┏━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┓ Fiancé ┗━━━✦❘༻༺❘✦━━━┛ : Fiancé (Ava's POV) When we got to the store our mothers were at, they told us they'll be taking a long time, so they said Rhys should drop me home. We looked at each other hesitantly while walking out of the store. "You don't have to drive me home, I have plans," I lied. I have no plans, but being around him alone for even just a second longer feels impossible. I know he saw the picture in the book. God, why didn't I just burn it ages ago? I should have, we weren't allowed to be together anyway, for several reasons. Well, first off, he was older than me, but that's not the reason. Age isn't such a big deal here, but we weren't going against Kilthorne law, to begin with. It's not illegal as long as there's no sexual activity and we didn't do anything until I was eighteen. We were even scared to kiss at first, Jesus. On top of that, he would be crowned at twenty-one. Which meant more responsibilities and already, talk of marriage. He didn't tell me anything at all, actually, but that's what I figured out on my own just by watching him and his family. "What plans?" "You don't need to know." "But I should, as your fiancé." Oh, okay, we're pulling out that card. "In that case, there's a lot I should know about you as your fiancé, don't you think?" I lifted a brow. He stared at me, his jaw ticking with each second that passed. "Get in the car and I'll drop you off." "I can go on my own," I argued. He stepped forward and I retreated, stepping off the sidewalk, my back hitting the car. "I said get in the car," he said, his voice low and threatening, how it always is with me. I thought of the first place that came to mind where I could show up unannounced without getting in trouble. I know Victoria has plans today, she's helping her mom out at the gallery. "The dance studio," I blurted out. "That's where I'm going." He nodded softly. "Fine. Get in the car, let's go." "Why do you have to-" He grabbed my waist, jerking me forward. My words got caught in my throat while I blinked numerous times, staring at him, frozen. He unlocked the car and opened the door before letting me go. "Get in." I huffed, shooting him a look of disbelief before sitting in the car. He slammed the door shut and then got into the driver's seat, heading straight for the studio. I turned to look at him while he stared ahead at the road. I don't understand him anymore. I'm so lost on what even happened between us that led to us falling apart, he won't tell me either, but since then he hasn't stopped behaving like this overbearing, possessive… I can't say boyfriend but yeah, boyfriend. He acts like this jealous, possessive boyfriend who can't stand it if his girlfriend does something without telling him. And that doesn't surprise me because he would get jealous very easily but was never so controlling. I sighed, looking away from him and out the window. I guess I'm teaching a dance class in a dress today. The car slowed down to a stop and I climbed out, walking into the studio. The kids were already there, running around and whining while Ms. Clarice tried getting them to stop. "Ms. Ava!" Everybody yelled in sync, running over. I laughed while receiving a few hugs on my legs. "Hi, guys," I sang, ruffling Jonah's hair. "Oh, what a surprise, you came in today. I thought you were busy," Ms. Clarice smiled, turning off the stereo. "Turns out it didn't take as long as I thought it would. What are we doing?" "Starting a new routine. Where were you? Get back to stretching!" The kids groaned but obeyed nonetheless while I walked over, sitting on the floor against the mirror again. "I was just um… running an errand." If wedding dress shopping is part of errands, then sure. I was looking at the kids when I realized Bella wasn't there. "Ms. Clarice, where's Bella?" "Bella? Hmm." She frowned in confusion. "Wait a second." She grabbed the register she keeps to log students' attendance. "Oh, she's not here today." The door opened, the chime of the bell catching our attention. I stood up, my eyes landing on Rhys who walked in holding Bella. "I think she belongs to this studio," he mumbled, setting her on the floor. My eyes drifted to the balloon that was in her hand. "Oh dear," Ms. Clarice mumbled. "Your highness." I suppressed a scoff and walked over, kneeling down to Bella's level. "Oh!" She handed me her hair tie. Most girls here don't know how to tie their hair and their mothers don't bother all the time to tie it for them, so I end up doing it for them. I spun her