Wanted Bride

Mai It's morning again I hate mornings, nothing good ever happens to me in the morning, I just get the reminder that my life is as f****d up as it can get, It was a new day, but for me, it brought no sense of hope or renewal. With a heavy sigh, I rolled out of bed, my whole body aching from another restless night's sleep. Shuffling to the cramped kitchen, the scent of stale coffee still lingered in the air from yesterday's feeble attempt at finding comfort in caffeine. I had always been a diligent student, driven by dreams of success and financial independence. But those dreams were fading fast, like the leftover of my morning brightness. With a heavy heart, I approached my dining table, where a ton of unopened envelopes awaited my attention. Bills, loans, and reminders of ascending debts filled the small table like a miniature fortress. My fingers shook slightly as I picked up the first envelope, my name and address glaring back at me in bold print. I tore it open, my eyes studying the contents. It was another reminder from the student loan company, a relentless beast that seemed to grow stronger with each passing month. The numbers on the page seemed to taunt me, a constant reminder of the education I had pursued with such passion, now haunting me in the form of an impossible debt. Reaching for the next envelope, my heart sank further. It was a notice of eviction from my landlord, a final warning before they would forcibly remove me from the apartment I had called home for years. The weight of my financial troubles pressed down on me, threatening to strangle any twinkle of hope that remained. My hands quivered as I shuffled through the remaining envelopes, each one bearing bad news and demands for payment I couldn't possibly meet unless there was some kind of intervention. The walls of my humble apartment seemed to close in around me, a stark reminder of the corner I had painted myself into. Desperation washed over me, and at that moment, I made a decision. Today, I would do something I hadn't done in far too long. I would allow myself a brief escape, a relaxation from the relentless bombardment of my problems. Tonight, I would go to the bar with my friends, drink to stupor, and for just a minute, try to forget it all. With the weight of my financial troubles bearing down on me, I knew that tonight was a night I couldn't afford to miss. My friends had been pushing me to join them for weeks, sensing my mounting stress, and today, I couldn't find a reason to say no. I hurried through my morning routine, a sheer shadow of the confident, ambitious young woman I had once been. The hot water in the shower offered temporary comfort, its warmth briefly washing away the feeling of sadness that had settled in my bones. Dressing in my most comfortable yet stylish attire, I hoped to regain a mask of the self-assured Mai I used to be. As I looked at myself in the mirror, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of bitterness. The reflection staring back at me seemed to be a far cry from the ambitious student who had once dreamed of a bright future. I lay down for the rest of the day and slept, I just had to rest, I was unsure how today would turn out and there was nothing I had to do. I woke up at around 7:13 p.m. and retouched my makeup. With a deep breath, I left my apartment behind, locking the door with a heavy heart. The building's old staircase creaked beneath me as I climbed down, a fitting complement to the heaviness in my chest. The world outside seemed better, full of people on their way to wherever they were going this night, blissfully unaware of my struggles, thankfully. My friends were already waiting for me at the bar, their laughter and chatter could be heard from the entrance of the bar. Hi Mia! Jane shouts with a very huge smile on her face as I approach the round table they were sitting at, I forced a smile as I joined them, determined to enjoy this night of temporary recovery. “Hi Jane, Emma, and Katie omg I have missed you guys it's been so long since we got together like this I've missed us”, Emma rolls her eyes “No you don't, no calls no texts you just lock yourself up, and pretend we don't exist”, she gives me her best puppy dog eyes, I know it seems that way but there is a very reasonable explanation for all of that but first, in need a lot of alcohol to get through the night, I watch Katie from the side of my eyes call for the waiter “ keep the shots coming somebody wants to get wasted” Together, we ordered drinks, raising our glasses in a silent toast to escaping the pressures of our lives, if only for a little while. You know that feeling you have that you're being watched, I've never felt it more than I do now I look around me but everybody is just minding their business, I look up at the VIP section of the bar but it's dark even if there was someone there I wouldn't be able to see anything so I tug the nasty feeling away from me and concentrate on Katie I think Shes talking about her very resent boyfriend who honestly sounds like a douchbag but it's Katie, she never makes the right choice just like me. As the night wore on and the hours blurred together, I lost myself in the companionship of my friends and the numbing effects of alcohol. The worries that had troubled me all day