Mystic Messenger: Losing the Script (Zen x OC)

Chapter 4: Dinner With Prince Not-So-Charming

A sigh escaped Amy's lips as she slipped on the new dress her father had bought for her. Tonight was the night of her dinner date with Jumin and his father, and she was dreading it to say the least. After zipping up the back of the dress, she turned around to face her full-length mirror only to scowl in disgust at her reflection. The black, silky cocktail dress clung to every little curve in her body, its short skirt and plunging neckline leaving little to the imagination. Turning back to her closet, she grabbed a simple silver shawl and shoved it into her purse just as her bedroom door opened. Turning around, she was relieved to see it was only her sister who had come to pay her a visit.

"You look nice." Emma commented, flashing her a weak, sympathetic smile.

"You know, normally fathers try to dress their daughters in more clothing rather than less. I look like I should be clubbing somewhere, not going to dinner with two businessmen." Amy grumbled as she slid her feet into the sparkly silver stiletto heels that her father had also purchased for her, wavering slightly as she tried to walk on the overglorified stilts. Stumbling over to her vanity, she sat down and began to apply her makeup when she noticed her sister had moved to stand behind her. "Can I help you?"

Emma said nothing as she pulled something out of her pocket and gingerly placed it around her sister's neck, securing it in place with a clasp. The humble yet elegant heart-shaped necklace went perfectly with Amy's other jewelry, and despite being metal, it was surprisingly warm to the touch.

"What is this?" Amy asked in confusion.

"It's a necklace Mom bought for me a few months before she and dad split. She claimed it was lucky. I figured you could use some luck tonight." Emma replied as she played her sister's snowy, silky waves.

"Emma...Thank you." Amy said as she gently ran her finger over the lone charm on the necklace. Immediately, she felt like her mother was beside her, comforting her, giving her strength. Getting up, she wrapped her sister in a tight hug and buried her face into the top of the girl's head. A few tears started to slip down her cheeks, but she hastily blinked away the rest before her perfect cat eyes were ruined.

"I really don't want to do this, Em. Why do I have to do this? Is this really my role in life? Why can't I fall in love with a man of my own choice? Why do I have to seduce and marry someone I don't love?" she whispered, her lip quivering slightly as she spoke.

Emma sighed and rubbed her sister's back comfortingly. "I'm sorry, Amethyst. None of this is fair but there's nothing we can do about it. We just have to do our best to make Dad happy and hope that along the way we can find some small scrap of happiness for ourselves too. Who knows, Jumin could probably help your writing career take off."

Amy felt her heart sink at her sister's words. What had she expected? As much as she hated their situation, Emma was too afraid of their father to stand up for herself and instead submitted to his biased demands. She had been foolish to think she might say anything otherwise.

"I have to finish getting ready." she said softly, stiffly pulling out of her sister's embrace and returning to the seat in front of her vanity. Glancing up at the mirror once more, she immediately noticed her sister's hurt face in the reflection and felt a tad of guilt tug at her heart but she quickly brushed it off.

"Since I'll be gone tonight, Dad will be far more likely to notice any suspicious behavior from you so be careful if you try doing your studies." she continued as she grabbed her flat iron and plugged it into the electricity socket on the wall.

"I will; thanks for the warning." Emerald replied glumly as she headed for the door. Just as her fingers grazed the cool metal of the doorknob, she paused and glanced over her shoulder at her sister.