The Damsel in Distress
1657 Words
"Winter could sometimes be cruel when it's cold. During her frigid nights, she spent hours from crying and begging for some mercy"
At the Madison Plaza Hotel where the annual celebration party of Mademoiselle Magazine was being held, every top brands in the fashion industry were all invited.
Top companies all over the country, big names in different industries and not to mention the super models across the Asia were there and ready to take the spotlight.
Mademoiselle is one of the famous magazines in the 3 continents, namely Asia, U.S.A and Australia.
Everybody has been dying to be featured in this magazine, and it's indeed a great opportunity to be part of the grand party, to meet different people in high society.
Murphy and Johnson's Builders is one of the top 10 Engineering, Procurement and Construction services company in the U.S for industrial Facilities.
And Zack Andrew Murphy was the present CEO of the company, he was very popular not only in his field of expertise but also because of his good appearance, pleasing personality, athletic built and his charitable activities.
He is also generous to his people, has integrity in his work, soft spoken, kind hearted man and more.
Everyone knows him and every girl wants to date him. But he never showed any interest to anyone woman.
No matter how many times his father had set up a date for him, there was no lucky girl who have won his heart.
He ended up avoiding them after the 1st meeting, for the fact that he got bored dating classy women.
Sophisticated and fashionable women are not his type.
He simply wants to date an ordinary woman, where he can have it on an ordinary day without exerting too much effort, to please the girl with a fancy car and restaurant.
But since he was the CEO of his own company, living an ordinary life was far from reality.
While on the other hand, Lee Prime Corporation is one of the leading property developers in the country. Over 20 Successful housing projects have been accomplished for the past 10 years in the real estate industry.
Marcus Liam Lee as the future successor of the company, takes pride in all the family's achievements.
He is sincere, devoted and kind. His physical appearance attracts every girl in the cat walk. He has so many good traits that will make you fall for him, because he is a one hot guy.
But he has his dark side that only his parents and Alyssa knew. He is possessive.
He easily loses his patience and self-control. He also tends to be selfish, violent and show rage if he doesn't get what he wants. And if being rejected, he simply freaked out.
But there is one person beside his parents who can tame Marcus. It's Alyssa!
His one and only love.
***
"Aly!"
A woman's voice has broken the silence in the hotel garden.
Her eyes widen while looking at the woman's face, as she recognized the person who was approaching her.
Alyssa exclaimed out of excitement. "Mandy Louise! It's good to see you. I'm glad you are here. I almost didn't recognize you...you are stunning!" She was wearing a red velvet one shoulder dress with a braided her and red high heels.
"Oh thank you!" Mandy replied, feeling very confident about herself.
"I'm not the only one who looks great tonight." She said while staring at Alyssa's outfit.
She was wearing a sexy bare back, long silky black mermaid gown with a cowl neckline and a stiletto heel. Her voluptuous body curved nicely on her dress.
Her wavy hair was laid down neatly, and she has a perfect evening make up that made her look gorgeous.
She looks impressive and attractive with the matching earrings and necklace on her slender neck too.
"Who's with you my dear? Mandy asked while looking around the area trying to find Aly's date for the night.
She narrowed down her eyes as she replied on her "I'm with Marcus!
"Oh really!? Are you two dating? Since when?"
Mandy was a bit nosy in this matter because she has known Alyssa and Marcus since middle school as best friends.
"He is my fiancé!" Alyssa declared.
"Oh my goodness! You are one lucky girl Alyssa." Mandy spoke with exaggeration and she felt a little shy out of it.
"A bright future is guaranteed! Imagine a wife to be, of the future heir of the Lee Prime Corporation...I envy you. Congratulations!"
"That's what everybody says. Maybe I should really feel lucky." Her lips smiled.
"Thanks!" then she drank the half full glass of the wine, straight.
"By the way, why are you here? I mean, this is a business event if I am not mistaken...so ?" Alyssa curiously asked.
