Page 2 of Deceit

Now, I know I sound like the typical dramatic nineteen-year-old with daddy issues, but who could blame me? The man only shows up once a year, every year, on my birthday. He takes me to dinner, makes uncomfortable small talk about my studies and then he’s gone the same night. I didn’t understand it as a kid, I didn’t get why he didn’t want to spend time with me, why he didn’t love me like the other kid’s parents did. Eventually, I accepted it and now, I’m indifferent altogether.

Obviously, indifference isn’t a fantastic feeling when I’m going to be living with the man. Maybe this will be what we need to have a functioning relationship, though I’m not holding my breath.

Steph opens the front door, and two men that I recognize as my father’s personal security step inside before he files in after them. I’ve asked him a few times why he never goes anywhere without them, it’s not like he’s the president or anything, he’s never answered, though. Either he doesn’t want to answer, or he doesn’t feel I’m worthy of the wasted breath, either way I stopped my interest in really anything to do with him a long time ago.

“Stephanie,” he says, in a superior tone as he lifts his chin to her.

“Henry,” she responds, in a tone that is equally respectful but holds a touch of contempt.

He doesn’t appear to hear it or doesn’t care before he faces me, his eyes raking over me like he’s looking for a single hair out of place. He won’t find one, though. I know how he is. The man takes OCD to a new level and appearance is everything to Henry Parris.

My white shorts come down to my mid-thigh and my pin-striped dress shirt is tucked into them. There isn’t a wrinkle out of place on this balmy London day, my hair perfectly smoothed and straightened.

I stand still, awaiting his evaluation to be complete when he finishes with a satisfied nod and a stoic face.

“The plane is waiting,” he says, turning on his heel and walking out the door, his security carrying my bags as they follow after him.

A ripple of defiance stirs inside of me and though I know it will implode my life itself, I want nothing more than to tell him to leave without me. That I have no intention of getting on that plane and will proceed to live my life the way I and only I desire. Of course, I don’t say or do any of that. Like the good daughter I am, I keep my mouth shut, lower my head and walk out the door after him. I only stop for half a moment, turning and huggingSteph with everything I have. She holds me tighter, whispering that she will call soon, and I hold onto that, desperately.

I don’t know exactly what awaits me back in Salem, but I know it won’t be nearly as wonderful as the life I’ve lived here.

We are in the air, slicing through the early morning sky like a hot knife through butter when my father sets down his phone, his signature gaudy silver ring glinting in the light as he looks up at me across from the coffee table between our chairs.

“You’re getting married.”

I don’t think I hear him correctly, so I wait for him to continue whatever sentence he was actually trying to say. He doesn’t say a word, though. Instead, he just stares at me like I’m the one who is supposed to respond.

“I beg your pardon?” I ask, in the most demure voice I can muster.

“You’re engaged to be married. The date has been set, June twenty-third.”

I blink at him slowly, doing my best to keep my tone light and my question simple.

“And, who am I expected to marry?”

“Asher Putnam.”

“Who is that?” I practically scoff, biting my tongue as soon as I do.

The impartial mask he was wearing slips away as he narrows his eyes at me.

“Your fiancé. That’s all you need to know.”

Well, I’ve already upset him. Might as well bring it home.

“I’m too young to get married. I’m only nineteen. Ijustturned nineteen. I can’t get married, especially to a man I haven’t even met.”

“I’m aware, Skyla, which is exactly why you will spend as much time with him during your time at Gallows Hill. I’ve arranged your schedules to coincide as much as possible, and his father has ensured he will stay on campus so that you two can get to know one another.”

I pause at that.

“Wait, I’m not staying at the house?”

He rolls his eyes like I’m being stupid.

“Of course not. You will be staying in a dorm, same as all of the other students.”

“I just assumed that because Aunt Steph and I—”

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