ARTIFICIAL

H O P E

Ravina

The drive back at the mansion seems grim for whatever reason. Maybe more so on my side as I contemplate what first to bring to Nathaniel's attention.

My goal to put a destination to my dreams, or to question his intention behind the words that he and his father exchanged. Or worse... Which one would he truly choose to entertain.

Then there's the matter of trying to get in touch with Siren again. Because my brother is so desperate to get even the slightest attention from Nathaniel's family. Even if it is his cousin that lives all the way in Seattle.

My wishful thinking of that time with a husband would be better than being my brother's pet. A doll whose strings he can pull to his liking. Except I'm being pulled by two men now. The dirty gum beneath their shoes that they keep scraping on the pavement.

I suppose my nativity took the better of me when I saw the beauty of my husband-to-be. But that is all he is unfortunately, surface beauty.

At this point I wish I would have married his mother.

"You're awfully quiet." My thoughts are pulled from the dark grey clouds that threaten the promise of rain. I should be happy, the weather seems to agree with my mood.

"I don't speak when I'm not spoken to." I reply.

His lips close, clear astonishment clouds his face as he does not reply for a moment. I take his silence as an indication he won't speak more. I look back out of the window.

"I'm speaking to you now." He replies.

"What would you like me to speak about?" I question, a reply quicker than I expect of myself too.

"When have you ever lacked words, Ravina? You spoke my ear off after your first night at the house." He replies, unlike his usual dismissive attitude, he seems to have more words than usual.

"A person can only speak so long to walls before they are deemed insane."

"You're calling me a wall? That's a new one." His voice holds amusement, I suppose I'm not dismissive enough.

"You never want to speak to me. You only want to order me, so forgive me that for one day I do not feel like talking to you!" I snap.

I watch as his once amused grin falls and he comes back to his grim self. Seemingly he has finally caught up with the room. A man as smart as him should be able to read a room, even if it is a car. I would rather have another car instead of one with an interior that forces me to face him.

I may have gone overboard but then again, I'm human too. I have feelings, I have problems, I have pressure. My brother isn't someone unknown to the society of the press but he also isn't the biggest person in the eyes of the public.

Nathaniel however demands attention. Whether he likes it or not, his wealth is enough to put him in a category of nobility. He's famously known for being one of New York's sexiest and most mysterious man. To add to it all, a self-made successful business man.

Who am I in his world? A trophy. Another one of his accomplishments means I have to be perfect but it's too much demanded from me if I have to pretend even behind doors.