"Gem ?" I hushed as she came out of the shower and laid beside me. No answer was uttered. Not a word escaped her lips. She just stayed there, her back facing me. She unlike usual laid on the very side of the bed. She didn't make any effort to come near me or hug me as usual. I felt empty inside as I heard her cries and sniffes. I didn't mean for her to get upset. I was just plain honest.

I called Liza after uselessly looking after Sophia and not finding her. She was angry and screaming because I ignored her for a day and well because I didn't sleep with her last night. She said that I was a changed man and not her same beloved Axel. I wanted to argue back and tell her that I am the same Axel, only she did change. Yet my mind was unwilling to go into stupid arguments with her so I just allowed her to rant. Then, I accorded her. I said that I was changed because I had a change of heart.

Coming back to an empty room and overthinking about Gem and where she might be clarified one thing. I care for Gem. Yet is it normal to go insanely fearful because I just care? Is it okay to feel angry at the mere thought of her meeting another guy? Mitchell was probably or surely going through the same dark possessive thoughts but he has a clear obvious reason he like Blessing , even though she is an audacious brat and rebel. But why do I share such emotions do I now like my unwanted wife? Did I at some point start to develop feelings for her? Is it her green emerald eyes, her sweet nature of hopeful attitude that made me feel like so ? Is it her passionate shy kisses or what exactly that is now tormenting me?

"Gem?" I echoed again but to not avail. She was still awake and stiffens whenever I utter her name. Yet clearly Sophia decided to give me the silent treatment. She is ignoring me and that made my heart ache. I was feeling stuff. Feelings of care and sadness rushed into me and I found my heart begging to bring her close to me and just hug her to sleep.

I might have said the wrong words earlier. I wanted and still want to explore what am I feeling towards her but I ended up hurting her. I am not sure that I am in love with her but at least we can try and then see if we can work something out or end up just like really good friends, right?

"Sophia?" I called again but all I heard was silence. Deciding to break such tense atmosphere, I traced her bare arm with my fingers. She tried to shift away but she was already on the edge. She tried to hug her hand closer to her away from me but that made me just smile like a kid.

"Stop it. Will you?" Sophia grumbled at me and sat herself then hugged her knees to her chest. For a mere second, I saw how red her eyes were and that made me feel deeply guilty. However, just like usual her black hair fell and covered her innocent tired face away from me.

Did I just break my goody two shoes?

"I am sorry." I honestly apologized but was rewarded by no reaction at all

"I may know a way to break the contract." Sophia replied in a low tone and her voice shook proving that her tears were ready to run across her now pale looking cheeks

"But...I...You...We...I" I tried to argue but no matter what thought popped in my mind I just could not put it into words

"It is okay, Axel. You don't have to act like you really care. I am just a try, a break remember?" Sophia said then braced herself and turned to face me. Her eyes glittered with tears and I can see her breaking at any near minute. All wanted to do is hug her and prove to her that I do care about her. I do care more than she knows.

"I didn't mean it like that, I promise." I defended as I sat myself and faced her but she stubbornly shook her head and smiled a little at me as if denying me any right to fight for her. She just gave up on me. Did I hurt her that much?

"The contract says that this wedding has to result in giving an heir, in three years." Sophia mumbled and a slight blush rose in her cheeks but her eyes drifted away as if shyness filled her being. Those slight things about her excite me so much. "I can say that I am unable to get pregnant that I am infertile. We can even beg a doctor to help us. You have enough power to influence some doctors. To face our families, We say that we tried our best to fix such issue but nothing worked. Then the contract will be annulled because of a natural physical problem and not any mistakes on our parts. The contract says that you will be able to marry again but you must do it rapidly. Your new wife , liza I guess, must get tested and all but she wouldn't mind since she is your first love." Sophia continued on the same breath then look at me will a tear finally escaped and drew its way freely on her cheek

"I won't influence any doctor. I am willing to give this marriage a try." I spoke loudly

"Are you tired of Liza or something?" She fired back at me and hardened her glare

"I am tired of her because I started seeing stuff differently." I announced owning myself a doubting harsh glare

"Yeah, right." Sophia spat at me the like a kid huffed and allowed herself to fall back on the bed

"I swear to god Sophia. I mean each word. I want to try this thing." I promised her laying very near to her

"It is not a thing. It is a marriage Axel. Once you start there is no end. It is not a break. Once we try we have to become one. We must care and help each other through all the way. Yet clearly you are not mature enough for such relation." Sophia mocked and flicked my hand away from her still wet hair

"Well I am more than mature enough to do other things." I tried to joke and lighten up the mood

"See. Now will you move away and let me sleep?" She questioned getting bored

"Come on sweetheart, let us take one step at a time. I want to give our feelings a try. We owe that to ourselves." I begged ignoring her snappy comment

"I owe myself some self respect too." She murmured and turned away leaving me to think of a hundred ways to fix this.

@driftedsoul