"Wh… what are you doing here?" Astrid asked her hands moving toward her nightstand as she tried to turn the light on.
But he caught her hands now pinning it against the headboard. Leaning his face closer to that of her he tries to admire the girl before him.
The light might not be bright but he could still see her face, "I still can't help but understand how you could mess up two lives and act innocent,"
"I… I never meant to do so," Astrid whispered her voice barely audible.
"Listen to Mattie or the next time we encounter you won't like the situation you fall into.
He let go of Astrid's hands, her heart racing faster as she tried to stand up and he touched her tight with a smirk.
Astrid felt the weird feeling creep up her heart, "Don't get on my nerves, sleep just like he thinks you are doing." He walked out of the room immediately.
She picked up her glasses and wore them. She still couldn't tell his face but that voice she had mastered.
Her heart racing she clutches the pillow closer to herself, tears almost rolling out.
She was getting tired. Her previous life was better than this. She shouldn't have accepted the marriage, she should have been careful when going into the hall.
It's been hours and Astrid still sits on the bed pillow clutched to her heart, it shows on her face that she is frightened.
The thought that this man now lives in the same mansion as her wasn't helping a bit.
"How can she save herself from him?" the feeling that he could do more crazy things has been on her mind.
The door opened and Julian walked inside with three boxes. He noticed how calm and lost Astrid was staring into space.
He had knocked several times but he didn't get a response because he had come into the room not caring about the rules.
"Hey..." he called out, but she didn't respond. He tapped her gently, and finally, she flinched, acknowledging his presence.
"Hey... what's wrong?!" he asked, concern etched on his face. "I have been calling your name for ages."
Astrid hesitated, "Oh, I am sorry. I didn't notice you coming in."
She yearned to move closer to him, to embrace him and find comfort in his arms. But she dared not. He was the reason her life was spiraling out of control.
"Nothing..." she whispered, seeing the scrutinizing look he gave her. She tried to brush off her emotions, but her voice betrayed her, trembling slightly.
He raised an eyebrow, sensing something was amiss, but Astrid quickly looked away, hiding her true feelings.
"You sure?" she nodded her head and then he sighed.
"This is the dress for the party tonight," he glanced up at her.
"You were not supposed to be my wife but now I have no choice… it might be a birthday party for you, but I am trying to get someone there so that you don't mess it up."
"If possible, stay quiet forever.." Astrid already had deep thoughts in her as she still didn't get the chills she felt at Stephan being here.
"Good, the party begins at 7 pm, be ready in an hour," he said and walked out of the room.
Astrid forced herself down to the door, locking it from inside. She still has a shitty trust in the security of this house.
She tries to grasp her breath, she needs to get ready for the party if she doesn't want to get on Julian's bad side.
He has been acting nice to her the whole day. She wouldn't want him to suddenly switch up with her. She quickly went to the bathroom to do her business.
When she was done, she opened the boxes to find a beautiful gown inside.
The fear of her body made her have doubts, wondering how her figure would look in them.
Having no other choice, she put on the gown, her uncertainty increasing by the second as she adjusted it.
When she finished, she checked her reflection in the mirror and was stunned by the beauty staring back at her.
"Wow..." she whispered, still admiring herself.
"How?"
Now she thought about it, Julian did have his ways of getting dresses in her size. She also recalled when they had gone shopping together, and how every outfit he picked out was her size.
She smiled as she twirled in front of the mirror, feeling like a princess.
The gown hugged her curves perfectly, accentuating her beauty.
She couldn't believe how well it fit, and how stunning she looked. Julian's thoughtfulness and attention to detail had paid off, making her feel confident and beautiful.
It was like the dress was made for her, recalling he had given her an hour to get ready.
She quickly sat in front of the dressing mirror, packing her hair in her usual ponytail.
She did some touch-ups on her face and smiled like this, she opened the remaining box to find out they were jewelry.
"This is damn expensive," she thought and quickly dropped it. She would rather stay with the boy she has, she thought.
The next box was a sandal, like a very beautiful flat sandal. "How could she hate Julian, he had just stayed with her for a few days and already knows her."
She checked her reflection in the mirror again and then headed down to the living room.
Julian, who wasn't expecting her to be dressed so quickly, was so shocked to see her.
He was used to being delayed so he would notify Mattie to get ready a few hours before they leave for any party.
He was struck by Astrid's beauty as she walked down. He had made Maren find a dress that would fit her knowing she was very good at this.
But the admiration disappeared from his face when he noticed how bare her neck was, "Didn't you get the jewelry?"
Astrid let out a small smile and then stretched it back to him.
"It's too expensive," she let out, Julian rolled his eyes and retrieved it from her.
"Thanks for.." her words were left hanging when he turned her back to face him.
He wore the necklace around her neck, she was too shocked to speak and could on swallow hard.
Then she noticed how his hands traced the necklace, as she leaned closer to her.
"Make sure you wear or use every damn thing I get for you," he let out whispering behind her ear and this made her body go stiff.
"Julian.." Mattie called and he quickly shifted back from Astrid who held her breath the whole time.
Astrid watched as Mattie descended the stairs, her slender body gliding effortlessly down the steps.
The blue gown she wore hugged her curves in all the right places, bringing out her tiny waist and delicate shoulders.
Astrid felt a pang of envy, her body insecurities rising to the surface.
She couldn't help but compare herself to Mattie, feeling like she fell short. Mattie's beauty was effortless, her confidence radiating from within.
As Mattie reached the bottom of the stairs, Astrid felt a sense of admiration wash over her.
"Why are you dressed up?" Julian asked.
"Common Stephan got an invitation also so I went with him." At the mention of Stephan, Astrid felt her whole world crumbling.
"A good evening to you all," Stephan's voice echoed from stares and Astrid felt her heart thumping hard as he strides down the stairs.