The Law of Attraction

(5)

I wake up feeling... odd.

It's not just because I've had some very strange and desperate dreams, but also because one of them seemed almost too real.

It's the only dream where he actually denied me, so I suppose it was more like a nightmare. He didn't kiss my desperate lips, he didn't touch my aching body. Even though I was completely naked to him, he didn't want me.

I cross my arms over my bare chest, suddenly feeling unbearably exposed. I lower my feet onto my floor and scurry off to my bathroom to look at myself. My hair dried in a fashion that could rival a lions mane, but at least I look more rested.

I walk to my closet to dress myself, the clock on the wall telling me that it's eight PM, and my stomach telling me that if I don't eat I will literally die.

I slip on a comfortable t-shirt and some soft cotton shorts before walking down the creaky wooden stairs. The light is on in my father's study, so I figure that he's probably still working, but the silence tells me he's alone.

Thank goodness William isn't here. I'd die if he saw me like this.

I walk straight for the kitchen and nearly smack into a broad chest that's covered by a white dress shirt.

Fucking hell.

"Isabella." William states with surprise as he looks down at me. My cheeks flush and I internally groan. I didn't want to see him. Not after my dream, and sure as hell not like this.

"Hello... William." I say, morose.  He keeps looking down at me as though he's seeing something else. I know I look awful, but that doesn't give him permission to stare.

"I know I don't look presentable, but this is my own home and it is eight so I don't think I have to." I snap at him, going to open the ice box. I pretend to be looking for Ingredients, but honestly all of my attention is trained on the man beside me.

Out of my peripherals I can still see him looking at me. He looks tired, but something else is there behind his blue stare. He looks troubled and solemn.

Suddenly the air is filled with a thickness that seems so familiar. I swallow the saliva that's built in my throat and close the fridge, my feet turning me to face William.

Our eyes latch on to one another's for several seconds before either of us dares to move or even speak.

William clears his throat and takes a weary step closer to me. I seem to freeze for a beat, trying to decide if I should allow him to be closer.

My body decides to allow it, watching him steadily as he gets so close to me that I can taste his cologne on the air.

Where is my father? What if he walks in right now? Honestly what would this look like.

"I'd like to speak to you." William whispers, wetting his lips after. I cringe and shift awkwardly on my heels. I don't like the way he seems to be setting the stage for something undesirable.

"Then speak." I respond, not knowing what else to say to the man before me. "Your father went to the Welshes to pick up an important document." William advises me, and I feel a bit more at ease. My shoulders even relax a bit.

"Alright, well what's got you acting so strange?" I ask, not really sure if I even want to know.

"I went... I went into your room earlier while you were sleeping. Your father had asked me to check and see if you were okay since you didn't come down to greet him."