You Are Mine

Colors

"Adrian!" I squealed, spiraling around in his arms swiftly. I could only hope I was loud enough to alert Anders and Marie. They would find out that I was eavesdropping but I was sure they would rather have me eavesdropping than Adrian right now. "What are you doing here?"

His hooded eyes were wide with confusion and bewilderment as he searched behind me for what I was looking at, thankfully, Anders and Marie had gotten my hint early enough. "I should be asking you that, why are you out here all alone?" he demanded.

"Evening walk," I managed to shrug, "it helps relieve the cramps a whole lot," that was not completely a lie.

"It's cold out here Nicole," he rubbed his rough palm over my bare skin, sending some warmth through me, "you cannot be here in a pair of shorts and a tank top,"

"Has anyone ever told you you worry too damn much?" I took his hand and started to pull him away. "come on, let's head back in, I want to show you something." I had to make sure he was out of here. I did not know much about what was going on between my brother-in-law and Marie, but I could tell there were enough problems between them and I would hate to be the reason they faced more issues.

He pulled me back and yanked me into him roughly, "you have not told me what had caught your attention so much, you did not hear me coming.

"Baby," I said cupping his cheeks, "it's not important,"

I realized very quickly that it was a wrong choice, Adrian caught my hand in his and gave me a boring stare, "You never call me baby," he growled, and looked behind me at the now empty trees, "what are you hiding?"

"Jesus Adrian, can I really not come out for a walk too?" I snatched my hand from his and rubbed my wrists gently, "You can believe whatever you want, it does not change anything," thankfully, my voice was now a lot more convincing than earlier when he sprang up on me.

"I know something is going on," he said in a warning tone, "I will find out what soon enough."

"Well good luck with that," I brushed past him and started to head back towards the house. Maybe if I left he would drop it, "I'm heading inside, call me when you find what I was hiding,"

With a huffed sigh, he turned and held my hand back, "I was just worried Nicole, come on let's head back in."

I gave a small sigh of relief inwardly as we strolled back inside, my hand locked in Adrian's. "You wanted to show me something?"

"It's no longer important," I frowned at him.

"Still mad at me?" he chuckled and held the back door open for me. "How are you feeling now,"

"I was in a better mood before you came back home," I flashed him a coy smile and walked inside, thankful for the sudden warmth that flowed through my body "Now I feel like killing someone all over again,"

"Then I guess I should leave and come back tomorrow morning," he said drily and I shot him a glare, "or I'll just stay here and take care of you. Show me what you wanted to show me,"

I grinned and took his hand, leading him down the hallway to my renewed art room. I halted as we approached the door, and turned to him, "close your eyes," I said in a voice that reflected my excitement to show him how much I had transformed the room.

"Do you really think I would do that Nicole?" he chuckled.

"A girl can dream," I shrugged and pushed the door open. "Tada!" I said with a big grin and my arms open wide.

"Hey," Chelsea greeted from the corner of the room, where she was making the last few outlines stand out. I made a mental note to thank her for helping me out later.

My excitement soon faded as I turned to see Adrian's demeanor completely changed. From the relaxed and amused expression, he had on seconds ago, he completely switched to his usual stiff as a board grouchy self. His hand was shoved in his pocket, jaws ticking as his eyes roamed the room.

"You hate it," I said in a small tone, full of disappointment, and I ached to hear him tell me I was wrong about that.

"It's nice," he said but did not dismiss my thoughts about hating it.

"It took me days to reach this, I really hoped you would at least like it," I admitted, and started to walk away in an effort to hold back the tears of rejection that stung my eyes.

"Nicole," he said and reached out to stop me, "I think you did a very fantastic job here,"

"Your reaction says very very differently," I pushed his hands away and made my way to the table filled with colors.

"Wait at least listen to me," he grabbed my hand again, holding me firmly this time. Chelsea had her focus completely on the wall, but from the way her brush grazed over the same spot over and over again, I knew just where her attention was. I was thankful though that she did not interfere. "This is a really beautiful piece, Nicole," he said the words beautiful like they were being forced from him.

"You do not have to pretend to like it, just because you want to make me feel better," I snapped.

"I won't," somehow that hurt even more. Such a jerk. "I hate it," his further bluntness only made me feel like ripping everything I had worked hard to accomplish in the last few days away. "Do not get me wrong, it's very beautiful, but my reaction to it has nothing to do with you or the art itself."

