Loveless Betrothal

I looked at myself in the full-length, wall-mounted mirror in my hotel room. I pursed my lips as I fixed the hem of my sleek, white dress. "Is this too simple?" I asked my best friend sitting on the couch behind me. With her eyes still on her phone, she replied, "You look amazing in anything, Betty." I rolled my eyes in annoyance. "You didn't even look at the dress." She let out a deep breath before fixating her eyes on me. "You've asked me that question three times already. Why are you suddenly feeling nervous?" "Why wouldn't I be? Today's an important day for me," I answered while fixing my hair. "I'm happy but nervous, both at the same time." She let out a wistful smile as she stood up. At that moment, her phone rang with that loud Britney Spears song as her ringtone. "I have to take this call. I'll be right back." "Okay, sure." I turned my attention back to the mirror. Without a doubt, I look beautiful. My long, straight hair compliments the features of my face well. I have an amazing figure--one that most women would be envious of and accuse me of getting plastic surgery--which I didn't, obviously. I graduated from an Ivy League School, which makes me the perfect package. I am the epitome of perfection, birthed from a family of wealthy business tycoons. I have everything. The door opened with Erica, my best friend, telling me that the limo was there. I grabbed my Givenchy Off White Moon Cutout bag before heading outside. I was greeted by Mr. Simon, holding the door of the limo for me. "Good evening, Mr. Simon!" I greeted him with a cheery smile. "You look very beautiful tonight, Miss Betty," he complimented me as I entered the limo. Mr. Simon has been my personal driver since I started learning how to walk. I could even say to an extent that I see him as part of our family, since my family wasn't always around due to our businesses overseas. He's been around to support me and he's treated me like his own. The ride to the venue didn't take long despite the mild traffic going around in the city. When we arrived there, we ran into reporters and Paparazzis taking pictures of us getting out of the limo. "I still can't get used to cameras all around us in public and special events like this," Erica commented as we smiled and walked on the red carpet. "I'm really hoping that I'll be the headline for tomorrow's newspaper. That would be iconic," I muttered as I smiled and waved to the cameras. When we got inside the venue, I was greeted by the staff and was taken to my table. "Is this seat taken?" I jokingly asked the gorgeous blonde man--err, my husband-to-be, sitting at the table. He let out a chuckle. "You're late, Darling." I was waiting for him to pull out my chair and let me sit, but he seemed quite invested in the venue more than his beautiful bride-to-be. Kidding. And yes, I'm engaged to this gorgeous blonde man sitting right beside me. Oliver Craig Brennery, the sole heir to the Brennery Industries. I would say that the start of our relationship was a bit rocky since this was initially the marriage of two successful businesses, Mills Corporation and Brennery Industries. Fortunately, we both undoubtedly fell for each other. "Darling," he called for my attention. "Our parents are here." We both stood up as we greeted each of our family members that will be joining us tonight for our betrothal ceremony. The rest of the night went smoothly. Both of our families were in good spirits, the visitors at the venue were enjoying themselves, and I'm with Oliver, having drinks as the entertainment fills the night with enjoyment. As we watched various performances and drank to our heart's content, my face was lit up every moment. It's as if tonight was the perfect night. After the performances, my parents went up the stage with glasses of Champagne in their hands. They were smiling from ear to ear as they stood on the stage, watching everyone's faces. My Dad put his glass on the table first before speaking into the microphone. "I'm assuming all of you are having a wonderful evening?" He stopped as the crowd cheered on his comment. He lets out a chuckle before continuing. "Today is a very important day, as it is the betrothal ceremony of my beautiful daughter, Sylvia Bethany Mills and her loving husband-to-be, Oliver Craig Brennery, the dashing son of my good friends, Chris and Olivia, owners of the Brennery Industries." He proceeded with his speech. "Although this engagement started as a way for two successful businesses to unite, I'm glad that the two of them found their way to each other's hearts. My biggest dream would be for me to have a grandchild!" I looked over at Oliver and saw him laugh at my Dad's comment on our future plans. I nudged him. "Do you want to help me achieve my Dad's dream right now?" I asked him with a sultry look. He gave me a confused smile before responding. "You know your Dad is joking, right? We have to prioritize the company first, Darling. After our marriage, we'll be very busy and have no time to take care of a child. We wouldn't want our child to experience what you did, right? Do you understand me?" I was taken aback by how he responded. "Why are you taking it seriously? I'm only joking," I let off a wistful smile. He noticed my mood changed, so he held my hand. "Darling, that's not what I meant--" I stood up before he could even finish what he was saying. "I'm going to go to the bathroom and touch up my makeup. Is that okay?" I gave him an assuring smile before leaving. "Okay, Darling," he said. "But you have to be back before your father finishes his speech, okay?" I just nodded and grabbed my purse before going to the bathroom. I put my purse on the sink before looking at myself in the