Chapter 4: Not Knowingly

There is something about his aura. It sucked me in and made my mind go blank and knees go weak. Even his smell was exhilarating. He took my hand and kissed it. "My name is Arlo, my beauty.... Arlo Harrison." "You will be mine starting today." His words caressed my ear canals. It was amazing how truly smooth this man was.... if he even was a man at all. I slowly came back to reality and withdrew my hand quickly. I felt my cheeks flush yet again but not with embarrassment but with anger. My eyes burned into his and the words came flowing out of my mouth like vomit. "Let's get one thing straight Mr.Harrison... I belong to no one. The only thing I will belong to is this soil in the ground when my flesh rots and bones turn to ash. I may be forced to marry you, but you will force nothing upon me. Not if you value your life."

I glanced at my grandmother and her eyes were filled with literal dread. She couldn't believe I could say such a thing to a possible suitor, a rich one at that. I turned my eyes back to Arlo's and they looked surprised yet excited. I was instantly fearful of those eyes. Who would be happy about what I just said? I basically turned him down and was quite rude about it. "LILY!!" My grandmother shouted with her teeth clenched together. Show some respect!"

"That's quite alright Lady Thorne. I don't expect Miss Lily to bend to my will completely but I am surprised at her dissatisfaction. I thought she had accepted my offer for marriage." The room fell quite as Arlo felt clearly rejected. Then a smile curled around his lips just for me to see. His eyes gleamed with excitement. The man wasn't really hurt, he's a sadist, no a psychopath!! He wanted grandma to think I had hurt his feelings when he was enjoying this. "Don't you worry Sir Harrison, Lily will be the perfect wife for you! I will see too it." Grandma nudged me to get closer to Arlo.

"Is this true Lily? Will you accept my feelings and join me at my side?" Arlo grabbed my hand and I felt a voltage of electricity run through my entire body. Why the hell am I so attracted to this person, when I had just met him. His eyes softened as he looked at mine. He was being serious. "Of course I will" I whispered regrettably. I wanted to appease my grandmother and get her off my back, but I was already planning a way to get out of here. I glanced back at my grandmother who had tears of joy in her eyes. I pushed my lips into a fake smile for her to see.