Today was supposed to be the turning point of my life. The day that'd counter all the tough days I ever had and crush them so badly that they would look like they never even existed. The happiest day of my life.
I had woken up to the news that my boyfriend, Finn Dalton, the newly appointed CEO of the SYR Group, had bought an engagement ring and was planning a surprise party for his love - me.
I had immediately gone to fix myself up. I did my nails, hair, and makeup as he loved it - clean and not overly flashy - and I wore a maroon tea length dress that defined my curves. I paired it with my black stilettos, a pearl necklace, and a black purse. And when I stared at the mirror, I was proud of she who stared right back at me - Rhea Dawson.
A tear escaped my eyes and I dabbed my cheek gently with a napkin and then a powder brush. It was a happy tear, reminding me of all the bumps and hurdles we had overcome in the previous years. I closed my eyes and let myself sink into my memories, reminiscing on everything we've been through in the past eight years.
We met on the first day of school in sophomore year. I had lived in this town all my life but he had transferred schools to live with his aunt after losing his parents in a terrible accident. I had fallen for him on that same day, all of him, but most especially his voice. He was perfect.
Deep blue eyes that seemed to pull me in with every stare. Silky brown hair that glittered under the sun and was ever so ready to dance with the wind. His nose sat perfectly on his face like a king who'd worked hard to earn his throne. And his full lips pressed against each other with strong determination.
He was sixteen then, a year older than the class, having missed a year from being in a coma. Our teacher had sent him to sit beside me, urging me to help him catch as I was the top student of my class. That was the day I stopped being best. I became second best and he took up the position I had prided myself in.
Well, I guessed it was because I liked him, but there was no stupid rivalry between us, rather teamwork. We did everything together and by Junior year, we had topped every other school in the district, and by senior year, we stood side by side as valedictorian and salutatorian. And on prom night, he asked me to be his girlfriend.
We applied to an ivy league university but his aunt died of a heart attack the day the admission letter came. On her funeral, we found out that she had a gambling problem and Finn had to inherit her debt.
We made it through somehow but tragedy hit me next. My family lost everything in a fire. We didn't have much before that but we lived a pretty comfortable life. My father suffered a stroke and died a few months after. My mother suffered from depression and had to be admitted to a mental hospital. It became up to me to provide and care for her and my baby sister. And no matter how much I hated it, I had to drop out.
I worked two jobs at first, making enough to cover every expense and save up a little. Then, I find out that Finn had plans to drop out as he could no longer afford the tuition fees. I talked him out of it, promising to assist him, and took up a third job. He too worked part-time and we were able to cover it until he graduated.
Then he got this fancy job as a CEO and that became the turning point of our lives. He has sworn to me that he would never fail me and he would give me a life better than whatever I dreamed of. This proposal would be the starting point.
"Rhea, you're going to be late and he'll be mad at you," I hear Rita's voice from beyond my closed door, pulling back into reality.
I picked up my purse, giving myself one final look in the mirror, and then walked out of the room. I stare at my eight-year-old baby sister - too sharp mouthed for her age - and another tear makes its way down my cheek.
"Don't be a crybaby," she blurted out, reaching for the towel I had hung on my door, "you'll mess up your makeup and look like a panda in every photo," she concluded, tossing the towel to me.
I opened my mouth to speak but she cut me off.
"Go, I'll be fine on my own. I'll lock all the doors and microwave dinner. If you're not back by ten, I'll stop waiting and go to sleep," she recited, seemingly excited about having the house to herself, "and if you're still not here in time for breakfast, I'll call Finn."
"Good girl," I gasped, my voice breaking, and pulled her in an embrace.
"Bring some cake back for me okay?" she muttered and I nodded, then I let go of her and made my way out, praying that she'll be safe when I return.
Finn's house was a thirty minute drive away from mine. As I pulled up into the driveway, I could hear music coming from the house. There were many expensive cars parked outside and I wondered when he had made all these rich friends.
He caught sight of me as I struggled to fit my car in the parking spot available to me and with an expressionless face, he made his way to me.
"You're not supposed to be here."