Hard of Desire

Chapter 5

My parents were waiting for me at the doorstep when I finally reached my house. I walked towards them unwillingly and greeted them only to get a load of nagging about how late I am. I just rolled my eyes at them.

I decided that I will tell them about my car later tonight. My mom picked out an outfit for me and made me wear it. It was a maroon lace skater dress with a halter neck that stopped just above my knees.

I kept my hair down and kept my make up simple. After spraying my favorite perfume, I took one last look in the mirror and left my room.

The car ride was silent for the most part. But after forty minutes, my mother started to get excited.

"You're going to love the Wilson's" My mother gushed making me roll my eyes.

I scoffed in disbelief, "Sure I will" I retorted sarcastically, looking at trees as the whizzed by.

"Oh don't be like that, Hanna" I heard my mother say in a disapproving tone.

"I am sorry that I can't dance in joy, mom" I turned my head to look at her and saw her tilting her head as she watched me, "I am getting married at eighteen and that too, to someone I don't know" I glared at her.

"You knew Declan" She pointed out, before looking in front.

"Yeah, about ten years ago, maybe" I groaned.

"Hush, I don't want anyone to ruin this night. Especially, not you, Hanna" My father looked at me from the rearview mirror. I swallowed nervously and nodded at him, looking away.

"We're here," He said after a few minutes, parking the car and cutting off the engine.

"Remember, stay in your best behavior" My father warned me before I got out of the car.

I gaped with my mouth hanging wide open when my eyes landed on their mansion they call home. It was phenomenal and I absolutely loved it. Since it's dark I can only make out the house and the surrounding remained a mystery to me.

At the entrance of the house stood a couple whom I assumed Mr. and Mrs. Wilson. I couldn't remember their faces since I haven't met them for a very long time. Both of them were smiling widely as we made our way towards them.

"I was starting to think that you got lost again" The man laughed heartily and gave my father a hug.

"Hah! Bet you loved that!" My father laughed as he hugged the man, patting his back.

When the broke off their hug, the man watched me with curious eyes, "This is, Hanna" My father introduced me, putting his arm behind my shoulders and gave me a little push to go in front. I nodded my head awkwardly at the couple in front of me.

The lady stepped in front towards me, "Oh my, she looks beautiful" The lady squealed as if she is delighted to meet me, "Time do flies isn't it, Carmen? She was so tiny when I met her the last time" She gushed happily, watching me up and down before giving me a hug.

Now I am starting to feel a little insecure. I awkwardly hugged her back, patting her back just like my father did to the man.

She pulled back enough to look at me, "Oh, tell me about it, Clara!" My mother laughed in agreement and gave me a look. I fought back the urge to roll my eyes at her and did what she wanted me to do, "Thanks, Mrs. Wilson" I said politely with a small smile.

"Please, call me Clara," She said, grinning widely, "Come in" She invited all of us, gesturing to walk into the mansion.

I walked in greedy to get a glance at the interior of the mansion and once again, I was stunned with what I met with. It was mesmerizing, elegant, and luxurious. Whoever designed this place, deserves an award for it.

As I appreciated the beauty of the mansion, I unknowingly walked into the wall. Or that's what I thought. It turned out, it was actually a person.

I lifted my eyes to meet a pair of captivating hazel brown eyes. I gasped in shock and stagger a step back.

"You?" I asked in confusion.

"Hi Hanna, I am Declan" He flashed me an award-winning smile that could make any girl a putty in his hands.

I blinked as my jaw slacked, gaping at him in pure shock.

He is Declan?

The corners of his lips quirked upwards and the amusement in his eyes as clear as a day that he is enjoying my reaction right now. As if this is what he expected me to do. I quickly composed myself.

I would not give him that satisfaction.

"Hi," I said curtly, not wanting to speak more than a word to him. He smirked at me knowingly making I restrained myself from throwing a punch straight and square on his face.

Someone cleared their throat, "Declan, why don't you show Hanna around the house" Clara said, smiling sweetly at me.

No.

I started to shake my head, "There's really no need for that, Mrs. Wilson" I refused politely with a tight smile.

"Honey, please call me Clara" She reminded me again, this time she threw me a playful glare and I smiled sheepishly at her, nodding my head.

"I think you should look around the house, Hanna," My father said making my whole body go still for a moment, "I'll go if you come with me too," I said, smiling sickly sweet at him.

There is no way in hell I am going to be alone with Declan.

"Hanna," My father said my name in a warning, and from the corners of my eyes, I saw Declan threw me a concerned look. The tension in this huge living room was too much for me or for anyone else to ignore.

I am not a fool to test my father 's patience, "Okay, I-I'll go" I said, gritting my teeth. Without another word, I started walking towards Declan, keeping my head down.

Declan turned around and climbed up the stairs. I could feel four pairs of eyes burning behind my back as I followed Declan upstairs. Once I am sure that my parents couldn't look at me anymore, I let my eyes wander, drinking in the interior again. I focussed on everything except on the man who was in front of me.

"You're quiet" He observed as he slowed down his pace, "Your mood was better this afternoon than now," He said quietly, now walking by my side.

I scoffed in disbelief, "What do you want me to do?" I glared daggers at him, "Dance in joy?" I asked him, sarcasm dripping heavily in my tone.

He smirked at me, "Certainly, not but I expected you to be a little pleased" He said as he walked staring in front.