"Well if you hate it so much, why are you still here? Get out."

"I know you're upset, but I do not appreciate your tone Nicole," he growled, holding my hand tighter. At this point, we no longer cared about our audience just a few inches away.

"Oh okay," I smiled and said, "Forgive me master, but can you please get the f**k out of here and go f**k yourself," I knew there were going to be consequences for that but I was way past the point of caring, I was too hurt.

"Nicole," warning colored his gaze and his tone and I gave him a matching glare too. The way he held my hand was enough to hint that I had crossed a line and finally, he released his grip on my hand and stormed out.

I let out a shaky breath along with the tears I did well enough to hold back in his presence. That was how our relationship always went. 1 step forward, five backward. Even when we were willing to try, one flaw or the other would always drag us back to the very same spot we were standing the day before. This time though, it was a lot more than a flaw, it was Adrian, being the mean asshole I had always know him to be.

"You know he's not wrong," Chelsea's voice interrupted my thoughts.

"What?"

"I agree that my brother was a total asshole to you just now, but it has absolutely nothing to do with you or this freaking work of art you made here,"

"I still have a lot to do for it to be called a work of art," I chuckled, wiping away my tears.

"I'm sure it can still qualify as close," she stepped closer and gave me a hug that left me shocked.

"You hate hugs," I laughed, but still hugged her back.

"That I do, but expect one every time Adrian is an asshole to you," she released me and grinned.

"Well, then I'm expecting a lot of hugs,"

"I'm sure I can manage," she chuckled, "and wipe those tears off your face. You are gifted, this is proof of how much." she stretched her arms out gesturing to the wall, "It's just that..." she trailed off, pausing briefly, possibly to weigh her next words. "Adrian hate colors—bright colors,"

"He does?"

"My brother is a very handsome asshole, why do you think he walks around looking like a demon on Halloween?"

"Chelsea," I reprimanded and swatted her arm.

"What? I'm serious. I walked into his office once and I felt like I was being sucked into a dark chamber of depression." she feigned a shiver.

"If I were not so mad at Adrian right now, I would kick you for being so mean to him," I frowned but it did nothing to hide my amusement.

"Look, that's how he's always been, and don't ask me why, I really do not know why," she dropped the pen in her hand and took out her gloves and apron. "I hate to leave now, but I still have to run a few chores for mom. Stay good and I will see you later."

"Thanks for your help," I called from where I stood as she reached for the door. My mind was going crazy with different thoughts and many unanswered questions. What the hell was going on between Marie and Anderson and how was a naturally born painter like me supposed to live as the wife of someone who hated the very sight of colors.

But the most pressing question was why on earth anyone would have such indifference towards something so beautiful and heartwarming?

*** *** ***

One week. That was how long it took to turn my fantasy art room into a reality. Adrian and I had not spoken to each other for up to five minutes straight since he stormed out. He was out most of the time and only came in sometime after midnight to rest then once the first light of day struck, he was out again repeating what had come to be our routine. I could tell I had hit a sore spot that day, but I was too hurt by his bluntness to indulge him, instead I channeled all my efforts into creating a magical safe place where I could improve my paintings.

I still had many questions about what was going on between Anders and Marie, but apart from my dear husband, my two closest friends in the house were also doing a very great job at avoiding me completely and each other too.

At least I got to enjoy Chelsea's company when she got back every day. Denis was there too, but he could only talk to me when he was free from his new job at the store where he now worked to pass some time.

I found out that I was not the only one Adrian was strictly protective of. Adrian had even insisted she had to be homeschooled since he did not think it was safe enough for her to be out yet and when she threw the biggest tantrum fit I had ever witnessed, she got her wish to go to the regular school, but not without the guards and men that followed her everywhere she went.

Like every other girl, I fantasized about being a princess, having all of those special treatments and protections and privileges that came with it, but seeing how miserable the little princess of the Davonte's looked every day she returned from school made me easily revoke the wish. Even Anders was much more strict when it came to her safety.

"I am done, finished, tired, consumed," she ranted as she stormed into the room, flinging her backpack across my workspace.

I turned to her from where I stood showing Denis my new Designs through my phone. "Give me a minute Den," I said placing him on hold to listen to Chelsea vent. "What's wrong?"

"Oh nothing," she said, pacing furiously, "except I want to murder your husband, and his men," she gave a brief pause and added, "oh and Anders too."

