Nevaeh's eyes widened to the fullest, and her heart clenched as she stood before the beautifully decorated room with her eyes scanning around. It was an all-white room with thick gold curtains, but the red petals scattered across the king-size bed and floor made goosebumps crawl over her skin.
Of course, she knew what was lying before her and what it meant, but she couldn't process it. She didn't think things like this would happen so fast. She had thought since this marriage was one done out of convenience, he would be generous enough to hold back on some things...things like this. And she had hoped he wouldn't want to consummate this marriage, at least not until Elle was found.
But what was she thinking? He must have been expecting his wife to carry out her matrimonial rights as soon as possible whether this marriage was out of convenience or not, and after all, he was a man, not just a man but one rumoured to be a devil.
What has she gotten herself into? How could she let her mother easily make her do such an outrageous thing? What was she thinking about agreeing to such a stupid plan? She must have been so stupid. She shouldn't have agreed to this at all!
Her heart raced as she stood fixated to the ground while these endless questions buzzed through her mind.
God! She should have thought this far before allowing her mother to pull her into this mess.
Neveah was still drowned in her thoughts and horror so much she didn't hear the man call her name.
"Elle," He called out again, this time a bit audibly to attract her attention. She slightly jerked when she heard his voice. With bated breath, she fluttered her eyes towards him as she prayed for some miracle to happen. Anyone at all!
"Do you like it?"
"Are...we sleeping...here together?" Nevaeh softly stuttered out. Her voice filled with fear and anxiety. She didn't know how she had asked that mind plaguing question, but she was sure there was no way she could have kept mute without asking.
Dale was slightly stunned, his brows furrowed as he gazed at her. Was that supposed to be a question? He asked himself.
A second of silence elapsed as he intently watched her, the look in his eyes slightly changing, almost making Neveah bite her tongue in regret for asking such a question, but she couldn't be blamed. She couldn't help it. After all, she was seeking a miracle.
Tilting his head to the side, he asked in a calm tone, "Do you wish to sleep somewhere else, Elleanor?" He paused. "Is there somewhere you'd like to spend your nights and find comfort other than your husband's bed?" Neveah felt her heart skip when she saw him moving closer.
'Her husband's bed? He wasn't her husband– at least not on paper! But what was he doing now? Why...was he coming towards her, and why were his eyes staring at her like that?'
She opened her mouth to reply to him, but no words could come out. Her lips quivered in an attempt to say something, but her brain was too disconcerted to form a word.
A gasp escaped her lips when she suddenly felt his face hovering over her, his breath fanning her face, while she subconsciously took in his scent. His scent.....
His scent was like that of fresh morning dew - that untainted clear air that reminded one of the awakening of the earth, wafted through her nostrils as he leaned closer. His dewy scent was redolent of defrosting soil and green shoots breaking forth from the earth on an early spring morning. It felt almost calm and relaxing.
Her breath hitched as he inched a bit closer till they were only a breath apart, and Neveah subconsciously responded by retreating her steps. Her heart froze when a wicked smirk appeared on his breathtaking face. Why does he always look so enchanting when he smiled?
Neveah!!! Enchanting? Really?
But that was the truth. Though the smile on his face was visibly malicious, Neveah couldn't help but admire how heavenly beautiful he looked when he smiled, and those eyes of his always gleamed too.
Her heart began to race even more when he kept walking towards her, taking one step in a slow and predatory manner. He looked like was a predator who was trying to corner his prey. Oh, that was what he was doing!
Nevaeh's eyes widened when she realized where she was currently standing. He had lured her into the room! How?!
How could she be so dumb?!
Drumming beats of her heart increased as it began to echo in her ears. She took one more step backwards, but unfortunately, she met a dead end. There was no more space for her to move as she was trapped between this predator and the scary white bed, which was sensuously platted with roses.
Shivers ran down her spine as she looked at the bed behind her before darting her gaze back to him.
"Da...Dale" She gently called out, but she was too nervous and scared to be audible. She tried to move when he once again took one more step towards her.
"Elleanor," She heard his pleasing deep voice mutter her name, but this wasn't a time to think of his voice. "Husbands and wives should never stay apart, most especially on their wedding night. Were you not taught this?" He asked.
"I... I"
She stiffened when he suddenly covered the space between them in one stride till they were a hair length apart. "I know this marriage came as a shock to you, but don't you think we should make efforts towards knowing each other?"
Efforts? Towards knowing him?
Hell no, she didn't want that. That was Elle's job and not hers.
She froze when he took a lock of her hair in his hands and twirled it around, "I want to know you, Elle, this you that I can't read. I want to know every bit of you."