And Mandy flicked her hair in a conceited manner "Well, well, well" She said
"I just happened to be the date of my boss tonight" She giggled. "I think he likes me" and a wide smile appeared on her face as she felt proud.
"Oh! That's great" Alyssa offered a toast when she raised her glass "Cheers!" and they were both enjoying the wine, till Mandy decided to leave her.
"I got to go, I heard from one of the Mademoiselle's staff that the famous photographer Mark Lucas is coming tonight. Got to get myself ready." her voice was full of excitement, she was full of energy and Aly was fond of her.
"They said, Mark provides free photo shoot for women he likes to be his subject, and they feature them in the magazine's fashion headline since Mark is close with the owner. They are good friends and share the same interest."
"Sure, no worries. Enjoy the night dear. I'll stay here for a while" Alyssa said, and Mandy raised her left eyebrow when she found her reply a bit strange.
"Aren't you going back inside? I mean, why aren't you with your date? Where the hell is Marcus?" she freaked out.
And Alyssa tittered, "Hey, I'm fine! You know, i hate crowded place. I would feel great, if I'll stay in here" she explained
And Mandy twitched her lips. "Alright then, if you wish" and Alyssa nodded her head to assure her.
Mandy started to wrap up as she brushed her hair with her fingers.
With the compact mirror, she checked her appearance before saying her last words to her good friend.
"I'll try to catch up with you later if I'm still sober. And don't forget to send me the wedding invitation personally, alright!" she exclaimed before taking her final walk. "I'm really happy for you Alyssa. Bye!"
"Ciao!" Alyssa waved her hand like a beauty queen, as she watched Mandy leave the palace garden.
Suddenly, silence captivated her heart and soul.
She felt empty and sad.
She feels like dying inside.
Everyone thinks that her engagement and upcoming wedding was an opportunity for her since she didn't come from a rich family.
They were right at some point. Yes, she could be the luckiest girl - but nobody knows her true feelings.
Nobody knows that she couldn't accept the reason of her marriage. No one knows that she doesn't want him to be her husband, because her heart does not beat for him.
The fact that Marcus is the only son and heir of the Lee's - he is entitled to so many things, and as his wife to be, Alyssa can share the same fame and glory with him.
But this is not what she wanted.
She was different. She doesn't like limelight.
She wanted to marry the man she truly loves. Someone who can make her heart skip a beat, can bring butterflies in her stomach, and can unleash the other side of herself.
Someone who can drive her crazy in love, and it was not Marcus- unfortunately.
She never felt so sad like this before.
Her heart was full of joy back then, and her smiles were everywhere.
She used to be a happy person with a warm heart to anything. But now, her heart was frozen. She barely feels happiness.
There is no doubt that Marcus means so much to her as a friend, and she cared about his feelings as well.
She doesn't want to hurt him, in fact...She can't turn her back on him even if she could, because she knew how much it would hurt him if she does.
That's why as much as she could, she remained his friend. Unfortunately, he wanted more from her.
His love became selfish. He cannot breathe without her, and Alyssa got suffocated with the way she was being loved.
She remembered the day she accepted him as her boyfriend, she had no choice because she was so thankful to Marcus for convincing his father not to send her father in jail, for owning his family a big amount of money.
Out of gratitude she gave him a chance, she thought that loving him wouldn't be that hard since he was her best friend.
But her feelings overtime never changed, the comfort that she found in him was only the comfort of having a friend, other than that- nothing else.
And now, she is engaged with him! And she hates him for that.
He knew that she wasn't even ready yet to take their relationship to the next level, but because of his possessiveness - he disregarded whatever she would feel as long as he can keep her.
Her tears fell on her eyes. And as she felt the warm tears on her cheeks, she came back to her senses.
She dried her face and plastered a smile, right after she gasped for air.
"Marcus!" she whispered his name under the moonlight
"Heaven knows how much you mean to me...But I can't love you back, I'm sorry!" She looked upon the sky and let the moon shine on her gloomy face.
- Writer
