Beauty and The Beast

Thirty Five

It had been three days since he pulled a stunt, i forbid him to work until he had fully recovered. So he chose to spend the days in Hamptons by teaching me how to use the gun. We spent hours in the shooting field, he introduced me many kinds of gun, he taught me simple basic steps to use the gun. He was so good at gun. He always competent to everything that he did. Nothing he can't do. I wondered what i did in the life before, that made me so lucky to have met this perfect man. I remembered what Martha and Sonya talked about when they were in our house.

"Mom, it's so unfair. I should be the one who got taken. I should be the one who standing next to him right now, not her." Sonya cried.

"I know, baby. We made the biggest mistake by sending her, now she's become the duchess of this house. Oh i can't imagine if she become Mrs.Black." Martha hissed.

"I know right. I mean look at him. He is like a Greek God. Aarrgggh why must she be the one who gets him." Sonya kicking her feet on the floor.

"I must say her beauty has no bound. She got James Black's eyes the moment they met."

"What do you mean by that, mother ? You think i'm not beautiful?" Sonya hissed glaring at her mother.

"Oh come on. You can't even shag Nicolas Brandt, let alone James Black." Martha scoffed.

"How could you say that to me ? Just wait for it, i'll have Nicolas Brandt soon."

"He is nothing compared to James Black. You set the goal lower than your stepsister."

"Arrgghhh i hate you, and i hate her so much." She snapped before walking towards the front door.

I shook my head in disbelief. How could i lived with those evils for four years ? How could my father chose her to be his wife ?  What a grateful they sent me to James. I was so relief that i had left the house and lived with James. My father was my only concern. But when he told me James bought him a new house, my heart moved and very grateful for what James did for him. I thought he'd only care about me, but he also cared about my father.

My mind went to the gloomy guy who sat on the bench. He was really in deep thought. He was so out of himself. The self-righteous, grim, cold guy replaced by a lost, confused and unsure. I approached him before knelt before him.

"Penny for your thoughts ?" I asked.

He looked down at me, searching my eyes before speaking.

"Are you happy in here ? With me ?" He asked.

"Of course i am. Why'd you ask something like that ?"

He was lost in his thoughts again a moment before he spoke.

"I'm willing to change, Cassandra. I want to be better. I will leave all of those things." He said but his eyes were wandering anywhere but mine.

"What do you mean ?" Gaining his attention.

"I don't want all this. All i want is you." He said staring into my eyes.

"Are you sure ? You'll lose everything you and your father have built."

"I don't care. I don't need it, i don't want it anymore." He said.

"Why ?"

"I want to create a better life for you, for us. I don't want you to taste a bitter, it's enough you suffered all you've been  through because of me."

"What are you promising to me?" I asked.

"I'd do anything you ask me to. I'll give the world to you."

"You'll leave everything ?"

"Yes. Just you and Black Enterprises all I have now."

"That's not what i meant."

"Then what ?"

"No more killing people." I said.

"I won't, but if it necessary i will." He said scratching his temple uncomfortably.

I glared at him urging for the right answer.

"Okay, okay i won't." He said.

"No more beating people." I ordered.

He beamed showing his teeth awkwardly. "Well, that's my love. Quite hard to accomplish by the look of my job. I need power to control people."

"You'll find the other way to control people besides beating people."

"Fine. I promise." He sighed.

"Thank you for doing this for me." I smiled.

"Not so fast, doll. You can't just walk away after demanding me many things." He said stopping me.

"What do you want ?"

"I need an insurance." He said weakly.

"James, i'm here. There's nothing you can worry about. Besides, i can't escape from the mighty Black, can i ?" I explained.

"Still not enough." He hissed and shook his head.

"Then what should i do ?" I pleaded frustrated.

"Marry me."

He looked down at me. Giving no room to escape. No turning back. No excuse.