ARTIFICIAL

W A D E R

Ravina

In fear of my brother I silently calm myself down with some words of affirmation. Words I know will never be true but it works either way. I count every beat my heart takes until it was better and I was finally aware of my surroundings again. The night is far from over because as Angus and Aunt Vicky shower me with compliments trying to tell me all about how things are finally falling into place.

Mr Wader has never been in a relationship or at least a public one. Sure he was born in South Africa and has extended family there but he also has Italian genes. Very few Italian men marry just about anyone and since he's not fully Italian, it doesn't matter if he marries another race. As long as it's a respectable young woman from a respected home. And our home is somewhat respected but it's very low ranked in the business world and the man is practically a billionaire so I don't get how this will work.

But no matter the background, some rich men don't care as long as they see a pretty face and a submissive wife, that's all they will ever need. I am the symbol of that. Pretty face and willing to be submissive by bending and breaking to their will. Someone like Mr Wader would be more than happy to get that.

At least I hope. Or I don't? I don't know.

I don't know what to expect and I don't know how to move on from this but then I am not given a choice when Angus drags me towards the man that stands with three other people already occupying him in a conversation. The other two are a couple and whatever they are saying, it doesn't seem to catch his attention. It is clear that he's not the least bit interested and I don't want to be placed in that situation where I might lose all my confidence because the man is that beautiful. He makes me question myself.

And so with great reluctance I stop in my tracks, obviously my big loving brother turns ten shades redder from the instant anger of me being stubborn.

"What the fuck are you doing?" He whispers turning to me.

"I just- what if he's not interested? I don't want to throw myself at him when I know he doesn't want me to." I quickly say all in one breath before he could disturb me.

"Well you're gonna have to. Even if you have to be some quick fuck so we can get a deal with him." He says coming closer to me, so close I can feel and smell his breath. It may be fresh but it's more rotten than five year old wet rice and I'm sure of it.

"What if-" He roughly grabs my elbow, the action is clear as day. It's a warning, and not one others would detect as dangerous but I know better. The way his hand feels is exactly why I look at him in the eye because if I don't I'll get punished. He wants me to see his soulless eyes.

"What did I tell you?" He ask roughly, he keeps his voice low for just the two of us.

"Not to question you." I respond almost immediately.

"Good. Now be a good fucking girl and obey. You don't want me to have to put you in your place do you?" I try my best not to show the fear that I feel so it's not written all over my face. A girl never frowns or they develop wrinkles. Right, just smile.

Just smile.

Just smile.

Just smile.

And so my lips curve into a gentle smile as I nod at my brother. He also smiles along with me, our once heated and scary conversation now turns into smiles of confidence. One would say this conversation is good but they don't know. They don't know that my appearance and all the makeup and styling that they see is all a mask.

"See? You look prettier with a smile on your face." Says my brother tucking some hair behind my ear.

Before I could even say anything back to Angus, a voice rumbles behind me making my whole body stiffen. "I must agree."