Falling [ 𝓚.𝓥 ]

"𝐘𝐨𝐮 𝐆𝐫𝐞𝐰 𝐔𝐩"

Nerves overtook my body, I was afraid. I constantly had the sickening gut feeling that everything would go wrong. My only source of comfort was that Alexander would be there to make sure I'm okay here and there. I looked around my room, I had lived there for 3 years yet I didn't to leave it. My violin sat in the corner of the room, untouched but begging to be played. Not now, I thought. I had already showered, so all there was left to do was getting dressed. I wore a black dress with a slit and zipper back, and a neckline that hugged my chest. I chose to have my brown hair left down, slightly curled but otherwise left untouched. My makeup was left to be second last, Russian Red lips, false lashes, blush and concealer to conceal the dark circles around my eyes. I decided to wear valentinos as my choice of footwear, not putting too much thought into it. Not too long after, there was a knock on my door.
"Enter" I said softly, expecting it to be Claudia. I didn't turn my back to check who it was, and tugged onto my dress to avoid creases. A few seconds after, I saw the reflection of a man, none other than Alexander. I quickly turned around, startled.
"Oh Mr Rivera" I greeted, embarrassed.
"Alexander, Miss Astor" he corrected.
'Marina, Alexander" I smiled.
Alexander leaned on the wall closest to my bed, observing my every move.
"You grew up" he mumbled, with one hand in his pocket and the other a cigarette in hand.
"I haven't seen you since you were 16, you never spoke to me when you didn't have to" he said, smoking. I awkwardly tried to do the zip on the back of my dress.
"I was afraid" I admitted.
Alexander stood upright, before throwing his cigarette out the window and approaching me. He wore a black shirt made of a fine material, and his cologne was expensive judging from the scent. His sleeves were rolled up and he had a watch around his tattooed arm.
I never saw him up close, his hair was curly and from the back of his head to his neck, was covered in tattoos. He has certainly changed, even with the ring cuffed around his nose. He used his hand to move my hair to the side, as he zipped up the back of my dress. I felt his cold rings pressed against my back, resulting in shivers down my spine. His green eyes stood out against his dark fashion.
"Why were you afraid?" Alexander asked, as he he brushed his hand on me signifying he was done.
I asked myself the same thing, why was I afraid? I couldn't tell whether it was because of his intimidating appearance or whether it was because of Antonio, or both.
"You seemed frightening" I replied quietly.
Alexander let out a low chuckle.
"I'm not the monster under the bed" he stated.
"No?" I challenged as I examined myself in the mirror one more time.
"No. The monster's inside of me, no need to be afraid, though". Alexander smirked.
Alexander returned to leaning on the wall.
"You're a lot more talkative than you were a few years ago, what changed?" He asked, turning to gaze out my window.
"I don't know, it's different. Now that I'm getting married, that is" I replied.
"Mhm, Fransisco Romero, or so I heard. Have you even been with a man to even be getting married?" Alexander asked, with good intentions. Ir was the first time hearing the name of the man i was yet to marry, I wasn't sure what was right to feel. I took a deep breath before replying.
"Yes".
I walked over to my vanity, selecting the jewellery I was to wear.
"Really? So you know what to do?" Alexander teased.
I felt myself blushing, and I knew that he knew I was going red.
"You do understand what you have to do though while you're married, right? Kazi should've told you" Alexander asked.
"I do" I responded, placing rings on my gloved hand.
"If anything goes wrong, you tell me, yeah? I mean it- whether he's hurting you or doing things you don't want, tell me. Fuck the job you were told to do, put yourself first, okay?" Alexander's voice turned serious. I thought to myself, these were the words I so desperately wanted to hear when I was stuck with Antonio. I was desperate for a way out, a place to feel comfort. I tried to speak, my I knew my voice would break. So instead, I muttered a small "mhm".
"I'm serious, Marina. Use your words." Alexander warned.
"I understand" I whispered, feeling my eyes water but I refused to face him.
"Okay, good."
There was a long silence, all there was to be heard was my jewellery hitting each other. I saw in the mirror reflection, Alexander standing up and approaching me, where I was sat on a chair infront of a mirror. Alexander knelt down to the floor, and looked up at me. Being my stubborn self, I refused to look him in the eye. He used his strong hand to force me to look at him, his hand on my chin. For once, I let a tear fall.
"I don't want to get married, I'm afraid" my voice broke in between the tears. Alexander carefully wiped them away, and looked at me with empathy.
"Don't be afraid, I'm here for you. I'll fuck him up if he does something to you, seriously. Remember, you won't have to put up with him for long", Alexander assured. He carefully moved the locks of hair away from my face with delicacy, and continued to wipe away my tears. At least, there was a little bit of comfort for me, even if it was found in the man 7 years older than me, that I once had a crush on.