Chapter 6 The Purpose

Ava Standing beside Mrs. Wright, I couldn't help but stare at the mesmerizing dance of her knife as she chopped the vegetables with precision and ease. The smooth, fluid motions were a testament to her years of experience in the kitchen. I, on the other hand, was struggling to dice the onion, my eyes already stinging from the pungent fumes. As our eyes met, Mrs. Wright gave me a warm, gentle smile. I quickly looked away, feeling a flush rise to my cheeks. The silence between us stretched, and my awkwardness grew with each passing moment. "You seem to be having trouble chopping the onion," she observed, her voice kind and non-judgmental. My eyes dropped to the onion, and I was surprised to see that I had only managed to chop a small portion of it. My eyes were already watering, and I felt a sense of relief at the prospect of finishing the task and escaping the awkwardness of the moment. I just stood there, feeling utterly useless. Mrs. Wright smiled kindly and said, "Don't worry, I'll assist you." She gently took the knife from my hand and began chopping the onion with effortless ease. I felt a twinge of embarrassment and apologized, "I'm sorry for not being helpful." Mrs. Wright's expression was warm and understanding. "Oh, no, it's fine. You can come to me when you need help with cooking, okay?" I nodded sheepishly, feeling a bit more at ease. "Is there anything else I can do to help?" I asked softly. "Oh, yes," she replied, nodding her head. "Why don't you take the kettle, fill it with water, and give it a good boil?" I nodded and set to work, trying to focus on the task at hand. As I worked, I heard her voice behind me, "I couldn't help but notice that you and Caspian seemed a bit off when you left back then. And when you two returned, there was a certain...tension between you. Is everything okay?" I pressed my lips together, feeling a surge of discomfort. I simply nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Mrs. Wright had persuaded me to spend the night, pointing out that it was getting late and that it would be more convenient for me to stay over and join them for dinner after my stomach decided to disgrace me by growling. I reluctantly agreed, and now as I stood in the kitchen, I couldn't help but feel out of place. Cooking was not my forte, and I knew I was a bad cook. But for now, I was stuck here, trying to pass through this unfamiliar territory. Before I knew it, the kitchen duties were done, and the food was ready. The aroma of steaming hot dishes filled the air, making my stomach growl again with anticipation. We carried the food to the dining room, where the rest of the family was waiting. As we sat down, Mr. Wright began complimenting the food, thanking his wife for being an exceptional cook, as always. Mrs. Wright beamed with pride, her eyes sparkling with happiness. As I watched them, a pang of nostalgia hit me. I remembered my father, who had passed away years ago. Seeing the Wrights' loving interaction made me feel a deep sense of longing. I wished my father was still alive, that I could experience the warmth of a complete, loving family. I pushed the thoughts aside, focusing on the present. I ate slowly, observing the family's dynamics, feeling like an outsider looking in. Caspian, seated beside me, reached for my hand under the table. I felt a jolt of surprise, but his touch was gentle, reassuring. I looked at him, and for a moment, our eyes locked. But I slowly withdrew my hand from his grasp, the touch lingering in my mind like a whispered promise. After we finished dinner, I thanked the Wrights for the delicious meal. Mrs. Wright smiled warmly and said, "You two will take the room upstairs. Have a lovely night." I felt a surge of discomfort at the prospect of sharing a room with Caspian. Why do we need to do that? I know we are engaged, which is fake anyway, but that doesn't mean we should share a room? Damn it! Just as I was about to express my concerns, Caspian seemed to read my mind. He leaned in, his voice barely above a whisper, and said, "Don't say anything. You don't want them to find anything between us suspicious." I sighed deeply, feeling frustration and helplessness. I nodded reluctantly, and Caspian led me upstairs to the bedroom. As we entered the room, I was dismayed to see that there was only one bed. Why not two? What? Some wealthy people do have two beds in a room. Caspian seemed to sense my unease and said, "I'll take the floor. You can take the bed." I didn't respond, feeling a mix of emotions as I sat down on the bed. Caspian's eyes searched mine before he approached. "Is everything okay? Is the bed that bad?" Were beds really that bad? I had no idea! I looked up at him, my voice barely above a whisper. "Why did you hold my hand downstairs? Why did you do that while we were eating?" Caspian's eyes blinked slowly, and he gazed at me with an unreadable expression. He didn't respond. Instead, he stared at me like he was a motionless being. I asked again, my voice laced with curiosity and a hint of accusation. "Why did you hold my hand, Caspian?" The silence between us grew thicker, heavier, as he continued to stare at me, his eyes giving away nothing. What was wrong with him? He then looked away and laid a mattress on the floor while I bit my bottom lip... hard, watching him. Why was he trying to annoy me on purpose? "Why don't you lay with me on the bed?" I suddenly asked, my voice barely above a whisper. Perhaps, that would make him talk? Caspian's gaze snapped up, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me. "We're going to get married, aren't we?" I continued, my heart racing with nervousness. "We'll have to pretend to be a loving couple, even if we're not. It won't hurt to practice, will it?" I said, trying to sound casual. Caspian's eyes locked onto mine, his expression still unreadable. Maybe, I should poke my hands in those obnoxious looking eyes. But instead, I gave him a smirk, patting the empty side of the huge bed, my eyes glinting with a challenge. Gosh! I felt a surge of emotions at his silence, a mix of anger and hurt and frustration, but I pushed them aside, telling myself I had to be strong. And then, I lay down on the floor beside him, facing him. "I guess we both end up on the floor, huh?" I said, trying to sound casual. Caspian's widened eyes gradually softened, and his voice dropped to a low, husky tone, sending shivers down my spine. "Ava, I'm warning you, you don't want to do this."