gradually faded into the background, replaced by the warm embrace of friendship and the vibrant energy of the bar, exactly what would I have done without these girls? They make everything better when they are around Katieteases Emma and we all burst out laughing. It was in this haze of laughter and music that I saw him, the man who had been stalking me from afar. I have never seen eyes so green and evil I'm hooked I can't stop staring, everything in me is telling me to pull my eyes away from those forest green eyes but I don't instead I take my time to fully take him in. Who is this? Why has he been staring at me? Why does it feel like he wants to whisk me away from here and devour me? He was a notable figure amidst the crowd, commanding attention without uttering a word. He stood at around 6 feet 2 inches, his tall and well-built frame oozing an aura of confidence and power. His broad shoulders and lean, athletic physique indicated a life of luxury combined with disciplined fitness. But it was his unique features that truly set him apart. He possessed the kind of rugged handsomeness that turned heads wherever he went. His chiseled jawline was adorned with a well-groomed beard that added a touch of rugged masculinity to his otherwise refined appearance. His piercing, steel-green eyes seemed to hold secrets untold, their intensity drawing you in like a moth to a flame. His hair was a dark, tousled fur that fell casually over his forehead, adding an air of effortless charm. Strands of silver hinted at his maturity, suggesting a man who had experienced life's ups and downs and had come out stronger for it. But what truly caught the eye were the tattoos that adorned his muscular arms and peeked out from the collar of his tailored shirt. Inked in elaborate detail, the tattoos told a story of his life, each design holding personal significance. On his right forearm, a majestic phoenix sat, I heard it was a symbol of rebirth and transformation. On his left bicep, a fierce tiger crouched, its emerald eyes filled with determination and strength, why these creatures though? I couldn't help but wonder. As he moved with grace and purpose, you couldn't help but notice the faint scars that crisscrossed his hands and forearms, who hurt him? How did he get the scars? Do they still hurt? These scars, rather than decreasing his allure, added to the mysterious aura that surrounded him. His fashion sense was impeccable, showcasing a blend of classic elegance and modern style. He wore a well-fitted suit with an open-collar shirt that indicated a hint of nonchalance. A silver watch adorned his wrist, a symbol of his appreciation for fine craftsmanship. In a room full of people, he was the kind of man who effortlessly stood out, with a tantalizing blend of rugged charm, refined elegance, and a hint of danger, all underscored by the artistry of his tattoos that hinted at a life filled with stories waiting to be uncovered. The world around me seemed to blur into a haze of laughter and music. The worries that had plagued me all day gradually faded into the background, replaced by the warm embrace of friendship and the vibrant energy of the bar. He moved with the confident grace of a man who was used to being in control, and his dark, piercing eyes held an intensity that was impossible to ignore. He approached me with an air of self-assuredness that was hard to resist. "May I buy you a drink?" he asked His voice was hard, his words carrying an underlying sense of authority like he wasn't asking, he was telling me. I hesitated for a moment, aware of my friends watching, but there was something about him that intrigued me. With a nod and a shy smile, I agreed, “Yes you may since you're asking so nicely” and he signaled to the bartender to pour me another drink. I take a sip of the drink and hear him ask “What's your name and I reply “Mai” “You're Asian” “You don't miss much do you, well everybody knows from first glance, my eyes give me away “What do you do Mai? “Well I school at NYU, Theater and Arts Would you like to pursue a career in the discipline? You seem awfully interested in me sir when I don't even know your name I'm Dashiell It's not a usual name and it's very beautiful Well I would have to graduate first and figure it out, with my student loan and all my other debts I'm just surviving each day right now He didn't respond, just stared at me while I drank My friends were already on the dance floor, did they really leave me at the mercy of this Greek god? By this time I was done with the glass of bourbon I was taking I was feeling a little light and found myself discussing and opening up in ways I hadn't planned. The alcohol and his charisma created a sense of intimacy that felt both thrilling and dangerous. The music pulsed through the bar, the beat of the songs syncing with the pounding of my heart. I couldn't deny the attraction I felt, the magnetic pull that drew me closer to this enigmatic man. Little did I know that Dashiell Ford Jr. had a darkness hidden beneath his alluring exterior, a darkness that would soon collide with the chaos of my own life. As the night wore on, our fates became entwined in ways I could never have imagined. His name was Dashiell Ford Jr., and he was about to disrupt my life in ways I could never have imagined.