The Arranged Marriage

Let's Get to Know

Jake sighed, as if he was relieved that she was gone. He took off his tux jacket, revealing his arms that were covered with sleeve tattoos. Yet they were high enough where they weren’t visible with his jacket on.

Quinn watched him, eyeing his body. His tattoos made him look sexy. His muscles were clearly visible in his button up shirt, and it seemed that if he flexed too hard, the shirt would be ruined. She gazed over him, over and over.

“I’m sorry about my sister,” he grunted as he got up and walked over to the kitchen to grab a beer. As he was popping it open, he continued, “I know that sometimes she can be a bit much, but she’s all I got.” He said as he gave a faint smile and took a drink. He stood there for a moment, studying Quinn for a moment. He could not figure out what was going on in her mind right then.

Quinn hadn’t taken her eyes off him; she still had her guard up.

“It’s ok,” she spoke quietly, as if someone was listening outside. “I’m not used to people acknowledging me at all really.” In some ways to Quinn, it was nice to see someone willing and wanting to talk to her.

Jake slowly walked back over to the couch, then taking a spot closer to Quinn.

“What do you mean by that?” Jake asked, curiosity has the better of him now, and he wanted to get to know Quinn. If he’s married to her, he must know who she is.

“Why does it matter?” she asked, sternly. Jake noticed that she had spunk to her as well, and this caused him to smirk. He leaned back in his seat, taking another sip.

“We’re husband and wife now, we have to know each other and understand one another.” Jake said, as he relaxed and fixed his eyes on her. His gaze landed on her breasts, noticing that the shirt she wore was skintight, and that she had plump boobs. This began to arouse him a little.

“Yes, but you also just said that we won’t get into each other’s business. Wouldn’t that also mean getting to know me?” Quinn protested. She wanted to see if his temper could be broken like her parents. Yet, his smile towards her didn’t falter. She became intrigued. Is he not a harsh person like all the other noble house men?

He chuckled for a moment. “Again, we still have to know each other in order for our families to think we have a stable marriage.” His eyes grew calm, looking at her. “Plus, who knows, maybe we do end up happy together.” Quinn tried to study him, but she couldn’t figure him out.

“How are you so comfortable with this marriage?” She questioned him. It seemed that he was too at ease with this situation. Jake laughed and took a sip of his beer again.

“I’m not. In fact, I’m f*****g terrified just like you,” both of their eyes grew soft. “I don’t know what to expect in the future between us, but I don’t want to live here with you acting like strangers like any other family.” Jake’s words were soft, as if he was trying to soothe Quinn and make her feel safe and secure.

Quinn was falling for his charm at that point, as she was focused on what he was trying to say. There was no argument, and he did make a valid point. If they want others to know that they are together and are married happily, then it would be easier for them both. Quinn sighed for a moment.

“You have a point,” she huffed. “What do you want to know?” Quinn wanted to know if there was something in specific that he was looking for.

Jake hesitated for a moment, but he was a straightforward guy. He finally gave in and spoke up.

“Why do you have your scars? The old and the new.” he asked as if he was worried. He then suddenly felt that he needed to know how to protect her in the future.

Quinn looked at him in shock. She felt that he was going to criticize her like Olivia always had. She lowered her gaze towards her hands as she tugged her sleeves down more.

“My family isn’t the best people in the world,” she was nearly whispering, waiting for the shame to come to her again. “I didn’t do it for attention, I do it because it helps relieve the pain from my body.” She stopped for a moment, trying to see how to explain. She finally said, “My parents never wanted to have me in the first place, so they and my brother have made it known to how worthless and unwanted I truly am. I had no friends, no partners, nothing because the Astor’s would find every possible way to make it not happen. I was nearly given the bare minimum as far as childcare went, but I never have known the feeling of being loved or acknowledged.” Tears began filling her eyes. She had never told or opened herself to anyone about her life, but she felt like she needed to tell Jake everything. But she couldn’t, not until she knew him better.

Quinn wiped her tears and straightened herself. She pushed her feelings back in and gave an expression that she didn’t feel anything at all. Jake noticed and his heart began to break for her. He leaned forward and gently lifted her hand in his. His blue eyes were a calming look, as if there wasn’t a ripple in the sea. He turned her hand and pulled up her sleeve, revealing the first few that where there.

“I can understand your pain,” he whispered to her as he then gently kissed her scars. She sat there in shock.

“You’re not going to lecture me for them?” Her eyes were wide as he looked at her. She was fighting hard in that moment to hold back any more tears. Jake then expressed sorrow, wondering what all they had done to her. He was beginning to realize that she was not like her family.

“Why would I lecture you? From what you’ve told me, it wasn’t an easy life. I can’t judge or blame you for the scars on you.” He looked into her eyes as he reached up his hand slowly to her cheek, wiping away a tear. With that, he said, “You’re safe now.”

Quinn froze as emotions overflowed her. She smiled at him for a moment before gently pulling her arm away.

“I think we should get some rest. I have a couple things I want to do.” she said quietly, trying to choke back her emotions. She didn’t want to cry in front of him. Quinn had learned to hide her feelings and stay to herself.

“That’s fine. If you want, I can sleep out here and you can take the room.” He then slowly started getting up and grabbing blankets and pillows from the room. He then grabbed Quinn’s bag, placing it in the room for her. Noticing that she didn’t have almost anything, he felt pity towards her. He wanted to take her shopping, but maybe when they finally get to know each other more, they can.

He came back out to the living room and saw that Quinn was still sitting in the chair, looking at him.

“What’s wrong?” Jake felt like he had done something wrong already.

“No-nothing!” Quinn said, stuttering the words. “I’m not wanting to impede in your home, I can stay out here. Plus, I don’t take up much space or have much anyways.”

“It’s not a big deal. I don’t mind sleeping on this thing,” he patted the couch before he sat down, unbuttoning a few buttons on his shirt and rolling up his sleeves. His tattoos became more revealing, and Quinn noticed that he had a chest piece as well, defining his body more.

As she looked closer, she saw that he had deep, long scars underneath all his ink. She grew curious but kept it to herself. Breaking her gaze and looking at him, she said, “Are you sure?”

Jake smiled at her, gently. “Of course! I want you to become comfortable too.”

With that she thanked him and headed to the room. Closing the door behind her, Quinn smiled as tears fell down her face. When she crawled into bed, she fell asleep almost instantly.