The woman's eyes sparkled as she gushed at what the man was about to do. She trembled, her right hand flying to her chest. Her high school dreams…they were coming true.
But her dreams were about to shatter as a baritone voice cut through the dimly lit hall. Words that seem to stall the two love birds.
"There you are, Mrs. Walton!"
" Mrs. Walton?" The beautiful yet confused woman asked, wearing a deep frown. Did he miss his way? She took a closer look at the man who exuded nothing but wealth.
And beauty.
A high cheekbone with chiseled jawline which would make even the finest Greek god ashamed of their beauty. He was tall, and broad-shouldered in a three piece suit standing just a few feet away.
His hazel eyes were watching the woman like he had every right to be there. As if, the woman was committing treason…or whatever.
The woman turned around to see if he was addressing someone else in the hall. Yet there was none who seemed to be familiar with him. She turned to look at him again and couldn't help but notice he had a smirk playing around his lips.
A dangerous smirk yet it went straight to the woman's heart, making her giddy. The strange man called the name again and pointed directly at her.
"Yes, You, Mrs Walton. You are the one I am talking to."
The woman blinked, unsure of her next words. He didn't look like he was joking, and he definitely didn't look like someone who would want to blackmail her.
His outfit alone screamed wealth.
A man standing next to the woman bit hard on his lips, his patience weaning by the second. With a fierce looking gaze, he shot up from his kneeling position and angrily took a stance between the woman and the meddling man.
"What the hell do you mean by that?" He snarled. The air was filled with anger and viciousness, yet the meddling man was unperturbed.
As if the angry man was nothing to him and his anger was like the cries of a baby. The meddling man's smirk grew even larger, staring at the angry man.
He was enjoying every bit of it, the woman could tell.
She was angry too. He just fucking ruined her engagement. Before the woman could react, the stranger took a single step forward. He didn't raise a hand, didn't say a word, instead his pointy hazel eyes locked onto her hand, the one with the Star Diamond ring.
He wore a scanning look, searching and waiting.
As if genuinely expecting recognition, but all the woman felt was a shady void and seething anger. However, there was this very little but vague familiarity about his face but there were no memories attached to it.
Was he mistaking her for someone? Or had she really met him somewhere?
Then, slowly, her gaze started to drop downward. To the ring on her finger. The one that had startled her this morning.
And unlike before, this time, a flash of memory surfaced. An image of her, sliding the ring onto her own hand. And just as quickly as it appeared, it vanished again.
The woman looked back at the stranger quickly. He was so much closer now. His hazel eyes looked more alluring, as if it wanted to suck her in. And as for his voice, it carried a passionate hiss even as his eyes were desperately staring at her.
"Tell him, Elara …. Tell him who you belong to."
His gaze burned into the woman's eyes, and for the life of her, she couldn't understand why her throat went dry at the sound of his words.
"What the hell was going on?" she mused, expecting an answer.
From anyone.
***
EARLIER THAT DAY
The rays of light hit softly on the woman lying on the spacious and luxurious bed. The light glow from the morning sun shines on her delicate skin and blonde hair, making her look serene. Beauty was just a mere word to what this woman exudes.
Elara Clarksville, the heiress to the Clarksville empire.
As Elara drowned in the sweetness of the morning slumber, a banging head and an aching body made her yawn tiredly as her eyes slowly opened, taking in the intricate designs on the wall.
" Tired…" Elara whispered to no one as she yawned even more loudly. This time, she covered her mouth with her hand.
Then, Just as she began to lower her hand, she felt the brush of something cold against her cheek. The sensation had come from the same palm she had just covered her mouth with.
When Elara checked quickly to observe, a glint from her finger hit her eyes. With a squint, she took a glance and her eyes almost popped out of its socket.
"A diamond ring."
It looked stunning, too expensive, and unfamiliar. One look at the ring and Elara could tell even money couldn't buy it. It was the highly sought after Star Diamond.
"Where did this come from?" Elara murmured in confusion. It was obvious she could never afford this.
As Elara sought the reason why she had such an expensive ring, her head started banging once again. This time, it looked as though there were fragments of memories flashing in her mind's eyes.
She shut her eyes tightly, trying to replay the events of the previous day.
Starting from her business trip, the final moments before Elara returned to her penthouse, anything that could explain not just this ring but how she even returned back to her home and this room.
But there was nothing tangible.
The memories had not disappeared completely, they were just blurry pictures, too dull to make complete sense.
Elara exhaled finally, shaking off the awkward feeling.
"It must have been from Josh…"
Though, this was an awfully luxurious choice. It was almost impossible for Josh to afford it. It makes no sense, yet it was the only reason that she could grasp.
With a sigh, she pushed the thought aside, getting ready to freshen up. Just then, Elara received an incoming call. One glance at the name on the screen and her face broke into a tired smile.
" Josh Love."
The caller was Joshua Hudson, her boyfriend. Without hesitation, Elara sat down again on the bed as she grabbed the phone.
" Josh," she greeted softly.
The deep, affectionate tone on the other end made her chest grow lighter.
"Meet me at Le'Cross tonight. Eight sharp. And wear something stunning." He had finally said.
There was a small silence. An expectant brightness appeared in Elara's eyes. She knew exactly what this was. She had spent years waiting for it, actually.
"Of course. I wouldn't miss it." Elara managed to whisper.
Elara wanted to ask about the Star Diamond ring, but the call had already ended. Instead, she stared at a blank spot on the wall, her smile brighter than ever.
It was finally happening. Josh was going to propose to her.
"God, I can't wait."
As Elara prepared to leave minutes later, she thought of her best friend, Abby. About how she would have been perfect for helping her choose a dress, but she was unavailable.
And even if she weren't, the fact that Abby had never really liked Josh very much would have dulled her enthusiasm.
Instead, Elara called her trusted secretary, Samantha, who was already waiting outside her room. The moment Elara mentioned her plans, Samantha squealed with so much excitement that it left her even surprised.
" Sam, you can't be this excited because of the proposal." Elara chuckled, amused at how people loved proposals so much.
" Sorry, Miss. Clarksville. I-"
" You don't have to apologise, Sam. I love it too!" Elara grinned, motioning for them to leave.
She can't wait to say yes to Josh.
At 7:50 PM, Elara arrived at the venue in the dress Samantha had picked. She walked with confidence even though she was nervous. The click clack sound of her heels could best describe her heartbeat right now.
Then, at a table near the terrace, she saw Joshua in a charcoal suit. He was looking extremely dashing, the perfect description of her Prince charming.
Elara exhaled, as the butterflies were exploding now in her stomach. She managed to stop herself from grinning like a lovestruck high school girl.
Then their eyes met.
This was the long awaited minute. Joshua had since risen from his chair, reaching into his pocket just as Elara moved closer.
" Another ring?" she whispered, beaming with smiles.
For a second, Elara caught a look of confusion on Joshua's face but it disappeared as it came. She watched as he wanted to say something. Instead, he smiled faintly before he brought out a velvet box.
Another ring for the official proposal?
But just as Joshua was about to initiate his first words, a voice from behind cut him short. A voice calling someone a Mrs. Watson.
Elara and Joshua jerked their heads towards the sound. The dim lighting of the hall was unable to hide the extremely handsome face.
A man she had never seen before. And who the hell was Mrs. Walton?