Dinner table

 Annabella could feel her heart race as she stood in front of the grand dinner room. The ceiling decorated with sparkling chandeliers , cast a golden glow over the long table that stretched before her. It was covered with sparkling silverware and crystal glasses. Everything looke perfect-too perfect.

 'I don't belong here, she thought for the hundredth time that evening '.

 A maid gestured for her to enter, but Anna hesitated , feeling hotness in her chest. The room suddenly looked smaller, the air hotter. And her skin pickled with uncomfortable warmth.

 She took a shaky step forward to calm her racing heart, the room felt hotter with every step she took . She was no stranger to be uncomfortable, but this....This was different. 

 Andrew was already seated at the head of the table, his adorable eyes watching her as she approached. He looked as calm and composed as ever, completely at ease in his surroundings. 

 His presence only added to her unease, she wished the floor could open and swallow her at this moment.

 Anna's hand trembled as she pulled out the chair at the opposite end of were Andrew was seated. The table felt like a barrier between them. She sat down carefully , trying to control her breathing, but the heat in the room seemed to rise in every second. 

 The silence was unbearable. The clinking of glasses and the maids placing dishes in front of her made it worse. She hasn't eaten anything since this morning, but her stomach rumbled and made it impossible for her to think about food.

 She could feel her heart pounding in her chest, and her vision became blurred as if the room was spinning.' Why is it so hot in here '? She wondered ,wiping the sweat on her palms. Her dress clung to her skin uncomfortably revealing her body.

 "Eat" Andrew's voice broke through the thought in her head.

 Anna flinched slightly , her eyes staring at him. His tone was calm, but his word felt like an order. She looked down at the beautifully arranged dishes in front of her_something fancy . She lost her appetite .

 "I'm ...I'm not hungry", she whispered , her voice trembling. 

 Andrew raised an eyebrow, his gaze locking into hers. " You barely touched your food, or do you want me to feed you". 

 Before she could say a word, Andrew stood up from were he was seated, went closer to her took a spoonful of the dish and forcefully pressed a kiss to her lips feeding her the food in his mouth. Then she pushed him.

 "Why..why did you do that, I told you am not hungry, you forcefully took away my first kiss" I hate you so much, Anna shouted.

 Smirk, okay , no problem. Andrew said in a calm voice.

 "I.. She started, but no words came out of her mouth" I need some air".

 She stood up, breaking the silence in the room. Her leg felt weak.

 Andrew's eyes narrowed slightly but he didn't stop her. 

 Anna went to the hallway. The coolness of the corridor made her relax.

 "What am I doing here?, am just a poor girl that needs help. Her mother's face flashed in her mind, reminding her why she had agreed to this insane contract marriage. Is this really a contract marriage or am just a sex toy to him."

 For her, for the surgery. For the chance to save her mum's life.

 The door cracked open , and Annabella remained calm. She didn't need to look to know who it was.

 "Do you plan to stay here all night" he asked quietly.

 Anna didn't respond. She couldn't even bring herself to look at him.

 But Andrew wasn't one to be ignored. He bent down beside her, his voice lowering as he spoke again." You are overwhelmed ". 'This is all new for you. But you will get used to it".

 His word were comforting, they were cold. . It wasn't a suggestion, but a fact. She will get used to it, whether she wanted to or not it was her choice to make. Because that is the world he live in, and now, it was her world also..

 Anna finally looked up meeting his gaze.

 "I don't think I can do this", she whispered barely heard.

 Andrew bent his head slightly, studying her. " You don't have a choice ".

 The words hit her like a punch, and she felt the tears gathering up in her eyes. She couldn't let him see her break- not yet.

 "I'll give you the rest of the night to yourself," he said, standing up. "But remember, Annabella, you're mine now. You'll learn to adapt. It's only a matter of time."

 With that, he left her alone in the hallway.