Burnt Lies

A Meeting Like No Other

Alara

Today was the day I was going to meet my husband to be and to say nerves weren't coiling their way from my stomach to my throat would be a lie. I stared at myself in the full length mirror, I was wearing a simple peach frock that hung just above my ankles.

It flowed effortlessly in the wind and fit my figure well, hugging the curves at my waist but not being too tight.

Ma walked in and hugged me from behind, resting her chin on my shoulder, "I wish it didn't have to be like this," she whispered soothingly in my ear, "I wanted you to marry for love,"

In my heart I knew I did too, but I would sacrifice anything for the safety of my family even my own happiness.

Father walked in shortly after, dressed in a sleek black suit with a dark maroon tie to accentuate the deep tan of his skin, it was accompanied with a stark white shirt that made the black accents appear even darker. He looked the part of wealthy father even if our gang was crumbling as we spoke.

Theo stood a few inches behind him, in similar attire minus the blazer he merely wore a white shirt and black dress trousers, his tie was still undone and resting on his shoulders. He made quick work of the knot and fastened the tie pushing it up to the base of his throat and looking at me with eyes that said he would be there for me every step of the way.

"It's time," Father stretched out a hand to me, obviously wanting to walk me to the car a possible practice for when he would walk me down the aisle and give me away. Theo pushed him aside and hooked his arm around me. Father flashed a disapproving look at his son but made no attempt to take me back.

The journey wasn't too long and when we arrived my eyes widened at the beautiful mansion before us. It was the Grayson residence and it seemed immaculately designed probably by the best architects across the world. There were crisp white columns holding up the hangover entrance and there were marble steps leading up to the huge set white doors with silver intricacies adorning them.

The doors were swung open by maids and Cameron's parents greeted us, Cameron's mother had effortlessly curly hair that bounced just above her shoulder were diamond earing hung loosely from her ear lobes and every time they caught the light they would reflect a brilliant rainbow of colours onto the white interior.

The man stood next to her was much more stern, with a creased brow and slicked back hair, he looked like the epitome of power and class. His suit well pressed and with not a single crease. He had dark eyes that roamed over me, scrutinising in the most intimate way possible. I recoiled at his stare but tried my best not to show it.

Cameron's mother pulled me into a swift hug her thin arms encircling my waist. She smelt of cherry blossoms and rose water probably wearing an expensive perfume that gave her that sweet scent.

"It's so lovely to finally meet you Alara, you're just as beautiful as I imagined you to be," I blushed slightly at the compliment.

"Thank you,"

It was then we were led into the living room and sat down on plush leather sofas. We were served tea and macrons of all different colours and flavours. I was hesitant at first not wanting to be the first to grab one of those French desserts. It was only when Mrs Grayson offered me one that I took it and ate it as daintily as possible. They melted on my tongue and burst with flavour, they really were truly delicious.

Cameron had yet to show his face and the nerves began to show as my leg began to shake, I felt Father press a palm on my thigh stilling my leg in a silent gesture for me to calm down.

"Cameron's just running a little late he will be here soon," Mrs Grayson explained.

It was then when Cameron's father spoke for the first time, "I don't know why he isn't here already, he knows how important this is."

As if on queue I heard the doors swing open and in strolled in the one and only Cameron Grayson. 

My eyes flickered upwards to be met with the tall brooding figure that was my fiancé. He had unruly dark hair that curled at his temples and eyes so green I wondered how he even saw out of them. And those very eyes were trained on me and me alone. Just his presence had stolen my breath and I didn't know how to feel. 

His eyes never drifted from mine, even when his father scolded him for being late. 

"Cameron darling this is Alara," there was something in the way he looked at me, like I was a challenge to be overcome. 

"Hello Alara," my name rolled off his tongue in a deep velvety voice that could lull me to sleep. It was rich and cool with confidence so much so that I forgot how to speak. 

"Oh um hi," I mentally cringed at my response, I sounded like a lost child being introduced to someone new. I felt like a child. 

His eyes were analysing my every movement and I felt pressure under its scrutiny much like how his father had looked at me but this was far more intense. 

He sat down opposite to me at dinner and I couldn't help but steal furtive glances at him when I thought he wasn't looking but there was one time when he caught my eye and smirked at me. I blushed deeply out of embarrassment, which caused his grin to widen. 

"Alara tell us more about yourself dear, " Cameron's mother prompted me. 

"Oh well, I run a bookshop just on the outskirts of the town centre its a small thing but it brings me a lot of joy, and when I'm not busy with that I am at college studying Computer Science," I explained softly trailing off at the end of my sentence realising how very different the two things were. 

"That's an interesting combination," Mr Grayson commented and from his ambiguous tone I was unsure of whether he viewed that as a good or bad thing. 

Cameron had other questions though, "So Alara, do you contribute to your father's gang or are you just a sheltered princess?"

"Cameron!" his mother reprimanded as I sank deeper into my chair feeling quite uncomfortable under his questioning stare. 

"I-Well I know how to defend myself and if need be I will step in to help the gang, but no I don't make a habit of it,"

"Can defend yourself huh? Good to know," and that was all he said. There was a visible tension in the air after that and I tried my best to ignore it.

Soon dinner was finished and we were swept back into the living room and this time Cameron was sat beside me. I began to fiddle with my dress eyes downcast and doing everything possible to draw attention away from me which was nearly impossible seeing as I was the one who was going to be engaged. 

As the parents began to talk about the logistics of the wedding it became apparent that we were expected to talk to one another get to know each other perhaps. 

But all semblance of how to hold a conversation flew out of the window so I just focused on the loose bit of peach thread that had unravelled from the stitches at the wrist of my dress.

Cameron must have noticed me playing with the loose stitch and becoming more and more frustrated with it. 

"Do I make you nervous, darling," he whispered into my ear, I could feel his warm breath on the shell of my ear and it sent a shiver down my spine. 

"No." My response was instant as I snapped my gaze to him trying to challenge those so very green eyes. 

"Need a little help with that?" he nodded down at the loose thread.

Again my response was simply "No."

Ignoring me, he reached beneath my sleeve and pulled the thread until it snapped close to where the final stitch ended making a clean cut and removing the strand as though it had never been there. 

"Thank you," I replied begrudgingly.

He merely nodded in response and then averted his gaze, almost acting as though I wasn't even there. He was so hot and cold in his demeanour that it really made me question him. 

And that was my first encounter with Cameron Grayson.