Kand-Lei rubbed the tips of his fingers together, feeling the sensation, allowing his emotions to settle further as he relaxed into Darcy's embrace.
"I guess it all started a month before I got married." His eyes became hazy as he recounted his story, from the beginning.
…
It was a hot afternoon when he received the news. He was returning from submitting university applications when he saw the strange car parked in front of his parent's house.
It was black and expensive looking, not that Kand-Lei cared to know things like pricey car brands or famous designers.
He watched as a man appearing to be fourteen years older than himself left his parent's house with a perfunctory smile. The man, unbeknownst to Kand-Lei; his future husband, stalked confidently towards the sleek car. He raked an appraising eye over Kand-Lei which made him shiver like chilled water was being dripped down his spine, before slipping into the vehicle and speeding away.
The eighteen year old Kand-Lei gripped the strap of his bag tighter as he made his way towards the expectant states of his parents.
"Kand-Lei-ris you're getting married. You will be moving to Zhong Kui within the month. Refresh yourself on the language." His father said harshly, leaving no room for argument.
Kand-Lei tried anyway, "But I've just put in my university applications, Father-yis, why have I not heard about this?" He looked between his father and mother. "Mother-yin?"
"The talks began and ended today." His mother said somewhat coldly. "You were always aware that marriage was an option for you."
Yes, but not now. Not when I'm finally building the life that I want. He kept the rebellious thoughts to himself, well aware that such complaints would fall on deaf ears. As they had many times before.
"We have already finalised the deal, do not make trouble for the family and fulfil your duty." His father's tone brokered no disagreement.
The move was swift and painless, he barely lifted a finger as servants from his new husband's house packed up every belonging of his and shipped them ahead. The entire process took only two weeks.
He next went through the hassle of acquiring a passport and visa, which took another week.
Then he had a week until his flight. A whole week to lie in his empty room and contemplate every single choice that had brought him to this moment. He had time to regret not skipping a grade in elementary school. Time to regret not dating that senior who had asked him out. Time to regret all the times he had caved to his parent's demands, setting the standard for their interactions.
Perhaps it wouldn't be so bad, but then again, the way that man, his fiancé had looked at him caused his gut to wrench in a foreboding way.
…
The moment he touched down in Zhong Kui he was escorted to a grand estate by a small army of servants and bodyguards. They treated him with silent and detached respect, not an ounce of warmth.
He was lead to a room where all his belongings were already laid out.
The first month passed quietly. His husband was away on business and had no time to think or ask after him. He was handed a marriage certificate requiring his signature within the first week.
No one in the estate would talk with him beyond short, professional responses and he was hesitant to disturb their work. As such his conversational skills with the language didn't improve much.
When his husband did return, finally, it was with his arm wrapped around a curvy looking beta.
He seemed surprised when he saw Kand-Lei, almost as if he had forgotten that he was married.
"Right, that brat from the Nerlin family."
"… it is Neh-Lin..." Kand-Lei responded, annoyed at the disrespectful tone and the mispronunciation. "And my name is not that one. It is Oriense. Kand-Lei Oriense."
"I don't give two shits what your name is brat." He was slurring his words a bit, probably already drunk even though it was still early in the evening. "Kand-ugh. Too complicated. Kelly is easier. Kelly. Rules. You always address me as Sir, it's the norm here," at that the girl in his arms giggled as if in on some joke, "You don't spend too much of my money. You stay out of my sight, and you don't do anything I have to hear about." He gave another look up and down the petite omega. "Ugh, and I won't sleep with you, scrawny thing." He then glanced appreciatively at the tall, curvy woman clinging to him. "And I don't want to hear a word about anyone I bring home."
Kand-Lei remained silent throughout this little speech. "Then what am I to do? Is there a role in your.. em.. company that I can take charge of?"
"Do?" The man laughed uproariously, "You're not supposed to do anything brat. Sit pretty and cling to my arm when I need you for public appearances."
"Then I will resume my studies."
The man frowned. "I'm not fucking paying for that." With those words he turned to leave. "Oh, and if you break my rules, there will be consequences."
Kand-Lei felt a twisting feeling in his gut, he didn't want to find out what that meant.
He probably wouldn't have found out what those words promised, if not for several weeks later, when he slipped up and accidentally didn't say sir when addressing his husband.