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)

As usual the place looks magnificent, and I can see people already miled around engaging in pleasant conversation, as everywhere seems to have that pleasant aura to it this night.

It surprises me significantly, and it also makes me more scared than before. When I came here last night this was the same vibe the place had to it even if this surpasses the one I had seen last night.

Everyone seemed okay and happy to be here, and exhibiting that sort of aura that made you feel, they had no problems in the world. They all seem pleasant enough to be chattering, and there was a faint laughter coming off from one part of the place, then someone had tried to poison me and had made five different people kill themselves.

This memory brings back the recollection that there was someone with hair like the deepest darkest part of the sea also sitting with me, and I instinctively look around for Arden. She seems to have left a sort of impression on me as I think she might be the strongest person I've seen here.

Even Adrian with all his rigid ways and hard face when he gets out in public, doesn't exhibit the sort of confidence I feel coming from Arden. She seems to know exactly what she's doing, and exactly why she's doing it, and she isn't afraid to take decisions. She isn't afraid to make people confess or take the other alternative which is death. She isn't afraid to sit there and watch as whoever tried to poison us watched the people they sent die right before their eyes.

I don't know why the nagging feeling that someone tried to poison me on probably what was my second day here keeps on making me feel scared, as I look at the people who seem to take no notice of us, I take notice of each and every one of them.

I can see the nervousness that is clearly underneath all this grace and charm that they portray, the confidence and the short witty humour is all a ruse to cover up the bone wracking nervousness that they feel underneath.

I'm guessing it's not easy on any one of them but as I look closer I see some people who don't show that nervousness that everyone else seems to show. I see those people who have eyes like stone and mouth set in a wicked smile, as they keep on looking for the weakest person to pick on. I see people whose eyes dart to and fro as they check out who is stronger, and who is weaker, and whenever their eyes lands on any unsuspecting prey, it seems to take notice of their overall demanour.

These people prey on the weakness of others, and as I look I see a very familiar face. The eyes of my husband's former girlfriend lands on me, as she lets out a wicked smile, a smile that makes her even prettier but to me makes her feel deadly. She walks over and I feel my heart sink.

Chapter 47