FIRST MEETING
823 Words
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CHAPTER THREE
Precellia's POV
The next two days passed in a blur.
People came in and out of my room, but no one stayed long. They spoke quietly to one another, did what they came to do, then left.
The house was strangely quiet.
The same walls that had once echoed with arguments now felt empty.
I hardly left my room except when Mary insisted I eat.
"You've barely touched your food," she said one afternoon, placing another spoonful of soup in front of me.
"I'm not hungry."
"You've been saying that since yesterday."
"I'll eat later."
She sighed.
"You need your strength, Miss."
Strength.
The word almost made me laugh.
What strength was left?
The life I wanted had already been decided for me.
The morning of the wedding came sooner than I expected.
Three women walked into my room carrying makeup cases and garment bags.
"Good morning, Miss Precellia."
I nodded.
Without another word, they began getting me ready.
One brushed my hair while another carefully laid the wedding dress across the bed.
It was beautiful.
White satin.
Delicate lace.
Tiny pearls sewn into the sleeves.
The kind of dress I used to imagine wearing someday.
Just...
not like this.
"Could you lift your arm, please?" one of them asked.
I did.
The dress fit perfectly, as though it had been made just for me.
One of the women smiled.
"You look beautiful."
I looked at myself in the mirror.
The woman staring back at me looked calm.
Elegant.
Nothing like the person I felt inside.
Mary stepped beside me and adjusted the necklace around my neck.
"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.
I stared at my reflection.
"I'm fine."
She looked at me for a long moment.
"You don't have to pretend with me."
My throat tightened.
For a second, I couldn't trust myself to speak.
"I'm okay," I whispered.
Neither of us believed it.
A knock came at the door.
"The cars are ready."
The room fell silent.
One of the women lowered my veil.
Mary gave my hand a gentle squeeze.
"It's time."
I took a deep breath before standing.
As I looked around my room, my eyes settled on the piano by the window, the bookshelf I had arranged myself, and the fresh lilies Mary always made sure were replaced every Monday.
I had lived here all my life.
By tonight, it wouldn't feel like mine anymore.
Mary opened the bedroom door.
"I'll help you downstairs."
I nodded.
Together, we walked into the hallway.
Servants moved quickly through the mansion, carrying flower arrangements and checking the final preparations.
No one stopped to speak.
Everyone was focused on making sure the wedding went according to plan.
I walked down the staircase slowly.
The front doors were already open.
Outside, several black luxury cars waited in the circular driveway, the first one decorated with white roses and ribbons.
Mary adjusted my veil one last time.
"There."
Footsteps echoed across the foyer.
My father walked in.
His suit was perfectly pressed, just as always.
He looked at me briefly before checking the time on his watch.
"The cars are ready."
"I know."
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then he turned and walked toward the entrance.
I watched him leave.
My mother appeared a few seconds later.
She wore an elegant emerald gown with diamonds around her neck.
She stopped in front of me.
Her eyes moved over my dress before she reached up and straightened my veil.
"You'll wrinkle it if you keep holding it so tightly."
I looked down and realized my hands had gathered the fabric without me noticing.
I slowly let go.
"There," she said.
"You look presentable."
"Thank you."
She gave a small nod.
"We should leave."
That was all.
She turned and walked outside.
Mary slipped her hand into mine and gently squeezed it.
Outside, the afternoon sun lit up the estate.
The chauffeur opened the door of the first car.
Mary got in first before helping me inside.
Before the door closed, I looked back.
My parents were getting into the car behind ours.
Neither of them looked my way.
The convoy pulled away from the estate.
I watched the gates disappear behind us until they were no longer in sight.
The drive was quiet.
I rested my head against the window, watching the city pass by.
People laughed outside restaurants.
Families crossed the streets together.
Life was moving on as if today were just another day.
Eventually, the roads became quieter.
Large estates stood behind tall gates and rows of old trees.
A few minutes later, our driver slowed the car.
Ahead of us stood enormous black iron gates.
Bronze letters shone beneath the afternoon sun.
BRONKS ESTATE.
Even from outside, it was impressive.
The Crystal Estate had always seemed enormous to me.
Standing in front of the Bronks Estate...
I finally understood the difference between wealth...
and power.
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