Unconditional Love

Chapter 5: Marie’s Charm on Prom Night

“I’m sure that Liam won’t be able to resist you tonight, Marie.” one of her friends said as they saw her gown.

“I don’t know Eve. It’s the sixth time that you have said that and it’s been six years, but nothing.” Marie said sadly.

“Oh, Marie. I’m so sorry. Well, who cares about that jerk, Liam, anyway? There are lots of guys that have been hitting on you. Why not give them a chance tonight?” said Eve while brushing her hair with her fingers.

“Yeah, it is about time that you move on and forget him,” her friend Kyla added.

“Move on? As if we had a relationship,” Marie said.

“Of course, moving on is not just for those who have been to a break-up.” Eve agreed with Kyla.

Marie just sighed as she shook her head. She once again looked at her reflection in her vanity mirror facing her bed where she was sitting together with her friends. She is with Kyla and Eve as they are preparing for tonight’s prom. It is undeniable that she is beautiful.

Everyone says, especially from the male species, that she is ten, she is a keeper, and the guy whom she will choose to be her boyfriend would be the luckiest guy in the world. But how come Liam could not see that? Isn’t she pretty in his eyes? She did everything to get his attention. She did her best to be close to him to the point that she swallowed her pride and broke her own rules.

She likes Liam so much. From the very first day she laid her eyes on him, she knew he was different, she knew that there is something about him and the like became love as time passed by. As he gets to know Liam, her simple admiration blossomed into something deeper. He was constantly in her thoughts. He never lets her sleep because he has been bothering her in her waking hours, even in her sleep. He is like a ghost that has been hunting her as she could see him anywhere.

“One day, Liam will realize how wrong he was for letting a treasure slip through his fingers.” Eve said.

“Yes, and when that time comes, it will be too late for Liam to regret it,” Kyla added.

“I doubt that will ever happen,” she disagreed.

Her friends were surprised to hear such negative and hopeless words from Marie. They looked at Marie through the mirror and they saw her bitter smile. Kyla and Eve looked at each other after seeing that look on Marie’s face. They felt sad, Liam had a really huge effect on their good friend. She is not the same optimistic, motivated and confident Marie that they knew.

Yes, Marie is beautiful inside and out. She has a gorgeous body with curves in the right places. She is kind and compassionate. The only thing that some guys might get turned off by is that she is not a smart lady. She is slow, it was hard for her to pick up and most of the time she is nonsense. If you are someone cruel with words, you can say she is dumb and stupid.

The poor woman is aware of it even if no one has ever told her to her face that she is. All the people around her don’t have the heart to criticize her because of her good heart. Marie has a heart made of gold, she shows compassion and kindness if she has a chance. She never missed a beggar coming in front of her without giving such poor people something. She never left them empty handed, either she gave them food or cash.

“All right girls, change the topic. Instead, let’s just prepare everything that we need for tonight.” Kyla said.

“Yes, agree. Enough of the jerk. I am so excited for tonight.” While clapping her hands, Eve chirped.

“I will show you my dress and shoes.” Marie said as she went to her closet.

The two had already shown their gowns for tonight as soon as they entered Marie’s room but they did not see Marie’s outfit yet. They are both clapping with excitement after Marie came back with the dress in her right hand and a box which was for sure the shoes she was holding in her left hand.

“Wow, this is so beautiful.” admiration is written on Eve’s face as she said those words.

“You will definitely look more beautiful in this, Marie.” Kayla added while touching the gown that was laid on the bed.

“Thank you guys. This is designed by my Aunt.” Marie informed the two young ladies.

The long black gown has a slit on the right side that will reveal the right leg and half of the right thigh. It was decorated with diamonds that will sparkle violently when it meets with a light that you can’t help but cover your eyes. It is halter on the front but backless behind, it is a body con and will for sure emphasize Marie’s curvy body. Her black stiletto, which has a two inch heel, is just enough as Marie is already tall.

