Ashes Of The Throne | Part I

Chapter 146 | December 31st | This Is How You Fall In Love

Timeline - December 31st | ( 4 Days later)

Eko should have known today was going to be different when she woke up that morning. Her boyfriend had been unusually attentive, even more so than usual. While their mornings together were always filled with warmth, that day, there was an added layer of care that felt almost ceremonious. Breakfast in bed was a luxury he rarely indulged in, yet here it was—perfectly plated, with a steaming cup of coffee just the way she liked it.

But it was the small black box beside the breakfast tray that caught her attention. Inside was a pair of stunning drop earrings, each gem catching the light with a brilliance that seemed almost too perfect. She had been eyeing these earrings for months, their hefty $33,000 price tag always a barrier she thought would keep them out of reach. She had mentioned them in passing, more as a wish than a genuine expectation, but there they were, nestled in velvet and gold.

At that point, she hadn't given it much thought. He had spoiled her before; it wasn't the first time. The sleek black coupe parked in the basement garage of Allegiant was just another testament to how much he enjoyed doing such things for her.

After breakfast, they had laughed, bantered, and chatted away like every other morning. Their friends, arriving with wide smiles and bubbling excitement, should have been her second clue that something was up. Their unusually cheerful demeanor seemed out of place, but she dismissed it, attributing it to the excitement of the party that night. It was then that he told her to go shopping and handed her the card.

Why she failed to notice the red flag waving right in front of her was a mystery. Taking the card from one of the blacklisted accounts—the ones he had explicitly declared off-limits under normal circumstances—should have screamed that something was up. It was as if the universe had handed her a neon sign reading "Beware," and she'd decided it was a decorative feature.

Yet, tonight, the rules seemed to be on vacation. Her excitement for the shopping spree, combined with the sheer thrill of the upcoming New Year's Eve party, made any reservations she might have had feel like minor footnotes in a much more thrilling chapter. As Jesse had put it, tonight's celebration was shaping up to be the party of all parties. No expense would be spared, and it seemed she was about to dive headfirst into the party of a lifetime.

The dress code for the evening was black tie, and he urged her to find an outfit that outshone all her previous ones. This should have been her fourth clue. Matthew had always been one to remind her about reusing the dresses she had bought and stored in her room. This seemingly insignificant detail, overlooked in the excitement of preparation, should have been the most glaring warning sign.

What should have been her fifth clue was Mya's advance planning: she had arranged for a salon to stay open on New Year's Eve, ensuring that the four of them could get manicures and pedicures. With a few bottles of wine between them, they strolled together, sharing laughter and giggles, their new hairstyles and glamor adding to the sense of excitement.

As the hours passed and a little after six, Eko, dressed in a long, elegant golden gown, swayed gracefully with Mya towards the auditorium. The dress, adorned with intricate lace detailing, shimmered under the lights, exuding a regal elegance fitting for the night's festivities. The fitted bodice accentuated her curves, while the flowing skirt created a captivating silhouette that trailed behind her. The gown's tasteful yet alluring design was perfect for the occasion, and Eko knew that, given their history, Matthew would surely appreciate the allure before the fireworks lit up the sky at midnight.

Matthew had wanted tonight to be the night that she remembered for the rest of her life —a night to look back on and remember how deeply she was loved, not just by him, but by everyone around her. This wasn't just about creating a perfect moment; it was about embedding in her heart the understanding that his love—and the love of their closest friends—was a constant, unwavering presence that would endure through every high and low they faced together.