forum In Fair Verona // Modern Romeo and Juliet // Private RP - CLOSED

Started February 05, 2019 by @blue_topaz

tune

Nope. I’m terrified.

“Of course.” I offered my arm for her to take, trying not to seem stiff with nervousness.

I took his arm, and we began the walk back. My hands began to quiver, barely enough to be noticeable, which was a miracle in itself. Inside, I was an absolute wreck.

I did my best to still my curiously beating heart. This dinner had to go perfect. My mother seemed pleased once I had left with Juliet. As long as Juliet could act like we had hit it off perfectly, everything would be fine. I put on a dazzling smile as we entered the dining room.

My father pinned me down with a hard stare the moment Paris and I entered. A shiver ran down my spine, but my perfectly placed smile never once wavered as we sat.

“I apologize if we’re late. Juliet and I got caught up talking in the gardens.” I purposely avoided my parent’s gazes at the table, speaking to Angelo instead.

Angelo’s smile was the warmest I’d seen it in a long, long time—but how real was it? “That’s fine, Paris, I’m happy that you’re getting acquainted with each other. I trust it went well?”

“It did. You have a wonderful daughter.” I reached over to grab Juliet’s hand, making a show of squeezing it gently and giving her a loving smile.

My shoulders went stiff on instinct, but I quickly moved to cover the uncomfortable gesture with a shy shrug. “And you have a wonderful son, Mr. and Mrs. (what’s their last name?)”

“I’m glad you both had such a lovely time.” Veronica spoke up from across the table. I could feel her gaze burning into me as I desperately avoided eye contact.

(Got it
My phone won’t let me edit though, sorry)

“I’m glad you both had such a lovely time.” Veronica spoke up from across the table. I could feel her gaze burning into me as I desperately avoided eye contact.

The fact that Paris was downright refusing to look at his own mother didn’t go unnoticed by me—but why?

Disrupting the sudden silence, Angelo rang a tiny bell, and the footsteps of platter-bearing servants reached our ears.

I tried to hide my relief as food was brought over, but it was still somewhat visible in my slouching shoulders. As my mother’s command, I hadn’t eaten a thing all day so I wouldn’t disrespect the Capulets by refusing food.

“So, Paris.” My father passed Mrs. Escalus a dish laden with tender chicken breast. “Tell me a little bit about yourself.”

“Last year I graduated college with my associates degree in business, Sir.” I started explaining, trying not to let my mouth water. I took a deep breath, sucking in my stomach to prevent in from growling.

Both Angelo and I regarded him with curiosity, though his was significantly more predatory. Interesting…. are his parents as violent as Angelo? He refuses to meet their eyes…

“I’ve also taken up boxing in my spare time to help with training.” I continued, hoping to appease Angelo. The tension in the room only seemed to grow, and it took all I had to stop my hands from shaking. “I would like to say I’m rather good at it, but I don’t enjoy bragging.” I joked weakly.

Angelo nodded, but didn’t respond, too busy studying the two of us with alarming scrutiny. I stole a glance over at Paris, only to see how nervous he was beginning to grow. As much as I hated this situation, I felt bad for him…. he must hate this almost as much as me.

“You finished another mission last week, right Paris?” My mother’s sickeningly sweet tone was an unmistakable threat. I raised my head and nodded, staring past her at the wall to dodge the poisonous glare she shot in my direction.

“Tell us about it,” Angelo prompted, his eyes never leaving the pair of us. The tension in the room grew. Finally, I couldn’t stand it anymore—I reached over from beneath the table and took Paris’s hand in mine, hoping the gesture would comfort him.

Juliet grabbed my hand from under the table, giving me the excuse to hide away from our parents’ prying gazes for a moment and look at her instead. I wasn’t sure how to thank her without openly saying the words—a sign of weakness I’d be punished for. All I could do was gently squeeze her hand and hope the gesture sufficed. I took a deep breath to collect myself and met Angelo’s gaze with my own. “It was a track and kill of a Montague.”

I nearly choked on my bite of chicken. What?

And all of a sudden, a horrific future came to life in my mind. Because I had been promised to Paris, my enemies were his. My enemies… meaning the Montagues. Romeo. He was in danger because of me.

I barely noticed Angelo nodding in approval, asking for the name of the newly killed.

“Sofía Montague, a known assassin.” I tried to sound confident, clutching Juliet’s hand like a little kid underneath the table. Killing, fighting, organized crime. That was all easy compared to having to explain it.

Angelo’s lips twisted into a horrible grin. “Very good, Paris.”

(Are Paris’s parents going to ask Juliet any questions?)

(They probably should lol)

I dipped my head, trying not to flinch as my mother spoke up. “Juliet, what have you been doing over the years?” She asked, her voice surprisingly gentle.

I raised my eyes when I was spoken to, unconsciously tightening my grip on Paris’s hand. “As far as missions go, I’ve done thievery, arson, reconnaissance, smuggling, dealing, and scouting. My first hit mission is scheduled for next week.”

I delivered these lines calmly, careful to keep my tone completely flat.

I looked over at Juliet surprised she could keep cool while I was shaking in my seat. I squeezed her hand softly to comfort her.

“Lovely. And I trust you’ve already been planning for the wedding?” Veronica spoke slowly, glancing over at Angelo to gauge his reaction.

I very nearly yanked my hand away from his.

“My father’s been doing most of the planning so far,” I answered honestly.

Veronica nodded curtly, pausing to think about this. My father spoke up in her absence. “Angelo says you’ve been doing quite well in school.” He began casually, his eyes sharp and calculating, piercing me from across the table. “Care to elaborate for us?”