Chapter 10- What do you know about love.

Iris's POV

“Stay in front of the heater, I’ll go get us towels.” Adrian said as I stood under the heat waves, turning a little bit so the rest of my dress could dry as well. I was so lucky the water didn’t ruin it, or my heels.

We came back from the forest a few minutes ago but since we were still wet from the rain, we had snuck back into this room to dry up. The first thing that came to my mind when we entered was the position we were in the last time we were in this room. And the second thing that came to my mind was that it looked like someone’s room.

Adrian had explained that he knew the family who lived in this mansion and came to visit often which was how he knew that this was a guest room and how to get out of here and straight in the forest. I figured he come often because it seemed like he knew the house like the back of his hand.

A door creaked and instantly looked toward the front door of the room, but there was no one there. Instead, I found Adrian coming out from the bathroom with a bunch of neatly folded towels in his hands. I sighed as he gave me a guilty smile, it made him look so much more adorable.

He handed me a few towels then settled next to me in front of the heater. With the towels and the heater, we dried up quickly then went to join the rest of the people. As we came out, the first thing noticed was my family looking around, probably looking for me. I started making my way toward them and after a few seconds, their heads snapped to me. I continued forward but their glares slowed me.

Why were they doing that? They never show even a little anger in public so why... Adrian. I quickly glanced at my side just as Adrian slipped away from me, but it was too late. They had already seen us, and they were not happy. I knew they wouldn’t do anything in a public place but what scared me was that people were leaving and that meant we would be too.

I couldn’t go any slower and finally came in front of them. They turned their eyes away from me as my father spoke “Now that we’re all here we can head back home.” His tone scared me, it was calm but if I focused, I could hear the hints of anger. They were all good at hiding their true selves, but I had been with them my entire life, I knew what was fake and what was real.

As they started walking to the exit, I timidly followed behind. My eyes searched the room one last time, desperately needing the comfort only a pair of deep green eyes could provide. I found them just before I crossed the door. They were burning in me and I longed to feel his arms around me, but I had to go. I had to leave him and walk behind the ones who ruin my life, the ones who would soon rip me away from the fantasy I had been living in for the past few days.

The ride back home was awkward to say the least, I sat there, quiet as I waited and waited but nothing happened. Not until we arrived home. I started making my way to my room, but a voice stopped me. “Iris, would you join the rest of the family in my office please” The venom in his voice shook to the core as I lowered my head and started following them again.

The moment the door of his office closed, my father grabbed my arm roughly forcing me to sit on the leather couch. They all stood around the room, my brothers leaning against the wall, while my mother sat on a chair and my father leaned on the side of his table.

“When it start?” He said when I didn’t answer straight away, instead I lifted my head to look at him, I found all them glaring at me with so much anger and hate in their eyes, It scared me. “You’ve been asked a question, you’re expected to answer it” Her voice pierced in me, scaring me so much.

“On the first day of school” I hurriedly answered, in fear of the consequences. I quickly started telling them the whole story when I saw the looks on their faces, expecting me to continue while screaming at myself in my head for letting my guard down.

When I finished, there was only silence, I had purposely left out a few parts like all the kisses we’d shared and... well every time we were even the slightest bit intimate.

The silence said it all, but when my mother said it out loud, my heart stopped. “We are very disappointed in you, we spent so long making you an obedient wife for your betrothed and all that went to waste when he showed up.”

I lost control of my body for a moment as my head snapped to her and the words just started coming out “what do you betrothed?”Her eyes widened a little, but she quickly composed herself and continued. “Well, you weren’t supposed to know just yet, but no matter. You were promised to another before you were even born, you are to get married on your 21st birthday and he really is a gentleman who will love you-” “What do you know about love?” I interrupted.

I couldn’t just sit there and listen to them talk about my future. But that wasn’t what bothered me the most, it was how they were implying that Adrian wasn’t good enough for me, that no one they didn’t choose themselves was worthy of this family. “Excuse me” the venomous tone and deadly glare had little effect on me now as a side of me come out, aside I didn’t know existed. This side of me was ferociously protective of what was mine and Adrian. Was. Mine.

I snapped as I lost all control over myself but this time, I welcomed it. “What would you ever know about love, you’ve never even loved your husband or your kids. You let two of them do whatever they want and toy around with anything, and you don’t even want the other one to choose what he can and can’t wear. You wouldn’t care if your husband left to go sleep with another women, all you ever care about is money and the media so how could ever see love when you don’t even know what love is !!!” I was breathing heavily, and my eyes held all the anger I had bottled over the years.

“That’s enough young lady, you will break all contact with that boy, and you will get married to whom you were supposed to and obey his every word” The words had no remorse, but I didn’t care anymore. She wasn’t my mother anymore, and they weren’t my family.

I stood up and spoke “No! You controlled my entire life but this is the one thing I won’t let you control. You can’t take this away from me!” I didn’t wait for a reply as I ran out of the office and towards my room.

As soon as I entered, I jumped on my bed, burying my face in my hands and let the tears fall. A few minutes later, a figure entered my room and sat down next to me. I felt a gentle hand caress my hair as i peeked up to look at Kendra. I got up then lied back down with my head in her lap.

She didn’t say anything, just held me and softly caressed my hair while I let all my pain and anger. When I had no more tears left to cry, I lifted my head to look at her. “Could you please wake me up early, I don’t want to face them before talking to Adrian” I asked, my voice breaking from all the crying.

“Of course child, but for now, just get some sleep” She said, her voice reminded me of Ms Winters, so sweet and calming. She left the room closing the door on the way out and I got up to get ready for bed for me. I purposely avoided the mirror as I washed my face and brushed my teeth. I quietly made my way to my wardrobe and changed into a shirt and shorts (from which there were only very few to choose from since most of my wardrobe was filled with dresses).

I fell asleep that night trying to ignore the dull throb in my forehead.