Th_omas

" How about we help each other?" He says and I look up at him, eyes still wet from the tears streaming down my cheeks, heart freshly broken from the public humiliation and betrayal that was Lucas's breakup. I can faintly make out the first droppings of snow floating magically under the light of the street lamps. It's that time of the year, a time for wool coats, a time for relaxing, none of which I'll be doing. "I'm an orphan with a wicked aunt and a boyfriend who left her because she has nothing to her name, how could I possibly help you?" I say another sob escaping my lips. "Marry me" he replies and my eyes widen in anger. Is he mocking me?. I look into the eyes of this stranger and see he's dead serious. "I need a wife, you need a home, marry me and you'll have all you want". I nod.

A Snowy Marriage (A Christmas agreement)

Both of us can't seem to find the courage to take that step forward, to take that one step forward and open the doors, and get into that place then achieve what we came here to achieve, and escape back to Adrain's room.

It seems almost impossible and  considering the scope of this magnificent place, I doubt the people in there would be in the very least ordinary.

It bothers me again how this place looks so much like your some Monarch's castle. I refuse the impulse to ask Adrian who exactly his parents are, and what sort of a family built this amazing edifice only to spend a few months towards the Winter solistice in it.

It seems all very exotic and otherwise glamorous to me, and and I can't say that I fancy all these sorts of things. Fathers idea of a good Christmas was rest and peace. I look around at the six to seven people walking slowly around the corridor, like they were bored of seeing it everyday.

I chuckle at the thought and Adrian takes it as a cue to go in, we look at each other again and I can see the resignation in his eyes. "It's better to do it now than postpone it" he says and opens the door.

I'm met with a beautiful garden outside and I didn't know this door lead to such a place. It's almost like the garden has been built inside the mansion and I can't seem to consider just how much it would have taken to make these sorts of preparation.

The edges of the garden is bordered by glass walls, and a glass ceiling with open windows covers it. It almost looks like a greenhouse except there are no plants here, only a few beautiful flowers and a very exquisite and magnificent dining setting.

There are about a hundred people milling around, and the waft of aroma, draws my attention the food. It smells delicious and I remember that I haven't eaten a bite since last night. I don't think it would be reflect well on my image if I skip the introduction altogether and go grab myself something to eat.

So I restrain myself, Adrian notices this and chuckles,  I give him stink eyes and he sighs audibly. I can see that in a few more minutes we are going to approach the table where his parents are seated. Different degrees of stares assail us as we make our way towards the table. I I can visibly see the face of Adrian's parents now and I must say he looks the spitting image of both of them.

His mother is beautiful as I didn't fail to notice before, it's sort of beauty that almost rivals mine and I'm sure it would, if it weren't for age that was on my side. She doesn't look a day over thirty and I don't think anyone could possibly give birth at the age of eleven. Adrian's father looks so much like my dad that he brings a feeling of pain to my heart.

I remember now that actually had parents before and I love them even if they're gone. I push that aside as I brace myself to face his parents.

Chapter 23