Arranged

Chapter Two

"Just give me one chance to prove that I want this, that I want us and I'm not doing this because our parents had arranged this marriage. One chance that is all I ask of my not so little flower." Peter breathed. I searched his eyes for any sign of a lie and I couldn't see a single one.

"One chance Peter, I can allow that." I smiled. "I'm still mad at you."

"Don't be mad at me, Little Flower." He pouted. "I won't be able to sleep until I know you're not mad at me."

"I told you I can't promise that I wont be mad or I won't forget or forgive so easily, but I can promise that I will be open minded about everything from here on out."

"That is fine with me." He smiled. I returned a smile before standing up from the bench and stretched. "Where are you going?"

"It's our engagement party, we have to show our faces eventually." I explained.

"You've got an interesting point." Peter smirked as his eyes glowed with mischief. "It's our engagement party, which means we can do whatever we want. Including staying outside the entire time the party is taking place."

Peter smiled widely, shaking his head before standing up. He held out his hand offering to guide me back towards the ballroom, I took it without hesitation and it didn't just surprise me but Peter as well. I just smiled, hoping the shadows of the Gardens Paths were enough to hide the blush in my cheek. His hand was warm and a lot bigger than I remember. His hands were calloused and rough yet soft and did I mention warm? I looked between Peter and his hands to his lips, then back down at our entwined fingers.

"Can I take you out tomorrow?" He asked. I looked up at him through my eyelashes and nodded, unsure of whether I was able to form words. "I missed you, truly, I did."

"Are you having fun, dear?" My mother asked, her face gleaming with pride and joy, but behind that was the fear of leaving behind her only daughter at such a young age, she hasn't told me yet but I've known since the day I found her doctors after-care sheet instructions, it doesn't help that she leaves her pill bottles out on the bathroom vanity for her daughter to find and look up on google.

"Yes, everything is just so overwhelming. I feel like I can't relax."

"Have you taken your pill?" She asked. "You brought them with you, right?"

I shook my head in response, "I wanted to remember tonight and not be numb for it."

"I know baby, but you need to take your pills." She sighed. "When did you stop taking them?"

"I didn't, I just... didn't want to be damaged goods tonight. I really wanted to make an impression." I sighed, putting my head into my hands. We were currently sitting at one of the many tables that had been spread around the backside of the Ballroom.

"I understand babydoll but you don't decide if you need them, your body does. How many times have you had them since you've been here?"

"Only two, but they've been manageable." I said quickly. Peter may have helped out but that's okay, right?

"Was Peter with you?"

"No mama and he wasn't the cause either."

"I think you need to talk to him, and right now is your chance, have a good time sweetie." My mother smiled before setting her hand on my shoulder and disappearing from sight within the sea of bodies.

"Having a good time?" Peter asked me as he sat down across the table from me. "You don't look like you are, flower."

"I am!" I smiled weakly. "I'm just tired and overwhelmed. I want to go home."