mirror. "I don't have time to sulk over what he said. It's so not worth it." I then retouched my makeup, put some lip gloss on, and fixed my entire demeanor. I am Sylvia Bethany Mills. I am unfazed by no one, not even my husband-to-be, who is sometimes an insensitive motherfu--!! "Okay, I need to calm myself down." I decided to ditch the party and went to the hotel's private bar. While sitting by myself, I instantly noticed the atmosphere here feeling very luxurious--like a frequent place for spontaneous dates with the richest bachelors in town. Obviously, I'm not looking for someone to date. I'm just here to have a drink until I can finally calm down. "Hello Miss, what can I get you?" the bartender asked. I smiled before responding. "Can I get one Sazerac?" "Right away, Miss," he replied. "Thanks," I uttered as I faced the whole interior of the bar. There were only a few people having drinks in this bar--nothing too special, honestly. Most of the people here are old guys and women who want to have fun. Look at them having small talk and putting on happy little faces, all the while pretending that their life is not as miserable as it seems. Fun. "Is this seat taken?" I turned and looked at this person from his head down to his toe. He has brown hair, gray eyes, thick straight brows, and a sharp jawline. He's wearing a patterned button-down shirt, with a navy blue linen jacket, and a pair of matching navy blue chinos. This guy seems oddly familiar--like I've seen his face somewhere. I shook my head to answer his question. "You can sit wherever you like." He turns his head to look at my drink. "Sazerac, huh? You must be having a bad day." He then sat down and ordered a drink. "Hey Mike, my usual please. Thank you." "Right away, sir." "So, what's a beautiful lady like you, wearing that alluring white dress, doing here? Are you with someone?" he asked. I let out a sigh before answering. "I'm just here to relax for a bit." "Ah, boy problems." I rolled my eyes at him before taking a sip of my drink. "It's actually none of your business." He bit his lower lip before letting out a chuckle. "I think I've seen you before. I think your name is..?" "Betty. And you are..?" "I'm Zoren, a pleasure to meet you." He reached his hand to shake mine, so I gave him my hand. It took me by surprise when he softly kissed it instead! I immediately showed him my ring. "I'm engaged." He smirked. "What I did was a sweet gesture. Nothing of the sort that you're thinking of." I finished my drink before deciding to leave. I honestly didn't feel any different, but my family might be looking everywhere for me since I've been gone for almost half an hour now. They must be worried sick. "Are you going back to your party? I bet they're looking for you now," he commented. I turned to look at him. "If you're trying to stalk me, it would be best if you stopped." At that exact moment, I hurriedly left the bar and headed straight to the elevator. That guy must be a stalker of mine--it's not a coincidence, right? "Hey! Betty!" It was the stalker calling out my name. I panicked and pushed the button a couple of times before the elevator doors opened. Despite feeling relieved that I can finally get out of here, my mouth slightly opened from shock when I saw the sight that unfolded in front of me. It was Erica and Oliver, making out inside the elevator! When they noticed that the elevator doors were open, Oliver immediately pushed Erica away from him. They both looked at me with fear in their eyes--not knowing what was going through my head when I saw the sight of them kissing each other. "Be-Betty…" he muttered in complete shock. "I can explai--" "What the actual f*ck? You're cheating on me with my best friend?!" Erica tried to calm me down. "Betty... it's not what you think. We were just looking for yo--" "Don't you try and give me that bullsh*t, Erica! How many times have you guys been making a fool out of me?! Answer me!" I could care less about what other people watching here think of me right now. I'm hurt AND betrayed--by my best friend and my fiancé. I don't deserve any of this! But before I could give them a piece of my mind, I was interrupted by my stalker, still standing behind me. "You need to cool off a bit, Betty. This scene is getting a lot of attention and it's gonna look bad on you." "Do I look like I care?", I sarcastically responded. "You can be mad at me later for what I'm about to do." I turned around to face him. "Why are you still--" Before I could even finish my sentence, Zoren carried me when the other elevator doors opened. He immediately pushed the button for the penthouse floor. "Hey! Put me down! I'm not a child!" I shouted in frustration. He let out a sigh before gently putting me back to my feet. "Betty, you need to calm down first." "Why the hell are you so nosy?! It was none of your business helping me out back there!" "I know your anger is eating you whole right now, and it's okay for you to vent all of your frustrations to me. Just wait until we can get somewhere private where no one can--" The elevator doors opened so I immediately stepped out and so did he. "Are you f*cking kidding me? I don't know who you are and I'm not coming with you." Who does he think he is? I don't even know him and he expects me to do what he suggests just because he 'helped' me. I'm even sure that he's only helping me so that he can try and get something out of me! He bit his lower lip before answering me. "You probably heard about me from your fiance, but we haven't been properly introduced." I raised my eyebrow, anticipating the nonsense excuse he's about to say. "Let me formally introduce myself," he starts. "My name is Zoren Nikkolas Brennery. I'm your fiance's uncle."