The youngest sister of Marie’s father owns a boutique that sells a variety of clothes from casual to formal female attire. She designed all the items by herself. Marie showed interest in designing as she loved fashion and loved to dress up most of the time. But her IQ would not cooperate. She finds it difficult to figure out how to use the measuring tape, she always gets injured and pricks herself on the needle. So she ends up getting frustrated.

“Your gown is also beautiful Eve,” Marie said.

“Totally agree, red looks good on you girl.” Kyla said.

Eve’s off-shoulder red velvet gown that reached four inches above the knee complimented her light fair skin. Her black shoes with a small red floral print around them seemed to be a perfect match. It’s pointed front and thin four-inch heels look so sexy on her slim white legs.

“I should say we all look good in our attires. The royal blue is perfect for you Kyla, right Marie?” she asked Marie.

“One hundred percent.” she gave the two girls a thumbs up.

The royal blue gown speaks loudly what kind of personality the owner has. Kyla couldn’t help but roll her eyes at her friend’s comments. She knows that the style of her gown is very conservative. It is a long sleeve and turtle neck made of silk fabric with diamonds surrounding the neckline.

The three decided to go downstairs. They head to the kitchen to eat dinner before getting themselves ready for the prom. Just like any normal day, both of Marie’s parents were not home, so the three could do whatever they wanted freely. Marie's parents only go home twice a month. Marie missed them so much but as time went by she got used to it already, so to avoid feeling empty she invites her friends to come over or sometimes she slept over to either Eve or Kyla.

“Here we are guys,” Kyla announced.

“Gosh, I’m so excited about who will be the Prom King and Queen,” Eve said while looking at Marie.

After she said that, Kyla also looked at Marie.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” she asked innocently.

“Nothing. Come on, let’s go.” Eve replied.

“Wow, this is the Park Hotel?” Kyla asked.

“Yes, it is really huge!” Eve exclaimed.

The five-star hotel where their prom night was held was really huge. It has one hundred fifty floors towering over the other buildings. The famous building was owned by a Korean business tycoon who got married to a Filipina. They say that the couple only had one child, an heiress to all their properties. She seemed to be very lucky to have a very wealthy family.

As they were looking up at the skyscraper, a scooter stopped beside them. Marie knows who it is. She memorized everything about him. His scooter is new. She saw him riding on it the other day. He looked dashing at his tux, Marie thought, as she could barely see him in her peripheral vision and, of course, behind him was no other than Brent.

Sometimes an idea popped up in her mind that maybe Liam keeps ignoring her and showing no interest in her is because he is interested in something else. He and Brent seemed to be so close that it gave her doubt that they were not just friends. Yet she can’t see any signs of the two being gay.

“Marie, Liam is here.” Eve whispered.

“I know,” she whispered back.

“Don’t look at him.” Kyla warned.

“I will not just look at him, I will act like he doesn’t exist,” Marie replied.

She then stood straight with a straight face and started walking like a beauty queen holding her purse. Marie wanted to give herself a round of applause. She was able to ignore Liam successfully. She managed not to look back and just continue walking until she reached the elevator. She could hear laughs and the sound of heels stepping against the floor.

“That was awesome, girl,” Eve said.

“Oh my God their reactions were priceless.” Kyla said.

“Why?” she asked.

Now Marie wants to regret for not looking back. She thought she could look at Liam like he was someone she didn’t know. Now it was too late. She missed that look on their faces that Kayla was talking about. Now she can only imagine.

“Come on Eve, show her.” Kayla chanted.

“Yeah, hold on a second.” while getting something from her purse.

It was her phone that she was trying to take out from her purse. Eve then scanned her gallery and when she found it she handed it to Marie. She gasped at first and laugh hardly after a moment. The picture was indeed priceless and the look of those two men was absolutely epic.

“It’s not obvious that they were shocked.” While handling back Eve’s phone.

The elevator opened and an elevator operator greeted them. The three girls flinched as they did not expect that there was an operator. They are so used to having elevators in any establishment without an operator, but this time was a life-changing experience.

“Where to ladies?” the guy asked politely.

“We are from Lincoln Place High School,” Kayla replied.

