After having to think so much that day, I found myself awake staring at the quietness of my room after dinner.
Tomorrow I would be moving and then trying to fit in a life I don’t belong with, meeting people I should not know and trying to get close to a woman and her husband.
How classic.
I couldn’t quite decipher Hardy’s intentions, but I felt compelled to voice my opinion on the matter.
I mustered up the courage to face him, despite the fear that consumed me.
As I stepped out of my room, I was immediately halted by two imposing bodyguards who had been stationed outside my door since my return.
I let out a weary breath.
I had no intention whatsoever of making a daring escape.
“I need to speak with Hardy,” I said to them.
Lost in the vast expanse of the grand villa, I found myself clueless about the whereabouts of Hardy’s room. Even if I were granted permission to explore, I couldn’t help but fear that I would aimlessly wander and lose my way.
The guards exchanged a knowing glance before one of them turned and departed.
It seems they were intended on sending the message.
Standing in my red night dress alongside the other guard, I patiently awaited the moment. I carefully gathered my thoughts, preparing to address Hardy in a manner that would hopefully prevent any violent outbursts.
After a few minutes, the guard returned, and I felt a wave of relief wash over me as I took a deep breath.
“I’ll walk with you, come on,” He said and I nodded and watched him lead the way before trailing behind him.
We took so many turns in the dimly lit hallways that never came to an end and I breathed the words “Finally” When we both came to a stop as we got in front of a huge wooden door.
The guard took a step back and I knew it was up to me to make my way in.
I gave the door a light knock and it echoed through the hallway.
I waited for someone, anyone, Hardy to answer the door, but I got no reply, so I stood there waiting.
I glanced back at the guard for help but he didn’t bother to look my way.
I sighed and turned back to the door ready to knock again when the door opened and Theodore stood there, holding the door’s handle.
“Joanne,” He called, and I watched as his lips curved into a smile.
“Hi” I said plainly.
“Come in” He offered and I walked in, feeling the hairs on my arms stand.
The room was a bit dark, with only a tiny blue night light brightening it up.
Hardy was standing by his window, a glass cup in his hand, and some papers on his bed.
It looked like he and Hardy were having some serious paperwork conversation before I interfered.
Yikes.
I turned to Theodore and he patted my shoulder after seeing how tense I was.
Hardy turned to me before walking over his bed and sitting in front of it.
It was my first time in his room, and I could say the room fits his dark personality perfectly.
“You wanted to speak with me?” Hardy asked, and the lights in the room went on immediately, allowing me to see his face.
I noticed Theodore was the one who had turned on the lights, and then walked back to me.
Thank goodness.
But somehow, I would have preferred to talk to him in the dark, because I don’t think I would like to see his reactions with what I would say.
“Yes” I nodded frantically.
“Well, speak then.” He offered.
I glanced at Theodore.
“I thought we could have discussed it privately…” I said and regretted my words instantly.
If Theodore could be here during our entire conversation, then he would probably stop him from throwing a fit if I happen to tell him what I think.
“Then…” Hardy turned to Theodore. “Leave then”
Theodore gave me a look, I didn’t have time to read his looks but I saw a bit of disappointment.
He went to leave, but I immediately stopped him on his tracks saying “No,”
Hardy threw his brows up at me.
“It’s best if Theodore stays, it’s not that private” I implied nervously…
“Okay, don’t keep me waiting. Spill,” Hardy sighed, dropping his cup.
I took a few seconds before speaking, trying to calm myself, collect myself, and think of ways to put my words before finally speaking it out.
“It’s about my invitation to the White Ale-o house” I started and saw Hardy squint his eyes.
“I know me being here is…” I shook my head, not trying to recall the fact that this was supposed to be Bailey’s place and not mine, I decided to go straight to the point.
“I will not be accepting the invitation,” I said, almost in a whimper.
Hardy scoffed getting on his feet, “You have no say in this, you’ll be going either ways”
I was mad, but the nervousness in my voice still took over.
“I know, I might go alright, nobody knows what happens in there and what if I go and don’t do what you want me to do, what if I make Anna hate me, and jeopardize whatever you’re working towards.”
The moments the words left my mouth, I know I was down for nothing but his anger.
He started taking slow steps towards me, and I knew I would have nowhere to run to.
He couldn’t possibly hurt me now,
Can he?
He got close to me, his height towering mine, intimidating every nerve my body had, and to be honest I almost found myself crying.
“Do you know you-
“I just have one thing to ask of you.” I interrupted Hardy.
Wow.
That was pretty bold of me.
He titled his head, and watched me scoot a bit closer to Theodore.
“I don’t mean to actually not follow your orders, but I just want to have a say in this,” I was really rushing my words. “I can try to get close to this Anne and not make a fool of myself in this Ale-o house only on one-some conditions”
“You’re living for me you don’t get to have choices or should I say… Conditions.”
Hardy’s voice was low but it was rigid and sounded mad.
Where had this man’s sympathy gone to?
“Will you listen to my conditions either ways?” I asked, taking another step closer to Theodore until I felt his muscular arms softly hit my back.
Hardy somehow found my words laughable, but he gave me a go-ahead glare before I decided to speak again.
“I want you to stop treating me like something you can just toss and then get rid of in a Blink of an eye”
“But you are,” He deadpanned it as a matter-of-factly.
I shivered,
This man is…
“Even if you can, stop treating me that way.” I was suddenly getting cold, “If you want me to get close to Anne, I want you to stop treating me like a parcel, dirt, I am nothing in your life and I can never be, but I also want you to consider the fact that I am a living and breathing human being, pregnant with your child.
I want to know when you’ll be visiting my room without me not trying to throw up or stab myself because I know how you’ll never hesitate to choke me to death when you have the chance to, I’m simply tired of your threats and how much they hurt me as a Person”
I felt Theodore move under my words, what expression has his face morphed into hearing me speak? Was he mad? Surprised or unfazed just like Hardy was.
But I continued anyways, dispersing the urge to turn around.
I was finally letting it all out and there was no going back.
“You should know this isn’t my place at all, I am paying the price my best friend would have been paying, and the least you could do is treat me like the pregnant woman that I am.” I said, looking down at my completely flat stomach.
And suddenly my words sounded weird.
“Well if you could just shut up and abide to whatever order I place down, maybe you’ll be leaving this place sooner than ever.” Hardy sighed.
What?
“What?” I had to say.
Whatever in the world was he planning? What does he mean by that?
Is he planning to get me replaced? Bring Bailey back?
But she’s nowhere to be found.
“Just follow the rules.” He pressed.
“What about my cond-”
He sighed, “I don’t make promises, but fine”
I found myself relaxing.
“Theodore will escort you back,” Hardy sounded mad, but before I knew it, Theodore’s hand is resting on the small of my back, and he’s leading me out of Hardy’s room.
*
I got to my room and with a smile I thanked Theodore.
“It’s nothing” He replied. “Hardy isn’t always like that, so much that happened got him this way”
Yeah well, I’ve heard enough of that.
“Sure… I just wanted to be treated like the unproblematic woman I am, is that such a big deal?” I rolled my eyes.
Theodore laughed.
“Well true, you do deserve to be treated that way” He took a step forward.
“So if Hardy ever gives you a hard time, you can always come to me.”
There was a way Theodore said those words I found myself almost crying, I had no idea why, but maybe it was the fact that there was someone trying to treat me right despite being considered as dirt to another.
“Thank you.” I sniffed.
…