the arranged

01 - a s s h o l e

• NESSA •

I take a deep breath before making my way down the spiral stairs. I fiddle with the necklace that sits perfectly on my neck.

Perfect, you have to be perfect.

"Good afternoon." I smile politely at my fathers guests. Even when their eyes fall to my chest, I can't do anything about it.

I swallow the lump in my throat, excusing myself from my father and his— friends? I don't have a say in anything, especially when it comes to my father and his deals.

"Grayson!" Someone hisses from across the room, my eyes immediately land on them.

I find Grayson, Angelo's younger brother with a drink in his hands. He laughs a raspy laugh before quickly downing the drink while his mother glares daggers at him.

I smile at his stupidly, turning my head back around. I have hope that my father had long forgotten about the deal he made with Angelo's father.

I don't truly believe he'll make me marry him, that's absurd.

My eyes scan our living room that is currently filled with many people, most of them being old men.

I tense, my whole body freezing when my eyes spot a certain someone.

Angelo fucking black.

He leans against the wall, taking to my father, a drink in his hands.

He's sculpted perfectly, his jaw, his face, his body, everything. It's insane, I could never possibly get over his facial features.

His eyes are dark, matching his perfectly black hair. It's insanity.

Everything about him is perfect, excluding the personality. Sure, as kids me and Angelo were very close.

Once when we were younger, we were playing outside together. He had this idea that we should make bracelets for each other. I might've thought it was stupid, or gross, I still have the bracelet.

I don't believe he does, he clearly doesn't. He's made it clear how deep his hatred towards me runs.

I blink, pulling myself out of my thoughts. My heart drops. Oh my god, I was staring. I was staring and thinking and I didn't look away and now he's staring.

I can't think.

He glares at me, staring at me with nothing but hatred. I curse myself for even staring at him in the beginning, biting the inside of my cheek.

I pick on my nails, as it as a bad habit I picked up as a child— trying to focus on my breathing.

Do you ever just— I have this thing, where I care too much about people's opinion on me. I crave validation, hating when anyone feels an unwanted feeling towards me.

I want to turn around, walk away, but I'm stopped by a familiar voice, I look up finding Grayson. I stare at his tall figure in confusion.

He starts laughing uncontrollably, holding onto the couch. "Gray." I mutter, blinking.

"God, this is so hilarious." His words are filled with laughter.

I cock a brow at him, "You're drunk." I state, knowing how his father isn't going to like it if he sees him in this state.

I curse under my breath when he lets out a loud gasp, earning a few stares. "How dare you accuse me of such things, I was clearly—" his sentence is cut off with yet another laugh.

I take a quick glance at Angelo who grips his drink in his hands, nodding to whatever my father is saying. My heart beats, but I choose to ignore it.

I grab Graysons hand, pulling him behind me before he makes a fool out of himself.

———

"Just lay here, I'll tell you when it's all over." I groan pushing him down on my bed.

He laughs a breathy laugh, "I'd prefer staying here other than under my fathers roof." shivers run through my whole body at his words.

I don't want him to overstate something he will regret, so i decide to turn around. "Get some rest, gray." I whisper, resisting the urge to hug him.

I walk out of my room, gently closing my door shut.

I muffle my gasp, my back hitting the wall behind me. The uncomfortable feeling causes pain to run through my back.

Angelo stands there, his face says it all. I suck in a breath at how close he is to me. I could practically feel his body heat against mine.

One of his hands is on the wall, right near my head. I'm not short, but my height is nothing compared to his figure. "What are—"

"Are you fucking insane?" his voice is filled with anger. "What the fuck did you give my brother?" he hisses, slamming his hand against the wall right near my head.

I tense, closing my eyes, feeling my heart beat faster. "Wha—" I blink. "I don't know what you're talking about." My voice comes out hoarse.

"For fucks sake, Vanessa." He rasps, his jaw clenching.

My heart beats rapidly, my throat feels dry. I don't enjoy close conversations with people, I tend to feel intimidated when someone— aggressive people like him, start to act up.

I got you a flower princess. 10 year old Angelo's voice repeats in my head.

"Look me in the eyes while I'm fucking talking to you." he demands impatiently.

I look up, meeting his eyes. The darkest shade of brown, suiting him perfectly.

A sound of irritation escapes him, "Not like that."

I blink, "Like what?" I whisper, knowing exactly what he means. I have doe eyes, so whenever I tend to look up at people, they go soft.

"Tell me what we the fuck you gave him, Vanessa."

"Oh my god, Angelo!" I loose it, dropping my hands. "Grayson walked up to me, drunk, I wanted to help." I stare at him in disbelief.

He looks down at me, his jaw clenched. Why is his jaw always clenched? How is it still intact. "Stay away from my fucking brother." he pulls his hand off the wall, staring at me in disgust.

I bite my lip anxiously when he turns around, walking away.

I lift my hand up to tuck a strand of my blond hair behind my ear.

I don't get it, I don't get anything.

———

AN -
first chapter !! what do we think ??
don't forget to vote for a kiss ☺️
i love uuu bye bye

- jenna 🎀