WHO WILL SAVE YOU NOW • MICHAEL GRAY x READER

Chapter 13

Chapter 13

When you left Tommy's cabinet you let out a deep breath you didn't even realize you were holding. You couldn't believe that you had agreed to marry Michael, especially in three days which seemed to be so close. Your eyes travelled around the place, and you noticed Polly along with Arthur and John stare at you. You simply shoot them a small smile before walking over to Michael who was close to you. He didn't notice your appearance as he seemed to be busy with some kind of paperwork. It was until you cleared your throat that he noticed you, seeming genuinely surprised to see you there.

"Can I talk to you? Somewhere private?" You asked quietly so that no one could hear what you were about to tell him. He nodded, placing his hand onto your lower back as he guided you into his cabinet. You felt something fluttering in your stomach when he touched you, and without any delay you tried to ignore it. There was a small part of you that felt perhaps relived that the two of you were about to marry - you had accepted it since you were more than sure that the marriage would happen, one way or another. Perhaps it was best to get it over with so that you could focus on other things, like killing the rest of Sabini's family.

"Is everything alright?" Michael questioned as he walked over to his desk, taking a seat but not before guiding you over to a chair across from his. Your eyes looked around the room as you desperately searched for something to stare at, anything beside him. Yet you decided to simply tell him bluntly what you and Tommy had agreed to.

"I and Tommy made a deal. In order for me to gain his support we need to get married. In three days." You blurted out, your eyes staring into his. You saw no reaction from him - he didn't seem to be angry, he didn't seem to be sad or happy. You had no idea what he was feeling and that made you even more nervous than you already were.

"Okay." He simply replied, standing up to take a glass for himself. He poured himself a glass of whiskey as he simply stood near the bar, his back turned to you. You had no idea what to say or do. The whole situation between the two of you was weird and awkward already, and you didn't want to make it worse. You stood up, pulling your coat over your dress as you let out a sigh. He didn't leave his position and you felt that it was probably best if you were to leave. Deciding to do so you walked over to the door, willing to leave. Yet you turned yourself around, and saw Michael looking back at you.

"I know that this is something that neither of us wants. I simply thought that it was best if you heard about it from me before anyone else." You declared, not bothering to stay behind to hear anything else. You ignored Arthur's call as you practically ran out of the building, letting out a loud sigh after exiting the building. The cold air of Birmingham seemed to cool you down, yet the feeling in your stomach didn't leave. You felt different emotions taking over you, and millions of thoughts ran through your mind. The most important one was the following: did you make a mistake agreeing to marry Michael in three days?

IIIIIIIIII

"Tommy called me. Who do you think you are, making deals with them behind my back?" Your father's loud voice greeted you as the first thing upon entering your house. He seemed to be angry, furious even which was supported by the fact that he didn't care about the presence of the servants. The most important rule in the house was that business was always talked about in his cabinet, nowhere else. Only the people needed could stay in the room. Fearing the wrath of your father the servants scattered while your uncle Andre appeared, a glass of whiskey in his hands as he simply stared at the scene in front of him. He looked genuinely pleased while you shot a glare in his way before settling your eyes on your father.

"I did what I had to do. Besides, aren't you happy? Your daughter is going to marry a Shelby, just like you wanted." You spat, venom clearly heard in your voice. Raimond seemed to be shocked at your outburst, and when he stepped closer to you his hand almost connected with your cheek if it wasn't for the presence of Andre. Your father had no desire to punish you in front of his brother. Raimond was full aware of his brother's desire for the leading role of your gang, and the last thing that he wanted was for Andre to get it.

You stood in shock, not able to register in your mind that your father was about to hit you. He had never gotten physical with you, even though the emotional scarring that he had done during your life was plenty to last two lifetimes. Without saying anything you turned around, not bothering to say anything to your father. While you were sure that he was disappointed in you, you were definitely disappointed in him. A part of you had hoped that things would get better between the two of you, yet now you weren't sure that they were going to. Unable to hear his footsteps behind you signaled that he didn't bother to run after you. And the fact that he didn't care made tears roll down your cheeks.

IIIIIIIIII

"I honestly feel sorry for you. Truly." Your friend Paula exclaimed as the two of you sat in a bar not too far from your house. You were more than glad to get out of your house, so when Paula came over to visit you practically begged her to go out with you. Being a good friend like she always was she agreed, and now the two of you were sipping on drinks as people danced all around you. The bar was packed with people, which was quite unusual for a Thursday, but you didn't mind. Looking at the people dancing made your thoughts disappear which you were glad about, even if it was simply for a couple of minutes.

"I know that this is completely out of the blue, but I was hoping that you'd be my bridesmaid." You looked over to her with a smile on your face. Paula instantly grabbed your hand and let out a small scream which luckily went unheard to most of the people around you. You couldn't help but to chuckle at her response and her yelling 'yes' over and over again made you burst out laughing. It took you some time to remember when the last time you laughed like that was, and the fact that you couldn't remember convinced you that it was definitely a long time ago.

"It feels so weird to say that I'm getting married in three days. I don't even know anything about Michael." You exclaimed as Paula frowned. Unfortunately that was the truth - you only knew his name and his age, that was it. You felt like you had been transformed into the Middle Age where the poor ladies were forced to marry someone they didn't even know and had seen only a portrait of. Your only consolation was that some of those marriages turned out happy, and that was the only thing you truly wished for - happiness. You only hoped that Michael would be the right person for that. Luckily, or unfortunately - you weren't sure - you'd find that out soon enough.