Ivory was already beyond stressed for today's agenda. Last night, Blue had mentioned a marriage contract, and how she was obligated to read and sign it -- to sign away her rights. Ivory wasn't too sure if this was because he didn't fully trust her after Viper's scheme; though, she didn't feel that it was appropriate to ask. After seeing Hawks' and Lucky's dead bodies, she decided that she personal questions were not in her best interest.
She sat in the love seat across from Blue, who placed the 10-page contract in front of her. Ivory's eyes widened and her chest tightened -- she felt like a prisoner.
"Take your time to read this and sign it," Blue said.
"This is a lot of pages -- may I keep a copy just to memorize it in its entirety?" Ivory asked nervously and Blue nodded, arms crossed like he was reading her.
She stared into his blue eyes -- intense, cold, commanding, and inhuman. He gut screamed for her to snoop around, get as much information as she could on him. He had to be one of American's Most Wanted criminals -- though she never once saw him on the news back at the foster home. Blue was peculiar, not like anyone Ivory had ever known. Blue was edgy, yes, though something about his gaze didn't feel right to her. She knew he was a sociopath, but he was very calculated, calm when he needed to be, intelligent, and rational. She wondered if his "I am a sociopath" motto was part of his game.
She opened up the contract and frowned, reading all of the arbitrary rules:
1. Do not wear crop tops or shorts or skirt above the knee.
2. You don't leave the base without permission.
3. You will be watched at all times by guards: don't sneak around.
4. You will do what you are told.
5. You must be in bed by 10 PM every day unless given specific orders that you may stay out or be up past 10 PM.
6. When we are fulfilling duties, do not speak to me unless spoken to.
7. Do not bother me when I am working unless there's an emergency. A guard will come and get Red or me.
8. You will always be accompanied when you leave the base -- you are never alone, so do not ask.
9. You are responsible for taking care of our child and other household duties.
10. You are not allowed to go clubbing.
11. You are not allowed to go to bars without me.
12. Do not cheat on me.
13. You will get a weekly allowance, no more or less. Do not ask.
Ivory stared at the list; it went on forever. Rules about the places, streets, and avenues she could be near and had to avoid were on the list as there's active gang activity there and police scouting those areas; from the hair colors she could have and not have, the websites that were blocked from her technology, and how she cannot have full blown conversations with strangers. Ivory thought Blue was a control freak, yet didn't know why he went out of his way to become this suffocating to deal with.
Ivory understood the avoiding the high crime areas and the police bit, though everything else was exaggerated and unnecessary. Not only was she a stay-at-home wife and mom who had no contact with the outside world, she had no identity. Ivory knew there was a motive behind this contract.
"You seem upset," Blue noted.
Ivory looked up at him, "Blue, I want you to know that Viper ---"
Blue shook his head and smiled, and Ivory was taken aback; the smile seemed performative. "Your new stage in life and these rules have nothing to do with Viper. I was going to get rid of her anyway," he shrugged carelessly. "You will be a mafia wife soon, so that means you are a higher target for other gangs."
"Well, and the bedtime?"
"Well, I certainly don't tolerate you being out late like you are a single modern girl. Even with body guards, you have duties that must be completed here. Being a mother is a 24-hour job."
Ivory nodded, knowing that Blue had obvious rules that were for safety reasons while the rest were absurd and just making sure that no one else betrays him. Ivory signed the contract, closed the first page, and then gently nudged it over to him with her hand.
Blue stared at the contact for a solid few seconds before his sinister, cold, and aloof gaze met her soulful eyes. Ivory looked down at the floor with her hands in her lap, still trying to comprehend her newest stage of life.
Suddenly, Blue wrapped his hand around her arm and pulled her from the couch, where he peered into her eyes, and his predatory gaze sent shivers down her spine; it was as if daggers jabbed at her eyes with icy intent.
Blue then pulled her close to him, and wrapped his arms around her as she stood awkwardly, wrapping her own around his toros to ease her feelings of awkwardness.
Then, he pulled away and wrapped his hand through her hair. "I always knew you would adhere, Ivory; you were always a good girl. You were never a whore like your friend Viper, and a traitor like Roxie and Swindle H. They were too comfortable and let their egos get to them. Just know --" he raised her chin with his hand, "As long as you follow my rules, you'll always be with me, protected and cared for. Now, I have to finish setting up the base, so go to our room and keep yourself occupied."
Blue walked past Ivory who returned to their bedroom and plopped herself down on the bed; she decided to watch TV to pass some time since she didn't have anything else to do. Blue's outrageous rules took over her mind as she aimlessly scrolled through TV channels and settled for a cooking show -- she had to cook now, so she might as well learn!
Though, she was distracted by Blue's change in demeanor and the marital contract. Her brain would not turn off those thoughts and she found herself consumed with her new life and expectations. She looked at the clock, which read 11:11 AM. She smiled; that was an angel number.
Ivory took a deep breath. "Hawks, Lucky, if you guys can hear me, please speak to me. I ... I had to sig this marriage contract, and I don't want to be Blue's wife; it's all business and control with him, not love. Please, just send me a sign."
She got under the covers, the sun had shone in light from the outside through the small windows; and she felt a warm and toasty feeling surround her body and some peace for the first time in a while.