3. Halo
Areal string of pearls was nestled inside a red velvet box staring back at me. Leaning down, I inspected each one as they glimmered softly in the light of the dingy apartment I rented. They’d come by courier around an hour ago. There had been no note, just my name on the brown parcel.
Emotion flooded me when I imagined them wrapped around my neck in the next few hours. They would add so much more elegance to go along with the beautiful dress that my future husband had purchased as well.
Already he’d been so generous to me, and I wanted to cry.
I owed everything to Ms. May.
I’d been having a shitty day at the dinner. The day had started with my car barely wanting to start; I’d had to get my creepy neighbor Jacob to jump it. That had caused me to be late and I was already on a warning from my boss Peter. On top of that, I’d stepped in a puddle and my shoes were soggy.
As the only server in the Peach Pit that day, I cleaned up the last few tables, eager for my tips.
Instead of a tip, the man I’d served had left a message. Defeat began to bloom inside my chest, running down the tips of my fingers as I held up the receipt.
‘I’m not tipping no half breed that smells like hog shit’… the crappy handwriting had stated.
That’d done it.
Hot tears had begun to run down my face because I needed to pay my rent just like anyone else. All I was trying to do was make ends meet and just survive. The diner didn’t pay hardly anything but some days the tips helped out.
“Pretty girls like you shouldn’t cry,” she murmured.
“Huh?” I’d asked dabbing at my eye, remembering where I was and trying to compose myself.
Most customers became a blur of faces and bank cards mixed in with hints of apple pie and coffee.
Her face had been warm enough, but she had strangely piercing eyes. “Go and clean yourself up and then come back and talk to me,”
“I can’t,” I shook my head. “I’m on the clock.”
She’d grinned then. “Fine, I understand working, but I think I might have a solution to some of your problems.”
Biting at my lip, I’d taken in more of her features. She had a beautiful peacock-printed dress on, the blues and greens were so vibrant I thought the birds were going to come to life. Her eyes were dark and mysterious. Everything about her seemed to scream secrets.
“Really?” I’d found myself asking the question. “What are you….like a madam or something. I’m not into prostitution if you are...”
She’d thrown her head back and laughed long and hard at my words. When she’d sobered she’d slid a sleek black business card over to me.
“Not prostitution,” she smiled. “Something better, if done right. Call me.”
She’d stood up then and strode out of the dinner into the downpour. She’d slipped into a dark town car and driven away.
The memory faded away and I gave the pearls one more glance. Looking at the clock I noted that I had one more hour before I needed to meet my future husband downtown in downtown Atlanta. A shower was calling my name after I’d worked my last shift at the Peach Pit.
This was going to be a simple transaction according to his email. The Justice of the Peace would perform everything, we’d say our vows and be married.
It all seemed rather simple to say the least but I still had jitters.
Everything had been done over email mostly. There was a picture that I’d seen but that was nearly it.
We hadn’t even talked over the phone.
It wasn’t until I was in my car parked in a parking deck across from the courthouse that I started to wonder what in the hell I was doing. I stared at my reflection in the visor mirror. I’d managed to pull my thick curls into a sleek enough bun and my baby hairs were swirled perfectly against my temple. Reaching into the console I pulled out a tube of lip balm that mimicked a perfect wine color.
With a deep breath, I touched the strand of pearls around my neck before exiting. Making my way out of the parking deck, and onto the sidewalk I watched the Atlanta traffic rolling by. It seemed that no matter what time it was, the city was bustling and alive with cars honking and people eating.
I got a few looks from people as I waited patiently at the crosswalk. I had on a bright white dress and a pair of white heels.
Here comes the bride, I thought with a small laugh.
Nervousness snaked its way up my spine the second I entered through the courthouse doors. My future husband had gotten the Justice of the Peace to stay open just a little longer than usual due to a scheduling issue.
That told me he had some sort of power and influence.
I approached metal detectors, where a cop sat scrolling on their phone. I didn’t have anything on me except for my keys that I slid into the tray.
“Excuse me,” I timidly smiled once I’d gone through the detector. “Can you tell me where room 910 is?”
He barely looked up and acknowledged me. “Fourth floor.”
“Thanks so much,” I smiled. “It’s my wedding day.”
He grunted and I collected my keys from the tray before walking away.
The elevator was just across the way and I stepped on and pressed the button for the fourth floor. The second the doors slid open, I found myself feeling faint.
Hesitation flooded me for just a moment after finding Room 910. I could hear voices from inside and my hand shook just a bit as it hovered over the door knob.
With a newfound resolve, I entered the room.
Ashton Tanaka was standing with his back to me, hands clasped behind his back. The second he turned around, my stomach filled with butterflies.
He was statuesque and very clearly, he worked out, even the tailored suit couldn’t hide it. His dark hair was styled perfectly and his features were as if they’d been chiseled from marble. The second his hawk-like gaze turned on me, my stomach twisted and fluttered with pure excitement.
My panties even seemed to grow damp, a reaction I never had to any man.
Fuck,I thought.
I’d never disclosed my sexual history to Ms. May, only gotten tested for diseases. Naturally, I’d had none.
“Halo,” Ashton approached. “Are you ready to get married?”
I could only nod my head as he pulled forth the biggest diamond ring I’d ever seen.
Fuck,I thought again.