Daniel was quite handsome with a ruggedness he now acquired after few years on an island. His hair was always let down his forehead in a bang, and is only parted and taken slightly backwards on special occasions like today. But he has been drinking and though he often tries to brush it backwards with his fingers, it still falls right back on his forehead.
He was very attractive either way and had no problem with the ladies, though he wasn’t a playboy. Compared to Markian, Daniel is a worthy opponent.
“Please tell me it’s another Livy you are referring to. Because if it’s not, then you better keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything else if you don’t want to find yourself in deep trouble tomorrow”, Heather spoke firmly.
She knows how her brother can be when he likes a girl. He has been heartbroken a few times and she was the only one he could talk to because Markian was always the reason the girls left him.
The last time a girl left him for his cousin, he had vowed never to fall in love again until Markian was happily married.
Of course, Heather had tracked the girl down. She was an instagram model and only used Daniel to get close to Markian.
Heather threatened her and made sure she left Markian, and also gave an honest apology to Daniel. Heather can be very intimidating when she wants to be. And since she cared for her brother so much, she started keeping tabs on him as to who he dates or sees, just to make sure nobody plays him for a fool ever again.
But she didn’t find him dating or seeing anyone for quite a while so she assumed he took his vow very serious.
If she had suspected or had any idea whatsoever that her brother was in love with Livy, she probably would never had let the marriage proceed.
“Heather, is she ok? Markian isn’t mad at her, is he?” he questioned his sister intensely.
Heather could see a glimmer in his eyes, he was holding back his tears and it broke her heart.
“She is perfect, they were teasing each other publicly and she wasn’t comfortable with it, so they retired to their room early. You don’t need to be worried about her from here on out. She is now Markian’s wife”, she lied.
Better he gets hurt now, heals and gets over it in the morning, than to have his hopes up for any changes.
“Aaaa… i see. You’re right, I must have been worried for no reason. I’ll go up to my room now, I’m also very tired. Goodnight Sis”, he spoke with an unreal smile plastered on his face as he staggered to walk up the stairs to locate his room, resisting his sister’s help to steady him.
**********************************************
I pulled myself off the bed, I didn’t want to wait to find out what was going to happen if I remained there.
My limbs were trembling and i could barely breath. I looked for a safe place to hide away from his deadly stare, but couldn’t find any in the little time I had.
Markian kept coming closer with each step but, I could only manage to take small steps backward involuntarily, until I got caught between him and a wall.
‘Oh no, I’m stuck. What do I do? I need to leave this room, please someone help me!.’
It’s a strange room, but it was beautifully decorated with flowers and few candlelights lit up the room, making it more difficult to find a way out.
In a quick stride he was face to face with me. One of his hand grapped my left wrist, while the other was on my waist, and using his weight he pinned me to the wall unable to move. I could only manage to wiggle, making my current position even worse.
I was in pain as his grip got tighter and tighter, and I whimpered.
When I opened my eyes, they met with his icy cold eyes. He had a smirk on his lips, he is enjoying what he was doing at the moment- the pain he’s inflicting, the fear that constantly grew in me and the soft whimper I let out involuntarily. He was enjoying every bit of his handiwork.
“I’m I hurting you? Do you want me to let you go? Beg me! I might listen if you ask nicely” he spoke softly and teasingly.
I knew he was taunting me, but I needed this to stop. I know I was wrong and spoke out of anger, I never should have spoken to him in such a manner especially after everything that had happened to him because of me.
“Please, I…. beg of you. Please… let go of me,” I pleaded shamelessly.
“scoffs… I. Don’t. Want. To… You seemed to have a lot to say to me downstairs, even everyone wanted to know. So, here I am in private, all ears and ready to listen, so tell me.” he requested calmly still while holding and pinning me to the wall.
I was so terrified, I was about to cry. ‘Please, let me go… I didn’t mean to be rude, I just… my irritation level ticks off when someone I care about is intoxicated by alcohol.’
I can’t even say that because I’m the reason he was drinking. He is suffering because I forcefully got married to him.
I’m so pathetic, even right now I’m making excuses for the man whose fingers are boring a hole in my arm and waist. He hates me so much but I still fantasize of a happy life with him.
I must be mad, crazy with emotions I can’t fully control.
“Why so quiet ‘honey’? Go ahead, say what’s on your mind. I really want to hear what you have to say” he request with gritted teeth.
He looks so furious, and if I’m not careful, tonight which is meant to be our first night together might turn into a horrific night.
My eyes were already teary and ready to spill, my cheeks felt so hot like I’ve been slapped, my legs were giving up on me. Somebody please help. I don’t know what to say or do that might make things even worse.
“If you refer to me as your husband in ‘public’ ever again, I’ll make you regret it in public. If you ever for a moment think you can stand with me as an equal, I’ll push you down with my own hands. And if you think that I’ll ever regard you as my wife, then be prepared to get disappointed, over and over again. I will make everyday you spend with me unlivable. I’ll make sure you regret the actions you took today that suit you and your mother best. So from now I’ll make decisions that only suits me, and would cause you great pain- more than you’ve caused me. From this moment on, I’ll sacrifice my time to making you regret ever choosing to get married to ‘your sister’s husband’. Just get lost, you disgust me!” Markian yelled as he pushing me aside.
I got up and ran towards a door beside the book shelf, not knowing if it was a walk-in closet or the bathroom. All I knew was that my entire systems needed me to be far away from Markian, so I ran and shut the door.
My heart was still racing as tears streamed down my face and i squeezed my eyes shut.
I was still trembling with fear and my body hurts, not from his grip but from his harsh words.
What have I gotten myself into all in the name of love? Was I wrong to marry Markian? I’m I really the bad guy? Everything I knew and felt right now was on a heap of questions with no answers.
The floor was cold and the room was pitch black. My heartbeat intensified as blood ran through my brain and flooded my ears, muffling out all sounds. I’m currently in a state of panic as I fumbled on the door knob to get the door but failed.
In few seconds everything went dead as I laid on the cold ground unconscious.