PROLOGUE
641 Words
Today's the day Olive. Danny will propose tonight. The matter of our marriage was settled in January of this year, and although an arranged marriage would suck the romance right out of any relationship Danny and I were meant to be. Our families have known each other since predating our existence. Somehow, I'd never met either of the Brooklyn boys. I'd just come to meet Danny, who is the second-eldest son of Mr and Mrs Brooklyn at the university I was attending to study Law. We were complete strangers passing by until I was hit square in the face by a passing Frisbee thrown by one of the more athletic students. It had caught me so off guard I had stumbled back and into the arms of the campus heartthrob. Unfortunately for me, I was a teary-eyed mess. That was our meet-cute. We fell hard for one another.
Our parents were pleased with our relationship. Already speaking of marriage and business before our relationship hit the five-month mark. No matter how unromantic our parents made things, we were never bothered by it. We both knew how things would be for us coming from influential families. All of these thoughts are racing through my head as I step into the jewelry store. I wanted to pick the perfect gift for my soon-to-be fiancé. I examined the collection of watches, cufflinks and rings. Surely purchasing one of each would make him happy. After all, he would be wearing each of these on our wedding day.
I rushed back home to make preparations for tonight. It's already five pm and I want to make sure I look perfect for our special day. Time flew by as we marched closer to my engagement. I finally arrived at Danny's family home where they were hosting a dinner party in our honor. My watch reads "10:00". I've been here for three hours already. Danny was nowhere in sight. Dinner had already ended and we sat in silence. "Maybe he's stuck in the office. He's been working so hard lately." I said, with a half smile. "I'll go and check on him. See if he needs help." I can't help but look away. I couldn't take the sad look on both our parents' faces. So much pity.
Upon arriving, I noticed two other cars that were still parked in the empty lot. I made my way up to the top floor. I walked ever so slowly, I was in no rush. But the closer I got to his office I heard strange noises. With each step, it became harder not to draw the worst conclusion. There's no way Danny could be one of those voices. My heartbeat quickens as I take the last step out of the hallway. There's nowhere for them to hide, not that they intended to. I guess they thought they wouldn't get caught.
My heart shatters at the sight of my boyfriend hovering over a woman in the most primal position as she lay on his gray office couch. We picked that out together when his Dad had given him the title of President in their family company. Now he's sharing the most intimate moment with another woman, with a look of passion written all over their faces. I silently backed down the hallway with tears streaming down my face. All my dreams of the future are slowly being erased as I run from that building as fast as my feet can take me.
Across the street there's a brightly lit rowdy bar. The hum of noise radiating from it had begun to call my name. "Olive". I heard that call. Hallucination or not, I slowly began to drag my feet across the road to a bar that would soon change the entire course of my life.
"12:00" My watch read. "Merry Christmas, Olive"
- Writer
