After we were in the car driving away from the safety of my family, my body began to blaze with heat—fear. Big girl panties, big girl panties, big girl panties. I kept reminding myself. I sat a little taller, bracing myself for what was to come, and boy was I shocked.
“So, we’re going out to one of my favourite restaurants, which is near my work tonight,” his tone seemed genuine enough, but his eyes read something else, so my guard stayed up. I nodded. He pulled me closer to him, and forcefully grabbed my chin, moving my face to where he wanted it and he held me there. I didn’t try and contest him since fighting him would only cause him to become brutal toward me. “Look at me, Abby.” My chest vibrated and not in a pleasant way. It was like he suffered from some kind of illness. One minute nice and the next aggressive. Perhaps split personality? I met his heartless eyes. If there could be black eyes for hateful people, his would be pitch black. He had no heart.
“Thank you for doing this.” I tried to simmer the tension that seemed to be wrapped around us in the car.
“I love you. You know that, and I only want the best for you.” He smiled at me, the smile even touched his eyes. He leant into me, claiming my lips. My heart didn’t ignite like it did when Blake’s lips connected with mine. There was no feeling in it, from me anyway. Jacob didn’t hold back, his tongue invaded my mouth and it tasted like bourbon of some sort. It was foul. I gave him the response he wanted, but I felt nothing for this man in front of me.
Soon he released my face, and I felt the scorching burn of his touch on my skin but not in a good way. His hands begun to wander over my body, sliding along the material to my knee, and then slowly rising up my leg. No, I don’t want this, I'm screaming at myself. My inner battle was raging in a fight against itself.
His wandering hand kept climbing and was on my inner thigh just as the car came to a halt outside a beautiful looking restaurant. Jacob released my leg and I released a small sigh of relief. He met my eyes.
“Until after dinner my sweet,” he said as he placed a bee sting of a kiss on my cheek. His words held so much promise. My stomach dropped right to the centre of the earth, that was how much I was dreading putting myself in that position with him. The mere thought of being intimate with him made me feel sick. I was sure he took pleasure in seeing the fear in my eyes, which I know was there almost every time I was near him.
He climbed out of the limo and took my hand, escorting me out. I quickly released it once I was out only to get the glare of death from him, so I pretended that I needed to straighten my dress. The restaurant had a large window front. It was a fancy place. The tables were set with beautiful flower centrepieces, large crystal glasses placed precisely on the cream tablecloths. Waiters were dressed in their black and white uniforms. It wasn’t a place I would normally go because it was too uppity for my liking. He really had gone all out.
Taking my hand in his once again gripping it tightly, he led me through the doors and gave the hostess our booking information. He also gave her a bright smile and we followed the waitress through the restaurant to the far corner where there was a small, cosy booth set beautifully with candles and rose petals sprinkled over the table. None of the other tables were set like this. He’d obviously arranged this especially for us.
“Wow, this is beautiful,” I breathed. He leant over and placed a small kiss on my cheek.
“Anything for you,” he whispered into my ear, his breath tickling my neck. I broke out in goose bumps but not the tingly kind, no, the kind that remind you how totally creeped out you are.
We took our seats. I looked into my bag and noticed I’d left my phone at home.
Oh crap, Blake! He was bound to be going crazy and I couldn’t even let him know that I was okay. Panic rose within me. Unknown to Jacob, there was a battle going on inside me as he handed me a glass of pink wine. One drink wouldn’t be enough to calm my nerves. As I was about to take a sip, Jacob stopped me.
“A toast,” he raised his glass, “to us.”
“To us,” I forced a smile on my face as we clinked glasses. I took a sip and as I was looking into the glass, I saw something that made my blood run cold.
A ring!
Not just any ring, but a huge solitaire diamond ring with a gold band. I began coughing everywhere, unable to stop choking on my drink. I actually spat some of my drink over the table which caused Jacob to jump back. While I continued my coughing fit, Jacob grabbed my glass and tipped the wine into his, clutching the ring. He slid out of the booth and took my hand in his.
NO, NO, NO!
I kept screaming my answer in my head. I couldn’t do this. If I had the guts, I’d run, but with him blocking my way it was a little hard.
“Abby White, will you do me the pleasure of becoming my wife?” he beamed at me anxiously awaiting my answer.
I was speechless. My brain didn’t seem to want to form words. The rest of the restaurant was watching and waiting for my reply. I bet that was why he’d planned to do this in a public place so I couldn’t say no and risk embarrassing him. He knew I wouldn’t do that in front of everyone.
Since my tongue seemed to weigh a ton right now, I forced myself to nod. Everyone around us applauded and Jacob slid the beauty of a diamond on my finger. This explained a lot about tonight, with the surprise and everything. He stood up placing a hard kiss on my lips.
Right now, I wanted nothing more than to scream. I think I’d just dug my grave a little deeper. What’s the saying once you make your bed you sleep in it, or something like that, and I just made mine with the devil.
What am I doing? Why did I just agree to marry the devil in human form?
“Good answer,” he chillingly whispered into my ear. I dreaded my future, especially with this man.
I just hoped Blake could help me. Please.
We sat back down and our meals were delivered to the table though I didn’t recall ordering anything.
“These are complimentary meals from our chef as a congratulations,” smiled the hostess. “Congratulations on your engagement.”
Engagement? What have I done?
We ate our meals in a stale silence. Jacob was not one for conversation at the best of times, but these days, except when he was trying to get the upper hand on me, he stayed silent. Dinner tasted like rubber and it was even harder to swallow, feeling like it was stuck in my throat and wouldn’t go any further. Not even the wine made it easier to swallow.
“Are you happy?” Jacob asked out of the blue. He had placed his fork down and was staring at me intently, his eyes hooded. Looking at him, at that moment, I noticed the changes in his appearance. Where his eyes were once a bright green like a dewy meadow, now they were stale green like dead seaweed scattered across a rocky beach. He was a very handsome man and I could see exactly what made me fall for him. He had the perfect muscular build. I loved his hugs when we first started dating. I lived and craved them, being near him and smelling his sweet scent.
What happened to him? What happened to the man I first loved?
I paused for a moment, making out that I was still trying to swallow my food. I gave him the answer he wanted to hear…again. “Yes, Jacob, very happy.” I was on autopilot and my body unwillingly agreed with him right away because I didn’t want to make a scene.
“Good, I only want for you to be happy. I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you lately.”
Can someone slap me, please? He did not just say that.
He continued to speak, “There have been lots of issues with work and then family problems. I am truly sorry.” If I’d been standing, I would’ve fallen over at the sincerity of his words. I won’t let him fool me again, though.