continued their unfinished conversations. He looked down at our hands and instantly brought his hand back to his side. It's like he didn't realize what he was doing.

His eyes were fixated on something. It's like he was trying to figure out something. What happened? He then sighs and nods, he glared right into my eyes and said, "This was all an act."

He made sure that only I could hear and not anyone else.

"I'm doing this for my parents, so if you could kindly cooperate with me and not cause any trouble it would be great." Of course why else would he be nice to me? Why do I keep falling into these traps. I'm so b****y stupid. Why would I have high hopes? He is Sarah's boyfriend. You shouldn't even think about him. Just forget it, Audrey.

"It's getting late, Grandpa, should we go?" I asked knowing that I would get killed for asking.

"Why don't you all stay for the night? It's already late," John asked.

"I agree, and we can eat cookies with tea," Lauren suggested. Grandpa laughed and agreed with them.

"Of course, anything for tea."

Why thank you , Grandpa, just what I needed. You want tea Grandpa? I'll give it to you. I think sarcastically.