Forbidden Touch

Chapter one

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"Addy!"

     A sudden call of my name brought me out of my daze. I look up slowly at my home tutor, Francis, her face full of fury.

"Yes?" I ask, unbothered by her tone of voice and looking away once again.

"Adelaide, you need to start paying attention if you ever want to go into a good college." Francis told me, before roughly grabbing my face and making me face her once again, causing me to sigh.

"I don't want to go to college, because I don't want to take over the family business." I snap, before laying my head down stubbornly. Francis only scowled at my actions.

"Hush child, out of my 14 years of teaching you, me and your family only know what's best for you. Besides, if you don't take it over, who will?" She remarks, before flicking me on the head.

I look up at her once again and roll my eyes. How dare they think they know what is best for me? Don't they care what I want?

"But I want to be an artist," I tell her, my mood dropping.

"Yes, bu-" before she could finish she was interrupted with someone walking into the room and clearing their throat.

"Francis, I'm afraid I'm going to have to call this lesson short today, I need Addy right away." I heard my mother say, her stern gaze resting on me.

I have never looked like my mother. The only thing I inherited from her was her hazel eyes. While she had golden, straight, short hair, I had wavy, chestnut brown hair like my father's. I refuse to get it cut, despite my mother practically begging me to. 

I turned my eyes away from my mother and shot them back to Francis, the plump woman slowly nodding. Taking as my cue to go, I sat up out of my chair and followed my mother as she turned around and walked out of the door.

"What is it, mother?" I was worried about the way she was acting. Normally, she's much more talkative. But now, she looked like she was in deep thought.

"Go to your room and look on your bed. There is a lavender sun dress resting on it. Put it on and look presentable in twenty minutes then come to the living room." My mother replied before walking away.

Confused, I hurried to my room, also known as my safe spot, and found the mentioned item. Slowly, I stripped out of my black flowy skirt and white loose shirt, Then hesitantly slipped on the silky dress. I looked into the mirror and decided to leave my hair to be let down naturally. Next I followed with a bit of mascara, knowing I would be scolded without it. My mother has always told me that 'mascara is makeup closest to natural beauty.' I smiled then shook my head at my reflection.

Making my way downstairs, I noticed my father seated on our white couch. Next to him sat my mother. But across from them sat a unknown man whom I have never seen, relaxing on our love seat. Hesitantly, I cleared my throat to let my presence be known.

All the gazes were then brought on me, making me suddenly self-conscious. Averting my gaze, I suddenly held interest with the hardwood floor. There was another moment of silence before my father decided to speak. 

"Hello my beautiful Addy, come take a seat with us and meet Darius." He said cheerfully, patting the vacant seat on the other side of him.

I found myself seated, still looking down at my hands. I hadn't dared to look at the unknown man yet, but I knew I'd have to soon.

"So this must be the Adelaide I've heard all about," Darius spoke. I watched as he held his hand out from the corner of my eye. I knew I'd have to look at him now.

Shyly, I forced myself to look up at the mans friendly, chocolate gaze. Then, I took his hand and gave it a slight shake, before removing it like I had touched fire. I could feel my parents disappointed looks on me.

"You're shy, I'm guessing?" Darius chuckled out. My parents faked a laugh along with him, unsure of what to do. I felt my cheeks heat up with the sudden attention. Darius suddenly stopped laughing.

"How old are you, anyways?"

Once again he caught me off guard, because I knew I would have to speak this time. Sweating nervously and mentally preparing myself, I took a deep breath.

"I'm-"

"She's nineteen." My mother cut me off, and I quietly thanked her in my head.

"How wonderful, my new bride is only a few years younger then-"

"Bride?" I asked, my sudden words surprising everyone, including myself.

"You didn't tell her the arrangements?!" My father harshly whispered to my mother, her face in a frown. I looked over at Darius, his expression unreadable as he stared at me. Tears from betrayal formed in my eyes. Not knowing what else to do, I jolted up and ran to my bedroom, locked the door, and threw myself on my bed. I hadn't realized that I fell asleep, the darkness soon taking over.

I awoke with quiet knocking on the door, causing me to groan. I had always been a light sleeper, so I usually wake up throughout the night.

I get off the bed, and slowly opened the door. I silently prayed it wasn't my mother until I saw the familiar set of red frizzy hair.

"Hello, Francis"

Francis held a worried gaze, but didn't speak a word. She pulled me close for a hug, and that's when I lost it. I cried into her arms, my self-control gone. She slowly pet my hair and whispered soft 'it's oks' into my ears.

"H-how could they do this? How can they just abandon me like this?! ." I sobbed, my cheeks stained with the salty tears.

"I know sweetie...and I wish I could help you, but..." she replied before she stopped speaking. We both knew that she would lose her job if she even dared speaking out. She has to hold her tongue, for her jobs sake.

"I came up here to tell you that dinner is ready, and your parents hope to see you." Francis also said before kissing me on the forehead and exiting the room.

I dragged my feet as I headed down the oh-so-familiar stairs, my heart racing a thousand miles. Suddenly I caught glimpse of my father at the dining room table. He looked stressed and tense, but softened once his oak brown eyes landed on me.

"Take a seat, Addy."

I did as I was told, and sat across from my mother whom hasn't spoken a single word. This truly is suspicious.

After a couple minutes of an uncomfortable silence, the maids came out with dishes and platters, setting them in front of our faces. My mouth drooled as I took in the scent of delicious chicken parmesan. Now I know something is definitely up if my favorite dinner is being served. I eyed my father with a glare as he took a sip of wine.

"Addy, we need to talk."

That's it! The first chapter is complete! I'll be updating shortly, so stay tuned. I'll try to get a cover soon, too.

WC: 1234