The Austin Arrangement novel Chapter 11

I was standing in front of my mirror looking at my reflection,grimacing at the bruising around my eye and the bridge of my nose.

This is what a night out resulted in,I wish I didn't bother now. It's going to take a lot of make up to cover up this mess.

To my surprise,Jeremy rode home in the taxi with me last night,I guess he felt guilty. When we got home I grabbed some frozen peas from the freezer and went straight to my room,I haven't heard from him since.

I know it was an accident,I'm not going to hold a Grudge over it. Although he really shouldn't have started that fight in the first place,the guy seriously has some anger issues.

A knock came to my bedroom door."Vanessa..Come out here,we need to talk."

Speak of the Devil!! I sighed,I guess I better face him now. I remember him telling me the day I moved into this house,that he would make me pay if I got in his way.

Seeing how sorry he seemed over something that was an accident,I had doubts that he would actually physically hurt a woman. Emotionally was a different story!!

I opened the door to my bedroom and smiled."Good Morning."

I walked ahead of him down the hallway towards the stairs.

Jeremy followed behind me,curious as to why I was so chirpy"Your eye,it looks bad. I had hoped it wouldn't look as bad as that."

"Wouldn't want you looking like an abusive Husband,Now would we."I looked back at him as he walked behind me."I'll cover it up when I'm going anywhere,you don't need to worry."

I walked towards the kitchen,where Alma was stood making breakfast.

Jeremy was still following behind me, dressed in casual shorts and t-shirt.

"It was an accident..You know I never actually meant to hurt you."

"Relax,It's fine.I'm not that type of Girl who makes a thing out of nothing."I walked towards the kitchen counter and poured a fresh coffee.

I noticed Alma's eyes on my bruised face.

"Dear,Your Face.."She extended her hand towards my face in concern.

"It's fine..I'm okay."I smiled,trying to lighten the situation. It was nice to have someone so concerned for my welfare,I've missed that this past year.

She didn't look like she believed me,but continued on with making our breakfast. Jeremy stood looking awkward and guilty,it was a look i hadn't seen on him up until last night.

Mostly I just see Anger and Hate.

The front door of the Mansion opened and slammed again."Jeremy..We need to talk..Jeremy."Tom's voice shouted through the halls.

"Jesus Christ!"Jeremy sighed,moving his fingers through his dark hair."Yeah,In the Kitchen."He shouted.

Tom walked into the kitchen and the first thing he did was walk towards me,lifted my face up and assessed the damage."Darling,Are you okay?"

"I'm fine,Honestly. It doesn't even hurt that much."Clearly that was a lie,I couldn't even touch my face without wincing.

He looked at his son."You have some explaining to do,My Boy.

Why in God's name did you hit that Gentleman in the middle of a busy nightclub?"

Jeremy folded his arms over his chest."He asked for it.

How did you find out about all of this anyway?"

"I was informed about an Online Video early this morning."Tom pulled his phone from his pocket,fiddled with it some before handing it over to Jeremy.

There was indeed a video and it definitely didn't go in Jeremy's favour.

He looked like a man out of control and the only taming of him was an elbow to my face.

Someone in the crowd obviously took the video and posted it online,making

Jeremy look terrible.

"Fuck!!"Jeremy shouted.

Tom glared at his son."I don't care what excuse you have for showing the Family up like this,this is unacceptable.

When are you going to grow up and act responsible?"He shouted.

Tension was High.Tom looked Furious and Jeremy looked like he couldn't listen to anymore.

I was standing in the middle of it all, the arranged wife with no business being here. Yes,What happened last night was over me but I think the arguing right now has more to do with their Father Son Relationship than anything else.

"What happened last night was just a misunderstanding,that other Guy didn't know that Jeremy and I were together and that's why things got a little heated.

I walked towards the island and sat down in front of my plate.

"Don't get smart with me,Vanessa."He walked my way and stood beside my stool,looking down at me.

"This isn't a game..This is my life we're talking about."

"This is my life too!!Like it or not we're stuck together for another eleven months so just grow up and get on with it."

He leaned in close,so close it wasn't the bacon on my plate I was smelling anymore it was his scent of Virginian Cedar and Sandalwood."Trust me,I'm counting the days."

"Why?"

He glared at me."Why what?"

"Why are you like this? You have everything you could possible want from life..

Family,A Business,A Home,Money..Why are you so full of hate?"

"I'm full of hate towards you!! You're here day in day out living in my home,married to me for money."

He moved out of my space."How the Fuck do you expect me to feel?"

I turned on my stool."I think this whole Bad Guy Act you've got going on is just a front."

He shook his head."Watch yourself,you're getting a little too brave talking to me like that.

I warned you not to mess with me,Vanessa."

"I'm not scared of you,Jeremy. Not anymore!!"

He's not going to hurt me..Maybe my emotions but not actually physically hurt me.

He looked livid as he walked my way,he stood in front of me as I sat on the high stool."You're not scared of me,well that's a mistake.

You should be scared..You don't know what I'm capable of."

"Who knows the real Jeremy Austin?"