Concentrating. Incredibly careful I held my brush. Making sure the paint is brushed in the right places. Sticking my tongue out to help me. I picked up my brush one last time and... finished. My ten nails had a beautiful pastel pink color.
I was quite proud of myself. I had made no mistake while painting my nails. I wanted to share my accomplishment with someone.
I made my way down to the kitchen. Maybe Mary was on her brake. I entered the spacious room in the hope to see the woman who always kept me company when I felt lonely. "Mary?" I heard a thud and then the old lady made her appearance from behind the kitchen island.
"Yes, dear?"
"Did you hurt yourself right now, I heard a thud. I'm sorry I did not mean to scare you." I said guiltily.
"It's alright dear. What is it you wanted to tell me?" She asked with the infamous friendly smile she had always shown me, no matter what.
"Look," I held my fingers up, "I painted my nails." I showed her my hands.
"That looks lovely dear." She said tiredly. "But if you don't mind me, Ava, I have to finish this within the next hour."
I was disappointed, but I understood very well. Mary was here to do her job, which was cleaning, not keeping me company. That was one of the many extra's whenever she had the time. "I'm sorry I did not mean to disturb you," I said with hunched shoulders.
"Ava, I did not mean to-"
"It's alright Mary, maybe father has some time for me." I made my way out of the kitchen and headed to my father's office. I had to climb multiple stairs until I stood in front of the big wooden doors of my father's workplace.
I knocked three times and waited until I got permission to enter the room. "Come in" I heard a low voice saying.
The room was quite spacious. It faced the back garden, giving you a lovely view from up here. On the left and right walls were two big bookcases, holding over a dozen books. From time to time father would give me permission to lend some of the books.
"Father?" I said while stepping into his office.
"Ava? What are you doing here?" He asked with a confused face. Father was sitting behind his huge desk. It was well over three meters long.
"I wanted to see how you were doing and... showing you my nails," I said hesitantly.
"Your nails?" Again, his confused expression made an appearance on his face.
"Yes, look, I painted them," I said with a smile.
My father did not look confused anymore, but rather angry now. "Painting your nails? Ava, there are more important matters than that nonsense. How about your schoolwork? And your piano lessons?"
"I have finished my work and I'm already done with practicing the piano," I said in a low voice. "But I see you are busy; I will leave you to it." My father only nodded at that and went back to work as I exited the room.
I sighed. I wanted to talk to somebody, but who? Then an idea popped up in my head. My brother Xavier. I quickly made my way to the living room where the house phone was. I sat down on the couch and dialed his number. "Hello, father?"
"No, it's me, your younger sister," I said excitedly.
I heard him sighing. "Hello Ava, is there something urgent you have to talk about?"
"No, not really, I just wanted to talk to you. How are you doing? When will you come to visit us again? It has been ages since you have been here."
"Look Ava, I really want to talk, but I'm busy. We will talk later, I promise." And with that, he had hung up before I could say goodbye. 'We will talk later', yeah right. He always said that, but never lived up to that stupid promise.
I pouted. I graved for some social contact, but I had no family or friends to talk to. We also did not have any pets. I had asked multiple times for a cat or dog, but my father always disagreed. He said it was not ladylike, owning a pet.
I looked through the window, the garden looked really inviting. Only I had to ask my father for permission to go outside and he was already in a sour mood. So maybe it was better to not disturb him again.
But if I am quick, he won't even notice as he is still in his office. A smile crept on my face; it had been a while since I have been outside. I got my shoes and coat.
As I stepped outside, I took a deep breath of the clean air. It was nice outside. The sun was shining high in the sky and there was no trace of any clouds hovering in the blue sea of air. I made my way to the rose garden and smelled the beautiful flowers. This was my favorite place on our land. It was peaceful here, which always made me happy, no matter how sour my mood was.
I walked through the garden until I was stopped by someone grabbing my arm. I looked up to see to whom this arm belonged; it was my father. He looked truly angry. "What are you doing here?" He hissed.
Before I could answer he was already dragging me inside. Once inside he asked me again. "What were you doing in the garden without my permission?" His hand was still tightly around my arm.
I gulped. "I-I just wanted to get some fresh air, f-father" His face still did not look pleased. His grip on my arm tightened. "You know better than to do that. As a punishment, you can't go outside for two weeks, that better teach you to go behind my back. Now go to your room!" He roared.
Upon entering my room, I let myself fall on the bed. I cried. Going outside was always my last resort to make myself happy. With no friends nor family to spend my time with, I considered nature my friend as it never let me down. But even now that could not cheer me up anymore, at least for the next two weeks.
