𝘊𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘵𝘦𝘳 8

30 3 10
                                    

Alaric

"If you drink more of this wine, I'm scared I will have to carry you to the hotel in my arms." I whispered to Eveline, busy drinking her seventh glass of red wine in a row.

I was tolerant to drinks but I doubted she was. By the way she started stumbling since her second glass, it was clear she was a fine lady who drank wine only on special occasions and only one glass probably.

"Bold of you to assume I'm not sober enough to let you carry me, Alaric."

I chuckled, loving the way she always pronounced my name. It felt as if my name was more hers that it was ever mine.

Waving her parents goodbye, she walked towards me as I opened the car door for her. I walked around to get in the car too but my father stopped me halfway.

"Remember Alaric. This alliance is bound to make you stronger. Don't mess anything up."

I looked at him silently, annoyed by his wickedness.

But I couldn't fully blame him.

Everybody thought this marriage was meant to keep both families powerful, even Eveline. But none of them knew the real reason why I married her.

And that was my secret...

Ignoring him, I climbed in the driver's seat, beside Eveline and gave her time to wave her family goodbye one last time before driving away, to our hotel.

"Now that we're married, I have no idea what you expect from me, Alaric. Tonight is our wedding night but honestly I don't think I want it."

Eveline broke the silence between us while she stared outside, as if lost in her own thoughts.

I knew that question was coming. And I knew for sure she wouldn't let me touch her, specially since our relationship was basically an alliance made for our families' sakes and to maintain my position in the Five Points.

"I don't expect anything from you, Eveline. I'm not saying I'm a decent man but I would never force myself on a woman, if that's what you're wondering about."

That triggered a smile from her and I was satisfied though it was the least thing she could ever give me.

The rest of the drive was spent in silence and when we reached the hotel,  she already looked like she would fall asleep the second her head would hit the pillow.

We entered the room reserved for us, decorated as if we were actually going to have our wedding night.

"All these decorations, just for me to just want to sleep over these roses." She laughed, and I was sure she was not fully sober.

"Well, this is the purpose of those roses."

"I was not talking about the way you're thinking, Alaric. Get your mind off the gutter." She replied, going straight in the wardrobe and found herself a nightie.

"God, I thought they had pyjamas here."

Yeah she was definitely not completely sober.

Throwing my jacket on the sofa, I sat down watching as she wandered around in her wedding dress, like a lost pet.

God, she was funny when she was drunk.

"Who wears pyjamas when they're supposed to be having their honeymoon?" I sarcastically asked, pouring myself a glass of beer.

She turned around, rolling her eyes at me.

"Obviously me."

I let out a laugh, loving that goofy side of hers. I wondered just how many sides of hers I was about to find about. She was like a mystery I couldn't wait to unravel, as long as she didn't push me away from her.

"Okay, apparently I will have to wear this so you better keep your distance from me. I know it will be hard cause we have to share the same bed, but still, sleep like a mummy." She ordered as she walked in the bathroom, closing the door behind her.

Did she just agree for us to share a bed?

I thought she would kick me out of bed but surprisingly it seemed that she didn't really had a problem if we shared the same bed.

I walked to the window, looking outside, thinking about what to do next.

I married her and we could easily pretend to be a happily married couple.

But what about our personal life? What would be of it behind closed doors?

She stayed with me in this hotel because there was a room only for us.

But at home, she might not want to share the same room as me. Afterall, there would be only us in a big mansion.

"Alaric..."

I quickly turned around to face her only to find her standing in front of me, already dressed in a nightrobe.

This time she seemed like she was in her normal state, maybe still a bit tipsy turvy, but more sober.

"I know we're now married, but I don't promise you we would ever be a couple. I don't know what fate has for us, but the least we could do is be friends. I don't want this relationship we share to feel like a burden to you. But I hope you will accept my friendship."

She extended her hand to me, as I took in whatever she just said.

Friends... She said it again....

If that was the least she was willing to give me then I would gladly take it.

Sliding my hand in hers, I gave her a nod but didn't let go of her immediately.

"Just so you know, you will never be a burden to me, Eveline."

She gave me a wondering look and it felt like her eyes were seeking for love in mine.

I knew she wanted to be free again bur I neither knew how to love her nor how to make her love me. And this was what made everything even more complicated between us.

She already lost her first love and had her heart broken. I shouldn't be the one to break her heart one more time.

As if she something just crossed her mind, she immediately released my hand and went to tidy the bed in a way and climbed on the right side of the bed.

The side I liked the most-

"Goodnight, Alaric." She simply said while I watched her fall asleep in no time.

Was this that kind of relationship we were going to have? With barely no conversation?

I sat back on the sofa, admiring her sleep soundly, a sudden overwhelming feeling crashing down over me as realisation slowly sank within me.

She might fall for me in the future, but she would never love me as much as she loved Neill.

And this was a truth I would never be able to deny.

Because maybe I was her husband but her first love would never be me.

I wonder if you know how much I feel attached to you...
To the point that my breath doesn't feel like mine anymore,
And I'm willing you to give my life to you,
Just so you could see that I'm nothing without you....
~A

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𝗔𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘𝗟 𝗙𝗥𝗢𝗠 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗔𝗕𝗬𝗦𝗦 {Slow update}Where stories live. Discover now