Spring Meadow

Judgement Day

My brown hair is pinned up into a tight bun. Two loose strands of curled hair frame my face and my bangs were artfully swept to the side. My makeup was skillfully done so that it seemed like my face was naturally this pretty. The makeup artist insisted that I always looked this stunning, that I didn't even need the makeup, but I know different. My nose, my lips, my face are not the epitome of beauty but they're decent I suppose. Heck, that describes my entire existence: Decent. I'm not bad at anything but I'm not great either. I'm just decent. My only savior is my eyes, beautiful green like a spring meadow. I look at the full length mirror again. I have to remind my parents to thank whoever designed the dress. The white ball gown with delicate gold embroidery tastefully added did wonders for me. That along with the hair and makeup actually made me look really pretty. I sighed as I paced back and forth across my bedroom, awaiting my escort. Of course my parents spared no expense to make me look this good. I was to meet my future husband tonight.

It was an agreement made long ago. Coming from a rich family meant having to do whatever it took to not only keep the money in the family but to do as much as you could to get more. Using marriage to do so was just a responsibility for someone like me. I had known all my life that I was engaged. As a result I never bothered with dating. Only a handful of friends actually knew. Most felt pity; others asked if I was okay with it. One friend felt outraged. She said that this was medieval. Personally, I didn't mind. When I was little, I dreamed I would be one of the lucky ones who became in love with the one I was engaged to. I stopped believing in that fantasy a long time ago, though. My only request was that I would at least be able to help run the company, if I wasn't allowed to run it on my own. Despite my meek character, managing a business was actually something I was good at. It was to be my major in college and I was second highest in my preparatory classes at the high school, which is amazing considering the C's I get in English and math. So, considering I will probably have to turn my cheek whenever I see a mistress, I feel this is a fair deal.

I heard three precise knocks at the door. It was my cue. I turned and faced the door as it opened to reveal my escort.

"My lady," he said, "It is time to come down."

Saying it was just a formality. It wasn't as if I didn't know that it was time to go. For some reason rich people always felt the need to have things announced. Supposedly something about tradition or respect, but I think it's just another way some boost their egos. Not all do it, thank the heavens I came from a humble family. We only have our butlers announce just about everything, and god forbid we ever only have one butler. As I followed my escort down to the ballroom, I thought about my parents attempt at being nice. We were to be engaged, but we would have until mid-summer, about a year from now, as a sort of a dating period. If we fell in love, all went well and we would be married. However, if we discovered we hated each other, then we would still be married. As further proof of their generosity, they didn't expect kids until after college graduation. I didn't mind the marriage or kids, those were to be expected, but they could have at least not pretended we had a choice.

Regardless, I was going to have to go through with whatever my parents asked of me. I was going to have to pretend to be grateful for their "generosity". I look at the double doors that are to serve as my entrance. They open, revealing the mass of rich people all in fancy attire.

"My daughter," my mom announced, gracefully coming to my side, "Amber Valendia." Polite applause erupted from the crowd. Then, my mom motioned toward the crowd. I saw movement and shuffling among them. I saw an all too familiar face emerge to the front. Soft, black hair and brown eyes that glowed to the point that I swore they were amber. Cute, yes, but cold. He looked at me with a hint of surprise then what I swear was contempt.

"We are here to announce her engagement to Michael Grean!" Another round of applause followed.

Remember when I said I was second in my class? He was the first.