I was one week in of my horrendous punishment. It felt like the whole world was punishing me by letting time go so slowly. In the morning, my teacher arrived, and we would work until one in the afternoon. Then I would have lunch alone. When I was done eating, I would join Mary in the kitchen as our chef would teach me a new recipe. By then it would be around three in the afternoon. I would go to the library and play the piano until four and then I had nothing to do anymore. This was my routine, day in and out. I had already watched all the movies I was allowed to watch; I had done all the hobbies I was allowed to do, which were not interesting anymore, and I could not go outside of the house. I was forbidden to go anywhere outside our borders. I had never been to the movies, to the mall, to the library, or to school. I was very
Last night I moped, but today was going to be different. Today was a new day and that meant a fresh start. I could not be grieving all the time about the fact I was alone, that would only make me sadder. No, each new day needed to be faced with a new ounce of happiness. I got myself freshened up and picked proper clothes to wear for a proper lady. This meant a skirt, not too long, not too short. Matched with a blouse. I tied my hair in a ponytail and headed to the dining room for breakfast. Normally I would be alone, but now I saw my brother already sipping at his coffee. With a smiling face, I greeted him. "Morning." I chirped. "Good morning, little sister. Did you sleep well?" Xavier asked as he put his phone away. "Yes, and you
After my punishment was over, I would never take going outside for granted. I felt so much better to be outside again than be cooped up in the house. With my privilege being given back to me, my days were much brighter, especially because I knew when my brother would return home, which was soon. In a week, the party took place, of which I still had not figured out what its occasion was. I made my way to the kitchen after my afternoon walk outside. Mary was eating a sandwich, which meant she was on her break. "Hello, Mary." I chirped. "Hello dear, how are you doing?" She asked with a smile. "Really good, in a week Xavier is visiting again. Again! Maybe he will have some time to listen to the last piece I have learned on the piano." I mused.
I was in a state of shock when I heard those words and not the good kind. My breath hitched. I was lost for words. I just could not grasp the fact I would marry a total stranger. I did not know a lot about social engagement and social activities, but what I did know was that two people marry out of love, not out of a deal. At least that is what all the romantic novels and movies told me.Sure, I had read about arranged marriages, but that was in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Not in the present.I knew I was too long too quiet. I had to say something, but what?"I-I am a-afraid I-I do not u-understand." I stuttered.When the words left my mouth, a sinister smile was plastered on the young male's face of Edric. A shiver ran d
The magazines felt like heavyweights on my lap. I could not speak. Silence filled the room. Time went by."Look Ava, I know you don't know my son, I can understand this might be difficult for you. But this wedding will take place, nothing can change that. So, I suggest you quit your whining about this and pick out a wedding dress." Miranda said stern.I looked at her. Her lips were pressed in a thin line and she had a deep frown plastered on her forehead. Her eyes were cold, telling me to obey her.I looked back at the magazines and slowly opened them. Looking at the white dresses. None of them were appealing to me. Nothing about all of this was appealing to me, but apparently, I whined, and I did not want to displease her. So, I started to act like a proper lady and listened to my elders."The pages with the folded ears are the dresses that might be fitting for you." I turned to the next page with a folded ear. "Oh, this is my fav
I was waiting in the foyer for the Verlice family. I was leaning back and forth on the ball and heel of my feet. Trying to calm down my nerves, only it failed. I tried to fumble with my dress, again it did not help. Xavier, who was standing next to me, grabbed my hand."Relax little sister. I am there to protect you, might Edric do something foolish." My brother whispered in my ear, tickling me.I sighed. "I know brother, but how about when we are alone." I looked up to him, showing my concern. "What do I do then? I have never been with a man alone, you excluded.""I'm sure... he has a good pair of eyes, to see you need to be treated like a queen." Xavier tried to assure me.Only it did not help me. The cold look in Edric's eyes had n
All week I was scared and confused. I even had forgotten about the fact I was now finally eighteen. The moment in the rose garden with Edric was absolutely terrifying. And to top that off I had all these questions in my head. What did Edric mean by mafia and underworld? I had tried to look it up on my laptop, but it had many restrictions on my internet access. A lot of websites I had no access to and I was too afraid to ask my father or my brother.The whole week I was stressed and today did not help. Today was the wedding.I was already sent to the bathroom to take a shower by Miranda. To say I was shocked was an understatement. She was the one to wake me up and was already yelling directions. Everything had to be perfect, was Miranda's motto today.I had hoped I would have t
The morning I woke up I felt awful. Memories of the last night were flashing through my mind. Tears streamed down my face. The way Edric treated me last night was not how a man should treat a woman. What did I do to him? What had I done to make him act the way he did to me?I turned to my side, creating as much distance between us as possible. Only it hurt, a lot. My whole body felt sore. I could already see the bruises on my wrists. I did not want to know how many more were painted on my body.I heard a grunt coming from the other side of the bed. My body tensed. Please go back to sleep, I thought."You awake?" I heard Edric asking me in a raspy voice.I did not dare to speak a word. I was afraid if I made a squeak, he might do somet