Chapter 5

DREA

Light slowly crept into my window, sun rays scattering across my blanket. My eyes squinted at the sudden intrusion, my hands reaching up to rub my puffy eyes.

I barely slept last night.

All I could think about was what my life was supposed to turn into and the drastic changes that would come with it.

My unanswered questions never left my thoughts. Not for one second.

I was going to get my answers today.

Yawning and stretching my limbs which felt cramped, I slowly sat up and reached out for my phone next to my bed. I turned it on and looked at the time. 8:30 am. I had a lecture at 10 am so an hour and a half ought to do for preparations.

I peeled the blanket off my body and placed my feet on the cold hardwood floors. Getting up, I stared at the mess of a person I was in the mirror.

Tangled dark brown curls.

Dull brown eyes.

Dark circles from the lack of sleep.

That scar on my forehead.

Instinctively, I reached for the scar and traced its outline, the dark line stretching along my hairline. It was barely noticeable from afar but up close, you could definitely see it. It had always been a mystery as to how I got it.

Too bad Dad wasn’t around for me to ask.

Sighing, I slowly dragged myself to the bathroom, dreading the day ahead of me.

I had a test today. A test I barely studied for. The events of yesterday completely made me forget that I even had school today. A test at that.

I turned on the shower and waited for a minute before checking the temperature. The familiar feeling of hot water touching my skin indicated that it was hot enough. I stripped and got into the shower.

A hot shower always introduced room for my chain of thoughts.

August Wolfe.

How was he associated with my father?

Was he also forced into this contractual marriage?

Does he know me?

A shiver ran down my spine as cold water hit my skin, snapping me out of my chain of thoughts.

I guess that was it for today.

Getting out of the shower, I wrapped a towel around myself, immediately comforted by the warmth it brought to my skin.

I headed back to my room and inched towards what I could barely call a closet.

I picked out a pair of washed jeans and a long-sleeve shirt for the day. It’s not like I had anyone to impress.

After getting dressed, I put my wet hair in a bun and arranged my school bag.

I didn’t have work today due to the coffee shop being fumigated. After school it is.

I checked the time on my phone once more. 9:28 am.

I had to go immediately because the bus I took to school usually left around 9:40 am.

I slowly opened the door of my room, making a beeline to the front door but halted in my tracks when I saw Ivanka staring at me, an unreadable expression on her face.

She was holding a coffee cup as she stared, slowly sipping it and never taking her eyes off me. It was as if she were studying me.

What was her deal?

“Morning.” I mumbled, and without waiting for a reply, I walked out of the house.