"There is nothing pleasing about getting married at eighteen that too to someone I don't know" I grunted, loud enough for him to hear.

He paused walking and caught my hand when I didn't, "Hanna, I know you" He said as he scanned my face as if he is searching for something, "Don't you remember me?" He asked me, frowning.

I yanked my hand away from his grip, "Remember the time you pushed me from the swing at the park? Yes, I do!" I glared, crossing my arms against my chest.

He made a low noise of disapproval, "That was very immature of me" He said bending down to look into my eyes, "I regret that and I hope you forgive me" He said seriously, sincerity thick in his voice.

I just shook my head at him, "Declan, did you know about all of this when we met at the restaurant?" I asked him, clenching my jaw.

"I do" He admitted, looking away from me.

My left eye twitched a little, "Did you recognize me?" I asked him, pinching the bridge of my nose in an attempt to calm myself.

He snorted and turned serious when I glared at him, "It's very hard not to" He said, a small smile playing at the corner of his lips.

"Then why didn't you tell me?" I asked him incredulously.

He stared at me for a few seconds before looking away. He started walking again, "Believe me, I wanted to," He said as I followed him closely behind, "But the situation didn't allow me to tell you about this" He paused his steps briefly, "And I wanted to know what you thought of me as a complete stranger" He added.

I stopped walking and let out a sigh, "I think I am done looking around" I said before turning on my heels and headed towards the stairs again.

His hand wrapped around my bicep and pulled me backward, my back hit his stone-hard chest, "We just started" He whispered near my ear and I felt his hot breath fanning against my neck. I shuddered as I felt chills running down my spine.

"I am not interested" I grunted as I tried to break free from his vice-like grip but he only tightens his grip around my bicep.

"Hanna, please" He whispered turning me around forcefully, "Besides, your father wouldn't approve of it" He reminded me and I scowled at him.

I yanked myself away from him and gestured him to continue showing me around this house with a sickly sweet smile. He glared at me and started walking ahead. I let out a sigh and followed him.

He led me to a white door and pushed it open, "This is my" He paused briefly, "Well it will be our room" He corrected with a smile.

"In your dreams" I scoffed.

"Oh you have no idea," He said, his voice very low. I threw him a disgusted glare and started walking ahead, not entering his room.

I heard him let out a sigh and I had to bit back a smile. That's it, give up already Declan.

He kept pace with me easily, "We have a library here, I remember that you used to love going to the library" He said, guiding me towards a hallway of rooms. I bit my lip, does he really remember that?

When we entered one of the rooms, my breath caught in my throat as I did a twirl to look around. There were at least thirty huge, ceiling-high bookshelves. The books were arranged neatly according to the volumes and genre. The room was painted in beige and there were a few armchairs and the one next to the window was the one that stood out the most.

It's a perfect spot for a book and a steaming mug of tea.

"Woah, this is so cool" I blurted out without thinking, "You can read here all day after we get married," He said spoiling my mood in a matter of seconds.

I didn't even try to hide my soured face. If he noticed it, which I'm pretty sure he did, he chose to ignore it.

We left the room and he led me to another door, "There is an art room, you'll love it" He said, excitedly.

How does he even know that I loved art?

Once again I was left speechless when I walked into the room. This room is a dream of every artist. The paintbrushes were stacked neatly on the corner of the room. Hundreds of little watercolor bottles stacked on a shelf against the wall. The canvas was placed just a few steps away from the window. Every tool that an artist need could be found at the multi slotted drawers.

But everything looked untouched. Like it's brand new or maybe no one used them a very long time.

I heard Declan's footsteps coming towards me and that's when I realized that he stood at the door and never came in. My cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

I literally snooped right in front of him. I mentally cursed myself for letting my guard down around him.

"You can spend your free time here, after-" He started, and once again, my mood was spoiled.

I held my hand in front of him, "Stop it will you!" I shrieked glaring at him, "I do not want to stay here and I sure as hell, will not marry you" I jabbed my finger against his chest.

He caught my hand and kissed my finger making me flinch in disgust, "You're going to make me work for it, aren't you?" He muttered under his breath, "Then, let it be. I like challenge anyway" He grinned down at me.

What a psycho.

I yanked my hand away, "Declan, I was hoping that you will not be interested in marrying me" I took a seat on the two-seater next to the painting.

"Now, why would I not be?" He frowned, taking a seat next to me.

"You don't like me, remember?" I reminded him, "You used to bully me. I may not recognize your face now but I cannot forget what you did" I told him, looking at his bewitching face.

A genuine smile appeared on his face, "That's not the case" He shook his head, "What's that supposed to mean?" I watched him warily as if he'd grown another head.

"I want to marry you," He said, confidently. The determination in his voice is hard to miss.

"But I don't want to marry you," I said, looking down at the carpet.

He put his finger under my chin and gently lifted my face and looked straight into my eyes, "You don't marry me or you don't want to get married now?" He asked me seriously.

I certainly had no answer for that.

I pushed his fingers away and broke the eye contact, "Father said you will marry me in two weeks time" I murmured lowly, "Is that true?" I asked him and from the corner of my eyes, I saw him nod once.

"I want you to say no"

"Never"

I hanged my head in my hands and took deep breaths to calm myself. I do not understand why it's so hard for him to understand. After a few seconds, I stood up and looked at him.