Melting Heart

Before I could turn to leave, The elevator doors opened. Standing there was a man in a sharp red suit, he looked like a personal body guard. He looked at me with pity.

“Mr Julian,” He said. “There’s a problem. Mr Arthur is on his way here to see your wife.”

“What wife?” I snapped without thinking twice. “Oh the one he was feeding strawberries? Or the one he ridicules at every slightest chance.” I turned to look at him.

He stared at me with an annoying smile that sent Shivers down my spine.

The room was almost empty now but I could still feel the weight of eyes that rested on me.

He ignored me like I said nothing and walked over to me, grabbing my wrist and pulling me close in a way that made my body hit his bare chest.

He looked at my dirt streaked face and my stained linen.

“Fix her,” he commanded Mrs. Gable. “Scrub the smell of jealousy and brush off as much shame you can find on her. Put her in something that doesn’t scream POVERTY. You have ten minutes.”

“Okay sir” Mrs Gable nodded as she dragged me out the kitchen door.

I could feel my pride thrown and plastered to the floor as I walked out.

Ten minutes later, I was stuffed into a stiff,pale blue dress that was too tight across my chest. My hair was pulled and tied back so hard it made my eyes water. Julian met me at the entrance to the grand parlor.

Immediately the doors opened and I saw Arthur Silverton-Julian’s grandfather.

Julian’s entire demeanor changed.

He slid a heavy warm, arm around my waist pulling me close against his side. His touch made me feel warm and for some reason I felt an unwanted spark.

“Grandfather!” Julian called out, his voice full of fake warmth.

Arthur, a frail man with sharp eyes, smiled as he leaned on his cane.

“Julian…. I hope you’ve not had any parties man” he smirked

Julian smiled slightly “Look at her grandpa. Doesn’t she look radiant today? I was just telling Elena how much life she’s brought to this old house.”

”Silverton! She looks a bit tired, Julian. Are you taking good care of her?” Mr Arthur asked slightly sending his glasses down with his fingers.

Julian squeezed my waist as a sign of warning. I could feel his fingers digging into my ribs through the thin fabric of the dress.

“Taking care of her? Julian laughed, looking down at me with a a gaze that looked like love to an old man, but felt like a threat to me. “I’ve barely let her out of my sight. We spent all morning in the gardens. I’m making sure she has everything she needs. Aren’t I, sweetheart?”

I looked at Arthur. I wanted to scream. I wanted to tell him I was sleeping on a cot and was asked to peel potatoes. I wanted to tell him his grandson was a monster.

But Julian’s hand moved. He traced a line down my arm, his touch light as a feather, but I saw his eyes. They were dead. They said: One word, and I’ll make sure I kill you.

“Yes,” I choked out, the lie tasting like ash in my mouth. “He’s been …….very attentive.”

“Good,” Arthur said, nodding. “ your father and I knew you two would be a perfect match. We worked on same samples for years before he died.”

Mr Arthur said calmly.

“You Julian, I never knew you could be so responsible. Keep it up, and the company is yours to handle. I’ll leave you two lovebirds to your lunch then.”

I watched Arthur walk through those oak doors like they were nothing but wood while I saw them like my prison. The second the doors closed behind Arthur. The warmth vanished.

Julian shoved me away from him so hard I stumbled against a marble statue.

“Don’t ever look at him like that again,” Julian hissed, shattering the romantic mask. “That HELP me look in your eyes? It’s pathetic.”

“Why are you doing this? I cried out. My whole emotions shattered. “If you hate me so much, just let me go! I’ll give you the divorce. I don’t want your money!”

Julian stepped towards me, his presence suffocating. He backed me against the wall, pinning me there with his shadow.

“My pretty debt,”He reached out and stroked my hair, but it wasn’t a caress, it was a taunt.

“Tonight, im hosting a dinner for the board members. My ex fiancée will be there. You will sit at the end of the table, you will stay silent and you will watch how a real woman carries herself. If you embarrass me, I’ll move your room to the basement. Do you understand?

I didn’t answer. I couldn’t. I should be scared but I wasn't. Instead, the smell of his fresh cologne made me want him closer to me and the way his lips were parted whenever he talked made me want him to talk more.

“Do you understand?” He repeated. This time sternly.

“Yes,” I whispered.

He smirked, satisfied with my broken spirit and walked out.

“Do I love this man?” I said subconsciously

“Do you love me?” He turned immediately