Chapter XI
I woke up to a heaviness pulling me under.
The nightmares were so frequent that I could no longer even blame them. Today my entire body ached even though I was basically all healed through, save for the infrequent throbbing in my ribs.
I had no appetite, no will to try anything today. If I could remain in bed all day, that would be great.
Usually I'd think of my scheme and eventual escape to get me through the day but today just felt...bleak. I didn't even think I could bring myself to try my usual manipulation and put up with Arien's annoyingness.
It just felt like nothing would ever be better.
When I thought about it, things had already been going pretty shittily in my life for a while now but I just never spent too much time dwelling on that fact. I always just kind of figured that things would eventually look up.
Boy oh boy how wrong was I.
And then all this happened. And now it felt like they definitely weren't getting better. Not ever.
Arien caught me lost in my thoughts after I wandered from the kitchen. I'd forced myself from the room but couldn't muster an appetite.
"Morning Soleil, what's the plan for the day?"
Be miserable.
I took a second getting caught in his easy smile.
Arien's face was easy to look at, he was objectively handsome, his features were strong and skin perfect, hair the perfect shade of dusty blonde. He was effortlessly handsome to look at...but it was more than that - he had this lightness. Like happiness was something he was accustomed to.
I chewed my cuticle, "What are you doing today?"
Looking taken aback, he blurted, "Haven't really decided," then cautiously, "maybe we could do something you like to do for fun?"
"For fun?"
An easy laugh this time, "Yeah, like what did you usually do to unwind or have a good time before?"
I paused, nonplussed for a second. This shouldn't be a hard question.
Then quietly, "I -I don't really know. Was just really busy with work I guess..." more gnawing on my cuticle.
How pathetic? I hadn't even really had things I'd do for fun. What a non-life I'd been leading.
I didn't really want to look Arien's way but when I did, his face softened.
"Maybe we can try something I like?"
I paused unsurely for a while. Maybe this would help. Cosplaying what happy people did with their free time could rub off on me...right? It could fix things a little.
"Okay."
We started off in the library. I only ever really read for knowledge, non-fiction when I needed to know something, the last time I'd read something fantastical had been when I was a child. Who even had time to read 1000 page novels?
But the other harder truth was...it also kind of hurt. Reading about lives I wished I'd had. Reading about all the magic and excitement and happily ever after. How did people stomach it?
Arien chose a book for me - one about knights and adventures and a strong heroine. It wasn't bad but I just didn't know if reading was really my thing.
I glanced his way. Arien was completely absorbed in his book as he sprawled out across the couch. It was easy to catch him relaxed, his limbs just draped and he lost himself in a book. I didn't fully understand it.
Catching my stare, he straightened and shut his book deftly, "Next activity?"
I nodded, following his swift walk out.
"Time for a sunshine filled walk in the garden!" He grinned my way.
I tried to form one back, probably more of a grimace. Arien was so excited by this whole thing. Again, I didn't quite get it.
We spent the rest of the afternoon in the garden and it wasn't...bad.
Apparently, doing nothing and just walking around looking at flowers and shit was considered a fun activity. The weather was perfect and Arien even arranged some snacks and lemonade halfway through. The quiet, sunny stroll was bright and better than the library.
Then Arien said I could head back to the room and be ready for dinner by 7pm - the final 'fun' activity.
I entered to find a box at the foot of the bed. That definitely wasn't there when I left in the morning.
Slowly lifting the top, my breath caught.
A dress.
A beautiful one. The fabric was cool to the touch, a tad heavy, expensive and rich in colour.
It was a tad darker than sage green and made of a silky tulle with long sleeves, boasting delicately embroidered flowers.
They were tastefully attached and sparse enough to not be overwhelming.
The bodice was fitted, flaring gently at the waist, and I just knew that it would drape beautifully.
I'd never touched anything like it. I bit my lip, trying to figure what the tightening in my chest was.
This was too much, I'd never have chosen something like it for myself.
Then a spark of something akin to excitement - I couldn't wait to feel it on my skin. I ran my hands over it, wasting time, drinking in how beautiful this creation was.
Holding my breath, I hoped it would fit as I quickly showered and readied to try it on.
Once through cleaning myself up, I hurried to step into the dress and strode to the mirror.
My reflection stared back. The dress fit and I looked...good. A better version of myself.
After staring at myself for sometime and trying to talk myself into walking out of this room, I eventually headed to the door. It would be weird, strangely vulnerable allowing Arien to see me like this.
