He kissed her. She just stood there for a few seconds feeling his skilled lips work magic on hers. It was a strange sensation to her. That sensation took over her senses as he continued. She lost the fight.
She found herself slipping her arms around his neck, while he squeezed her and growled inside of her mouth. It was primal and hot. Seconds later, he broke the kiss. Bunny had been stunned into silence by it. He let her go, then hen walked out oof the bedroom Without warning.
She was left all alone. Half of his bedroom was destroyed. She surveyed the room. Then moved from the wall to taking a seat on the unmade bed. She was still completely stunned by the behavior she had witnessed from him this morning.
She had assumed correctly, when she assessed his temper earlier, and how short it was with her. There was no room for error now. Even though days before she had been his captive, she hadn't felt as scared and trapped as she did now. where would she go back home home? She had been so consumed in this bizarre charade that she had forgotten about her familial duties.
She looked toward the closed door. He wouldn't be back for a while. She concluded he seemed so frustrated with her She surveyed the room, then went to her usual hiding spot in the room and found her clutch. She took it into the bathroom with her and closed the glass door behind her. She placed the clutch on the bathroom countertop.
She sat down on the covered toilet seat, took out the bottle of pills and then her phone. She twisted the top off, popped three of the pills, then put the container back in her clutch. She turned her cell phone on. It lit up and greeted her. She had over 100+ emails and 40 Missed Calls.
She dismissed her notifications and quickly dialed her mother's number. The phone rang for some time. Her mother answered, "Hello?"
"H-Hey, Mom, how are you? How's grand?" Bunny was frantic now. Hearing her mother's voice made her long to be back in her own space.
"We are fine,sweety. A big Congratulations are in order. Elite Magazine published the wedding photos. Bunny, you are such a lovely bride.
She hated to hear how abeyant her mother sounded about her sham wedding. She knew her mother loved her, but she could be very selfish at times.
"Thank you."
There was a long silence. She needed her mom's help if she wanted to escape this hell.
"Mom, I need-"
"No, bunny." Her mother interjected, not letting her finish her sentence. She let out a loud sigh, as if she were exasperated with her. "Bunny, my Bunny. Thank you, for calling, but you cannot do this anymore."
"Mom..."
"I am sorry, but before you were wed, after the last time we spoke, a solicitor showed up on our doorstep shortly after. It was your husband's solicitor. He paid for the girls education and our lodging for the next two years, as well as given us all monthly stipends. We all must make certain allowances. We are now able to live the lives we once lived before this incident with your father." She said, not wanting to refer to him as a criminal.
Bunny was shocked to hear this information. When had he had the time to do all of these things?
"Allowances? What allowances mother?" She asked, already having a feeling it had to do with her. She just she didn't know in what context?
"The allowance is that you stay with him and do exactly what he says Bunny. And Bunny, do it. Do exactly as he says. I know he's not the ideal match your father and I would have wanted, but we are not in ideal times. I will not let you ruin this for this family. I must go." Her mother hung up on her.
She slowly removed the phone from her ear. Well, that was that, she thought. At least he held up his end of the bargain, she thought. She could have no more contact with her family. That stung.
She had already taken three pills. She contemplated taking two more because of the anxiety and stress of what was just said she knew she shouldn't. She put her cell phone back in her purse, stood up, and closed the clutch. She would wait to overindulge. She stepped out of the bathroom and quickly hid her purse...
30
Bunny jumped at the sound of his deep voice. Her heart instantly began to beat faster. She resembled a deer caught in headlights.
"Well, I-"
"Were you trying to make a break for it," he joked.
She looked a little shocked at his choice of words words. Rome possessively grabbed her by her upper arm. The newly wed couple walked together towards the breakfast table to greet both of his parents, who seemed to be ignoring what a sour mood her new husband was in. He released her arm, then pulled out her chair for her. She sat down.
Then he did as well.
Seagulls flew along the distant shoreline. It was a beautiful backdrop, but Bunny was too anxious to take in her surroundings and enjoy them. She however, did notice the beautiful table arrangement of tropical flowers on top of the white silk tablecloth with a seafoam green runner in the center.
The runner held a variety of delicious looking breakfast dishes in expensive China.
Even when her family had been wealthy, they never ate like this. Empty China plates sat before all four of them.
"How was your night last night?" His mother asked Bunny.
"It was wonderful." She pasted her best fake smile on her face and lied, feeling as if she had no choice.
To Bunny, it felt as if Rome's mother viewed her with new eyes and the hope she had always wished she had received from her own. From what she could gather, his family was under the impression that she and Rome were in love. It was not her place to shatter that belief. She was being compensated to help Rome validate the lie. No matter how much of an arrogant and mean bully Rome was, Bunny had no choice. Her mother had been sure to let her know.
She wouldn't be getting out of this situation anytime soon. Four servers appeared and began adding one of every dish onto their plates, a glass of water, a glass of orange juice, and a glass of champagne in front of the plate settings. She was impressed by their precision and ability to be so coordinated and in sync.
His mother sat on the opposite side of the table smiling at them both. Rome spoke.
Bunny heard annoyance in his voice. "Please, you're embarrassing yourself, mother."
His mother brushed his harsh critique off, "Oh, Tosh! I am not. Excuse your mother, the person who gave you life, for being happy for her son, who won't die a workaholic recluse."
"Now, Jen." His father chided his mother
Bunny realized this was the second time she had heard his father speak.
The elder couple exchanged a silent glance, then Rome's mom turned to look at her son and spoke softer, "I'm so sorry, my darling." She patted her husband's hand, then looked back at Rome's dad. He smiled and winked at her. She took a deep breath and continued, "I am sorry. Please, forgive me."
Bunny said nothing.
Then Rome spoke. "No, mother. It is I who is sorry. I have been in a mood." He confessed to them, but the entire time he made the confession Rome looked at Bunny. "Yesterday was one of the happiest days of my life."
She felt her mouth go dry at his admission. He didn't appear to be lying. She almost felt badly for making him so upset with her, but in all actuality, she had done nothing wrong. She wanted him to believe her. She knew how stubborn he was. His anger and passion scared her.
" In less than 24 hours, you two have made the front page of a few magazines and Columns." His mother countered.
She picked up the items she was referring to and handed them to Bunny, who accepted. She looked down at the magazines. The wedding pictures from yesterday were already printed. She was surprised by the quick turnaround. They were beautiful pictures to any onlooker.
They looked like a beautiful, happy, wealthy couple. Bunny had to admit to herself, as she flipped through the magazine looking at the photos, she didn't recall posing for any them. She had been so out of it that day. She remembered his anger at her for being a complete failure.
"We must throw a party once we get back from our trip. Bunny, I just can't wait for you to see our little island home."
Rome's father spoke. "We should get going. We don't want to catch that storm. Do we?"