Chapter 1: 20th Birthday
Today marks the elevation of Cia Skywalker's level in her family and her life. Looking into the mirror, she could see a hint of joy, pride and fear on her face. She couldn't tell the reason for the fright.
Oh she could tell. The thought of marriage after her birthday made her sick. The word marriage sucks!
Letting the thought go off her mind, she studied herself in the mirror. Her make-up artist, Ylva had spent hours making her look extremely beautiful than she was. She was wearing a cherry red and golden dress that dragged down the floor. Her brown wavy hair cascaded down her waist beautifully with golden hairpins in shapes of hearts.
The make-up was perfect and looked different although Ylva have been her make-up artist right from time. She felt weak inside or could that be fear?
She tried to calm this feeling down but it seemed difficult. Why?
Cia watched Ylva pack up her cosmetics, paused then turned to her.
" Is anything bothering you about the work, milady ? ", She asked worried at Cia's silence." Don't you like the blush? Is it too much for your complexion ? ".
Cia sighed slightly, putting on a smile." Your work is not that bad ", she stood up, trying to look brave and fearless.
" Have a happy birthday, milady ", Ylva bowed before exiting.
Staring at her reflection again, she sighed. She've never waited for this damn day !
A soft knock went on the door followed by a mild. " Milady, it's time ".
She understood what she meant by it's time. It's time to go to the celebration hall downstairs. Everyone will be waiting for her. She recalled what the morning felt like.
The morning was nice.Cia Skywalker woke up to the sound of her phone buzzing with notifications. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes, remembering that today was her 20th birthday. Her social media was flooded with messages from fans, friends, and acquaintances.
As she scrolled through her feeds, Cia's thought moved to the family legacy: getting married after her birthday. Oh that, she felt butterflies in her stomach.
Cia's Co-star, Max Collard, entered with a bouquet of sunflowers, Cia's favorite. " Happy birthday, Cia! I've got your schedule packed with interviews and shoots. You're going to slay this day ".
As the morning unfolded, she received gifts from her Hollywood colleagues and industry moguls. Promises from her dad and fake congratulations from her stepmom and stepsisters.
" It's time ", she took one more glance at the mirror before leaving the room .
" Happy Birthday, milady ", chorused Maria and Laura, her personal maids. This was the second time they wished her a happy.
" Thanks. Let's go now ", she led the way while they followed her behind, as she took her steps as majestic as she could.
" Maria ", she called as they began to descend the stairs.
" Yes, milady ".
" How did you feel when you turned twenty ? ", she wanted to hear from the experienced. Maria and Laura are older than her with years and have been taking care of her right from when she was conceived.
Maria felt a bit bothered about the question but had to answer." I felt like a new adult, milady ".
A new adult? That sounds genuine.
" How about you Laura ? ".
" I felt like I have more responsibilities ahead, milady ".
Exactly! She's feeling that way. Their answers resonated with her own feelings.
" You look nervous, milady ", Laura pointed out.
Indeed, she was.
Apart from her late mother, Only these two ladies understands her feelings no matter how she tries hard to hide it. They were like her close friends and she've never felt so safe around anyone but them.
Talking of her nervousness, it has nothing to do with her birthday but with the topic of wedlock. The discussion of marriage made her heart race and sent butterflies in her stomach.
As the first daughter of the famous captain without a son, she's expected to get married shortly after her 20th birthday so her husband will be signed up for heritage.
Husband? That word really keeps her heart skipping. Her life have been a stressful and she really need nothing to add to the stress. Marriage is a bunch of...
" Whoa ", she mistakenly missed her steps, slipped but fell into strong arms. Panting in relief at the sudden incident, a scent of cinnamon mixed with vanilla greeted her nose. What in a world. This is the most intimidating scent she've ever perceived.
She quickly withdrew herself from the stranger's hold now meeting a pair of amber eyes.
Damn! Where could eyes like this come from. It's her first time seeing eyes so beautiful yet dangerous. She've never come across eyes with this pigment before...
" Watch where you're going way, princess ", he said , his voice dripping with sarcasm.
" Sorry I didn't realized I needed to make way for the prince ", Cia retorts in annoyance.
" Well, I believe it have come to your knowledge now ", he said, raising an eyebrow.
" And you mind the way you talk else you'd get yourself thrown away from this place ", she fired, trying to let him know her position but instead he found it funny.
" The celebrant I guess. How irritating ", his smile was annoying.
Cia fumed, she've never met a guy as sarcastic and annoying as this stranger.
" Well I would have let you break your skull ", he continued. " It'll be a pleasant sight ".
Cia didn't hesitate to fire back. " And I wouldn't have fallen into your filthy arms. Who in a world will need your help? ".
He only smiled as if to himself, ignored her then left.
She stared at him as he walked away. Who's this man, uninvited yet disrespectful. How dare him ?
But little did she know that he have a high rank.The way he spoke to her without panicking, the confidence he possessed and his expensive black suit could tell.
