I'm Scared Of You.

4

My hand was lifted above, his hand hurting my wrist, and my phone on the floor.
But that didn't matter, because...
I saw him.
He opened his hand, freeing my wrist.
Slowly kneeled down and grabbed my phone with two fingers wrapped in black leather gloves. He turned around, his back facing me.
He talked: "Hello?"
I stared speechless.
He... Is so... Pretty!
"Yes, this is your daughter's husband."
I was blushing.
I can't believe it.
Today has been a very positive day.
Could my luck be possibly changing?
He wore a black long sleeve shirt stucked inside a pair of black trousers. He looked very... Fancy and modern.
Not the way I pictured him.
"I appreciate it. But we're on our honeymoon and we wouldn't like any visitors now.", he explained tucking one of his hands inside the bag of his pants.
"Thank you. Goodbye.", he hanged up.
He stood there with my phone in his hands.
He took one of his black gloves with his mouth and I heard the tapping on my phone's screen.
"Who else did you contact?", he asked.
"No one.", I replied confused.
Is he... Going through my phone?
I felt uncomfortable with him doing that, but I couldn't bring myself to say anything.
"Who is "Baby"?"
I blushed.
"That's Archita, a friend of mine. She saved her number under that name, and I didn't mind."
Is this an interrogation? This isn't right.
"Mr. Vernon-"
"What?"
I shivered.
Just let him do whatever he wants, Margo.
He turned around and stared at me with his green eyes.
"I forgot to tell you that I don't like technology."
"I'm sorry, I was unaware.", I apologized quickly.
"Therefore, I will retreat this.", he said.
... This isn't possible...
"Pheles~", he called.
Mother... I'm not in a honeymoon. Please come.
A big black dog came running to him.
"Ah! You are so cute, Pheles.", he said touching him everywhere with the hand that had no glove.
I wanted to cry but I held them back.
It's fine. You will get another phone, I'm not poor after all.
"Pheles, this is your momma now, see? She is Mrs. Vernon. Pappa's girl.", he smiled looking the dog.
I walked towards them with a fake smile on.
"He's very big.", I said staring at Pheles.
"Don't touch my dog.", he said looking at me, piercing my eyes.
I took a step back.
"I will not touch him.", I said.
He continue playing with him and talking to the dog while I awkwardly stared the animal.
Dogs are so lovely. But I never had one, mom said dogs and cats will injured me and I will be ugly. So I just had birds and small animals like hamsters.
"Okay, pappa and momma are leaving, Pheles. Say goodbye."
He barked.
What? Did he say goodbye?
Mr. Vernon stood up and walked towards a faucet, he kneeled down and washed his hand.
Pheles ran to his spot.
I keep thinking about my phone. How am I going to buy one? Well, I'll think about that some other day.
"Mrs. Vernon, let's go.", he said drying his hands with a white fabric, and then he put the cloth on a tree branch to let it dry. He put his glove back on his hand.
He grabbed mine and he slowly walked us to the door.
I feel nervous when he's so close. As if at any moment, I'll make a mistake. Once we re-entered the house again he stopped walking and looked at me in silence.
"Your hairstyle... Put it back in a bun."
"Ah... Sorry, I'll style it again.", I said walking away until he grabbed my hand.
"Where are you going?", he asked.
"My room."
He didn't say anything but kept holding my hand.
I stared at his face. He is pretty, indeed , but He's just... So not safe...
His hair is black as cherocal and his eyes as well, small puffy pale lips, skin white like a cloud, and a distinctive mole on his left eyelid.
He is pretty.
"Don't stare.", he said.
And I immediately looked to the floor.
"Sorry.", I said.
He kept holding my hand but wasn't talking.
What else can I say...?
I thought about it and then my brain brightened.
"Mr. Vernon, thank you for changing the house."
"Do you... like it?"
"Very much, Mr. Vernon."
He didn't reply.
I kept my eyes on the floor.
"But... You don't need to make yourself uncomfortable to make me feel comfortable."
What a stupid sentence...
He paused and then asked:
"Why not?"
What can I say? "I don't deserve it". A lady must be aware of her value, and use that information wisely.
I answered: "We should find a balance. Not too dark, not too bright.", I said.
And also because I don't want to feel like I owe you, and I don't even feel like this is my house. But of course, I can't say this.
"Mrs. Vernon likes it bright.", he said with his soft voice. "Put your hair like it was before".
He walked away.
I waited until he was out of sight and sighed.
My shoulders aching for being so stiff.
I walked to my room and styled my hair again.
"Hm... Nice and pretty.", I said retouching it when I noticed the pink mark around my wrist on the mirror.
Yes... He grabbed my wrist with heaviness back then.
Even if his grip is weak... He's a man and he has strength after all.
And surprisingly, he's not the old sick skinny man I pictured.
He is skinny... But Nicholas too. I guess skinny average. And he is also not much taller than me, but I'm wearing very high shoes, so there might be a difference.
I sighed.
You must not cause problems, Margo!
I wore a silver bracelet above the mark and exited the room.
I walked down again and I found him sitting on a red leather couch. His sleeping head resting on his arm that was on the couches arm.
It's only nine am and yet he's sleeping.
He should go to his room and rest, I'll tell him-
I stopped.
I remembered he didn't like to be woken up.
Phew... I almost commit a mistake.
I noticed my shoes.
I'll make noise...
I really don't want to disturb him.
Should I stand here motionless, until he wakes up?
No, he doesn't likes to be stared either.
Ah! What to do! What to do...
Oh! I know!
I decided to take my shoes off and tiptoe to a reading room.
I kneel down and quitely take my shoes off.
I look at him, and he's peacefully sleeping.
His threat about painting my dress in red resonating in my head.
I breath in and close my eyes tightly.
It's okay, relax.
I hug the shoes still and safe and quickly tiptoe to the nearest room.
I let a breathe out.
I put my shoes on, with my hands trembling.
I am too nervous, calm down, calm down.
I am sweating. I need to dry. I shake my hands near my chest, creating air.
I look around the room searching for a window and opened it, letting the breeze inside.
I feel tired, even though I slept like a baby yesterday because of my exhaustion.
I look through the window.
The view is the entrance.
And I remember the taxi guy.
He looked rather scared of this place, just like me.
He probably was the last person I saw before entering this place.
I should've asked his name...
I don't want to forget anything from outside.
An hour in here feels like three and everything about here makes my energy drain. I have to be so careful and conscious about me and worried about everything. Everyone is scary, and the food is not good!
No, no Margo it's only been hours! You can't hate this place yet.
Just two days! And I'm loosing my mind!
I close the window and look at the room I'm in.
I searched for pencil and paper.
I like drawing, maybe I should try to draw something.
I sat in a couch and started sketching on the notebook.
I was drawing Pheles under that tree across the window.

