Tainted

16

~Poppy~

I woke up in one of those hazy confused states where you don't know the day or your name or what planet you're on. I remember being in the car. The vibrations and Sebastian's hand in mine making me feel so warm and comfortable I was getting tired. I'm not in a car right now. No. I'm warm, compressed, laying down. It's possible the most comfortable bed I've ever slept in in my entire life.

I sit up slowly, looking around the mainly dark red room. Afternoon sunlight pours through a huge window at the bottom of the bed. A set of burgundy velvet chairs sit in the middle of the space around a coffee table. It looks seriously outdated. Cute. Don't get me wrong. But it looks like something from the 1800s in a protected house used as a museum so they can't change anything. But judging that I'm in here still fully dressed apart from my heels, I guess that's not the case.

I find my phone laid on the pillow beside me, Sebastian's name across the front with a notification.

Sebastian- Hey sleepy head. Text me when you're up and I'll come show you around.

I'm almost sure this is all some fever dream. The fear and apprehension I had about this marriage seems to have melted away and I wasn't sure it was such a good thing but I was trying not to worry about it right now. If this time was all I get to be happy for my whole life, I do not want to ruin it before he does. I intend on enjoying it as much as I can. Starting this life on the best foot forward because honestly, having a happy marriage with Sebastian would be the easiest option. Easier than running. Easier than planning a way out.

Poppy- Am I in a museum?

Sebastian- What? No. I'm coming up.

I opened my camera, checking myself in it and swiping mascara and creased concealer from under my eyes. He knocked but didn't open it and I stared at the door. He knocked again.

"Pip?"

"Yeah?"

"Can I come in?" I stared. Did he just ask if he could come into a room of his own house? Knocking was one thing but waiting for me to agree that he could come in...

"Um. Yeah." He pushed it open slowly, walking into the room. He'd changed and I swear, if I wasn't sat in bed, I'd have collapsed to the floor. Those aren't suit pants. He's not wearing a shirt. It's a polo. One that hugs his giant biceps way too well. Maybe he bought the wrong size and doesn't want to return it. He's paired that with smart looking pants that aren't suit pants. Not jeans. Chinos? Maybe? I don't know. Jesus Christ. I'm married to him. He smirks like he's reading my mind.

"How was your nap?"

"Oh. Good. Yeah. Sorry. I must have passed out."

"Don't apologize Pip." He came around slowly. "Want to go for a walk into town? Grab some dinner?" My stomach growled as if it hadn't eaten- yeah probably growling like that because I haven't eaten today. Sebastian bent his knees at the side of the bed. "You're hungry."

"I didn't eat this morning." He raised an eyebrow. "I was going to and then my dad came down and I had to make him something and I couldn't eat until he was done and he was taking his time then I went upstairs and you got there." He nodded, pulling the blanket back, easing my feet over the edge of the bed, and putting my shoes back on. "I can-"

"I've got it." He can't look this good and treat me this good. It's not fair.

He pointed out his room, across the hall from mine, showed me the lock on my bedroom door and took me to the kitchen where he grabbed me a snack to eat as we walked to town, leaving through the back door of the 4-bed cottage, through a beautiful, but overgrown garden filled with flowers I wanted to stare at forever.

"It needs a renovation."

"What does?" He pulled the gate open, waiting for me before closing it again pointing down the dirt road. With a giant field on one side, it looked like we were in the middle of nowhere. I love this house.

"The house. I only bought it last week."

"Last week?" I choked, making Sebastian laugh at me.

"Yes Pip. I sent Someone up here to check it out Monday evening, bought it Tuesday, had the mattresses replaced, the place cleaned. I wanted to see it before you started making plans for it."

"Sorry what?" He took the empty wrapper from me, tucking it into his pocket and grabbing my hand as he continued walking. "You want me to- It's-"

"If you say it's mine Pip I might have to get you to read the marriage certificate again. It's ours baby. All of them are. I want you to do what you want with them. Tear down walls, have extensions built, demolish them, and start over. Sell it and tell me you want somewhere else. I don't care. These houses are where we will be living Pip. You and me and if we have kids, we'll be raising them here and in Golbury and France and wherever else you decide you want property. I want you to look around when you get here and love it."

"But you need to like it too." He tugged me closed. "What if we have different-"

"I couldn't care less Pip. If you want to paint every room neon green because it makes you happy, go ahead."

"Green? Ew. No." He smiled. "Maybe polka dot."

"Sure, why not?"

"Or that cartoon style where everything is outlined in black so it looks like it's in a comic book."

"If that's what you want." He nodded, obviously thinking I was crazy and I was kind of tempted to do one room like that just to push him and see if he was lying or not. But I also didn't want to waste money on it if he was going to get me to redo all of these houses. That's a lot of work. And a wedding? I'm going to be busy.

He pulled me into a bookstore and dropped my hand.

"Go wild." I raised an eyebrow, tipping my head back and looking around the store. 2 floors and it's decorated with the most homely, old bookstore feel I instantly feel giddy. "Get whatever you want, however many."

"That's a dangerous thing to say to a book worm."

"Darling you've got 5 libraries to fill. What's dangerous is not giving you everything you want." I put the book I had in my hand down and turned to him, taking one step forward. "What?"

"You're giving me too much Sebastian. The houses, the rings, telling me to get what- I can't." He wrapped an arm around my waist, tipping my head up to face him.

"Whose wife are you?"

"Yours."

"Mhm. What's our surname angel?"

"Di Leo." He nods, like it's an accomplishment that I know my new surname that easily.

"Do you know what that means? For you?"

"Trouble." A quick smile as he ran his thumb over my bottom lip.

"Yes, but it also means you get whatever you want, whenever you want it. Money isn't an object. You don't need to hold back. I want you to spend the money I've made. I want to see it going to something that makes what I do worth it. I want to come home after a long day and see you in something pretty that makes you feel good, that makes other women wish they were you and other men wish they had you. I want to know you have everything your heart desires. Having too much money is a serious problem Pip. Help me spend it." He smiled like it was a joke. "Buy the whole damn store if you want it."

"What? No. It's not for sale."

"Everyone has their price." He shrugged. "Just get yourself the books Pip. Put them on your shiny new card and tell me all about them when you read them."

"Anything?"

"Anything."

"What if there's a book for 10,000?"

"Only?" He rolled his eyes, leaning down to my ear and kissing it quickly. "Shop angel. Let me spoil you forever."