Love's Unwritten Contract

2

Waking up in one of the beds in two hotel rooms in Hawaii for our honeymoon, I groaned, sitting up with my hair a mess, and Dominic was nowhere to be seen. Sighing, I rolled out of bed and into the bathroom to clean myself up. I slowly undressed while waiting for the water to heat up for my shower. I turned around to glance at my back from my father's farewell present, scars and slightly fresh gashes laid upon my back. I took a slight breath as I jumped into the warm water, feeling the pitter of water against my skin calm any nerve spiking through the roof. Cupping my hand to catch some water, I splashed it against my face before running my hand through my hair. Halfway through the shower, a loud banging sound came from the door, groaning my hair still soap. I wrapped a robe around me and went to open the door, and there was Dominic. I rolled my eyes and walked away, seeing he almost shoved his way in. "You're welcome. No manners." I would grumble, heading to the bathroom to finish my shower. Wrapping a towel around me, I left the bathroom, seeing Dominic passed out on the other bed. "Partying all day, why did they put us together? It makes so much sense. Good Christian girl and whatever playboy he is."

I started grumbling under my breath, grabbing clothes from my suitcase. Just two more days until you could be in a room different than Dominic. My thoughts echoed as I piled some clothes over my arm to bring to the bathroom to change. I changed into a black undergarment set, a tee shirt, and tights. I dried my hair and gave it a bush before tossing it into a high ponytail. I stepped out and looked over to see Dominic passed out. I rolled my eyes, grabbed my key card and left the room to explore the area, maybe even to walk on the nearby beach.

The sand in between my toes made me smile genuinely. I laughed and spun on the spot with my arms held out, my head tilted back towards the sky. I laughed again slowly, looking at the sunset against the horizon where the water met the sky. The glimmer of the sun reflecting off the watery surface made me hum. I looked down at the diamond ring that rested around my finger. I rolled my eyes, removed it, and placed it in my side pocket. I crossed my arms over my chest, taking a slow, deep breath, feeling the fresh air rushing to my lungs quickly just for it to be released. I pat my other pocket to find my phone and earbuds. I pulled them both out, plugging the headphone jack into the phone. I pressed shuffle on a random playlist and went for a slight jog around the beach, ensuring I stayed out of everyone's way and kept to myself. About a few blocks, I slowly walked as I looked at a few shops that reminded me of Ella. I poked my head into one shop and bought a small doll for Ella when this dreaded honeymoon was done and over with.

Heading back to the hotel, I removed the headphones and tucked everything into my pocket. I headed up to the room. First arriving at the door, I froze for a second, hearing Dominic talking to someone. I stared at the door, not like I cared if it was another person talking to him. I was more concerned that my things were also in there with another random person. I sighed once again, giving the key a swipe to the door. I opened it, not caring, walking in to see a smile on Dominic face for a split second, just for it to fade and for him to turn off his phone. Rolling over to his side with a slight grunt, I rolled my eyes, hearing him," Who was that, or I'm guessing I'm being left in the dark," I spoke lightly. I wasn't whispering to him anymore after being with him for a few days. I sat on the other bed, but still no response. " you know, for this to work in the way you want it to, you have to speak to me and tell me when to shut up." I added coldly before placing the ring on the shared nightstand—still nothing. I finally gave up and lay on my side, tossing the blank over me and going to close my eyes just for them to snap open again. " one, put the ring on. And you don't take it off again. There is someone that ill have to meet tomorrow. As much as I don't want him to meet you, he has to because I'm not making him stay with his grandmother anymore. Which leads to the last thing we are leaving tomorrow." his voice was rougher than before. I turned to my other side to be faced with the back of his back. "What, but we are-" I continued, only to be interrupted by his snoring. I rolled over again progress. At least he is talking... I thought before rolling over once again and passing out.

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Finally, in a car back in town, clutching the small doll I bought for Ella, hopefully, I could see her before I had to fully move in with the man sitting. The car slowed as we pulled up to a bigger house. My eyes slightly travelled from one corner of the giant house to the other; I closed my mouth, noticing my jaw had dropped open as we pulled up. The car stopped quickly, and the door opened. We climbed out of the vehicle, and an older woman stood in a beautiful ruby-red dress. I then froze, seeing a pair of bright green eyes hiding behind the woman clinging to the dress, using it as a shield. I gave the small boy a smile before crouching down. "Well, hello there, kiddo..." I made my voice soft, followed by a soft gaze. Feeling a hand on my shoulder, I glanced up and saw Dominic hand on my shoulder. I froze and stood again, tucking the miniature doll in my bag, squeaking at how quickly his arms wrapped around my waist as he walked forward before crouching to the small child. " oaks, come here. I want you to meet someone..." his voice was soft, and his hand was held out to the small child.

The little boy came out clutching Dominic's hand and pressing into his chest. " Oakley, this is Ophelia... Ophelia, this is Oakley.." Dominic took his free hand, holding it towards me, and I slowly crouched. "Wait- you have a kid..?" I mumbled, staring at him dumbfounded. Dominic has a kid. Is that really why they wanted him to marry to have his wife look after him? I thought to myself, looking at Dominic; I shook my thoughts aside, giving Oakley a soft smile. "well, it's lovely to meet you, Oakley." The soft, light-hearted, breathy tone escaped from me, which I usually only used for my younger sister. I kept a fair distance between myself and the little boy who clung to his father. The little boy stepped forward, taking my hand and giving it a slight shake before pulling away quickly, tucking in his father's chest. I gave a warm smile before standing up and seeing the older woman come over. " welcome to the family, niño Dulce ( sweet child)," she cooed, pulling me close and placing light pecks on my cheeks before pulling away.

We walked into the house, glancing back every few minutes to see the little boy clinging to Dominic tightly. I found it odd that he hadn't said a thing to anyone yet, not even his father. I turned my head back, hearing my name. " so Ophelia, you and Dominic will be staying in the room in the basement beside Oakleys." I gave the woman who was speaking a slight nod of my head. I was given a house tour and finished in the basement with Dominic. And now sleeping, Oakley.

" I can put him in his room if you want," I offered before I was slightly pushed aside, and he did it himself. I sighed and sat on the bed, tying my hair up and sliding to the floor, knowing he probably didn't want to share a bed, let alone anything with me. I gathered a few pillows, making myself a little bed of pillows on the floor. The door crept open just as I closed my eyes; not caring, I kept them closed and drifted into a light sleep, only to be quickly awoken by someone moving me from the floor to the bed. I wanted to protest, but after being in a car all day, I was Exhausted. A few hours passed, and I felt a little hand tugging on my hand, dangling off the bed. My eyes opened again and revealed little Oakley standing there with some stuffie close to him. "C-can I sleep with you and daddy..." the little boy barely lets out a whisper. I turned my head to see that, facing away, Dominic was beside me; I shifted over to the edge of the bed and helped him rest between myself and his father. " you okay there, buddy? I can move to the floor if you want just to sleep with your daddy." I offered before I saw his head shaking, and his little arms wrapped around his stuffie moved to my arm as he buried himself into my chest. " stay... Please," sighing, I shifted so my arm wasn't being held behind me. With that, he moved closer. I slowly started, humming lightly as I carefully rubbed his back until he fell asleep, and I was soon to follow.