The door opened in a slam and I flinched, dropping the pencil on the floor.
"Mr. Vernon."
"I was searching you."
"Sorry. Earlier, you were asleep, and you said I shouldn't bother you-"
"I didn't say that."
What? You did!
"Not with those words... I didn't say you bothered me."
That's what he meant? Yeah, you didn't say I was bothering you, you said you would kill me. Charming.
"You are right, sorry.", I said picking the pencil from the floor.
He closed the door and quietly started at me.
Here we go...
"Do you want to see my drawing?", I smiled.
He didn't reply.
I grabbed the notebook and lifted it, so he could see it.
"It's Pheles.", I said.
He didn't reply.
"I haven't finished it though.", I said drawing the remaining details. "I'm not very skillful, but I used to draw quite often, so I improved. I never had a teacher either, so I would just watch tutorials or something...", I said.
"Do Mr. Vernon likes any type of arts?"
He didn't reply.
I felt embarrassed and stupid for being ignored so hard.
Just ignore it...
I continue to draw for maybe five minutes.
"I finished.", I stood up and put the pencil and notebook on the desk.
"I hope you don't mind I borrowed the pencil and a page of this notebook..."
He stared at my dress.
Now I feel more nervous and self conscious.
"It's shorter.", he murmured.
He means the dress, right?
"Just a few centimeters shorter.", I replied looking at the window, avoiding looking at him.
"A few you say? Mrs. Vernon's dress from yesterdays was under the knee. This one is completely above."
I feel like I'm being scolded...
"Do you not like the size?"
"I don't really mind.", he said.
Then why are you talking about it?
"I see.", I said.
"Why was Mrs. Vernon screaming this morning?", he suddenly said.
My heart skipped a beat.
"Mr. Morel scared me. I didn't know he worked here. So, when he appeared with a shovel and a hammer I got scared. B-But I apologized to him and Mrs. Morel. I'm very sorry if I was too loud."
He didn't say anything and walked to where I was standing.
I clenched my jaw and my heart was about to explode.
Please... Get away from me...
He was giving this very off vibe.
I tried my best to not look scared.
He gently placed his hand on the back of my neck.
And I was sure he would wipe the floor with me for some reason.
He didn't say anything and I lowered my head.
I feel the smallest when he's around.
"Let's have tea.", he said grabbing my hand gently, accidentally touching the bracelet.
He looked at my hand, noticing the bracelet and of course the red mark.
"What happened to you?", he asked lifting my arm, showing me the bruise he left, he didn't look pleased.
He doesn't remembers? And what am I supposed to do, tell him he did it!?
"I... Uhm... I stroke my wrist with something."
He looked at it and the threw my arm at me.
He glared at me with a lot of anger, but didn't say anything.
The first thing I came up with was:
"Sorry."
He looked more angry.
"Sorry, I was very careless, sorry."
What's wrong with this guy?
His green eyes pierced mines.
He grabbed my hand and yanked me with him.
He's definitely someone I can't understand.

"Mrs. Morel. Tea."
I hate this tea... It's too sweet. He sat across me.
His legs crossed, one of his hand above his leg and the other one resting on the sofa.
He stared at me in silent.
The tea was served and I drank it in two gulps.
Not my most feminine moments, but I just can't drink it.
"The tea... You like it?"
"I do.", I said.
"It seems so.", he said.
Hm? Is that sarcasm.. Or irony because I drank it all? Did he notice I didn't like it?
I cracked a smile.
Whatever. Don't overthink it. Just smile.
Mrs. Morel entered and lifted the cups.
He stared at me and I was looking the floor.
"You can look, Mrs. Vernon."
I lifted my head and looked at him.
He's pretty.
His lips curled up like a moon crescent.
I blushed and look the floor again.
"I hope my looks are of your liking...", he stood up, and took his gloves with his mouth and tossed them. He then kneeled before me.
I drove my eyes to his, shyly.
He's so close.
"Because... We will spend a lot of time together from now on.", he took a silver ring with the shape of a snake from his pocket.



"Till death to us apart, Margo Hozeldine", he said sliding the ring on my finger.
He took another ring for himself, but this time plane silver without any design. He gave it to me confident. 

I grabbed it quickly with my hands shaking.
Hesitation in such a moment would be terrific.
He showed his hand waiting for me to introduce the ring.
His hands were warm now, they looked delicated and beautiful, like he's never touch anything before. They are slim and soft.
I slid the ring and said:
"Till death to us apart, Solomon Vernon.", I smiled.
Did I just put the rope around my neck?