CHAPTER 1
1089 Words
Every love story has a moment that changes everything. Ariana Hayes began with an elevator ride.
Ariana Hayes smoothed out the wrinkles in her blue dress for the fifth time.
Her phone buzzed.
Ethan sent her a message: Go to the floor do not keep your future waiting.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Future?
A nervous laugh came out of her mouth.
After three years countless promises and endless whispers that she was not good enough for him Ariana wondered if tonight was finally the night.
She held the wrapped watch she had spent three months saving to buy for him.
The elevator chimed, the doors slid open.
Someone shouted: She is here.
Cheers erupted white roses framed the rooftop and fairy lights shimmered above.
A hundred guests turned to stare at Ariana Hayes.
In the center stood Ethan Brooks, handsome and perfectly dressed smiling.
Ariana he called softly.
Her eyes got blurry with tears.
He walked toward her stopped one step away then slowly got down on one knee.
The crowd exploded, people shouting: Say yes oh my God he is proposing.
Ariana Hayes could not breathe this was the moment she had dreamed about.
Ethan Brooks reached into his suit pocket. Pulled out a small black velvet box.
He looked up at Ariana Hayes. Smiled.
Before you answer he said into the microphone there is something everyone deserves to know.
A hush fell over the rooftop Ethan Brooks slipped a microphone from the stand, his calm and confident.
I have been thinking about our future he said, never taking his eyes off Ariana Hayes marriage is not about love it is about pride.
Ariana Hayes smile faltered he opened the velvet box it was not a ring it was a black membership card, ELITE BODY FITNESS CLUB.
Confused murmurs swept through the guests Ethan Brooks announced: I have already paid for a year the best trainers, the best nutritionists.
He held the card toward Ariana Hayes this is my proposal he said.
If you can lose the weight he smiled I will replace this with a ring.
There was silence someone snickered I knew it was not a proposal another voice chimed in: she actually believed he would marry her.
Ariana Hayes fingers loosened around the gift she had bought for Ethan Brooks the expensive watch hit the marble floor the glass face shattering into glittering pieces.
Ethan Brooks looked down at it back at Ariana Hayes you deserve honesty Ariana he said.
So here is mine I am tired of pretending your size does not matter Ariana Hayes could not breathe.
She stared at the watch and realized something inside her had just shattered too.
The silence was unbearable Ariana Hayes lowered her eyes refusing to let anyone see the tears gathering there.
She bent to pick up the watch a sharp piece of glass sliced her finger, a drop of blood landed on the silver dial.
No one moved to help then there was a clap it echoed across the rooftop.
Everyone turned, a tall man in a charcoal suit stood near the entrance his hands slipping into his pockets.
His face remained hidden beneath the shadow of the rooftop lights what a touching proposal he said calmly.
Ethan Brooks frowned, who invited you the stranger ignored him instead he looked at Ariana Hayes not with pity not with disgust. With quiet respect.
Then his gaze returned to Ethan Brooks you asked her to become someone before you would marry her he said.
Tell me if she became everything you wanted tomorrow would that make you worthy of her the rooftop fell silent.
Ethan Brooks expression darkened and who exactly are you the stranger adjusted his cuff. Replied: just someone who knows the value of things people throw away.
Before anyone could stop him he. Walked toward the elevator the doors opened he stepped inside.
Just before they closed his eyes met Ariana Hayes for a heartbeat he looked like he knew her.
The elevator doors closed then did Ariana Hayes breathe, a tear escaped despite her efforts to hold it back.
She wiped it away before another could fall, more she whispered to herself.
Her reflection stared back from the steel doors for the first time she saw what everyone else seemed to see not the woman Ethan Brooks had loved but the woman he was ashamed of.
The elevator chimed the lobby was almost empty as Ariana Hayes stepped outside the cool night air hit her face.
Her phone vibrated she did not need to look it had to be Ethan Brooks instead it was a number.
She opened the message do not let his words become your mirror Ariana Hayes froze.
Another message appeared before she could react go home do not stop anywhere tonight and whatever happens do not throw away the gift you are carrying.
Her heartbeat quickened she looked around people hurried past no one seemed to be watching her.
Slowly she clutched the gift bag containing the watch who knew she still had it.
Then a black luxury sedan pulled away from, across the street behind its window she caught the brief outline of a man watching her leave.
By the time she looked again the car had disappeared.
Ariana Hayes unlocked her apartment door. Leaned against it the moment she stepped inside the silence hurt.
She dropped the gift bag onto the dining table. Forced herself to breathe three years gone in a single night.
Her phone rang, Ethan Brooks was calling she stared at the screen, pressed decline.
A later a text arrived I embarrassed you because I want you to become better you will thank me one day.
Ariana Hayes laughed, a broken laugh her thumb hovered over his contact then she blocked his number.
The room fell silent again buzz, another message, the unknown number, good.
Her heart skipped, before she could reply another text appeared, open the gift bag.
Ariana Hayes frowned, with trembling hands she reached for the bag. Slowly opened it.
The broken watch was gone in its place lay a Polaroid photograph a little girl smiled brightly at the camera holding the hand of a boy whose face had been carefully torn away.
On the back written in blue ink were four words I will find you, Sunshine.
Ariana Hayes fingers trembled she had never seen the photograph before but the nickname made her heart ache.
As she stared at it her phone vibrated one time welcome back Ariana Hayes.
- Writer
