Bound to him since birth

5. Is it going to be a dumb show?

Sofie's POV-  

"I really hate it how they use nursery rhymes in horror movies. I mean, they even make a sweet rhyme sound like a scary curse." I say. 

I've been here sitting with Brian and talking about movies... horror ones to be specific. We have become really close and to be honest, I really don't get any vibe of that type from him, you guys understand me right? Like the vibe, you might get when you are with your crush. But then, I guess after we get actually married and stay together, maybe I'll be affected by him. 

We both never talk about how our lives will change once we are married. We always talk and talk non-stop. Maybe he wants me to be comfortable with him, and he did say that he wants to be my best friend.

"Brian, Sofie, come here!!" I hear aunt Carolina say.

We both move inside and my eyes fall on Christian. Yeah, I never get the vibe that I get from Christian! But as I said, probably I'll get it once we are married and actually behave like husband and wife, not like some long lost best friends. 

"Sofie, come here, look at this necklace. Tell me if you like it or not." She says, ushering me to go near her.

The necklace really took my breath away, it is a rose diamond necklace and isn't the type of very stiff but mouldable. The patterns made are really beautiful and it's just like for a princess.

"Wow! This is beautiful, aunt." I exclaim. She chuckles at my antics and then says, "I bought this for my son." 

Huh? She bought it for her son?

"So that he can make his wife wear it." She then says while smiling.

"C'mon now, do the deed." She says while moving to the sofa and sitting there. I look at Brian and he smiles at me and I grin even more.

Suddenly I feel the jewellery box being taken away from me and I turn my head only to find Christian taking the necklace in his hands. I'm about to say something when he leans down towards my left ear.

"Surprise, surprise wifey… now no need to create a scene. I'm your future husband, not Brian. So, just stand quietly and let me tuck this thing around your neck." He whispers and no need to tell how shocking it is for me.

Is this some kind of sick joke? It has to be right?

But the expressions on everybody's faces are of joy. They don't seem to mind him taking the necklace.

So, is it true? Is Christian really my fiancé? 

I stay rooted at my place as the reality dawns upon me and he comes behind me. I move away and turn to look at him. His face emotionless but his eyes were hard as if daring me to mess this up.

I can feel tears brimming my eyes and so, I excuse myself to use the restroom. As I move I hear my name being called, "Sofie!"

I turn around and see Brian taking long strides towards me. I stop and unable to control myself, a tear escapes my eyes. This was the reason why he always behaved like a friend to me.

This was the reason he never talked about our life after marriage. It was because there was no future life to talk about!

This was the reason why Christian remained silent all these days. He knew that I misunderstood my marriage with Brian and he didn't tell me. He wanted me to make a fool of myself.    

"What has happened Soff? You okay?" He asks.

"Why are you crying? What happened?" He asks wiping my tears.

"Come on, let's go somewhere else." He says and takes me to the garden. 

I sit down and hug him, "I didn't know Brian, I didn't know." I cry.

"What is it Soff, tell me clearly." He says pulling me away from himself and I could clearly see the concern he has for me.

"I didn't know Christian... he was my future husband. I just got to know now, when aunt Carolina told him to make me wear the necklace. All this time... all this time I thought... I thought it was you." I finally say. His eyes widen but soon enough, his brows crease together.

"Didn't he talk to you? I gave him your number." He says and I remember the night he called me.

"Yes! He did but would you believe it if I tell you what he had said?" I ask him. After all, he was his brother and in these few days, I've already seen how much Brian loves his family.

"Trust me, I'll believe it. I know him Soff and that is why I'll just tell you one thing. He is not the person he represents himself as. I'm sure he might have said something to hurt you, but that is because of this marriage... it's just so sudden and he never wanted it in the first place but because of the contract, he is bound to marry you. But please trust me, Sofie, he isn't really that bad, it's all the circumstances that have caused him to be like this and you don't need to worry because whenever you'll need a friend, I'll always be there for you, yeah? After all, I'm going to stay in New York too, remember we take care of the business together?" He says encouraging me.

We talk a little more about it and he finally makes me agree about marrying Christian. Well, I didn't have any other choice too, because the contract isn't going to change. So, we can say that he gave me some hope that it'll all be fine. And Brian is going to be there too. If I need any help, I can always look up to him.

We go back to the living room and I make a false statement about my health. I look at Christian as he moves closer to me and tuck the necklace around my neck. 

"You are looking just like a princess," Aunt exclaims and dad comes forward and pecks my forehead lightly.

All are so happy around me but I'm confused with my own feelings. I don't want this but what can I do now? Christian is just staring at me probably trying to understand my feelings. I look at Brian and he is looking at me with sad eyes but there is still an encouraging smile on his face. 

"I ...I'm not feeling well, I'll just go and rest," I say and start to move outside when Aunt asks me to rest in one of the rooms here, in their home only. 

I move to the guest room and tears start pouring out of my eyes like a freaking waterfall. My emotions are sprawled everywhere. I don't know how to handle things from here. 

I am crying lying on the bed on my stomach, with my face flush against the pillow when I hear the door being opened. 

Didn't I close the door? But who could be there? And just then my doubt is cleared.

"I want to talk, get up," Christian says arrogantly. I get up and face him. I don't care to wipe my face because it's all because of him that I'm in this situation and he should be aware of the damage he had done.

"This marriage, it's not what I want so... do not expect me to treat you like a wife, because I'm not going to change my lifestyle. I'll do whatever I want and you don't have a say in my matters. You are not to interfere in my life, and you don't have any kind of right over me, so don't even try to act like my wife, because I'm not giving you any right. It's just a two years thing, so don't make it hard for me." He says staring me in the eyes.

Great!! Just Great!! 

My husband doesn't want me and I am just going to be a burden on him. 

Is this is how my life is going to be now? Is this what my mother's thoughtfulness will lead to?

"Okay, if this is what you want. I won't interfere in your life and you won't interfere in mine." I say and turn my head from him.

I hear footsteps indicating that he has left the room and my sobs break as soon as he leaves. 

Day after tomorrow is my marriage and I can already see my future. It is going to be a loveless marriage, nothing like my parents' or Christian's parents'. I'll have to just get through these two years and I'll be free. Oh Lord! Please give me the strength to survive with this evil man. 

In Shakespeare's words, my marriage is going to be a dumb show, where we'll live together but won't make any effort to talk to each other. But I guess since Brian is going to be with me, it'll be okay. But how do I teach my poor heart not to accelerate when Christian comes near me?

How do I control it when his grey intimidating orbs stare deep into my eyes?

How do I control it when his so intimidating self attracts me?  

"Ugh!!"