Ruining your life

Bella's Pov

"Remember to smile." Lucas stated lowly as we walked into the dimly light ball room. "How can I forget." I dead panned through my forced smile that I knew didn’t look every convincing.

He looked at me and narrowed his eyes as he stared at my face. "That doesn't look like a smile. It looks like you are in pain." He dead panned. "It's hard to smile sincerely when my fiancé and father have threatened me and kidnapped my mother." I spit out through gritted teeth.

I was not an actress nor was I a masochist. I would most likely be locked away in my room forever after this because all I felt towards Lucas and my father was disgust, they were repulsive and I couldn't pretend. I refused to marry him no matter how good looking he was.

"Fair enough." He mumbled as he pulled me by my waist. His grip was tight, I didn’t even have to try to walk away to know that I wouldn’t be going anywhere unless he gave me permission or I caused a scene. In normal circumstances I would have cause a scene but unfortunately this wasn’t normal circumstances.

"Hello Mrs. and Mr. Connery I hope that you are satisfied with the decorations." Someone said from our side. I went instantly ridged as I turned to look at a woman who was dressed in all black.

"We are." A pinch to my waist had me snapping my head towards Lucas and scowling. "My wife thinks they are lovely." Lucas's reply had me narrowing my eyes. I was not his wife nor would I ever be.

"Relax." He demanded in a hushed tone as he kept his gaze on the worker. I grit my teeth and turned back to the worker who seemed to be a little flushed. Her red cheeks as she stared at Lucas had me smiling. It seemed like she liked him. I could use his looks against him.

"That's great. I was a little worried that you wouldn't like it since we hired someone new and the colors seem." I slowly tuned the lady out and instead took the time to actually look around the room.

It seemed like whoever planned this event was not that good at it because it looked more tacky than anything. The flowers looked more like paper mache then actual flowers. The black and white seemed to not be appropriate for this dimly lit room that looked almost yellow. I would've used a simple red or black rose. Maybe a few tulips. Whoever planned the decoration was clearly out of their element.

I looked back at Lucas and took in how focused he was with whatever the worker was saying. His hand had loosened around my waist and he seemed to have relaxed a little. I knew now was probably the best time to try to escape his grasp.

"Can I go and get a drink?" I asked with faux sweetness? Lucas looked at me with a wary gaze that told me I had a chance. I quickly leaned against his firm shoulder and stared into his eyes with the most pathetic gaze. Even if he didn’t want to let me go I knew he couldn’t deny me when the worker was watching us with fascination. How would that look if he refused to let his fiancée get a drink?

"Fine but don't be long and don't try anything." He stated after he had basically stared into my eyes long enough to see my soul.

I took no time in maneuvering my body around people. I could feel my dress gliding with me as I zig zagged through the crowd. I planned on putting enough space between us so that the only way he would get to me is if he ran. My dress would weigh me down but as long as I was too far away it wouldn’t make a difference. I would pretend like I got lost and waste as much time as I could talking to random people.

"It's nice of you to finally join us. I was afraid you had ran away." Theodore stated right as I started to walk towards the refreshments table. I knew his voice well enough to distinguish it from others. The friendliness and smoothness of it didn’t take away from the sharp sense of authority it gave off.

I looked over and smiled. He returned the smile and I couldn't help but notice all of the new wrinkles that were now on this face. My chest tightened a little but I quickly pushed it away, he was fine, he would live a long and healthy life.

"Do you think I would have a chance if I ran away?" I asked with a small smile that slowly disappeared as I realized that light hearted joke was far from a joke. What I would do to be able to run away right now.

"Here drink this." He said as he tried to hand me the drink in his hands. I raise an eyebrow as I looked down at the dark red drink and back at him.

"I don't think I'm old enough for that yet." I stated with a small smile. He rolled his eyes and forced it into my hands. The wine glass was colder than it looked, if felt like it had been put in the freezer until it was sure to stay cold during the party. I definitely would’ve preferred a normal cup. Who really wanted to have cold hands during a party?

"It's your engagement party and I think you need it." His chuckle should've had me smiling but all it caused was dread.

I looked down at the dark blood red drink and brought it towards my lips. The cold sensation on my lips was actually a pleasant feeling that helped ease as little of the stress. It was a distraction that I knew I needed.

I delicately lifted up the glass so that I would look sophisticated as I took small sips of my wine. The smooth raspberry wine was not what I expected. The sweetness wasn’t overbearing and the liquid went down my throat with ease. I would’ve thought it would be rough going down but it was extremely smooth.

"It's the best wine in the country, it will help ease some of your stress." Theodore stated as he pulled out a white chair and sat down. He pushed another chair my way and gestured with his hand for me to sit down.

I sighed and slowly sat down as I drank the wine that seemed to get smoother with every sip. The more I drank the more delightful the wine became. I could almost say that this was my new favorite drink, if only my father would allow me to drink this at diner time though.

Laughter to my right had me lazily looking over at a group of girls that seemed to be my age. Their simple dresses and big smiles told me that they didn’t have much to worry about. I could only assume they were either talking about boys or gossiping. That's usually what the girls in the romance books I've read did.

"You know once you start school it will be a nice change, you can actually make a few friends and enjoy life." Theodore blissfully stated. I knew he probably thought he was helping but all he did was bring me back to reality.

"I'm not meant to have friends." I mumbled as I forced my eyes away from the group of girls. I couldn't be care free and live the way others did. Tonight proved it. I was not meek and obedient. I was a wild fire that was waiting for just a little bit of air that would allow me to burn everything in my path.

"Bella I know that you think you can't but you can. You can live a different life than your mother did. You can make friends, you can have fun. The company is not everything." Theodore exclaimed sounding more frustrated than anything.

I took another small sip of my drink and sighed. It wasn't that simple. I couldn’t just go out and enjoy myself like every other 16 year old. I had responsibilities and none of them included having fun.

"I don't want to make friends. I want to take over the company." I mumbled as I looked around at everyone that was laughing and dancing. The party seemed to be at its peak now. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The laughing was louder and the smiles were actually warm.

Everyone seemed to have left all responsibilities at the door and that’s how I knew this wasn’t for me. I couldn't be like them. This didn't make me happy. Maybe when I was little I enjoyed this but not anymore. I couldn’t pretend to be what I wasn’t.

"You have to marry Lucas in order to even gain access to the company Bella." Theodore stated lowly. I blinked my eyes as I turned towards him. Had he not said anything I might have gotten lost in people watching.

"My mother contacted someone else on that list and I plan on asking them for help tomorrow." I stated confidently. Everything would work out. I just had to be smart.

"You know if your father finds out." He hesitantly stated. "He won't. Anyways Lucas is planning on firing you and a lot of other people. You shouldn't be so trusting of him or my father. You should want me to run the company." I mumbled as I drank the rest of my drink in one go to try to help calm my nerves.

"You’re 16 Bella. When is the last time you did anything fun? When is the last time you enjoyed life and lived a little?" Theodore asked with a fire in his eyes that I had never seen before.

"My fath." I paused as I took in his words. He didn't want me to run the company. I stiffened as I realized that I said too much. How had I not sensed it?

My hand was grabbed before I could get up to walk away. I looked into Theodore's gray eyes and cursed myself for being so stupid.

"I will not allow your mother to destroy your life the same way she destroyed her own." He said with a determination that had me trying to pull my hand away.

"She, she's not destroying my life." I stuttered as I tried to get away from him. He let go of my hand as a small smile formed on his lips that confused me.

"She is ruining your life, my beautiful fiancée." A deep voice whispered into my ear right as I was lifted up with little to no effort.