alive ↠ hs

.33

Saige's POV

"We're thinking of moving the wedding up a few months," James said to himself. "It would be easier with everything hap-"

He stopped himself, his eyes falling on me. "Would it be okay with you if we moved up the wedding?"

I nodded, meeting his eyes. "Yes, whatever you'd like."

He smiled to himself. "I like this new attitude you've had lately, I'm glad to see you've accepted your role here."

I nodded again, smoothing the front of my dress. "Is there anything else you need?"

"No, that'll be it, you may go back to your chambers and continue your day," he said softly. "Thank you, Saige."

I sent him a smile before leaving, pulling the heels from my feet as soon as I exited the room.  Over the past couple weeks, I've been sucking up to him. Gaining his trust. All building up to when I was going to slit his throat and take over S33.

If I gathered enough of his trust, he wouldn't even glance at me when I walked into the room. He would start to slip up and tell me things, I would become an ally. A friend.

I wanted him to be shocked when I kill him. I wanted to see the utter betrayal on his face when I plunged my knife into his heart. I wanted him to feel the pain he made me feel when he ripped Harry from my life.

Asher and I hadn't talked in a while. He was busy with his friends down in the kitchen. Him and Andrew started dating. I was happy for him, he'd finally found someone to make him happy. He deserved it.

As I made my way back to my room, many eyes were on me. Children giggled at the sight of me. I smiled and waved, causing them to grin even harder. People were happy to have me as their new princess. Especially when I became Queen and changed every part of this horrible place.

No more stupid dresses, no more servants or unfair living conditions. Everyone would have a home, a job, and a proper meal every day. 

I hadn't seen Harry in a while. Smart of him not to show his face. My heartbroken had turned into anger, if I saw him it probably wouldn't be pretty.

Jay was waiting for me at my apartment door. I guess the news of moving the wedding up moved fairly quickly. 

He grinned at the sight at me, reaching forward to grab my hand. I let him take it, biting my lip to keep from literally vomiting. It was all an act to get what I wanted.

Once we were inside, I started to make some tea while Jay's eyes followed me. He came over to me, his lips brushing against my neck.

My stomach flipped and I was afraid I might actually be sick. I absolutely despised him. But, if I gained his trust then I would gain James'.

He took my chin between his thumb and pointer finger before leaning down and pressing his lips against mine. I felt him smile against my lips, his hands going to my waist to pull my closer.

I swallowed thickly, forcing myself to kiss back, my hand resting on the back of his neck.

He pulled back and smiled at me, kissing me lips quickly before reaching for the zipper of my dress.

"Hey," I chuckled, shoving his softly. "We should save that for our wedding night."

He grinned at me. "I don't know if I can wait that long, I mean, look at you."

"You're going to have to." I forced a smile.

After Jay left, James decided to make an appearance at my apartment, a grin spread across his lips.

"What's wrong?" I asked as he came in. "You never come by."

He spun on his heel. "I was just thinking."

"About what?" I asked, pouring him some coffee.

"You."

I turned around just as his lips pressed against mine, forcing me against the counter. I instantly pulled back, starting to push him away.

"Sir, I-"

"Come on, can't you have a little fun for once?" He said, leaning down to kiss my neck.

I shoved at his chest. "With all due respect, I don't think this is a good idea. I'm supposed to marry Jay."

"You were fine having sex with that worthless piece of trash."

I turned away at the mention of Harry. "That was different."

"Why? Because you thought you loved him?" he leaned closer, his voice low. "Sorry, darling, but you cannot love in this world."

"You're right," I said as he smiled. "But I am not having sex with you."

His fingers wrapped around my neck, pushing me further against the counter. "You will do whatever I say whenever I say it."

My fingers wrapped around the kitchen knife behind the counter. I could do it right now. 

I pulled it closer to me. I could end it all right now.

A knock on the door pulled us apart, making me hide the knife behind me. 

"James? Are you in there?" Melody's voice rang in from the other side.

He turned to me, looking at me with stern eyes. "Coming."

He opened the door, Melody's frantic eyes falling on me before turning to James. "Jay was looking for you, he said it's urgent."

James huffed before leaving, only Melody and I standing in my apartment.

Her eyes fell on my neck before meeting my eyes. "He did that?"

I covered it with my hand, turning around. "I know what you're planning to do."

I spun around, my eyes meeting hers. "What?"

"You plan on killing James, Jay probably," she said, closing the door. "Me, too."

I shook my head. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Oh, sweetie, I'm not as stupid as you think I am."

Her eyes stayed glued to mine, the two of us staring at each other as I gripped the knife I still hid behind my back. 

"Don't kill James, don't put that blood on your hands," she said to me. "There are many other people that plan on killing him for you."

"Yeah? Who?"

"The Condemned."

I shook my head. "Who are they?"

"I don't have time to explain, just don't, trust me."

"Why should I trust you?"

She took a step forward, leaning behind me, prying the knife from my fingers. "Harry didn't break up with you because he wanted to."

I furrowed my eyebrows, meeting her eyes.

"James threatened your life, Asher's too," she said to me. "We have an electroshock machine that one of our soldier's created for torture, he threatened to use it on you to do something worse than death to Harry."

"And what's that?"

"To forget him."

My breath caught in my throat as tears burned my eyes.

"He did it to protect you."

She wrapped her arms around me as I sobbed into her shoulder. "I'm sorry, love, I'm so sorry."

After she left, I scribbled a note to Harry to meet me in the woods in 10 minutes before giving it to Asher.

I grabbed my knife from the table before sneaking out the back gate, waiting for Harry to join me.

I prayed that he would come.