Beautifully Forbidden

Chapter Eight

Alexa's P.O.V.

I need to get out of here. It's barely been two days and I can already feel like all my happiness is being sucked away from me again. Being near Tom is worse than being near a dementor, dementors aren't the reason you are traumatized, they are just the reason you remember being traumatized, Tom is both.

I've been stuck in this house for two days having to act as if I'm heartless, emotionless, as if I don't care about anything or anyone, to Tom, emotion is a weakness, if you have feelings you're weak, not worthy to be called a Riddle, so you get punished. Every single mistake you make, every single wrong thing you say is punishable, even if it barely matters.

I'm surprised he still hasn't tortured me, yesterday I almost broke something, he spent two hours yelling at me, I thought that at some point he'd suddenly use crucio me but he didn't, I still don't know how I got lucky but I'm not complaining.

Today is the day of the Ball, which means that everything has to be perfect, Tom has been planning this Ball since last New Year's Eve and by that you can tell it's a big deal, it always is, it's his way of making our family seem perfect, his way of convincing the minister our family has nothing to do with the crimes of my father, it's his way of impressing people, of making people envy our family but also respect it.  

I've been getting ready for an hour now, Tom picked a gown for me a few days ago, it's a black, long, long-sleeved one and although I like it it's too plain. It's similar to what I've worn the previous years but not similar enough to make anyone suspect it's the same one. Tom instructed me to wear my hair in a braided upstyle and of course I had no choice but to listen.

I walk down to the Ballroom, Tom is the only person here. He looks at me up and down, making sure I look flawless. 

"Behave yourself tonight, I will not tolerate you stepping out of line." He says, looking at me sternly. I nod, looking as cold as possible.

Mattheo walks in, he looks at me and then at Tom before walking over to us and standing next to me. 

The Malfoy come and stand behind us, this has been happening for years now, we all know the drill, Tom, Mattheo and I will great the guests, the Malfoys will stand behind and smile, once the most important people are here we will leave to go talk with the guests and the Malfoys will welcome everyone else. 

A few guests come in, Tom and Mattheo greet them while I sit next to them smiling and saying a 'hello' and staying quiet. 

Soon Blaise and his mother along with her new husband come in. 

"Hey." Blaise smiles at me. 

"Hey." I smile back. 

Blaise's mother asks to speak to Tom privately, he tells her to wait for him and that he'll come in a bit. 

"Blaise, come on." She turns to him.

"See ya later." He mutters to me before walking off with his mother and his new stepfather. 

I swear this woman has a new husband every year.

Jonathan comes in with his father, they look so identical it's insane. His mother died last year but no one ever brings her up, especially not infront of his father.

He chats with Mattheo for a bit before walking off so he's not blocking the entrance. 

That's when the girl Mattheo was with at the Yule Ball comes in. Her slightly curled red hair let down, she's wearing a green gown. A boy is next to her, if it wasn't for the gender they'd look exactly the same, I guess they must be twins. 

Her parents are behind her, Tom was talking about how good it would be for our family if Mattheo married that girl, he saif the Kings are a powerful family that was once loyal to our father and that it would be for us if they joined the Death Eaters again.

"Mr.King, Mrs.King, I'm really pleased you decided to accept my invitation." He smiles sweetly at them. Of course it's a fake smile but if there's one thing Tom is good at that's acting.

"Ah, Mr.Riddle, of course, how could we turn down such an invitation from the Dark Lord's son." Mr.King smiles back. 

I can see Mattheo smiling at the girl as her brother gives him a glare.

"Well, feel free to join the rest of the guests and I will be there in a bit, I'd like for us to talk privately."

"Of course." Mr.King smiles and walks off with his family.

Tom turns to Mattheo. "You better not mess up with this girl." 

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Finally, most of the guests are here. I feel like I have been standing there for hours. I give Draco a smirk since now it's his turn and walk off to find Blaise and Pansy. I could use a drink right now but Tom would kill me.

"Hey Lex." Pansy smiles at me, Blaise is next to her.

"Hey, Draco will come in a bit, now it's his turn to suffer."

Blaise chuckles slightly, so does Pansy. 

"I was just about to go get me and Pansy some firewhiskey, want a glass?" Blaise asks.

"Can't, my brother would murder me." I mutter. 

"That sucks." He mutters, I nod and look around trying to spot Mattheo, he's with that girl, talking, Jonathan is next to him, barely saying anything as he just stands by, Tom is a bit away talking to the minister, I can see him faking a smile as he says something, looking as polite as ever. 

Blaise walks off, he returns with two glasses of firewhiskey and a glass of pumkin juice, he hands the juice to me and the firewhiskey to Pansy. 

"I mixed some firewhiskey in." He whispers. 

"Thanks." I whisper back, taking a sip. 

Yeah, I definitely needed that.

He smiles. Tom is still talking to the minister, still smiling, he looks over to Mr.King and Mrs.King, making up an excuse and walking off to them. He smiles, probably saying something polite, I can see them nodding and following him to his office along with their son. Tom looks over at Mattheo, motioning for him to take the girl that is still standing next to him and come to his office.

I can see him turning to her, whispering something as she gives him a puzzled look, he looks over to the office, saying something else and she nods. He takes her hand and leads her to it.

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It's pretty short, I know but I wanna write their convo from Mattheo's P.O.V. so I have to end the chapter here.