CHAPTER 6

It's been days and Rexford is having a party downstairs. He tells me I am not allowed to go down there. Apparently I'm not invited. Rude. I think for a while. What would he do if I went down? He already hates me and I hate him so fuck it. I'm going down. I put on a tight dress that shows my figure and let my hair down. I shake my head upside down then flip it back to give it some volume.

I walk downstairs. There are a lot of people here. Dancing to the loud music. I spotted the table that had the drinks. I pick up one of the drinks and swallow the whole drink in seconds. I take another and do the same.

When I take my third drink someone approaches me from the side. "Who told you you could have that," Rexford says. I laugh as I point at myself. "Me" I smile.I drink up my third but can't finish it before his hand drags it away from my mouth. "Hey that's mine" I tell him trying to take it back. "Get back to your room now, I told you to not come down" he sounds very serious. But it's like what he's saying goes in through one ear and out of the other.

"Gosh, there are so many rules! Let me be for once" I feel the alcohol kick in. When a song I like starts playing I get all excited and jump in place.

He looks at me then down my body. "I know" I let out. He raises his eyebrow. "Know what?" He says still holding my drink.

"That I look fucking awesome" I say as my body rocks to the music. He doesn't answer. Without thinking I say "I like your hair it suits all this" pointing at his whole body dressed in black. He doesn't answer to that either, he just seems annoyed I'm even here. "If you are going to stay you have to be close to me." He says and I grab another drink and drink it before he can see it. Then follow him.I drink up my third but can't finish it before his hand drags it away from my mouth. We walk to a group of people sitting down on the couches. I take a seat beside Rexford and we have never sat this close before. Our knees are touching slightly. "Whoa! Who is this hot girl" one of the boys says. Boosting my confidence even more. "Lucy , nice to meet you" I say as I take out my hand for him to shake it but instead Rexford takes it and puts it down. "Easy there" he hisses at the guy. My hand stays on Rexford 's lap and I keep it there just because he told me to make this marriage believable.

"So are you guys coming to the ball?" The group asks, waiting for Rexford to answer but I do instead. "Absolutely"

"So who are you going with, Rexford always goes alone" one of them asks me. I turn to look at Rexford as I smile. "I'm going with my husband of course" I say, making them all shocked. I'm even surprised I said that. Rexford just watches me talk.

***

Hours pass and I've gotten some more And I think I've had too much actually. Almost everyone has left. Only some people left. I try to walk over to where Rexford is sitting but fail. I grab a nearby wall to steady me. Closing my eyes makes it worse so I keep them open. I watch as Rexford walks toward me. "I think I need some help" I say. "I can see that" he mumbles then he puts his hand on my waist to help me walk. His hand is so big and strong holding me up. His touch is so good in a way. I have stopped. I hate him, I remind myself.

He helps me to the stairs. "I got it from here thank you" I say to him but he doesn't walk away. "I'm sure you do," he says sarcastically.

At the third step I trip and fall onto the stairs. I laugh at myself. Making him smile a little. "I don't think I've got it." I say and he helps me up again lifting me up. Now carrying me up instead. "God, how much have you been drinking?" he says looking at me. "Don't remember" I answered laughing at myself.

I lay my head on his chest as he carries me to bed. Fuck. This is not my bed. look around to find myself in Rexford 's room. I'm too dizzy and tired to walk up and go to my room. He did this on purpose. "Just so you know I would never sleep in your bed, I hate you and you hate me so this would never happen if I were sober but I can't walk right now..." he interrupts me. "Just stop talking and sleep." He takes his pillow and walks out of this room.

I like that he is respectful and not just gets in bed with me. I'm starting to get comfortable around him and it's scary I am supposed to hate him because this is a forced marriage. But he was also forced to marry me. So I don't know if it's fair to be mad at him for something he didn't want either.

He lets me sleep in peace. And to be honest this bed is much more comfortable than mine.

When I wake up I realize it's the ball day. Today I will be introduced to everyone as Lucy Reynolds. What a horrible day.