The Last Tomorrow

ELISE' POV The city went dark at 9:25 pm on the 30th of September 2031. One moment Manhattan glittered from beneath the sky, the next it was total darkness. Elise Carter tried turning her phone on, but nothing. She searched frantically for a torch till one of the house servants came with a lamp. Then came the shouting. Elise stood behind the tall windows of the Reeds Private Residence as she watched the whole of New York in panic. Her phone had died a few minutes earlier, even the broadcasts had stopped shortly afterwards. Somewhere behind the gates sirens wailed from house to house, it was only for a short till they died down too. “Step away from the window”, Lucas Reed’s voice echoed from across the hallway. Elise didn't move. “Elise.” “What happened?” “We're still trying to figure it out.” She finally turned her face to him, “You honestly expect me to believe that?!” For a man who always had the answer to every question Elise had for sure seen he certainly didn't have an answer.” She tried not to panic, keeping her cool. A heavy impact shook the glass. Elise screamed. Lucas immediately ran to her, grabbed her by her arms and held her tight. “Stay here!” “Don't give me orders.” “Then consider it a request.” Another impact. This time the lights above them shook. Elise finally pulled free of his grip, “Your family is extremely wealthy, they have private security, backup generators, underground reserves, so why do you look like you were not expecting this?. Lucas looked down and went still. Elise was trying to figure out what could have possibly happened, she was pacing round the house. She was so lost in her thoughts that she couldn't hear Luacs telling her to calm down and bend. Suddenly her whole world went blank. … The Carter mansion seemed busy and somewhat peaceful. The chandeliers being as beautiful as ever, a serene music playing in the background and the whole household filled with murmurs. The whole thing pissed Elise. “How could they move on so quickly”, like the past 3 months hadn't happened at all. The Carter family lost their son, but Elise…Elise lost a part of herself. The part no one knew, the part she felt safe in, the part that had always kept her going. And now that it's all gone everyone seems to act normal…normal! Elise stood behind the floor-to-ceiling window at the Carter mansion, trying to escape whatever they had going on. All she wanted was peace and calm. That was cut short when Mrs. Vivian Carter called her name. She didn't hear at first, still lost in her thoughts. “We need you downstairs, your father has sent for you darling.” Still not responding. “Elise!” “What?What does he need me for?” Elise finally turned her back and gave her mother a sharp gaze. “Your father is about to make an announcement.” “He should go ahead.” “The announcement is about you.” “What?!, what is it about?” “Your marriage.” “How?When did this happen?Who gave their consent to this?” Her mother just stared at her. She didn't have answers, she was just a simple housewife following her husband's orders. Elise never imagined she'd have an arranged marriage. Especially to someone she doesn't love, and now she doesn't even know who her husband-to-be is. “To who?”Elise asked her mother, raising her voice, with her heart pacing. “Lucas, Lucas Reeds…heir to the Reeds family.” The Reeds and the Carters have always been close, but the children weren't. Elise had always heard stories about Lucas being cold and distant but never paid attention to it. “But why?” “The union of you two would strengthen the family's relationship, and since you both are the heirs it'll be so much better being together.” Elise couldn't believe what her mother had just said. She was tired of everyone telling what to do, but she had no choice. She quietly followed her mother downstairs and patiently waited for her father's announcement. The hall was beaming with lights, everyone wearing exquisite clothes. Everyone has forgotten Nathan, and the more she thought about it, the more pain she felt. Faint laughters filled the room. It was from her father's business associates and extended family. With smiles on their large smiles on their faces like the family didn't lose anyone. Elise despised every second of it. She stood in a corner watching everyone, with her hand on her throat and the other around her stomach as she thought back on her days with Nathan. On occasions like this the two usually snuck out of the house and usually went to the cinema or an arcade. She was quickly taken away from her imagination when she heard her father on stage. The mic was oddly loud. “May I have your attention, everyone?” The voices immediately died down. The house servants stopped what they were doing as soon as they heard Mr. Carter. “Tonight our two families have a very special announcement to make!” He was literally smiling from ear to ear as though he had won a lottery. Elise, still in her corner, just quietly watched him, she noticed someone staring at her but was too tired and pained to even pay attention to whoever it was. Mrs Margaret Reeds immediately joined Mr Carter on stage. She looked surprisingly younger than her age. One of the house servants brought another mic to Mrs Margaret. “Firstly, we'd like to thank everyone for joining us tonight. Your continued support means a lot to us.” Mrs Margaret continued, “As many of you know, the Carter and the Reed families have a long-standing relationship built on loyalty, respect and mutual support.” Lucas' mother paused, allowing her words to settle in. “Tonight we are pleased to announce a new chapter of that relationship.” Murmurs filled the room as everyone guessed what they meant, while some already knew what they meant. Elise remained in a corner trying to prevent tears from rolling down her cheeks. “Our children, Elise Carter and Lucas Reed will be getting married!” For a moment the room remained silent. Then came the applause, congratulations, everyone in the room seemed happy about the announcement except Elise. Then her eyes finally caught with her father's. This was a decision, it wasn't up for discussion. Apparently everyone had a say in her life except her. It was all so suffocating and painful for Elise.