His mother smiled at her and agreed, "Ah, Yes. That is true. You poor thing. As I said, your family now. There's no need to feel nervous around us."
Bunny smiled in acknowledgement. The rest of the wedding reception went off without a hitch. It was passed 2 A.M. when it ended. She had watched her new husband disappear with his father A few moments before the party ended. She was about to leave the dining room when someone stood in her way blocking her.
She was almost knocked over by the person. She looked to see who it was. It was Baxter. What was he doing here? She hadn't noticed him at dinner tonight.
She took an apprehensive step back.
"Bunny, please." He started.
"What do you want, Baxter?"
"C'mon. I mean you no harm."
She looked at him.
"I really am sorry about all of this." He apologized.
She rolled her eyes and tried walking past him. He gently grabbed her by her upper arm, stopping her movements. Bunny didn't know what to expect. She felt him put something cold in her hand. She looked down and saw it was her handbag that had been left at his home the night Rome took her.
Suddenly he let her go and walked away. She was once again left alone. She exited the room and began to ascend the stairs. The same bodyguard came and escorted her. As they walked down the all glass corridor the stars sparkled and the beach weather made the night sky clear.
She took a deep breath as they kept walking. What was Baxter up to? she wondered, as the bodyguard opened the room to Rome's bedroom. He closed it behind her. She waited to hear the clicking sound of the lock.
He did not lock the door and she felt a little relief. (not much.) She walked over to the bed and noticed a cream satin chemise was placed at the foot of it. She was suddenly annoyed. She knew she should be grateful for her new life. She was back to being waited on and never having to make a real decision, but she wasn't.
She found herself already disliking the arrangement she had already said 'I do' to just hours ago. The way he looked at her, and her perception of him micromanaging her down to her underwear unnerved her. What was the point in being wealthy again if she was his prisoner. She rolled her eyes, then undressed and put the gown on. She was turning down the bed when her clutch fell to the ground and popped open.
She quickly knelt down to where the contents of her purse spilled and began putting the things back in. She saw her cell phone, a small dark vial that held a few grams of cocaine and a full pill bottle. She knew Baxter had put both of those things in there for her. Once everything was cleaned and put away, she opened the pill bottle and took 3 more pills out. She took them, put the bottle back in her handbag and hid her handbag in a hatbox in the closet.
nce that was done she got in bed. She wondered what he would have in store for her tomorrow. She wished she could say she was happy and excited like a normal newlywed bride, but she wasn't. She was terrified. He was already disgusted by her.
His words still stung. She yawned and closed her eyes, hoping for a better tomorrow...
The next day, unbeknownst to Bunny, she was allowed to sleep in. She recalled awaking on her own. Once her eyes adjusted to the sunlight pouring in the room she noticed him. He was there. This time, he was sitting on the bed beside her.
"Good morning, sleepyhead." He greeted her.
She looked at him, feeling a little dazed. She hadn't recalled him ever coming to bed last night. She adjusted her gaze and realized he may still want to talk about what had happened last night. Had he even slept? She wondered.
"My mother thought it best I let you sleep in today," he commented, as he brushed her hair away from her face for her.
She froze up at the unexpected intimate gesture. He rolled his eyes and scoffed at her. "Dammit, Bunny! I'm not going to hurt you." He seemed angry with her. How would she know that?
Even now, she had no idea what she had done wrong. Seconds later, two maids rolled in a food trolley and began setting up at the table by the chairs. "Thank you, ladies," he said as they left the room, closing the door behind them.
"Come, let's have breakfast. It should settle your stomach." He told her.
She didn't feel like she could say 'no'. So she pulled the covers back, and got out of the bed. She was thankful she had decided to wear the night gown he had procured for her. She sat down in the twin, blue velvet chair across from him. He handed her a cup of coffee.
She brought it to her nose. The smell helped awaken her. She took a generous sip. It was refreshing. When she felt more awake, she spoke to him, "Please, thank your mother for me, and tell her not to worry about my health."
He took a sip of his own cup of coffee. Then he handed her a plate. She placed the coffee cup on the nightstand table beside her, then took the plate. She looked at him. He was intently watching her and gave off the appearance that he was enjoying his coffee.
He replied to her, "You can thank her yourself." She was confused by his words, then he clarified. "My parents have decided to go with us on our honeymoon." He saw her try to hide her surprise by taking a sip of coffee. "They won't be there the entire time. Just a few days," He rushed on.
"Our honeymoon." She repeated. "Where is that going to be?" She asked. He had never mentioned it to her.
"On a lovely island called Ediw."
"Oh...I've never heard of it." She confessed.
"Not too many people know about it," he explained. "It is a private island owned by my family." He reached into his seat and pulled out a large envelope. He opened it and revealed photos. He placed them on the table in front of her.
She saw it was her and Baxter last night. The photos made it appear as if they were being secretive. She said nothing.
He spoke, "My bodyguard told me that Baxter saw you last night. So I had him pull the security footage, and sure enough, there you two are all close and intimate."
She swallowed hard, then looked down at her plate, trying to avoid his eye contact. Suddenly, he took her plate and threw it hard against the large window that overlooked the beach, shattering the plate into a million tiny pieces and smearing food on the window. She instinctively stood up and got out of his way. He looked like the anger incarnate.
"I gave you and that fat fuck specific instructions to stay away from one another! He wasn't supposed to be there last night! Get over here! Now!" He barked at her.
She wanted them to move, but her legs appeared to have a mind of their own and stayed planted.
"Did you not hear me?" His voice boomed through the room. "You're a junkie slut and a coward." He spat. "Get over here, now! Bunny, you don't want me coming over there. I am trying to be kind to you."
She wanted to laugh out loud at his delusional statement. She still did not move. He came for her seconds later. She had nowhere to go except up against the bedroom wall. He was only a few inches away from her. His chest almost touched hers.
His eyes were dark storms. Mr. Hyde was back, she thought, referring to his dark, unreasonable side. He grabbed her by her upper arms and pushed her up against the wall hard. She tried masking her fear and pain as he towered over her with a menacing look. His handsome features once more distorted. She felt her back touch the wall. She jumped. She looked to her left then to her right.
"Nope. You're fucking trapped." He stated. "Your ass is mine." He moved in closer to her. She inhaled her fears. "You married me and I expect you to hold up your end of the bargain."
"I am!" She told him.
"How ? By entertaining your ex John on our wedding night?"
That insult stung. She didn't let him know it. Instead she argued, "Only you and Baxter know about that."
He was still holding on to her upper arms. "What the hell did he say to you?" he snarled.
She didn't like seeing him this way all the time. He was so angry. He was unpredictable in this state.
"Nothing." She answered him.
He applied pressure to her upper arms anand squeezed. She tried to move, but his grip was like iron, slowly crushing her soft flesh. She bit her lower lip so she wouldn't cry out. He crushed his lips against hers. She tried moving her head away. He released her right arm from his left hand, then used it to squeeze her cheeks hard. She groaned and tried slapping his hands away.