The Contract

Chapter 3

                  ~AURORA REYNOLDS~

After Xavier gave me the ring i couldn't stop thinking of how he'd react after I tell him about my fainting spells. Maybe he doesn't need to know about my problems.

What ever. I shouldn't be thinking about this right now. I'm sitting on the bed, back against the headboard and legs outstretched on the bed.

There's a knock to my door. And my brothers and sister come in. I see Emma holding a tray with stake, a salad and some squeezed orange juice.

"How are you?" Antonio signals Emma to sit next to me. "I'm all right." I lie. I feel like shit and they know it. Emma gives me a concerned look and cuts a piece off the stake. Leading the fork with the stake towards my mouth. I look away on instinct. "Open." I oblige and open my mouth.

I chew on the piece of meat. Just now realizing how hungry i am. I haven't eaten in two days and this, this is delicious. "You know," Here comes the lecture. "You really should start eating more. The doctor said it isn't good for you to faint a lot. You seriously could get hurt, Abby." I roll my eyes at Antonio while taking another piece of steak in my mouth.

"Abby, this isn't a game. Your health is in your hands , especially if you go on missions you could faint and we might not be there, or Xavier won't be there. He found you earlier." Xavier found me? Was he looking for me? Never mind it's not that important right now.

"You've changed, Ace. Didn't expect this from you." I'm in shock. Where has careless and party Ace gone? Seriously.

"Well i didn't expect you to throw your health and life away," Okay that hurt but i don't let him know. I don't show that it hurt me a little, what he said. "You should think a little, there are people that love you. And wouldn't want to lose you." By now i've eaten the stake and am eating the salad.

"Stop it, Ace. You know what she's been through. Give her a break," Emma backs me up but she also reminded me of the past. Everything blurs. I hear voices but don't understand what they're saying.

I see his face.

No. Not again. Please.

"Come here you bitch," He rips my shirt. I try to get him off me. But my hands are nothing compared to his big frame.

"Abby!" I hear a voice.

"Please, no. Don't." I plead.

"Abby! Answer me." I feel someone shaking me. I blink. Once. Twice. Ace. It's only Ace.

I can't breathe. It hurts. Why can't i get air in my lungs.

"Abby, look at me." I look Ace in the eyes. "What's my name," I open my mouth but nothing comes out. It stings in my chest. I want to breathe but i can't. "Abby, my name,"

"Ace. Y-Your name is Ace." Still can't breathe. He nods saying."How old am I?" "Twenty years old." I feel the air a little. "When's my birthday?" I gulp. "C'mon you know this,"

"Your birthday i-is the 10th of July." I can breathe. It doesn't hurt anymore. "Nice and slow breaths."Ace tells me. I nod. I take a few breaths.

"What happened?" Emma asks. "You reminded me, it's okay don't feel bad. You accidentally did it. It's not your fault. 'Kay Ems?" She is ready to cry. "I'm so sorry, i didn't mean to. I really didn't mean to." I nod.

"I know baby girl. Everything's okay. You hear me? Everything is alright." I smile at her and hug her."I'm sorry, Abby." I give her a squeeze. "I know. Don't worry." We pull away from each other.

"We're going to dinner tonight." Antonio decides to speak up. "The Alonso's have invited us to celebrate your and Xavier's engagement." I can see him fuming from the inside. "Let it out, big bro."

"Fuck, Abby. I don't want you getting married to him. All i've wanted was for you to marry someone you love. And this stupid contract ruined all of that for you." I get up and pat his shoulder. "There, there. It'll be alright. Nothing to worry about." I calmly say.

"You're awfully calm about this. Are you running away?" I laugh at Ems and shake my head. "No, but look on the bright side i get to go on a killer honeymoon."

"Yeah, you're right." Ems says.

"So what time is this dinner at?" I question Antonio. "Be downstairs at seven thirty." I salute
at him as if i understood the assignment.

"Ems, you wanna get ready together?" I wink at her. She smiles, the sides of her smile almost reaching her eyes. I shoo the boys out and we start to get ready since it's five forty.

***

We're in the car on the way to Xavier's and we're kind of late. It's Emma's fault. She wanted to take pictures not me.

My dress keeps riding up my thighs so much. I keep pulling it down every ten minutes. It's a tight V neck, with thin straps. It's red like blood. I have another one but blue.

I decided to keep my natural wavy hair down. Now it loosely rests against my shoulders. I didn't put on much makeup. Just some mascara and lipstick.

I feel the car come to a stop. I don't want to go have dinner with them. I mean the rest of the family are angels, but him. Uh he could be the leader of hell.

I go to open the door but before i can reach the handle Antonio has already opened it for me and has stretched his hand out for me.

I roll my eyes. " I won't be fainting any time soon." I grab his hand and get out of the car. He closes the door and we start walking to the entrance. His hand on my back, being careful that i don't trip or anything.

"You know, this isn't funny. And it certainly isn't for making jokes out of it." Am i a baby or something it's literally nothing. "Whatever."

I look in front of me only to be greeted by the family. Wait, where's Xavier. As if reading my mind. "Xavier will be late. He's in a meeting." His mom, Lucia, tells us. My parents nod so does Antonio. I just blankly stare at her and Manuel, Xavier's father.

Well this is going to be fun.

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Author's note

Thank for reading hope you enjoyed. And hope you'll enjoy the rest of the book.

Sorry for any mistakes. See ya guys.

1050 words