Arranged Love

Chapter 14: The Morning After

*Unknown's POV*

My announcement tomorrow morning will certainly shake things up. It's been a month since the new 'princess' arrived. I'm giddy with the turmoil I will unleash on everyone.

*Lanie's POV*

I'm back in that little attic. I tried to stay awake but I was weak and tired. I haven't eaten since last night.

Even if I could stay awake everyone is bigger and stronger than me. I hear footsteps coming. I grab Grayson and hide him behind me. Grayson is my cat. He's really old now and doesn't listen so I just make him do what's best for him.

The footsteps finally stop in front of the attic door. My Dad opens the door. I quickly stand up but I can't avoid looking at him. He always looks so mean. I don't know why he does this. I've never talked to anyone about it but nobody else in the house complains so neither do I. 

Besides, I'm a big girl. 

He yells at me, angry that I dared to look at his face, then he slaps me. It was a hard one since I fall to the ground and tears spring to my eyes. I try to scramble up so he doesn't find Grayson's hiding spot but it's too late.

He shoves me out of the way before grabbing Grayson by his neck. My tears spill over as I scream. I try to claw Daddy's arms and legs so he leaves Grayson alone but he kicks my stomach and it leaves me without breath.

He takes out his pocket knife and traces it around Grayson's neck. 

I sit up slowly, "Daddy please don't. Please I'll be good. I won't cry or scream or-" My rambling is halted as he shoves his knife into Grayson's throat. I wail loudly, no longer caring about what he will do to me. I start clawing him with everything I have until I end up drawing blood.

"Lanie!" He grabs me and shakes me.

"Melania, wake up!"

My eyes snap open and I feel rather than see Rafe gripping my arms. He quickly reaches behind me and turns on the lamp on my desk.

*Rafe's POV*

Her eyes were wide, darting everywhere before they came to focus on me. She was still shaking.

I could feel my arms start to sting where she had scratched me, but that was irrelevant right now.

"Rafe." 

"I'm here Melania"

She saw the scratches on my arms and gasped, "I did that didn't I? I'm so sorry Rafe. That was so stupid. I apologize! I didn't mean to, please don't be m-"

I moved my hands to her face before I kissed her. I didn't know if that would be the best course of action considering her state, but I could not think of any other way to calm her down and shut her up.

She was still at first before she responded. It was like a switch flipped inside her and the kiss became aggressive. I needed her to calm down so I quickly gripped her wrists in one hand.

She was shocked at first I'm sure, but then she seemed to sag into my arms and I laid back down pulling her on top of me.

I started rubbing arbitrary designs on her back.

"Do you want to talk about it?" She sighed, "No."

I hugged her closer, "Alright."

I checked the time and it was 3:34. Turning off the lamp I asked her, "How often does this happen?"

"Once a week or so."

"How many have you had since you've been here?" My question is met with silence.

"Melania, answer me."

"This'll be the 5th time," she rushes out. 

"You should have come to me the first time it happened."

"I couldn't Rafe. I kind of like you but I don't know how you feel and that would be imposing. Besides it's stupid that I still get these nightmares after all this time."

My interest was piqued but it would be unfair to force her to tell me what she meant.

"Anything that disturbs you is my concern."

"You didn't think of my comfort when you had me kidnapped."

I let her comment go unanswered. 

She rolled off of me, "I apologize. That was childish and uncalled for." She faced away from me and silence reigned for a few minutes.

I turned onto my side, wrapping an arm around her, "You are right I did not, but you are here now and you are mine. I always take care of what is mine."

*3rd person POV*

Breakfast the next morning was set for 10 o'clock, since many of them would be hungover. When breakfast did start only the king, queen, Jenny and Tyresha were downstairs. Mark, Dominic, Nick, and Jason came down a few minutes later.

Elizabeth came down 10 minutes in with her hair up and her sweater hanging off one shoulder. Her outfit was accessorized with a mark on her neck. Upon closer inspection by Mark he concluded it was a hickey. A hickey he had a fuzzy memory of making last night.

Dread filled him when she smiled knowingly at him. Rafe was going to kill him. Why did he allow this little girl to get in his head?

Liz came and sat across from him. "Good morning Liz."

"Morning Mama."

"What is on your neck child?" The king had asked that.

"Oh this? Just a little reminder of some fun I had last night." The king was visibly angry at this point but as the queen started to calm him down Rafe and Lanie walked in.

"Good morning everyone," Everyone was too tired to notice their intertwined hands. As they started eating, Rafe finally noticed the mark on Liz. His fork clanged onto his plate.

"Elizabeth what is that on your neck?" Mark stilled further down the table. 

"It's none of your business Rafe." 

His face hardened.

"Elizabeth Qaderi, what is that on-"

The dining rooms were busted open.

"Good morning everyone, I have an announcement to make!" It was Sarah and Evie. After her little proclamation Sarah looked at Lanie and winked. Lanie narrowed her eyes at her.

After a few strange moments of Sarah just staring at everyone she finally sighed, "Aren't you guys going to guess?"

Her familiarity in addressing the royal family was not lost on Lanie, who wished she felt comfortable enough around them. 

"Just tell them Sarah." Evie glanced at Lanie with this pitiful look on her face. 

She sighed, "Well alright then," she pouted a little.

"I'm pregnant!"

So sorry for the long wait everyone, I hope this was worth it. Music suggestions are always welcome! I wonder where Lanie and Rafe are going after this.