Broken

Chapter 6- Part 1

She watched as all of the stuff Anton had gifted her with were packed away and hauled out to an SUV. She should have felt something but there was nothing to feel. She was not a stranger to change any longer. Nothing surprised her. But it went deeper than that. She just didn’t care anymore.

Lexie let out a breath as the last of her suitcases were squeezed into the back of the SUV and she let herself into the back of the car. There was nobody to say goodbye to. Nobody who wanted to hug her and tell her everything was going to be alright. She realized where her thoughts were going and stiffened her spine. It wasn’t like she needed anyone either way. She had come this far on her own, so she would finish this out alone. Lexie didn’t know what the end looked like, and she neither wanted to dwell on that.

“Can I listen to some music?” She looked into the rearview mirror and met warm eyes. The sat like that for a moment before he broke the silence.

“It’s going to be alright.” It was almost a whisper and she nearly thought it was just her wanting that made her here it. He continued to look at her.

“How did you-“

“The furrow between your brows. It tells its own story.” He looked back on the road and Lexie leaned back against her seat and watched the back of the chauffeur’s head. Aiden was his name if her memory served her right. She slowly realized what an ass she had always been to him when he hadn’t done anything to deserve her attitude.

                They drove in silence as thoughts clouded Lexie’s mind. She looked at his hands which were knotted in her lap and then looked out the window for something better to do. Softly, music started to drift through the vehicle, something she didn’t recognize.

“Who’s this artist?” She leaned forward in her seat and clung to the back of his seat as she peered at him from the side.

“Ed Sheeran. You haven’t heard his music before?” He was genuinely surprised.

Lexie only shook her head. “I-I-“

“You don’t have to explain,” he said quietly and looked at her from the side of his eyes.

“Sorry. I’m used to the motto ‘speak when spoken to’ and all that.”

He didn’t say anything in response and she sat back against her seat and let the music flow over her. She sat still like that the whole way over the prime minister’s mansion. It seemed everyone she encountered had too much money that they threw around and the prime minister wasn’t an exception.

                The mansion was in the countryside and Lexie watched the cows and pastures go by before making it there. Aiden came over and opened the door for her and she got out to look around.

“What do you think?”

“I don’t know what to think, actually.” She looked at him. “I’ve never lived in the countryside.”

“Oh yeah? Where are you from?”

Aiden noticed her hesitation before speaking. “Here and there.”

                They were interrupted by the prime minister himself. “Welcome to Harrington Hall.” He had his arms spread out wide and a smile touched his lips. Lexie looked at him and smiled back. The smile didn’t reach her eyes.

“You have a great place.”

“Thank you. It’s an older manor but it suites quite well. Let’s go inside, shall we?” Rockwell waited for Lexie to put her arm through the crook of his before they made their way toward the entrance. Standing this close, she saw salt and pepper adorning his sideline and the firm set of his jaw.

Aiden followed behind them and as they entered the manor, he disappeared down the hall. There were maids and servants bustling around, getting ready for the event that night as Rockwell showed her the grand tour. And grand it was. There was even an indoor swimming pool that begged Lexie to relax and take a dip. Rockwell explained some of the renovations the house went through when he became prime minister and bored her with all the details.

                Lastly, they came to what would now be her bedroom. There was a lady standing by the dresser as Rockwell talked on. “This door here connects to my room so if I ever need anything, I’ll just come knocking.”

                They walked further into the room that was done up in gold and deep red. All her suitcases were piled up in a corner that Rockwell promised would be put away “before too long”. There was an archway that led into what she discovered was the bathroom. Except it was hard to call it that because of the grandness of it all. The shower had glass walls and there was even room for a bathtub in the center of the room. Sinks and counters were against the opposite side of the shower. Further past the bathroom, a wall to the side that hid the toilet from view and behind that was a walk-in closet that seemed to stretch out forever. This was insane.

“How do you like it?” Lexie whipped her head to see Rockwell standing beside her, obviously very proud.

“It’s beautiful. Really.” She followed him back out to the bedroom and the lady was still there.

“Anton forgot to mention a few minute details about stepping in as my wife.” He spoke softly so the lady wouldn’t overhear.

“I’ve brought in a stylist to cut and color you hair the way you’ve wanted it, darling.” He spoke louder this time and brushed a stray hair from her shoulder. It took Lexie willpower not to pull away. “I’ve already given her the specific instructions you’ve left with me so I’ll just step out of your way and see the results afterwards.” He smiled at the stylist and left the room.

                Not knowing what to do, Lexie sat down in the chair offered to her and a couple hours later the lady spoke. “Voila! You are blonde like monsieur said you wish to be.” She had an appreciative look on her face.

Shocked, she reached out to touch her now shorter hair. It barely brushed her shoulders.

“What do you think?” The lady spoke with a heavy accent and all Lexie could do was nod at her. She was sure that if there was a mirror around, she wouldn’t be able to recognize herself. Blonde. She couldn’t believe the audacity that Rockwell had to do such a thing!

After a few minutes of awkward silence in which Lexie just sat there and stared at where the mirror was supposed to be, the French lady gathered up her belongings and rushed out of the room. Lexie didn’t care. She kept on petting the short hair that felt foreign on her scalp. Her hair was cut into a long bob with side swept bangs to complete the look.

                Rockwell entered the room with a few more people in tow. His eyes light when he sees her hair finished and his arms are spread out again. “Ah! She did a lovely job on that god awful hair of yours.” His insult dug into her but she shook it off. “These are your other stylists for tonight. Hair, makeup, clothing. All of that. The event starts in a couple hours and I would like you to be ready to go before then. I’ll come back up here to collect you.”

He left her with a kiss on her cheek and a wink.