around and gathered her hair in a high ponytail, securing it with the hair tie. I pulled her bag off and set it aside, tying her balloon to it. "Where was she? Off you go, start with the stretches," I instructed her while standing up, asking Rhys. "There's an old man selling balloons outside today. She was trying to take one for free," he replied, glancing at her. "It's very nice of you to help her and bring her over here, thank you," Ms. Clarice gushed. "But… how did you know she was meant to be here?" "I came here earlier just to visit." "Oh." Ms. Clarice turned to me. "You didn't tell me." "I um… I…" Rhys watched me in amusement. It took him less than a second to figure out that I didn't want Ms. Clarice, or anybody for that matter, to know that we're getting married. Most people, most rich people know that Rhys was supposed to marry Brooke. I don't know who already knows that and who doesn't and I don't want the word to spread in the wrong way. "Oh well, I'll be coming here often," Rhys said, looking away from me and at Ms. Clarice. "Is… something wrong at the studio?" "No, of course not," Rhys replied, turning his attention to me. "But you might be seeing me in your studio often, Ms. Clarice. That's you, right?" He smiled at her, probably thinking about what Lily yelled at him. "Yes, that's me." He nodded, biting back a laugh. "I may not visit to see the kids, but I will certainly drop by to see my-" "Rhys." "Fiancé," he finished anyway. I closed my eyes, grinding my teeth till my jaw ached. We stood in pin-drop silence for a minute, even the kids stopped squealing and stood still. I'm surprised most of them know what the word 'fiancé' means. "F-fiancé?" Ms. Clarice stuttered. "Oh, Ava didn't tell you?" "Rhys," I said through gritted teeth, scolding him. "Oh. Was that meant to be a secret, darling?" He smirked at me. "D-darling?" Ms. Clarice stammered again. Lily gasped loudly, stealing everyone's attention. I looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?" "I know you!" She pointed at Rhys. Oh no. No, no, no. Kids can't keep their mouths shut. If Lily knows that means her whole school will know. "You're the prince!" I closed my eyes, accepting my doomed fit. "Does that mean Ms. Ava will be a princess?" James questioned. "It means it's time for class, you guys!" I declared. I helped Bella with her ballet shoes and Ms. Clarice hesitantly took over. I turned to Rhys, leading him out of the studio. "What?" He leaned against his car, arms folded across his chest. "You just had to do that, didn't you?" "Of course I did. Everyone's going to find out soon anyway." I took a step closer, hoping nobody passing by could hear us. "Rhys, I know it's probably a dream come true for you since you're getting a chance to ruin my life. Again," I paused. He blinked, his eyes scanning my face, getting caught on my lips. "But please stop." "Why should I stop? You had a choice, you could have said no. It's your fault we're getting married." "Except I couldn't say no," I argued. "If you were in my place, you would do the exact same thing and you know it." He stayed quiet, just staring at me. "What?" I huffed, folding my arms across my chest while he let his drop to his sides. "You're not meant to be working today, are you?" I frowned, "Yes I am." "Liar." I rolled my eyes. "What do you care?" "Let's go for lunch." "Are you insane?" "I mean it. Since you're so scared of people finding out that we're getting married, let's make it obvious in advance so you don't freak out at the wedding. Let's drop off the dress at your house and then go to Aurora. Reporters are always lingering there. You won't have to face the media at the wedding if you face them in advance." "I'm teaching the class." "Ms. Clarice seems to be doing that just fine." I looked over my shoulder and inside and before I could reply, he pulled open the passenger door. I stared at him blankly. "I'm not having lunch with you." "You'll be having breakfast, lunch, and dinner with me for the rest of your life, you better get used to it. Get in the car, sweetheart." "Don't call me that," I gritted. "Get in the car," he said, biting back a smirk. I huffed and glanced at the studio once, noticing that all the kids and Ms. Clarice were watching us. "We have an audience too, come on," he teased. "I hate you," I spat. "I'm sure you wish you did," he said as I sat in the seat, waiting for him to close the door. He leaned down, resting one hand on the hood of the car. "But we both know you don't." He winked at me and then closed the door. . . . . . Chapter 11