INTRODUCTION 2

MUSIC RECOMMENDATIONS: Nothing breaks like a heart, Marco Ronson ft Miley Cyrus💖

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"Are you untouched?" Was this question necessary?

I said nothing to her cause I couldn't understand what me being a virgin had to do with anything going on. Her face darkened at my silence. "I do not like to be kept waiting Adara. Have you been touched?" She sounded inpatient and I clenched my fist into a ball, my fingers digging deep into my skin.

"That's enough mother." Dalton growled from where he sat, but the lady didn't look like she would listen to him.

"No." I said.

"Good, we don't want bad seed in the family. The one who bore you is bad enough." She said stepping away from me. I pressed my lips together at her words. Even if I had faint image of who mother was, I knew the only reason she was with father was bacause she was in love. Not because she's losed or a whore like they call her.

"You can meet your husband now, he seems more than willing to see you." All I wanted was to run from this place. To run away from everything and everyone. The embarrassment and disrespect was too much and the smile on Scarlett's face was not helping matters.

She always enjoys my mysery. But I remained still and watch Dalton rise from his seat taking a step towards me. I tensed.

"Adara." He called when he got close to me. Up this close he looked even more handsome with an enchanting blue eyes.

"It's an honor to finally meet you." A small smile formed on his lips.

"Thank you." I responded.

"Don't mind my mother, she can be a little overbearing at times but she's a good person when you get to know her." I rolled my eyes at his words, I don't ever think I want to get to know someone like her. But of course I kept my thoughts to myself.

"Having me wear this outfit and asking if I'm untouched before these people is more than overbearing."

"You're right and I'm sorry for that. My wife to be shouldn't be disrespected in such manner, I can assure you it'll never repeat again." I felt touch by his words. Judging from what I've seen online or have been told about Dalton Bancroft, he was quite the opposite.

"Shall we dance?"

"Sure."

Dalton led me to the center of the room which held a few other couple ready to dance. "I'm not much of a dancer." I confessed. It would be embarrassing if I step on his toe while we danced. Especially with all eyes still on us.

"It's alright, it's a simple dance, just follow my lead." I nodded gently at his words, trusting him this once.

Even if my family were once wealthy, I was never allowed to attend elite parties and formal events, or even practice to dance like a proper lady in the society. I really didn't know how things always went. Everything happening now is still very new to me.

I didn't miss the way his hand fell upon my back and how his fingers clenched there as he pulled me closer to himself. I could already feel electric sparks around my body. My body tensed, heart beating so fast. Aside the crazy man I met today, I haven't been this close to any man in my life.

"Relax Adara." I heard him say and tried to calm my nerves. He placed my hands on his shoulder entwining the other with his hand.

"I'm sorry about my mother." He said calmly as he started spinning me around the floor. His grip on me felt lose yet firm.

"I know she can be overbearing at times."

"You already apologized before." I said breathlessly when he pulled me back to himself.

"I just wanted to let you know she means well." He said.

"For you not me."

"What do you mean?" We moved to the left and right before settling in a place.

"Checking me out before all of these people and asking personal questions about my chastity doesn't look like it."

"You are to be my wife Adara and according to our traditions you have to be pure for me." What the hell was a tradition? Was there any in these days? So what if I was wild while growing up and fell in love with someone else to give myself to them, will they still reject me?

Was that why I was picked over Scarlett?

"And are you for me? Or is it only I who has to be... Pure?" He should be embarrassed at my words but rather than that he smiled. He smiled like it was nothing.

"I thought everyone lied about that in different situations? It's not like anyone would truly know unless they get to f**k you." I blushed at his raw words.

"Are you really untouched?" He suddenly asked and my skin burned. I'm sure I was even redder than I've ever been. I didn't say a word to him, I couldn't respond to his question.

"Don't worry, I won't lay my hands on you till we're married. Till you're fully mine." He added and I felt a little at ease. At least he isn't like the man I had met earlier. I shivered at the thought of him.

"I know this isn't what you wanted but you'll learn to love it here Adara. You'll be the next lady of the Bancroft empire." He was right. This life is far from what I wanted, I didn't want to be married or be the next lady of the Bancroft's empire.

"And you want this?" He didn't answer me immediately, he thought of my question as his eyes roamed over my face before saying...

"What I want is to fulfil my duties as the only heir of the Bancroft's empire. I don't expect you to understand."

"I'm also giving up my entire life and future for this. I think I understand you perfectly." He said nothing to me and just stared at every inch of my face.

"It's okay you don't plan on spending the rest of your life with someone you truly love?"

"Love will come Adara. With time, love will come." I felt hurt by his words, but father had told me the same thing when I asked him too. He had loved mother so much from the little I remembered and after her death...

Dalton twirled me around to fall on his arms holding my waist firmly while he tilted his head closer to mine but stopped to narrow his eyes. "What happened to your chin?" His fingers passed across my chin and I quickly fell from his hold to drop on the floor.

Gasp and shocked remarks could be heard across the room as everyone turned to look at us.

"I'm so sorry." He stretched his hands to help me but I quickly got up placing my palm on my chin.

"I... I need to use the bathroom." At my words I stumbled away...