The Storm Without Calm

The small piece of paper was her fate. It was strange to think that all of her life's hopes and dreams depended on this paper. She could only stare at their signatures listlessly when the deed was done. Her heart sighed in relief because now she wouldn't have to go back to that jail of a castle.

Even though signing the marriage certificate wasn't dramatic or heart filled as she imagined, it was still everything her future wished for.

To be the wife of a CEO and former caveman, she never thought it possible as Prisana believed it would always be with a man that she loved. After ugly truths shed to light, she found him and now that their lives were intertwined, it was the beginning of their tragic yet beautiful love story.

Tragic because he could never love her and she would keep her heart guarded until the very end of this contract. It was simple. All she had to do was not fall in love with him and leave him as soon as she entered college and found a place to stay. Then she could divorce him and toss him away like he said.

Underneath, it was beautiful because some part of her believed that he cared for her enough to give her so much. It confused her greatly as he has gone beyond what a beast should be capable of. But she shouldn't be fooled. She could trust his devotion but she couldn't trust undying vows of forever.

He wouldn't give her forever and only temporary solace.

Prisana regarded his large frame warily from the side, her heart lurching for she knew she had to become a cold and calculating wife yet loving as a front. Dane found that exact moment to turn and leveled his gaze to hers.

She sucked in her breath because every resolve she had would always disappear when she looked at him and the way he looked at her always made her believe that there was something deep inside of him that yearned for that forever.

"What is it?" he tenderly asked, searching her eyes.

"We're married. I always thought it would be something joyous and heart filled but it's not. It's sad that I'm using you and that in the end, we are still going into this knowing we will break our promise to god."

"God," he scathed that very name. "Do you believe in god?"

"That's debatable. I've been brought up by his teachings so there was no other option but for me to believe in him. But yes, I believe in him even when there are times I question my faith."

"If there was a god..." he sadly trailed off and Prisana thought that would be the end of it as the car ride was encased in silence until they reached 'their' home.

By now, there were droplets of rain slowly coming down. It was supposed to be joyous in that she wouldn't find herself trapped inside Giovanni's schemes but she knew what she signed up for when coming into another loveless marriage. She was signing up for more heartbreak that she felt he was worth.

It wasn't hurt from him that she was afraid of because she was prepared for it like she was prepared for Giovanni's lies even before marriage. Prisana was afraid of loving him because if she did love him then she couldn't be cold and calculating enough to leave him when the time came.

As soon as Cleo parked, she opened the door herself and stood on her own two feet. This time, he didn't try to open the door for her or pick her up.

"It's raining," she said, rushing along into the house.

He wordlessly followed after her. Their footsteps clashed against the wet stone pavement and echoed throughout the vicinity. She slipped off her shoes and turned back to look at him before going inside but he was far away. His back remained turned from her as she called out to him.

"What are you doing? Aren't you coming in?"

"No."

"Dane! You're getting drenched," she said, walking over to him so that she could tug onto his arm. "Come inside."

"Go away," he growled and to this, she jumped a little as she hadn't heard the beast bare his fangs for so long. "Let me be alone for a while."

Prisana wouldn't budge. She walked over so she could get a good look at him but he nudged her aside lightly.

"I said, go away," he growled louder this time and she accidentally lost her balance as he nudged her.

Prisana fell onto the ground and the sound was met with concern as the beast reached out for her. She scooted back and gasped as she found that hideous bulging scar at his eye come fading into view with each trickle of water that washed it away. Dane tried to cover his face but it was already too late as she saw his scar she thought he might have surgically removed.

It was undeniably that scar she saw the first time she met him. Like that night, the skies were dark and pouring down heavily. The only difference was that the beast looked so much more afraid and vulnerable than how she remembered him.