Somebody to You

Chapter 8

Xander had decided to bring his limo today for we were now sitting in complete silence watching as the world flew by our windows. I didn't dare to ask him where we were going. I feared Xander. An irrational fear that made me think that he strives to hurt me like my father. Only he doesn't hurt me physically, only emotionally which is somewhat worse in a way.  The bruises eventually fade, but the word they say to me haunt my mind day and night never allowing to rest. Never allowing the peace that I so unbelievably crave constantly. 

 I wish I didn't feel this way though. Cause even though the words he had said to me tore away a piece of me, I saw something. Right before he left the room. I don't know what I saw within him, but it made my timid body relax for only a second. I guess I just imagined it though.

I had no idea what we were doing or where we were going, but as soon as the limo came to a stop and looked out the window I knew what this was. I was simply a stage for the press. The only thing I saw through the window was cameras flashing.  An outing to show the world how in love we are. My resentment for this arrangement grew even more when I realized this. The cameras would never end. I knew the agony of painting a smile on my face would soon turn unbearable. I could barely do it on the rare occasions my father forced me, but to do it the rest of my life? I couldn't do it.

My sudden realization cause whatever strength I had inside me to disappear. I was brought back to reality when someone had opened my door. I stepped out of the car, and I grabbed Xanders arm. The smile I had presented on my face though was not a dazzling as the press preferred. I felt a hollow feeling within my chest that made it physically impossible to pretend. The hollowness I felt seemed to be make me immune to everything around me. 

Xanders drags me from the crowds of press surrounding us and leads me to a more secluded area. As I am finally am able to look around I notice that I am surrounded by flowers as we walk down a stone path. We're in a garden I notice, and probably the biggest one I've ever seen. As we walk down the path, flowers are perfectly trimmed in the brightest colors I've ever seen I heard the birds singing their peaceful songs as we enter a fortress of trees. We come to stop in front a stunning lake surrounded by the trees that sway lightly from the wind. Not far from is a bench that gives you a perfect view of the scenery around us. I feel the body involuntary relax from the surroundings. 

Without giving Xander a second look I go and sit on the bench. I close my eyes and breath in the sweet aroma of the moisture in the air mixed with the sweet smell of the trees. I kick off my shoes and allow my feet to feel the comforting feeling the smooth grass prickling my feet. I feel a very small genuine smile appear upon my face. 

My smile instantly disappears as soon as I hear the clicking of a camera. My eyes snap open, and I follow the sound to a group of people beyond the bushes snapping pictures. My state of relaxation instantly disappears and goes on guard again. Of course they followed us. I look and see Xander looking at me with his normal irritated face, and I watch his movements as he comes to sit next to me on the bench. I feel my body tense involuntarily. Xanders eyes look in my direction and stay there.

"Why did you do that?" he asked from  beside me. 

I sigh not knowing how to respond to his question, so I pretend I don't know what he's talking about. "Do what?" I ask 

"When I sat down I felt you tense up."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I say faking innocence.

"You're different today" he says

"What do you mean I'm different today?" I say now looking back at him. I hear the clicking of the cameras in the background, but I have now tuned them out completely as I look at him. I never realized how beautiful his eyes were. They were a light blue that appeared to have specks of gray inside of them. Gorgeous. His entire face was flawless actually. A jawline sharp enough to cut my finger, flawless skin, plump lips that were set into  a straight line, and he had a small freckle right under his lip. I snapped out of my head when he started talking again.

"I don't know you just seem tired I guess." I watch as he tilted his head looking me as he tried to figure out what was wrong.

"I'm surprised you even noticed" I say with my voice void of emotion.

"Why?" he asked genuinely curious.

"You've never asked how I felt before. I figured you didn't care"

"I've always noticed" He said with something that sounded like hurt in his voice.

I looked at him with shock written all over my face. My first instinct is to call him a liar, but the way he said it had me holding back. 

"I may not like this arrangement, but I'm stuck with it and so are you. Whenever I'm with you , you are upright and professional. Doing what needs done. Today you seem more lenient and tired I guess. I can't find the words exactly." His gaze lingers on my face with nothing but curiosity.

"You're right I'm just tired" I say looking away.

"Is this about what happened last night?" He asked.

My body tenses again remembering the events of last night. He feels my reaction and continues talking.

"He won't hurt you ever again trust me" He says "What he did was absolutely unacceptable! He's lucky that you stopped me when you did or else I would've killed him right there." he finishes growling out the sentence with pure hatred laced in his voice.

I look at him and recognize the look of hate within his eyes. It takes everything I have not to flinch again. "It's not that" I promise looking into his eyes once again. I watch as his body visibly relaxes. I look away to the cameras flashing. He sees my distress, and he grabs my chin for me to look him in the eyes. I feel a shiver of pleasure run along my spine as I feel his breath fan my face 

"Tell me whats wrong." he demands.

I look up into the depths of his eyes, and I feel myself crack under his stare. 

"I don't know how much longer I can pretend" I say.