ARTIFICIAL

K I S S

Ravin

My body is admittedly well rested, and even though my ribs are still slightly sore, I believe I'm ready to face my fiancé and pretend as much as I can for the next, well.. forever I guess. I don't know if he still hates me or not considering I woke up with a box of chocolate goods next to me and a water bottle on my abdomen.

Obviously my first thought would be Angela, but Angela doesn't know of my chocolate tradition. But it's not like most women don't like chocolate on their period so it just might be her. But when I asked her a few minutes ago, she confessed to never having left some chocolates and since she knows I'm not actually on my period she wouldn't just leave me a water bottle. Obviously someone has been in here.

It's wishtful thinking that it just might be my fiancé, but I'm still unsure. Or I just keep telling my heart to stop these awful feelings and hope of my fiancé actually caring about me. But as I said, who else would it have been because Xavier, as the only person I had started getting along with, isn't here. It's definitely him. But why?

It doesn't matter though because after taking a much needed shower, I sit down in front of my mirror and start styling my hair into a low ponytail with some strands of curls lying on my face. It is my comfort hairstyle when I have island braids.

I put my glasses on and some lipgloss to keep moisture on my lips before I feel satisfied. Although when I see that my caramel skin still shows some slight redness from the slap Angus gave me, I decide to take my glasses off and do a soft beat of makeup on.

I can't let Nathaniel know of my demise. He's proven he wouldn't be of help if he knew.

I can't control his feelings towards me but knowing I have foundation on does make me feel a bit more comfortable. It's a really bad habit but it's also something I've been taught.

When I get downstairs, I realize it's already dinner time but there is no sign of him. I take my seat around the empty dining table. Soon after, Angela arrives with some food and places a single plate next to me, still there's no sign of him.

"Where is Nathaniel?" I ask Angela.

"Mr Wader is working late, I would've informed him if I knew you were coming down." She says. I immediately wave her off, not wanting to trouble her more than I have.

"Goodness no, Angela. I've troubled you enough this week." She smiles sweetly, bringing warmth to my soul.

Angela's parents were not led astray when they gave her that name. Because I have never met a person as such in my entire life, it feels like more than a friend. A sister.

"Are you sure you're better?" She asks.

"Yes, actually I'm really good. Good enough to meet his parents tomorrow." I admit.

I was supposed to meet his parents a while ago but he postponed their arrival for until I'm better. I appreciate him for it, in a way I do feel lucky. Nathaniel may not be the best at speaking to a woman or showing compassion in any form but he knows how to take care of one.

He's treated me well so far. I have never had a man treat me as he, he's treated me like I matter to him. Like I'm worth the same priceless artifacts he keeps in this house and for that I must thank him.

<>

As I have been occupied with a book in my room, from the lack of sleep of course since I've been sleeping like a newborn these past few days. I decided to go downstairs to fetch a glass of milk, maybe that will lull me into some sleep. I don't like it when my sleep schedule is all jumbled up. It's already close to midnight right now. Way past my bed time.