A Monster's Bride (editing)

3| a whole new world, but not really

My body ached as I crawled into an unfamiliar bed that night. With each breath, I felt my chest tighten. This room was not bright like my one at home, but instead a dark green. The paintings were unfamiliar, despite their beauty. And the mattress was barely softer than my own, but I noticed it all the same.

I had everything here. Mr. Grey had given me my own space, my own bed, and everything I needed.

Would I sleep with him when we were married? The thought unsettled me.

He was a complete stranger to me... Maybe even my enemy.

I turned the lamp off on the bedside table and felt the darkness surround me. And as I pulled the thick duvet over me, I couldn't hold back the tears stinging at my eyes as I sobbed into my pillow till I fell asleep.

My dreams were nightmares, and I woke to the sound of my own crying. I turned to read the clock. It was past midnight, and rain began to patter on the windows.

My eyes were swollen and dry and I slowly crept out of the bed and stumbled for the exit of my room. The house was quiet, but I saw a dim light leaking out from a room down the hallway...

And I followed it.

As I neared, I saw a shadow move from inside and the rustle of papers.

I dared to peak my head from around the corner where I spotted him reclining back. His shirt was halfway unbuttoned and his head was laying against the back of a leather seat, whiskey glass swirling in his hand and eyes closed.

I began to turn away, but stopped at the sound of my name.

"Florence. Didn't think I noticed your shadow creeping down the hall?"

I stayed silent and watched him, his eyes still closed as he twirled that whiskey glass ever so slowly.

"Yours is the only room on this side of the house... It's so quiet... So damn quiet," he muttered, and I almost thought he fell asleep.

"I'm sorry to have bothered you. I was just... Looking for some water."

"Mhmm," his speech was that of a drunken man. "Here."

He slowly opened his eyes and sat up. I watched every movement like a mouse watching it's stalker and I saw his shoulders slump as he set the whiskey glass down clumsily and reached for the glass pitcher of water.

I stepped forward, half expecting him to send all the glass crashing to the floor. Thunder boomed in the distance and I jumped.

He chuckled as he poured the water in a glass, nearly spilling it on the table below.

He must have been very drunk. And to think I was marrying an alcoholic.

"You've faced your bastard father, accepted marrying a total stranger... Got dragged to his house unafraid, and you're jumping at some harmless thunder?"

His eyes met mine and a chill slithered up my spine. Those eyes, so full of steel and yet softened by the affects of the alcohol.

I took the glass of water he held out and drank it. Savoring every moment of it, except those eyes that stayed glued to me.

"I wouldn't say I've accepted anything, sir. Merely, haven't found that I can escape it." I replied, handing the glass back.

He groaned. "Don't call me sir, Florence." He ran a hand through his disheveled hair, and I suddenly noticed the stubble already growing on his face. "I'm your damned husband to be, for gods sake... Let's at least address eachother as equals."

I remained silent, exahustion creeping in my bones as I remembered what was to occur tomorrow afternoon. My gut twisted.

"Just... Call me by my name."