I took a steeling breath in as I walked to the dining room. Or more like floated, this dress made me feel ethereal. I tried to contain my grin, who knew fancy clothes could make a girl feel like this.
Arien was already there when I walked in, rising from his seat.
Trying to cut the awkwardness, I muttered, "I look ridiculous."
I tried to look anywhere but his way.
"You look beautiful." The words came too easily to him.
My face flushed and I hurried to my seat in response.
Arien laughed and fluidly moved into his.
"Did you choose this dress?"
"Yeah, I did." A pause, "Do you like it?"
Softly, "I do. Thank you."
"It's my pleasure." He smiled my way.
I just uncomfortably squirmed in my seat.
Constance came in soon after with soup as a starter and served drinks.
"Would you like some Merlot or something else to drink?"
"No, wine is fine, thank you Constance."
Wine would help make me less uncomfortable.
Once we were alone again, Arien continued, "So how'd you like the day?"
I took a long drink before answering. "It was good. Not what I expected."
He was still looking intently my way, "But did you enjoy it?"
I took a second to think. The library was fine, time in the garden better than I expected, and dinner would be good I was sure - but I just wasn't that food motivated.
He tried again, "What was your favourite?"
The quiet walk in the sun felt good.
Putting on the dress felt good.
But I didn't want him to think that I wanted things from him, so I quickly answered, "The garden."
Trying to offer more after all he'd done today, "I liked the stillness, having a walk without going anywhere...Before I was always busy, always rushing."
"Sounds like your job was very demanding."
I sipped on my Merlot more, "Yeah."
Suddenly curious, "What about your job? What do you?"
Now he smiled, looking pleased.
"Why do you look like that?"
"It's just you haven't asked me any personal questions until now."
I flushed, "Well I'm just curious. Obviously you guys have money and you must have done something to get it..."
"Fair enough. S?ren mainly manages the overall business but we own a few properties, small businesses and that's how we make our income."
That felt too simple. Too honest for people who behaved like killers. EspeciallyS?ren . But today wasn't my get angry day so I finished my soup and glass of wine. Reaching for the bottle.
Arien raised a brow.
"What? I like wine." I only just decided.
I grinned, standing and walking over to his end of the table. He straightened, looking confused at my actions.
I topped his glass up. "I should say thank you for planning this day."
He swallowed.
"No, you don't need to."
I tilted my head. The nice guy act continued.
But that's fine, I could pretend it was real tonight.
The man had after all put in a lot of effort on my behalf, and regardless of his ultimate reasoning, that wasn't lost on me.
There were so few moments of people ever spoiling me like this so I couldn't help the way it affected me, I couldn't help but be grateful.
"I still don't like you. But it was nice of you. So thank you Arien." And I meant every word. Genuinely.
Then I was back in my seat, feeling lighter than I had this morning. I guess I really did have Arien to thank for that. The fantasy of the day was nice. So much nicer than I'd realised. So much nicer than most days I woke up to.
The rest of dinner passed pleasantly, even laughing at a dumb joke of Arien's.
Like I said - lighter.
S?ren hadn't missed the sudden chumminess of Arien and the girl.
He stared at them strolling around the garden under the pretense that she'd suddenly started liking his brother.
Which made him he want to throw her out the premises. Violently. Arien was also just so naive at times and especially when it came to her, it was truly frustrating.
She was pretending, lying again, and he just knew it. And he desperately needed to know her end game.
S?renwas once more scheming about how to go about wringing the truth out of her, he needed to figure out what secrets she was hiding.
Things just weren't adding up.
She knew nothing about mates - that had to be alie if he ever heard one.
She didn't heal as she should - that one botheredS?ren more than he could understand.
And she still hadn't let her wolf out to run- and didn't seem to need to.
A call came through, dissipating his thoughts.
"Speak."
"This is Dr Thule, I'm calling to re-confirm the final check up for Ms Soleil tomorrow at 11am."
He confirmed that to be in order before clicking off the call with no goodbyes.
A new thought filtered through his deliberation.
Yes, the doctor could help get him the answers he desperately need.
With the plan quickly forming,S?rencalled Dr Thule back, explaining what needed to be done tomorrow. There was no arguing back on the doctors side, how could there be - he controlled the man.
Now satisfied, he tried to think of a distraction for Arien tomorrow while he carried this out. No need getting him involved before he had answers, he'd only make it all harder then it needed to be.
Good luck little liar, tomorrow all would come to light. Finally.