“Oh, the prom. Well, that is on the 50th floor,” he formally said.

“Thank you.” they said in a chorus.

The man just bowed his head and smiled. It was obvious that he was a staff in the hotel. He wore the same uniform as the workers and Marie noticed that they had nice and decent uniforms. Marie noticed. The door to the elevator was about to close when a large hand kept it from closing and the elevator operator was also quick to let the person come in.

“Good evening, gentlemen, where to?” he politely asked.

“The 50th floor,” Liam answered.

Marie rolled her eyes. Wow, he does know which floor the Prom would be held.

“So you are with these ladies?” the elevator operator asked.

“No, we’re not together, but we know them. They are our classmates,” he answered.

Marie was itching to get out of that place. What seems like eternity to get to the 50th floor? The last man that she wants to see is with her in a small elevator. Finally, they reached their destination and Marie was the first to get out. She walks as fast as she could but with poise of course.

She could finally breathe, while when she was on that elevator she felt suffocated. She did not even stop and look back, even though Eve and Kayla kept calling her. She went to a function hall where their prom would be held. She found a perfect spot in the corner away from the crowd. She then texted Kayla and Eve informing them that she had found a place for them to sit.

After the prayer, the program started. There are intermission numbers from the dance troupe club and a song number from the choral group. After that, they all shared the buffet containing all the special recipes offered by the Park Hotel.

“So tonight I will now announce the Prom King and Queen. “Their host announced.

All the students shouted with glee and excitement. But one student raised her hand.

“I just would like to let you know that you, beloved students, are the ones who voted while our faculty staff are the ones who nominated them. So now, without further ado, let me call our Prom King no other than Liam Nixon.” he said out loud.

The crowd went wild as Liam walked onto the stage. Marie was now very nervous, her heart pounded so fast that it would anytime come out of her chest and she thought she knew what was next. Even Eve held her hand to support her and Kayla was now giving her a back rub.

“The crown looks good on you Liam. This is the first time in history that the Prom King has been the same for two consecutive years. So let me announce our Prom Queen, do you want to guess who it is?” the host asked to create a thrill.

“Marie Wilson.” The crowd shouted in unison.

“You all guessed it right and this is history indeed, same Prom King and Queen for two consecutive years. Our Prom Queen is no other than Marie Wilson. Please Prom King bring your Queen here on the stage.” the host said.

The crowd went really wild and they screamed at the top of their lungs as Liam made his way to Marie and offered his hand to her. Marie felt happy at that moment. This was not new to her since she and Liam were the ones who won Prom King and Queen last year, but he did not bring her on stage. He was as cold as ice last year and looked at her with emotionless eyes as she climbs up on the stage. Obviously, he was not looking happy.

But today he went to her. Maybe he just obeys what the host told him to do, anyway, so nothing is special. But as soon as her tiny hands collided with his for the first time, Marie felt the butterflies in her stomach go wild along with the racing of her heart.

As soon as they reached the stage, while one of the faculty members was putting on the crown to her, Marie noticed that Liam was looking in a certain direction with his jaw clenched. He seemed in a bad mood. When Marie looked to see where Liam was looking, she saw Brent and a girl talking. They seemed happy together and were both laughing. Marie’s brows knotted when she saw the anger on his face. Was he jealous? Does he like that girl?

“KISS! KISS!’ the crowd’s scream took Marie away from her thoughts.

Then the next thing that happened caught her off guard. Liam pulled her close. He hooked his muscular arms to her tiny waist, his other hand held her chin to make her look up at him and his soft lips touched her tender cherry lips. Her eyes widened but after she recovered from the shock, she closed her eyes and cherished the moment.

If this is a dream, she doesn’t want to wake up anymore. This is the most beautiful thing that ever happened to her. After Liam had ignored her for six years, after all her efforts that weren’t appreciated, after she swallowed her pride, then it was all worth it with just one kiss. His warm soft lips sucked on hers gently. Her knees felt weak so she wrapped her arms around his neck for support. She kissed him back whole heartedly, all the love she had for him, she poured it all into that kiss.

=Sarsi=