Episode 2

Anna Brow

Please, let's go to the table," my mother says with a kind smile on her face.

"You're right, dear. We've been waiting for your beautiful daughter for quite some time now. I think it's starting to get late," the witch counters once again.

"Don't exaggerate, Mom. It's not that serious," Matt intervenes.

"Apologies for my daughter. She arrived quite tired from university."

"Actually, dear mother-in-law, I had more free hours than study today. I apologize for falling asleep once I got here," my mother reproaches me with a glance, while my mother-in-law looks at me disapprovingly yet with a hint of superiority. She turns around and walks towards the table where the others are. My mother follows her, and a few steps behind are Matt and I.

"You shouldn't have said that. She's my mom and deserves respect," really?

"And do I not?" I reply.

"I didn't say that."

"But neither do you object every time she attacks me."

We reach the table, and Matt and I sit next to each other. While our parents come to an agreement on the partnership they will create once Matt and I are married. Our mothers discuss wedding details. I understand wanting everything to be perfect and their desire to take charge, but choosing my wedding dress without considering my opinion? That's too much.

"Anna, the designer called to ask you to come tomorrow to try on the dress, as it seems to be ready," my mother says.

"You see, dear, I wasn't wrong in choosing her. She's the best and will work wonders with you," my mother-in-law's voice disrupts my thoughts. Always with a double meaning in every word.

"Surely she has already done wonders with you, hasn't she?"

"I think it's time for dessert!" my mother exclaims, trying to lighten the mood.

As if that wasn't enough, Matt starts caressing my leg under the table, slowly approaching my intimate area. It's very uncomfortable, so I discreetly stop his advance.

"Anna!" my father's voice, slightly raised but not quite a shout, interrupts the moment. "Has he noticed Matt's restless hands? I hope not."

"Yes, Dad," I answer, a bit dazed.

"You're not answering your mother-in-law's questions," he says. I was so focused on controlling Matt that I disconnected from what was happening around me.

"I'm sorry, I'm feeling a bit unwell. Can I go to my room?" And instantly, my mother-in-law's disdainful gaze appears. Who would have thought that such a cultured woman could be a complete harpy?

"If you'll allow me, I can accompany her to her room," Matt says, and I cross my fingers, hoping my dad will object. Since that night, I have felt like a traitor every time he gets close or tries to make contact with me.

"Go ahead, son. Please make sure she rests for a while," my father responds, and I wonder when he stopped being overprotective. I guess my escape plan isn't unfolding as I expected.

Matt accompanies me to my room. Once inside, he passionately kisses me, but I feel like we're not connecting. He pulls away slightly.

"What a great idea, pretending to feel unwell just to be alone," he says in a hoarse voice and tries to resume the kiss.

"Wait, wait! I'm actually not feeling well," I try to interpose my hands, pushing his chest a bit.

"Are you serious?" he scratches his head, clearly frustrated. "I'm getting tired of the game of the virginal girl. I am a man and have needs. And if you can't fulfill them, I will be forced to..."

"To what?" I interrupt. "To find someone else? Go ahead, just be clear that I'm not the submissive woman your parents think they're bargaining for their son. If I marry you, it's because I love you. But if it's going to consume me as a person, let's put a stop to this."

"That's not what I meant," he says.

"But that's what you implied."

"Anna, look at me. I love you, and I know you want to keep your purity for me, but look at me, whether it's before or after marriage, it's me. And the fact that you give yourself to me will be the most beautiful gift, regardless of the timing or circumstance. Don't torture me anymore, I want to make you mine."

"You don't understand, it's just that I..." the door suddenly opened, and it was my mother.

"Matt, your parents are getting ready to leave and they're asking if you'll stay."

"Thank you, but I think it's better if I leave now. Anna is still feeling unwell, and I think it's best to let her rest."

"See, daughter? He's the perfect man, always so attentive and considerate."

Matt comes closer and plants a chaste kiss on my lips.

"Love, rest and please, think about what we talked about." He gives my mother a kiss on the cheek and then heads towards the exit.

"Wait, dear, I'll accompany you." My mother says as she walks after him.

"I lock the door, undress, enter the bathroom, and let the water run over me. All of this is tearing me apart; it seems like I've lost my sense of direction in life. I need to solve this soon."

A new day at the university. It has been a week since the dinner. The history teacher keeps talking and talking, no matter how hard I try to concentrate, I can't understand a single word. My performance is declining, and I hope I can pass the semester. It would be the only thing I need—going from being the top student in my field to having to repeat the last semester. All because of that idiot who crossed my path. If I ever see him again, I'll kill him with my own hands.

"Miss Brown, it's the third time I'm asking you to please repeat to your classmates what the upcoming presentation should be about." The teacher was genuinely annoyed; his expression showed that he had reached his limit.

"I... I'm sorry, teacher, I don't know."

"Obviously, you occupy your mind with more productive things than paying attention to my class. So I'm going to ask you to leave and keep in mind that while your classmates will work on the presentation in pairs, yours will be individual."

"I'm sorry, may I be excused?" I gather my belongings and head towards the exit. It's better not to say another word; I'll only make the situation worse.

I stay outside waiting for Matt since he offered to pick me up.

"Hey, Anna, what was that earlier?" It's Elena, my best friend, and the only one who knows everything. "You can't go on like this. Talk to Matt and if it's all going to end, let it end, but sooner or later, you'll have to face it, and it's better sooner, you know, strike while the iron is hot."

"I've tried, but something always happens, and then I can't do it."

"Stop trying and just do it. Speaking of doing, message me, and I'll send you my notes from today; you'll need them."

"Thanks, that's why I love you."

"I know, I know. Oh, look, there comes your boyfriend. I'll leave you; don't forget to get out of this mess."

"Alright, I will." She gives me a kiss on the cheek and walks away.

Matt parks his sports car in front of me and signals for me to get in; I do and give him a quick kiss.

"How was your day?" He asks.

"I'd rather not talk about it."

"Alright. Then let me give you a surprise." He says with excitement in his eyes.

"First, I think we need to talk. There's something important you should know."

"We'll talk about whatever you want after the surprise."

"Do you promise to listen to me without interruptions?"

"It's a promise." He answers with a smile.

"Alright."

He starts the car, and I feel exhausted, so much so that I don't know when I fall asleep. When I wake up, we're in an indoor parking lot, but I'm not exactly sure where.

"Let me put this on you." Matt says, showing me a red silk blindfold he has in his hands.

"Matt, what is this about?"

"I told you, it's a surprise." He proceeds to put the blindfold on me. "I sigh, resigned. Hopefully, it's not what I imagine."

Matt guides me, making sure I don't stumble. We get into an elevator. I feel the doors open, and he guides me, it seems, through a corridor, and then he opens a door.

"We have arrived," are the first words he utters since he blindfolded me. I feel his hands as he unties it.

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