7. Pretending game

Dawn-

“Dawn… are you still sleeping?” I heard a voice and someone knocked on the door. How dare that person ask me this question? 

Do I look like I can sleep in this wretched house? I reluctantly opened the door and was taken aback when I saw her standing there. “Isa,” I gasped, unsure of how I should feel about her presence.

“Do you wanna go shopping?” She asked cheekily but I had no intention of going out. 

“She’s supposed to go somewhere with me.” I flinched at the familiar voice and turned to see Kai standing at the door. What is he even doing here? And how does he have the ability to pop up before me like a YouTube add.

No warning, no need!!

“Oh! I thought you weren’t at home.” Isa walked towards him, attempting to embrace him tightly but Kai pushed her away. 

I smiled---

wait… why am I smiling? What is happening to me? Is it because I haven't slept properly? Yeah! That must be it. 

I noticed Kai’s gaze lingering on my frame and he grabbed Isa’s hand embracing her into a hug. My eyes went wide, I knew he was doing this on purpose. 

But that’s not the point, the point is that I'm getting worked up because of it. I shouldn’t, no, I'm not supposed to. 

A sense of satisfaction playing across Kai’s face, I quickly swallowed feeling weird emotions rushing all over my body and they finally broke apart from their hug. 

“Get ready, we’re going to a party.” He left with Isa, wearing a grin that carried an envious air, while she followed him relentlessly. I’m scared by the mere sight of the party, after what happened yesterday, how can he expect me to go? 

I went inside to take a shower and by the time I got back, I saw a beautiful dress laid out on the bed, my gasp echoed through the room with my eyes sparkling. It was closer to the color ivory and with a luxurious fabric of silk and was fitted to the bodice and waist before flaring out into a dramatic mermaid skirt. The back of the dress had a zipper closure which only made me heave an exasperated sigh because duh! Another zipper, Kai enjoys doing this to me.

Did he put it here? But why would he bother? He must be busy embracing Isa, I bet they would’ve gladly done it before me shamelessly. 

I put it on, struggling to pull the chain up, “do you need help?” I shuddered perceiving another voice and covered my back being embarrassed. 

“José,” I turned around to see him leaning on the door, “would it be weird if I say yes?” My eyes met the ground and he grabbed hurriedly staked inside.

“Not at all,” he walked in my direction and stood before me and I  saw his reflection in the mirror right in front of me, genuine smile adorned his face, devoid of any ulterior motive, unlike Kai, “it’s done” He moved a step back fixing his throat, I took a huge swirl shrieking with happiness. I forgot all the worries, realizing how small things can make me happy. 

“Shall we?” He smiled extending his arm out. Am I supposed to go with him?

“Are you done?” Another angry voice boomed, and I heard approaching footsteps coming toward my room. I turned to see Kai, glaring at José. “What are you doing here?” Kai’s voice held a mix of annoyance and concern, while José fixed his throat with a weird expression I couldn’t quite decipher, nonetheless, he smiled.  

“Relax, it’s not like I'm gonna steal her from you.” He waved at me leaving with a huge smile and Kai entered inside closing the door behind him. 

“Did he do anything to you?” He hurriedly rushed checking my body out like a parasite.

“What nonsense?” I pushed him away. José is the kindest guy I’ve met in this whole house. 

“Who zipped your chain?” He growled, his frustration evident. I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his comment, of course, the chain… someone stole your little chain moment, now you’re upset?

 “What’s wrong with you?” I started combing my hair as he held my hand forcing me to look at him, a wave of pain struck me like lightening and my body jostled.

“Ahhhh!” My loud whimper made him loosen his grip on my wrist and he moved a step back, his eyes gawking at the bruises on my arms and, for a moment the room filled with awkward silence as he kept on staring at them. 

“Did, I---I do this?” His hoarse voice suddenly turned apologetic with eyes depicting something similar to agony in them. It surprised me, was he feeling bad? Does he have the ability to feel bad?

I shook my head.

“Ivy?” He grunted and I again shook my head in disapproval. “Was it him? José did this to you?” 

“No,” I declined in a low voice. “Then, who?” He seemed desperate to know, what was going on inside his head? It was perplexing to witness the stark contrast in his demeanor, shifting from rudeness to compassion within minutes.

“Your f---father!!” I exclaimed knowing he won’t sit at ease until I give him a name. For a moment, he stood still but then hurried to find an ointment applying it to my hand. 

Until yesterday, he was ready to take my dress off but now, he’s being sympathetic? I stood in silence and he blew the wound gently caressing it with his thumb. 

“Does it hurt?” His eyes met mine, his voice soothing whatever pain I felt, letting it seep deep into my soul, the blue in his eye glistened dripping agony as if he’s feeling it for me however, it was far from being real.

“Not anymore…” 

“Stay away from José.” His voice changed again, is this man having multiple personality disorder? 

“Come let’s go.” He locked his hand with mine and we left, and whenever I turned to look at him, he was staring at the bruises on my arms. My cheeks turned red as his gaze scrutinized my wounded arms, wounds that I even forgot about, memories of the humiliation I had endured, being forcefully dragged out of this very mansion flooded my mind. Yet, here I was, walking out of it now, with a sense of self-respect and dignity that had eluded me before.  

