First Time At My Place

Arielle

It happened so fast. I shouldn’t have looked back. If I didn’t, he wouldn’t have seen me. If I had just kept walking.

I accepted that it was my mistake. My very stupid mistake. “Where are you taking me?” I asked, my voice small but sharp with suspicion.

He stopped walking and turned slightly. “Where do you stay?” He asked. Of all the questions he could ask me, that was what he chose?

“I’m sorry, what?” I leaned closer, pretending not to hear what he just said because there was no way.

“I want to drop you off”. He smiled.

My heart skipped when he turned fully toward me. A smile tugged at his lips, and his dimples appeared. I didn’t notice he had that until now. It was mesmerizing. “I’m sorry, but I can walk. You don’t need to help me”. I said, trying to sound brave. Honestly, I could not walk back there. It looked so dark.

“You’re gonna be my wife soon, we might as well get started now”. We continued walking and he still didn’t let go of my hand.

My brows shot up. What? Wife? What does he mean by that? I assumed I heard wrong

We got to where he parked, and he opened the car door for me. “Come on in”. He said, his voice felt sweet to my ears. I stared at the interior, clean and brand new. I had never seen such a thing in my life. Or been in such.

I didn’t know what came over me, but I obeyed. His gaze met mine right after I smiled and slid in with my things. He joined later, and we left the restaurant.

The drive was silent, the type that could remind you of your life. We had several eye contacts as we were waiting for who to speak first. I wanted to, but I didn’t know what to say.

I was rather focused on his body. His hands on the steering wheel were smooth and veined lightly that I almost touched him. The same hands that could carry me anywhere without struggle. His sharp jaw, which was what first made me find him attractive, and then his lips, which were looking plump and soft. Too soft for someone with his attitude. I blinked slowly as I looked at his lips.

This made me wonder the kind of man he was, where he grew up, and how he managed to be this attractive.

I knew he wouldn’t have married me if it weren’t for the contract. I wasn’t the type of girl men like him married. Ever.

But none of that mattered right now.

What mattered was making sure he didn't try anything funny in the car. I studied his every move carefully, like a damn detective. “So, how has work been?” His voice came through, soft and calm.

“Cool”. I said, nodding too fast.

He then made a sharp turn, and my hand flew onto his lap by accident. I gasped. My hands remained there for seconds. I didn’t know how to take it off without looking weird.

If he hadn’t turned like that, this wouldn’t have happened.

I avoided his eyes by all means, and somehow, he didn’t move. And he didn’t flinch. He kept on driving like nothing had happened.

I’d completely forgotten there was a pizza sitting on my lap. I took my hands off quickly and apologized. “Oh my God, I’m– I’m so sorry.” I stuttered. “I’m very sorry about that”. I yanked my hands back awkwardly.

“It’s fine. Don’t worry”. He smiled.

That smile melted me, I didn't know how, but it did. As a matter of fact, his sudden new attitude needed to be studied. He was acting way too nice, like he wasn’t the same man who asked me to get him a new car. Like he wasn’t the same man who threatened to tell my boss what I did if I didn’t take his offer.

I expected at least irritation, but no, he didn’t.

We got to my place, so he parked somewhere, quietly. “You live here?” He asked, looking at the front yard.

“It’s actually my friend’s place, Tiffany. I’m staying with her. You know her already”. I said without hesitation. I wasn’t ashamed to say it.

He nodded like he was expecting that answer. “Oh, the one who challenged me that night?” He asked calmly.

I chuckled. “She’s nothing like that, I promise. She’s a very good friend”.

He eyes the pizza on my lap. “Let me guess, that’s for Tiffany.” His voice, softer than expected.

“Yes”. I confirmed “She–uh, she wanted to eat pizza so….I bought it”. I smiled briefly, my heart pounding, as I had never been in his presence before. But his questions were getting too much. I looked away to avoid his eyes. Then my phone buzzed. Tiffany.

I faced Darius instantly, “I have to go now”.

He didn’t respond. His eyes lingered on my lips. I tapped the seat twice to snap him out of it. “I said I have to go….now”. I repeated.

“Oh, yes. Sure”. He blinked rapidly. I nodded, practically fleeing the car. My body felt like I could breathe again. It felt like I was alive again.. “So, when are we seeing each other again?” He asked with a smile on his face.

I turned back, eyes locked. “Uh, next two days. Like you commanded”. I said sarcastically. His eyes lingered all over me. The kind of eyes that showed he was starting to like me. But I didn’t want him to.

That cold stare made me tremble. “Bye, Mr. Darius”. I smiled and turned away quickly.

I waited till I heard his car driving away before stepping inside. I found Tiffany lying on the floor. “Ari? Is that you?”

“Yeah, I got the pizza you asked for”. I moved to the kitchen to grab some drinks.

“I heard a car outside our front yard. Did someone give you a ride?” She asked.

I stood still, every muscle in me tightened. “What? A car? Nope. I doubt it. No car was here”. I lied. A very blunt one.

Tiffany turned to me slowly, with a death stare. “No car was here? Really, Ari?”

“You must have heard wrong. Come on, get up and eat your pizza”. I commanded, like I was her mother. I took the pizza and drinks off the counter and walked to the living room.

I intentionally wanted to change the subject. I wasn’t in the mood to start talking about Darius and what he pulled off.

Tiffany got up and joined me on the couch sluggishly. She took a slice and bit into it. “Hmm, you like it?” I asked as I caught her smiling.

“Hell yeah, it’s my favorite.” She giggled.

I smiled with pizza in my mouth and stared at her for a while. I was relieved that she had forgotten about Blake. Of course she did. She deserved more.

We ate the little we could and kept the rest in the fridge. I had to walk Tiffany to her room because she told me she couldn’t feel her legs. All I did was serve her wine, but she drank two bottles. It wasn’t even alcoholic.

I went to my room, collapsed on the bed and stared at the ceiling, legs against the wall, hands behind my head and slow, deep breaths.

Whenever I lay like that, it meant one thing. Something was bothering me. And it needed to be solved. Darius needed to be solved.

With him, it was either I accepted or I accepted. The rest was my own problem. And now he had already given me two days to think this over. This was a lifetime commitment to me. Acting like his wife in public. What if something ridiculous happened?

He never looked bothered about anything, and it terrified me the more I thought about it. What about my school? All these thoughts came rushing, all at once.

I should have asked for a week.

I closed my eyes, exhaling shakily. Then I got a text. I reached for my phone and saw that it was from Darius. *You left something in my car.*

My stomach dropped. I looked around, wondering what it could be. I certainly had everything. I was still trying to process it, then another message came in. *Come Outside*

I gasped with fear. It was way too late.