Chapter Two
1155 Words
Elena:
The engagement moved faster than I expected.
When I woke up the next morning, I could hear whispers from my father’s workers downstairs.
They were talking about my wedding.
The words didn’t feel real, like they belonged to someone else’s life. My chest tightened as I got out of bed. Everything felt unfamiliar, even though I had lived in this house my whole life.
As I stepped into the living room, I froze.
My picture was on the television.
A headline ran boldly beneath it, announcing my marriage.
It felt like the world already knew before I could process it.
“So, you weren’t going to tell me you’re getting married?”
Lucas’s voice came from behind me.
I closed my eyes briefly before turning. “Lucas…”
“I thought we didn’t keep things from each other,” he said, his voice laced with hurt.
That look in his eyes broke something inside me.
Ever since our mother died, I have been his safe place.
“I’m sorry,” I said softly. “Everything happened too fast.”
He stared at me, then asked the one question I had been avoiding.
“Do you love him?”
This wasn’t about love.
This was about survival.
“Lucas…” I hesitated, unable to meet his gaze. “Sometimes we don’t have power over certain things.”
“Don’t tell me Dad is behind this.”
“No!” I said quickly. “It’s my decision.”
The lie tasted bitter.
“Then why are you rushing into marriage?” he pressed. “I saw it on the news—you’re getting married tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?”
The word slipped out before I could stop it.
Lucas narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me you’re just finding out.”
“Of course not,” I said quickly.
The truth was, I had no idea it would happen this fast.
“Lucas,” I said, reaching for him, “I’m really sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. You’re preparing for your exams.”
He stepped forward and pulled me into a tight embrace.
It was so tight, like he was afraid I might disappear.
“How am I supposed to focus?” he said, his voice breaking. “Everything is happening at once. The fallen Hart family is all over the news, and now your wedding… Elena, it’s too much. I miss Mum.”
His words pierced through me.
I held him closer, swallowing the lump in my throat.
“Just promise me one thing,” I whispered. “That you’ll pass your exams.”
He pulled back slowly and nodded.
Trying to lighten the mood, I forced a smile. “Don’t act like a child. How will you handle a breakup if you’re like this?”
He frowned slightly. “Don’t change the topic. Besides, they don’t break up with me—I do the breaking up.”
I laughed softly. “Don’t become a bad boy.”
“I might,” he replied with a small smirk.
“Bad boys are always strong.”
My father’s voice echoed as he walked down the stairs.
The moment I saw him, the anger I had been holding back resurfaced.
How could he arrange everything without telling me I was getting married tomorrow?
I didn’t trust myself to speak, so I turned and walked into the kitchen.
I didn’t have the energy for an argument.
I could feel his eyes on me, but I ignored him.
After a few minutes, I returned with three cups of coffee and handed them theirs.
“Lucas,” I said quietly, “I hope you’ll stay for my wedding before leaving.”
He nodded. “Of course, sis. I’ve got you.”
I smiled faintly and walked away.
*****
That night, sleep refused to come.
My mind wouldn’t rest.
Thoughts of tomorrow circled endlessly—what it would look like, how everything would change, how my life would no longer belong to me.
I got out of bed and walked toward the mirror.
For a moment, I just stared.
I looked… tired.
Like I was carrying something far heavier than I could bear.
Slowly, I removed my clothes, my gaze fixed on my reflection.
The thought came suddenly.
A man touching me and holding me
“No… what are you thinking, Elena?” I whispered.
I shook my head, trying to push it away.
I couldn’t stay here.
I needed to escape, even for a few hours.
I needed to feel something other than this suffocating pressure.
So I left the house.
The club was loud, vibrant, and alive—the complete opposite of everything I felt.
At first, I didn’t enjoy it, Mira wasn’t there.
She would have dragged me to the dance floor by now, laughing, carefree.
I missed her.
I sat down and ordered a drink.
The bartender caught my attention immediately.
He was… attractive.
“Miss, would you like another drink?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied, biting my lip.
He handed me another glass, stronger than the last.
And suddenly, my thoughts began to blur.
Everything felt different.
I couldn’t stop my mind from wandering.
I stood up quickly.
No this wasn’t right.
I didn’t want to lose control.
I made my way to the dance floor, letting the music take over.
My body moved without thinking, trying to release everything I had been holding in.
That’s when I noticed him.
A young man stepped beside me, matching my rhythm.
At first, I didn’t mind.
But then his hands began to wander.
A wave of irritation washed over me.
Wasn’t this what I wanted?
Then why did it feel so wrong?
“I need to use the restroom!” I shouted.
“Okay, damsel,” he said with a grin.
I left quickly, my steps were unsteady.
People were everywhere.
Some were kissing.
Some got lost in each other completely.
I leaned against the wall, trying to steady myself.
But it wasn’t a wall.
It was a door.
It suddenly opened, and I lost my balance, falling to the floor.
Embarrassment burned through me, and I stayed there, too tired to stand.
Voices echoed faintly.
Music pulsed in the distance.
Then I heard it.
“Leave her.”
The voice was calm.
“Young lady,” the same voice said, closer now, “are you going to stay there, or should I carry you, sweetheart?”
I slowly lifted my head.
And then I saw him.
My breath caught instantly.
He was… stunning.
Tall, composed, with an effortless presence that made everything else fade.
I couldn’t look away. Something
about him pulled me in completely.
Before I could stop myself…
I leaned forward.
And kissed him.
The moment our lips met, my eyes flew open in shock.
What had I just done?
I had just kissed a stranger.
The night before my wedding
- Writer