We stopped before a huge mansion and my breath got stuck in my throat, I'm not ready to meet another bunch of assholes jam-packed in a room.

“Mr. Eldorado, so nice to meet you.” My hand gripped Kai’s arm as soon as I saw a group of people stalking towards us, I extended my quaking hand for a firm handshake and entered this huge manor with security guards everywhere. 

All of them seemed so full of themselves and I got nervous, “it’s gonna be okay, trust me,” he rubbed my back with his hand and all I could focus on was the heat that my body felt from his touch, I knew this was just part of his pretending game, but still I’m glad he knew I was anxious and assured me. 

I sighed but felt panic taking over me, considering the crowd and I don’t get along. All the parties I have so far attended turned into nightmares. 

The tautness was visible on my face as he placed his hand on my waist pulling me closer, “look over there,” he pointed and, the camera shuttered quickly before I could even pose. 

“What’s all this for? What’s happening? Why are we here?” I stuffed him with a lot of questions. Kai was a famous mafia so, there will be numerous eyes judging me, considering what happened yesterday.

“Have you ever heard of the name, the V8? Consider it a party from them.” He explained, and we started walking.

“The V8?” My loud gasp made him chuckle, the only two mafia gangs I'm aware of, Eldorado and V8, “I thought you two were rivals,” my question was too innocent for him to mock me and he gulped his laugh down not to mortify me. 

“That’s just rumors created by people who envy us, it’s a good thing no one was around, you’d have disgraced me.” I peered down at the floor. 

“You didn’t have to put it like that.” I pouted. 

“It’s Mr. Alfred’s daughter Vanessa’s engagement. That’s why we’re here.” He finally elaborated, “now, how about---”

“Kai Eldorado!!” Two men stalked in our direction occupying the air with their alcoholic breaths, my gaze shifted towards Kai who had now clenched his fists with ire, probably because they called him Kai Eldorado.

The first thing my father had warned me about was Kai’s preference for formal address. He didn’t like being called by his first name. It was either Mr. Eldorado, sir or boss---terms that carried a certain level of respect and distance. Only those who were close to him had the privilege of using his name, but so far, I hadn’t come across anyone with the audacity to do so.

“Oh! Hello, young lady---” one of them tried to speak but Kai intercepted.

“You wanted to go to the restroom, right?” Kai lifted his brow, “take your time.” His hand patted my back gently yelling me to go away.  His pupil dilated, worry cascading his face and that was my cue to go away and I followed creating distance between us.

“Ugh! Come on, we aren’t beast, you don’t need to hide her from us---”

“She a nobody, I bumped into her while she was rushing off to the washroom.” Kai replied.

“Whoa! Mr. Casanova can still make girls wet just by his gaze.” Their voices disappeared like smoke the moment I took a turn and closed the door. It’s better the farthest I am from him. I hid inside the washroom from people, failing to stand the crowd. 

Is it because I'm getting scared of it? Those murmuring, their gaze, their opinions about me, it has all started to bother me and the only thing I want to do is escape, but where to? I don’t even have my home, my home.

Also, did that man just call him Mr. Casanova? Are they perhaps his college friends? Assholes like them went to Harvard? Though I mock Kai’ intelligence, I can’t deny the fact that he went to Harvard, he is good at everything.

“Are you an introvert?” My body shuddered from the sudden hindrance and I looked up and saw a girl puffing her cigarette. I shook my head not saying anything, “these bunch of assholes, I fucking hate it, can you pretend to be Vanessa in my stead, you don’t look like you’re famous.” Okay, so that’s what an insult and a favor in collab sounds like.

She said sitting beside me. “Huh?” I gasped. 

“My dad is forcing me to marry a guy I don’t love, it’s obvious I want to escape considering you would’ve done the same.” I hate pre-judgements…

She seemed way too cool; I couldn’t even tell how pathetic I was feeling around her. I wanted to be her, someone who can stand up for herself. 

“It’s your engagement, today?” I still queried not to create weird scenarios beforehand, unlike her.

“Who else… being the daughter of the famous mafia, you’re forced to maintain your reputation but, screw it.” She crushed the cigar under her foot and sighed loudly. 

I saw tattoos all over her arms. “So cool!!” I gasped again and she smiled.

“Right? So, I'm going to escape---” 

“You love someone else?” I muttered in a low voice. 

“Yup!! Going to weird lengths for the man you love, hah!” 

“Do you need help? Escaping?” I fidgeted in nervousness trying to do something for her since I failed myself. 

“Nope, he’s here already!!” She smiled, jumping from the window. This is what people should do with their lives when their assholes of parents leave them mid-way.

The morning I entered Kai’s mansion, I was supposed to meet the animator I had to work with, live my life to the fullest, if only I had never set foot in that despicable mansion, if only I didn’t try to impress the father who lacks the ability to love.

I followed her with my gaze, her arms spread wide as she stood before a man waiting for her, and when his face came into existence, my whole body shuddered from dread and I felt like dying.

Had I been aware, that I’d be betrayed by the man I don’t love, the man I'm forced to marry…

But even if I had known, I don’t think I would’ve changed anything, it’s all on me I believe, when I am incapable of taking decisions for myself, I’d often encounter such scenarios where my heart would be aching with no cure, and all I could do is get accustomed to this ache.

Because the man she embraced, the man who was waiting for her was none other than Kai Eldorado.