A Necklace

(Regina's POV)

I walked dreadfully towards the dining table. It's been two days since I had the idea of escaping here but never really had the courage and whenever I thought I did, I started getting frightened all over again.

What if I get caught? Especially with the contract saying none of us could go back on our agreement until the contract comes to an end. He emphasized more on the never falling in love part, and I wondered why he was so confident that one of us would fall in love. Well, if it isn't he, then he was definitely expecting me to fall.

I almost scoffed but held it back when I realized I was close to where he sat.

His eyes were stuck on me, and he refused to look away as he watched my every step, making me nervous. I gently pulled a seat and sat down in front of him.

He looked confused, and I furrowed my brows at him. He cleared his throat when he noticed it.

"You look lifeless," he said suddenly.

I looked at him with a surprised look. "I look lifeless because I am lifeless," counter back angrily. He nodded his head with an annoying smile, as if my situation pleased him. He made a gesture as he raised his glass up with a drink inside.

"Cheers to that," he said smugly.

I could tell if he was mocking me, but I knew that my condition pleased him beyond words, and his smile and body language said it all.

Gosh! What was I expecting from a contracted marriage? Of course, he would keep reminding me how much I was a big fool for going into it.

"I'm still waiting for you to hand over the documents." He reminded me, and I almost forgot.

"Do you need it now?" I asked and that was enough to see 5he changes in his gaze as they darkened while he narrowed his gaze at me in a frightening way.

I felt like running away from his gaze, but I knew that I couldn't go anywhere further. I barely know where I was in the first place. I only knew this was a big mansion owned by a billionaire.

"I expect to get it by tomorrow. That was part of the contract, actually the main reason we need a contract. With you still holding that, makes difference from going against the contract and violating it.

"No! I'll bring it to you tomorrow." I said pleadingly.

His eyes softened when he saw my desperate expression.

"That's too bad," he sighed in disappointment, and I cringed internally. "We'll see about that then," and then he turned around to leave, but before he did, he threw out something small in my direction that landed directly beside my plate.

A necklace? Why was he giving it to me?

I looked at him curiously when he finally attempted to leave the room without another word. I picked up the necklace and examined it carefully. When I touched it, I found a note tucked underneath. The note was handwritten and said: get ready for the gala.

It was a beautiful-looking necklace, but there wasn't anything special about it, at least to me. It was just a plain old gold chain with simple jewels on the sides. I grabbed the chain, wondering what was even inside it, but before I got my answer, his tall figure disappeared through the large double doors, which gave me enough time to understand and examine the necklace.

I finally noticed the beauty the necklace possessed.

A very nice piece of jewelry which fit me perfectly in the right places, and it wasn't expensive enough to show off to everyone here. I took it carefully between my fingers and turned it around to inspect it in detail.

Their stone was emerald green and shone brightly in the sunlight. I had seen it around the house before, but I never got the chance to examine it further when he was here and wonder how many stones it has in its collection.

The gem was perfectly sized for me as well as its quality and even if you didn't count the price tag on it, it seemed to be a very fine piece of jewelry.

When I was done examining the thing, I placed it back in the box. I tried not to think of the fact that it was made of gems.

There was no doubt that it's worth thousands and thousands of dollars, yet I couldn't help but think about how much it could buy a young girl.

The gem was set in a beautiful silver filigree, and I traced my finger across the engravings delicately.

It was a pretty necklace, but what really caught my attention was its size.

I doubted that anything was bigger than mine, even though that was precisely what this necklace was.

I looked at the clock hung behind him, knowing it was time for me to leave as well since the dinner had ended already.

Been given to me by someone I'm supposedly supposed to hate. It was also an expensive piece of jewelry and I hoped it wouldn't come up later when people were asking how much I paid for it.

This was probably the most beautiful gift anyone has ever given me.

Seemed a little dangerous, yet I felt the urge to wear it.

He bought it without even looking at the price tag or even asking me about how it looked, as well as he didn't even give me time to ask questions. I don't even know why I was even trying, though. If I had to choose anyone from the class, I'd rather be married to them than marry someone I don't like. I shook my head to remove the thought from my head.

I was still at the dining table, and my gaze swept around it and landed on the glass on the table. I decided to finish the drink since I never got the opportunity. So, I drank like a fish until I got tired.

I made sure to pour all my frustration before I felt like it was enough, and staggered back to my room.

I held unto the necklace like I may never see it again.

And when I went back to bed, I slept soundly for the first time in weeks.

---

I slowly blinked my eyes open as I felt a heavy weight on my arm. I turned but felt another weight on my waist that restricted my movement. Then I felt the grip tighten, forcing my eyes open.