Anastasia

01

"Come in." My father said and I twisted the golden knob to his office, I was confused as to why my dad could possibly want me at 11pm. I gently opened the door and closed it to see my father sitting on his desk . He took his glasses off and motioned me to sit onto the chair opposite him.

"Good evening, Anastasia." My father said as he gave me his full attention. His blue eyes narrowing towards me, my dad managed to have blonde hair whilst I had brown hair, two contrasting opposites. I inherited soft brown features from my mum, who was absent from my life. 

"Good evening, Mr Angelos."  I said to him looking at my lap. Just looking at my father frightens me. He always possessed this look that manages to send frights down my cells. Just the slightest glance at him and it can kill you. My eyes concentrating away from him and positioned onto my lap.

One of my knees started purely because of the anxiety he incites within me. It always anticipation around him, not the exciting one. I am always nervous around him, waiting for a hand to be raised onto me. His demeanour is always unpredictable. He can seem nice, but he can switch to the most vicious person. He is always the second option to me, it doesn't take him that long to be outraged by me.

"Stop that." He said as he narrowed his eyes at me as I immediately stopped my knee shaking. My hands were fiddling but he didn't comment on it at all. My long black hair was out, I was proud of my hair the most. It was my most beautiful feature. It had reached up to my waist, it was soft and silky.

"It's your birthday tomorrow. You turn 18." He said it as a statement, there was a motive behind it. We never do anything for my birthday. I always wish I had a big birthday party, but I never have. I always see what he does for Nicola, he takes her to fancy restaurants for her birthday and spoils her with gifts. I only want one meaningful gift and cake for my birthday, that would be the best birthday ever.

"It is a perfect age for you to get married. No? Tomorrow you will be getting married to Romeo Mariano. It will be the completion of my deal." My father said and my eyes widened, I can't get married to a stranger.

"No I will not get married to anyone." I blurted out, but regretted it immediately. An empty glass thrown harshly onto my face. I felt the glass digging into my cheeks.

"Every time I speak to you, you always manage to rile me up." He raised his voice at me. I have not even said much, and I have caused such a commotion by him. I think he is very dramatic.

"Go to your room, I will have a dress sent up for you. Pack all your things you will be living with him." He commanded me. Furrowing my eyebrows at him, I was more upset. I imagined a marriage with someone who I loved and wanted to be with, my chance has been taken away by my father, as he always manages to do.

I doubt that I would ever get married though, I'm not very appealing to the sight, I have never been called pretty of beautiful. Maybe because I have not met any people, but I doubt they would call me pretty. Maybe this marriage was my only chance of ever getting married. I swiftly got up and went back to my room, going up the stairs, seeing maids and guards that I did not know of at all, but they lived with me.

Reaching my room, I immediately took the mirror out of my night stand to see blood dripping from my face. I took three little pieces of glass that was impressed onto my skin out. I seethed a breath in, it hurt a lot to take out. I have become immune to his antics, when I was a little it did hurt a lot. I was confused as a child, I wondered why mum was leaving me and my dad was the way he was and why he changed. I have let go all of that wonder, it was my life now.

I saw the suitcases by the mattress and realisation finally hit me. It all changes tonight, I will be married by tomorrow and living elsewhere. I won't see my dad, I will be living a whole new life and would leave this past behind. Unless he visits me, I hope he does not visit me. I started to pack my clothes, with the intention of showering. I planned to get a few things from Nicola's room as well but I will probably have to do it in the night.

My clothes consisted of Nicola's old clothes. They were in the best condition when I got them because she has this rule where she can only where she can only wear them once. It was a stupid rule, but then she still keeps them it never made sense to me. Nicola has always been my father's favourite, even between Calista and Christian.

I see Calista every once in a blue moon, but never Christian. I only remember seeing him when I was three, but that's it. I do know what he looks like, because Calista is always showing me pictures of her family and his family. Nicola, Calista and Christian were full siblings, they have the same mum.

Taking a shower, I changed into the black silk pyjamas and plaited my hair. I sat on my mattress as I waited time to pass, to know that everyone is asleep. It was probably 1am and everyone is settling down to sleep. I planned to go to Nicola's room and get a curler, this flower barrette and some more clothes that I can take.

After a few moments, I think it was quiet. I got my suitcase and lifted it from the ground as I went down the stairs to not make noise. Her room was below mine which was not bad. I went into her room and switched on the lights, making sure I closed the door and grabbed anything I like. Once I was done, I opened the door to see a guard paused in his steps. He turned towards me.

"What are you doing?" The guard looked down at me. I am familiar with the guards, they were not as scary as I was when I was little. I was scared out of my mind when I saw them.

"Could you take this upstairs for me." I said whilst switching off the lights and closing the door quietly. I was confident he wouldn't do anything to me.

"Why would I?" He said to me, I knew his name. For some reason the guards listen to me when I say their name. It was a bit weird, maybe because it was more respectful.

"Please, Lucas?" I said and he did listen. I don't why that happens, but it saves me a lot in situations like this and I followed him upstairs as he also tried to not make any noises and he went in and placed it on the floor.

"Thank you." I said but he had left immediately. I was so happy, I was leaving this place forever. My room was not the best, the mattress springs were broken and it was all brown wood floor that had nails popping out and wood peeling away. The walls and floors give me splinters all the time. I packed all my ne vestiges like my sketchbooks, paints bad markers. These are old. It was Nicola's, I have been stealing all her art sets because she never used them nor does she ever notice d me if she was here or not.

ღ

I woke up and I felt different, it felt like I was waking up to a new life. Knowing I am leaving this house and my dad feels so surreal to me. But I would miss my large under-decorated room the most. I spent all my life either in here or in a boxed cell. I am maybe going to a better house, probably a mattress with a frame and a shower with running hot water. The freedom to leave my room whenever and go outside. I am so excited to go outside, I never go out often.

I got up gleefully took a shower. I didn't wash my hair yesterday night as I wanted it to be fresh for my to be husband. I wanted to have a good impression on him. I may not look the best, but I can present myself in the best way possible. Hopefully he likes me. I used my vanilla shampoo, vanilla conditioner and vanilla body wash. I told a guard to get them for me, he was a senior one and is often very nice and understanding. I was afraid to ask my dad, which was bizarre.

I wrapped the towel around me before getting dress into my wedding dress. My shoulders were exposed when I wore it and it hugged my body. I was looking through my tiny mirror to see. It was floral white lace dress. I blowed dried my hair before curling it and putting hair barrettes into my hair. I looked at the makeup that was on the floor and debated if I should put it on. I wore the mascara and lipstick as I was afraid to put on concealer, foundation and blush. I may look like a clown.

I was proud as to how I looked, my hair was down nicely and so was my makeup. My dress complimented me very well. I think I looked beautiful and I hope Romeo Mariano thinks that too.