Chapter 4
718 Words
“Richard where were you? Did something happen?” Jemimah searched the tall man with her gaze to be sure of no injuries.
Richard’s blue eyes wouldn’t meet hers. The only reason a man would disappear after proposing was unthinkable… but Jemimah clung to other possibilities.
A work emergency. His parents asking him to reconsider. Anything but the worst.
Richard held up a fist, a gem caught the sun dispersing rainbows. “I married someone else.”
The ray of hope shattered.
She went mute, focusing on the ants marching past them.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn't have proposed to you.”
Her gold tinged brown eyes widened.
Richard’s voice softened as if it could lessen the blow his words delivered.
“You are sweet, Jemimah. Smart even. But I need someone… more.”
Since highschool everyone knew Jemimah Starling didn't have that ‘more’.
“A girl that has a more interesting fashion sense. More friends in high places wouldn’t hurt and more …more—” He paused knowing Jemimah understood.
“More money.” Looking Richard in the eye, she finished for him.
He had the gall to look sheepish. “Let's be real, whenever I took you on a date, didn't you ever see the looks people gave us?”
Under the heat of the sun, Jemimah shivered but stayed silent.
“I honestly like you Jemimah…Really…but I've always wanted a girl that matched my status. Someone who looked good on my arm that people would compliment. Someone with taste and class. A dainty lady who didn't have veins all over her hands. Someone who —”
Swallowing the lump in her throat, Jemimah quietly cut in, “Richard…I …I understand.”
His look shifted from discomfort to bewilderment then gratitude. “Really?”
Unable to speak for fear of breaking down, Jemimah forced a smile hoping it passed as a genuine one.
Giving the full blown grin, she swooned for, Richard said, “I knew my friend would understand.”
Jemimah’s breath hitched, her throat burned, but she forced herself to stand tall. No way would she cry in front of him. Not now.
With loving eyes, he looked down at the ring on his finger. “You should see her Jem, she's an elegant daughter from an influential family in Paris.”
On hearing the nickname he'd given her, a sob burst out. Sadly, Richard took it as a word of encouragement to hear more.
His face grew animated as he spoke. “Get this, she grew up with all of the France ministers’ kids.”
He shook his head fondly. “Can you imagine that?”
A beat of uncomfortable silence passed. Once again conscious of the proof of how hard she worked, she tugged the sleeves passed her finger tips.
“I’d better go.” He walked backward then paused.
“Jemimah?”
For a second, Jemimah hoped again. Maybe he’ll take it all back.
He stared at the dilapidated cottage then back at her. “You can keep the gown and the ring...feel free to pawn them. They will fetch a good sum.”
With one last pitying smile, he dove into his Bugatti.
Zoomed off, bathing Jemimah in dust.
Blinking away the dust, tears streaked down her cheeks as she made her way to her parents home.
Glad they'd already left for the plantation, Jemimah could cry in peace.
In a nutshell, the kind of girl he wants is someone who had something to offer.
Isn't that the kind of girl, Ignacio Vilagos just assumed he'd gotten married to?
Her heart sunk with dread. The worse part is her photos would be all over the internet by now.
Maybe she should have backed out.
The old clock ticked. Walls bare of any fresh paint matched the equally overused three person couch. Brown stuffing already puffing out.
In the tiny kitchen where a couple baskets of farm produce lay—they didn't have a fridge anymore. Dad exchanged it for some groceries at a big farmer's ranch some miles off.
“They'd fetch a good price,” the words replayed again.
Good thing Ignacio already trashed them then, she chuckled bitterly.
What if he trashed you too… when he sees how you live? that ugly voice echoed in her head.
- Writer
