~ATHENA
I sat across from Reid at the elegantly set table, my eyes widening as I took in the opulent interior of the fancy restaurant. The dim lighting, soft music, and clattering of cutlery against plates created a sophisticated ambiance that made me feel like a small fish in a big pond.
My gaze continued to dance across the room, drinking in the sights and sounds of the other patrons. Couples laughing and chatting, enjoying their meals with their faces aglow with happiness, and the sight of it made my heart ache with a feeling of longing washing down on me.
All thanks to Reid's father who had booked down a table for us and forced us to go on a date at this restaurant which supposedly belonged to a friend of his. This was my first time out in a public space ever since Reid had...bought me, my first time after six years of being confined in a cavern.
I was actually doing it, I was out in public surrounded by people who aren't Reid or his men, and it felt liberating and surreal because I was starting to believe I'd forever be locked up and held by Reid. But now that I had signed a one year marriage agreement with him, I couldn't wait for the one year to pass by, so I can be free again.
My smile remained on my face as I thought of things I'd do and places I'd go without restrictions once I was out of his life. Even though the relationship between Reid and I was a sham, part of me still wanted it to be real. If only his personality was as appealing as his looks, he would've been an epitome of the perfect man.
I continued to gaze at the happy couples who were sat, smiles was on their faces and their eyes, filled with love and I felt my excitement deflate like a punctured balloon, the reality of my situation dawned over me like a cold wave for I was just a pawn in Reid's scheme, nothing more, nothing less.
My hand flattened on my hair and I adjusted the black wavy locks, setting them back in place. I'd styled my hair to cover my part of my face, keeping my green eye hidden, and leaving only the brown one visible. I didn't want to embarrass Reid since it would be our first time out in a public space together and so, I didn't want people to see me as a freak, a witch, or whatever other labels they might attach to me. The action was a small thing, but it made me fit in and feel a bit more... normal.
As I sat there trying to compose myself, Reid's eyes met mine and his intense gaze made my breath hitch. He was studying me, his eyes searching, as if he was trying to read my thoughts, and I was guessing he had caught me smiling few minutes ago while I was fantasizing about my life after a year.
I quickly redirected my gaze to the menu I couldn't understand, the silence between us was palpable and I felt like I was on display, a specimen under a microscope. I fidgeted with the napkin, my fingers tracing the intricate patterns as I tried to calm my racing heart.
"What do you think you'll have?" He asked in his signature monotone voice. He doesn't look too happy being here with me and there was no complaints on my end because I'm happy being here, but I'm not happy being here with him either.
I paused, unsure of what to order. The menu wasn't in English and I didn't understand most of the dishes. But I didn't want to appear foolish, so I took a deep breath and ordered the first thing I recognized, pasta.
Reid's gaze seared into mine, his eyes flashing with authority as he leaned back in his chair, his broad shoulders squaring. "Flick your hair over your shoulder." He spoke, his deep voice brooking no argument.
I hesitated, my hands instinctively going to my hair, trying to keep it in place. I didn't want to reveal my eyes, didn't want people to think he was with a freak. "I-I like it this way." I stuttered, mentally scolding myself for not being able to compose a simple sentence.
Reid's jaw ticked, his eyes narrowing. "Athena." He warned, a deep resonate tone that was devoid of warmth and inflection.
My heart raced and I slowly raised my hands, my fingers trembling as I pushed my hair back, revealing both my eyes. Reid's gaze locked onto mine, his eyes darkening, flickering from my left orb to my right orb.
The waiter set the plates down in front of us, and the aroma of perfectly cooked pasta wafted up, making my stomach twinge with anticipation. I picked up my fork, and as the first bite touched my lips, the flavors exploded on my tongue, a symphony of herbs, spices, and rich tomato sauce. I closed my eyes while savoring the taste, and for a moment, I forgot about the weight of Reid's gaze.
As I took another bite, I felt the tension between us grow, the only sound was the clinking of our forks against the plates and the muffled voices of others who were sat at their respective tables.
"We're getting married in a week." Reid broke the silence we were basked in, his voice was flat and devoid of emotions which made my stomach churn in an uncomfortable way.
"W-what?" I stammered, my eyes not straying from his as I watched him eat his food as if he didn't just dump a huge information on me. How can he be so unbothered? "I thought papa said in a month?"
He swallowed the food in his mouth and pinned me with a sharp gaze. "What difference does it make if both ways has the same end result?" He asked with an exasperated sigh as if my question had vexed him. "Besides, we're legally married, we just need a priest to bless the union."
"A week." I whispered, my voice betraying me as it came out weak and fragile. "Shouldn't I have a say in t-this?" I softly asked, hoping my voice would ease and urge him to answer my question without him getting upset, but it did the opposite.
His grip on his fork and knife tightened while staring at me with a threatening gaze. "Athena." He called, his voice taking on that authoritative tone that had managed to be embedded in my brain. "Since when does your fucking opinion matter, hm?" He questioned, the look on his face telling me to seal my lips and stop talking.
I let out a deep sigh for I was confused, and I didn't want to anger him with my questions because we were really in a good spot before he dropped the bomb on me, but I couldn't help but to talk, "I think my opinion should matter because we're in this together." I clarified, my forehead creasing as I was trying to figure out why my opinion shouldn't matter in this, if it was taking the two of us to make this happen.
He hummed, his food long forgotten as he stared at me with an amused expression. His eyebrow was raised with a smug smirk playing at the corner of his lips. "That's really bold of you." He started, his grin dropping and turning into a scowl, his eyes, taking the form of those piercing slits which was an indicator of how furious he was. "Athena, we wouldn't want to make a scene here, would we?" He asked and I shook my head negatively because I don't want to draw attention to our table, and to myself. "We should settle this at home." He dismissed, but I wasn't done yet.
"If you want me to be in this with you, then you need to carry me along with your decisions. You can't just decide for the both of us. I'm a human with feelings Reid, I can talk and I can think, so don't treat me like I'm nothing and ask for my opinion because I am also involved in this!" I tried to keep my emotions at bay but I couldn't help myself as my words came out like a rant, and I have eventually drawn attention to our table.
In a blink of an eye, my view turned upside down and I was dangling off Reid's shoulder as he walked out the restaurant. "Put me down!" I yelled, hitting his back with my fist, fighting back the tears that was breaming in my eyes, but they just ended up falling, leaving a trail behind as I dangled lifelessly on his shoulder. "Psycho." I muttered underneath my breath before feeling a sharp sting on my bum. He had smacked me on my bum.
"You're dead, Athena."