Caged

Part 3- The Married Life

Arabelle took a deep breath and looked up into the eyes of he who offered his assistance.

The sun blinded her, and all she was able to get a glance at was the outline of his defined face.

It wasn't until he'd taken a minuscule step the to right that she was able to get a good look at him.

Hair hung in wisps around his face. His hair was considerably longer than his father's. Where the president had his hair carefully cut so that he looked professional, his son allowed his hair to grow until it almost reached his shoulders, cutting only the parts framing his face to keep them from getting in his eyes.

"Are you alright?" he asked her when she hadn't made any movement to get out of the car.

Gathering her thoughts, she took his hand and stepped out, peering at him every once in a while to get a better look at his face.

His hair was messy and an even shade of dishwater blonde, a stark difference from his father. However, they had the same blue eyes, almost a perfect matching pair.

"It's nice to meet you," he said to her as he led her up the stairs towards the house. "My name is Micheal. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance Ms. Steam."

She smiled, thankful that he called her by her given name and not the name she would be forced to take. Once at the door, he reached out and opened the door for his companion, frightening the attendant behind it.

"Sir!" she exclaimed, not wanting to be seen as though she were slacking off. "Please! Allow me!" The young girl fumbled for the handle, but he did not relinquish it to her. Instead, he waved her away and told her to get something warm to eat.

Arabelle wondered if the man before her was as sinister as his father, but she shook her head and assured herself that he was still connected to the group of people who caused the deaths of many talented, strong women.

She tried to release her hand from his grasp, but everytime he felt her try to move away, he tightened his grip around her tiny hand.

"I'm sure this is all very confusing," he said out of nowhere. "When I can, I'll make you understand."

His words didn't make any sense, but rather than argue with him, Arabelle merely allowed him to show her around the house.

As they went through the many halls and stairways, he pointed out each room as though he were a tour guide rather than a resident. "And this will be your room," he told her, casting his eyes down to the floor. "My father said you must've found the green and blue tones relaxing, so I had it redone while I awaited your arrival."

All Arabelle could do was gasp as she slowly stepped into her new room. Unlike the eggplant purple of her old room. The room before her was just like the one in the capital building, only even more grand and colorful.  Rather than have an elaborate headboard and spiraling posts like many other beds did, there was a flowing canopy surrounding it, giving it the feel of resting at the bottom of a gorgeous ocean.

"You did this for me?" She asked him, barely able to believe it to be true. He nodded and pointed out the closet as well as the bathroom. "Come now," he finally said, "It's almost dinner time."

Arabelle felt her mind and her heart fighting each other as she peered at the man leading her towards the dining room. Connected to so many bad people, yet seemingly a kind person himself. She tossed around the idea that he only sought out to trick her into thinking he was harmless, then attack her in her sleep.