Bewitched by Ivory

5. Forest Dwellers

Ivory.

I thought saying yes and marrying Parker Leeds would be the hardest thing to do.
But I was proven wrong.
Saying goodbye,
goodbye to the people I love has been the hardest thing to do so far.
And no matter how often I replay the scene in my head and talk
oneself into believing the pain will eventually go away,
it just hurts even more, the thought of never seeing them ever again.
The thought of being just someone's obedient wife, a shallow self of a woman that let's a man do as he pleases,
frightens me.
And I for sure never feared the future as much as I do now.

Was it wrong?
Wrong to say yes and get into a carriage that brings me far away from home?

What will happen to me?

~•~•~•~•~

The carriage ride has been uncomfortably silent so far.
And since it's about to get night I decide to take a quick nap, even though I know it would be impossible for me to fall asleep,
while the carriage keeps bumping up and down.
And even though I try maintaining a firm position, my head keeps tilting in every direction due to the vexatious rumbling.

I shut my eyelids close and try to ignore the unfortunate situation, but I'm soon snapped back to reality by a soft chuckle.
My eyes immediately flash to Parker who, as for our scarce seat possibilities, sits across me.
A ridiculously small distance separating us.

"What's so funny?" I hiss at him and immediately regret my harsh tone.
However my little outburst seems to just amuse him and a smirk which I can't properly point, appears on his face.
Suddenly his smile drops as the carriage makes an abrupt stop.
I could hear the driver's seat squeak as the chauffeur jumps off the carriage.
According to Parker's stressed look, something bad is about to happen.

"Sir they're are here and-"

"I'll take care of them. Keep an eye on my wife"
Parker snarls at the pale looking chauffeur who keeps his gaze obediently fixed on the ground.

I don't now what caused my heart rate's sudden tempo change.
Was it the fact that Parker's mood switched within ten seconds or that he actually called me wife for the first time?

Without looking back or explaining himself, he gets out the carriage and the driver takes the seat across me.
He nods, pejoratively acknowledging my presence and lets his eyes bore holes into the side of my head.
Thank god he breaks the uncomfortable, one-sided staring contest and shifts his attention else where.
Ten minutes later Parker hasn't returned yet and I'm slowly getting worried.
I gather all my courage and ask the grumpy looking company for some information
"What's happening? Where did Parker go?"
The chauffeur examines me critically from head to toe, probably impressed by the fact that I can talk.
"Nothing to worry about. He'll be back soon" he grunts annoyed and turns eye rolling to the side.
"Who were you talking about?
Who's here?" I broach the subject to his misfortune.

I'd have to somehow be blind to not see that he's certainly not very fond of me, but at least I deserve some answers.

He takes one last deep breath, before answering my questions
"I can't tell you. Mr Leeds is my employee as well as master.
Trust me, when I tell you that it's for your own good" .

He throws an intense glance at me which lets a shudder run down my spine.
I don't know how he wants me to react to his statement, but I'm certainly not a fan of being forbidden from the truth.
"Your unbelievable" I hiss and push the carriage door open.