Chapter 29: Don’t Play Innocent

"Says the guy who comes home way past midnight drunk on most days…" I replied as I closed the door behind me. I heard the door click shut and automatically lock behind me.

I walked slowly into the dining room where Hayden was sitting at the dining table. I wondered what he wanted with me. I couldn’t wait to get away from him.

"What?" Hayden said in surprise at my retort.

"Nothing…" I mumbled, turning to walk away.

"Hmm…sit down," Hayden commanded, loud and clear.

I turned to look at Hayden again. He was dressed in all black today and I had to admit that he looked stunning. The black suit, shirt and tie worked well to bring out his blond hair and beautiful blue eyes. The next thing that I noticed was the abundant amount of food on the table, all seemed untouched.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

He was waiting to have dinner…with me?

Hesitantly, I sat down on the opposite side of the dining table. The food looks amazing and fancy; however, I had a feeling that I wasn’t going to enjoy this meal.

"Eat," Hayden commanded, his sharp eyes on me.

"Thank you…" I whispered.

I reached for the utensils on the table and began taking some food onto my plate. After watching me eat for a little while, Hayden started eating as well. We ate in silence with neither of us saying anything. I didn’t talk to him, and I was starting to feel thankful that he wasn’t talking to me.

However, having him so close and sitting right opposite to me made my mind think about him. I recalled when I first met him in the church where we were supposed to get married. I could see in my mind the scene from that day. Hayden was drunk and then his father hit him on the head, and he bled. I recalled the things he said…

"You look like you have something you want to say. Just spit it out," Hayden said, placing his fork and knife down while his eyes stared at me.

Now that he was asking, I might as well just ask him. It would be good to set the record straight between us.

"Umm…you don’t really want to marry me, right?" I asked.

"So what?" Hayden said, his eyes narrowing at me.

"I mean, at the church you did say that you didn’t want to marry me. Don’t get me wrong, I feel the exact same way…" I said a little hesitantly.

"Your point is?" Hayden asked, sounding very detached and uninterested.

"You said that the only one who would be your bride is Amelia…" I said, recounting his words.

Hayden stiffened in his seat at the mention of Amelia’s name. His eyes narrowed at me, and I could sense that I had angered him. It felt like the temperature in the room dropped several degrees, suddenly, I felt very cold.

"Don’t say her name. You have no right to say her name so casually," Hayden spat at me. He was clearly offended by what I said.

"I’m sorry…I didn’t mean to offend you…or her," I apologized. I guess, I said too much. After all, I don’t even know this Amelia woman.

"So? Why are you asking?" Hayden asked, his tone reverting to its emotionless state.

"Well, if you don’t intend to marry me anyways…then, after a month is over, you will set me free right?" I asked, hopefully.

"Is that what’s been worrying you?" Hayden asked, his eyes burning into mine.

"Well, yes," I replied.

"If you obey me well, I’ll set you free," Hayden said after a moment of thought. He picked up his utensils and continued with his meal.

"Really?" I said, my face lighting up with a smile. Soon, I’ll be out of here.

Hayden didn’t reply as he continued to toy with the food on his plate. I wondered if the food didn’t suit his taste. To me, everything tasted heavenly. Better than any food that I’ve ever tasted before.

"You seem very desperate to be free of me," Hayden said observantly.

"Of course. I know that you don’t want to be stuck with me either so…we should just go our separate ways…as soon as possible…" I said, seriously.

"I see. Well, enough talk about that. Now, tell me…" Hayden said, changing the topic.

"Tell you…what?" I asked, confused.

"Are you still going to play innocent?" Hayden asked, his eyes returned to focus on me.

"I…honestly have no idea what you’re talking about…" I said softly.

"Did you do something naughty? I’ll considering lessening your punishment if you confess…" Hayden said as he leaned closer to me over the table.

It’s not possible. Could it be that he knew that I was in his room? But he was asleep…no wait…

If Hayden was asleep all the time, then how did I end up on his bed?

Hayden…he…

"Why did you come into my room when I clearly told you not to?" Hayden asked, his eyes never leaving my face.

Shit. He knows…of course he knows…

"I…I was there to help you! I heard this loud crashing sound and since you were so drunk, I thought that I should check on you…" I tried to explain.

"I told you never to come into my room…" he repeated his rule. Clearly my appeal wasn’t getting to him at all.

"It was a semi-emergency, I guess. Who knows, you could have been badly hurt. When I went inside, the bookshelf that had fallen over almost fell on top of you…" I continued to explain. For once, I was sure that I was making sense. Safety should come first before any of his stupid rules…

"So, you were worried about me?" Hayden asked, his eyes and face void of any emotions.

This man is so cold, how could I think for a second that he would understand.

"…I guess I was…worried about you…" I mumbled while casting my eyes downwards.

Hayden looked at me as he seemed to be making up his mind about his next move. I prayed silently that he would just let this slide.

"Hayden…" I called out his name softly.

"Were you really worried about me?" Hayden asked, his eyes looking deep into mine.

"Of course, I was. I would have been worried for anyone in that situation…" I replied honestly.

Hayden sighed as he got up from his seat, slowly. I watched as he walked slowly to my side of the table until he was standing right next to where I was seated. I looked up at him and he down at me.

"What you said just now made a lot of sense," Hayden said and for once his eyes were gentle.

"Then…" I began, hopefully.

"…but rules are rules, Malissa," he whispered very close to my ear.

--To be continued…