I let out a small sigh and stepped closer, trying to hold back my amusement, "most days I want to kill Adrian too, so I get it. Tell me what happened."

"Nothing new," she shrugged one shoulder, "just them discovering new ways to ruin my social life every day." she paused and tapped her chin lightly, "maybe I should drop out,"

"It's only the first week and you're in your final year of high school."

"Even better, that way, I get to hold on to whatever I can get before they take everything from me." she shot me a rueful smile and continued pacing.

"Okay, come here," I stood in front of her and held her shoulders, stopping the hypnotic movements she was making, "calm down and um...go take a shower..."

"I am talking about how Adrian's men are driving me crazy and you're asking me to take a shower?" she gave a humorless laugh.

"Look you know your brother is only looking out for you. All I've heard in the last few days is Ricco this and Ricco that. I have met the guy he's a f*****g psycho. Adrian and Anderson are just trying to make sure you're safe so they can worry about other things like getting your dad out of jail." her face softened as I mentioned her dad and that was all it took to calm her down.

"Dad would never let me be so caged if were here," she said in a small sad tone.

"Which is why, you have to be safe, so Adrian can focus on bringing him back and you can go out partying all night again." I gave her an enthusiastic smile that made her giggle.

"I'm not sure dad would approve of me going out to party all night, but he's not as strict as Adrian is."

"See we're getting somewhere. Now you have to go get cleaned and I'll have Marie make your lunch."

"I could use that, also how do you get to be so mature," she wagged her hand in my face and chuckled, "we're about the same age,"

"I'm one year older, plus I think being married has made me a tad mature. Don't count on it though, you might still see me chasing your brother around with a knife someday,"

"I can't wait,"

Dennis chuckled when I got back to him after Chelsea left, much better than she came in. "Well your sister-in-law sounds like a handful, I like her already."

"How much of that did you hear?"

"Enough to know I have some really good recruitment to kill that Adrian or whatever."

"Why is everyone out to kill my husband?" I cried, picking up the brushes, just then, the phone chimed in my hands.

"You are one to talk," he quirked his brows. I shook my head, amused as I looked through my phone to see the e-mail that had been sent.

Denis was saying something through the video call, but my attention quickly drifted when I saw who the e-mail was from. A vivid reminder of how f****d my life had become flashed across the screen in the form of a reminder to check my application for The University of Toronto.

"s**t," I muttered as I scrolled through the acceptance admission letter, informing me of the close deadline for school.

"What's wrong Nic?" Denis asked, easily realizing the shift in my mood.

"I got a mail for my acceptance letter,"

"I thought you turned it down already," he asked, surprised.

"Well not really, I guess I was trying to hold on to a little hope."

"Are you going to accept it?" he asked, his brows furrowed in concern and worry.

"Adrian would not let me."

"Have you asked him?"

I snorted at the thought of asking Adrian that, when he would not even let me go out on a stroll by myself, "He would never approve, so there's no point,"

Feeling hopeless and defeated, I closed the email and focused on Den speaking, "You would never know unless you ask," he pressed further.

"While that is true, it is also true that we have not talked to each other in one week. He will refuse."

"I'm sure he will at least consider what makes you happy, that's what husbands do right?"

"Of course," I said drily, feeling the need to end the conversation before I accidentally blurted out the real circumstances under which I was married. Denis did not know that part yet, and from how much he disliked Adrian, I knew he would tear down Chicago just to find me if he had the slightest hint. "Look Den, I still have so much to finish up. I'll call you again okay?"

"Of course, and don't forget, what day it is in a few days," he reminded me with a smirk that made me grin.

"How can I forget my best friend's birthday? And don't worry, I might be miles away, but I would surely follow through with our tradition."

"And this here is why we are soulmates forever."

As soon as the call ended I felt my nerves shot up at the thought of speaking to Adrian tonight. He was still mad, I could tell that much, but I could only hope that his mood tonight would be lighter, light enough to give his permission for me to go on with the process for college.

This was what my life was. As much as I hated to admit, Adrian owned me and more importantly, I could not forget that my parents' lives were still in his hands, I would not even consider risking that. He loved it when I took his permission, and I would give him that satisfaction if it meant he would let me go through with school.

Despite all the reasons I was still mad at him, I found myself grinning at the thought of waiting up to speak to Adrian tonight. Maybe it was the fact that I had become completely dependent on him, or maybe it was that small part of me that missed him in this last week despite my denial.