Esperanza (Brides Dock On Portum Island!) #1

Prologue Untitled Part 1

Prologue

"Here is what I propose," Cassandra Hall began as she started the PowerPoint presentation, her heart soaring when "Portum Island Mail Order Brides" filled the large screen that projected her presentation.

"As you know, the shield surrounding Portum Island prolongs our lifespan. But after some time, our women have become barren. Thus far, only sixty babies have been born in the last ten years. And of the sixty children, only ten have been women." Another click of the mouse caused abysmal stats to fill the screen, organized in a bar chart. No one in the audience was surprised by the results; though a few of the council members at a table to the left of the auditorium seats held troubled expressions. "There have been no new arrivals since eighteen sixty." Her fingers trembled as she progressed to the next slide, which displayed a labeled world map.

"There are now billions of people living on earth. I'm positive that some of them may be given access to our home," Cassandra said, her heart pounding. Her suggestion was going to anger some of the less trusting of the inhabitants, but something had to give. Women on this island have become an endangered species.

"Our island only has a population of twenty thousand." To drive her point home, Cassandra moved to the next slide. "There are many acres of undeveloped land." Her people now saw a labeled map of Portum Island, which was kind of depressing. "I have a way of increasing our population. I call my business, Portum Mail Order Brides." The next slide depicted one name, "The Matchmaker."

"You may ask yourself, who will be the matchmakers? Well, I hope that I can be one of them, since I can leave the island without suffering pain. But here it is. I think that we should open a dating website. Women sign up, pay a fee, and are sent a kit. Inside the kit will be a vile for the DNA, a questionnaire, and a medical-history form. Of course, the medical-history forms could be filled out online. But I need the DNA sample to determine if the woman can pass through the barrier. Once it is determined that the woman will be allowed through the barrier, I will match her." Cassandra switched over to the next slide, which displayed how the men of Portum Island could fill out applications for a mail order bride. Judging by the ecstatic faces of some of the younger men, Cassandra deduced that she would have a few takers. That would be great, since this was the perfect business venture for her or any other woman who wanted to participate. She knew that once she received permission from the council, she would have a lot of work to do. After she outlined everything, Cassandra left the room, leaving the borrowed laptop behind.

"Hell no!" Councilman Teriz yelled. "We can't risk our security by allowing women to stroll onto our island."

Asher Lawson pondered the issue for a moment. He stared at Councilman Teriz, who was always the voice of dissention. Then he peered at the men in the audience. Some of the younger faces held hopeful expressions. He himself was intrigued by the idea of having a wife. His only attempt at courting had gone so horribly wrong. There weren't enough single women to go around.

"I think it's a fine idea," Councilman Taylor declared. "Within reason. Perhaps we should give Miss Hall a group of men to match. If all goes well, she can expand her business. Any takers?"

"I'm married," Councilman Teriz loudly pointed out.

"Which is why this business doesn't interest you. You were lucky enough to catch the attention of your wife," Councilman Taylor argued.

"Luck had nothing to do with it. My Bethany was attracted to my winning personality," Councilman Teriz snapped, which made Councilman Lawson want to laugh outright.

"Like I said, are there any takers?" Councilman Taylor demanded.

"Damn, I came too late," Cassandra's best friend, Lance, stated as he rushed up to her. "I was number two hundred five." Only the first two hundred people could sit in on an audience with the council. Cassandra wasn't surprised that her friend was late. After all, it was in his nature.

"I told you to come at ten," Cassandra said as she shoved tendrils of her black hair away from her face. Lance tugged on his wrinkled shirt.

"I forgot to set an alarm," he said, his blue eyes twinkling.

"You mean you kept on hitting snooze," Cassandra corrected, her dark eyes holding annoyance. She really could have used the support of her only friend. She had returned to Portum Island six months ago, and felt so out of touch. She had just completed her master's program in psychology, a major her father had felt was foolish. If he had his way, his daughter would have been a doctor or computer programmer. Lance had also decided to leave the island for his degree in computer science. They both had attended the same university, and looked out for one another.

Because the island's barrier was so stubborn, certain people would feel extreme pain if they traveled through it, while others, like Cassandra, felt no effects. That meant that Lance had never visited his family during the holidays, and Cassandra had stayed back with him in solidarity. "How did you do?"

"Who knows? A few of the younger guys did seem interested in our business," Cassandra nonchalantly said. Lance knew that this business venture was important for her. Since she hadn't followed her father's career plan, he refused to pay for her student loans. But things were different for Lance. His parents were the "Lance, you're a man, figure it out" type. They had both decided that Cassandra should be the one to make the presentation, since Lance was allergic to being on time. She rolled her eyes at her friend, agitated by that fact. Cassandra hoped that Lance knew that she would be the kind of boss that expected punctuality. Before she could break that to her friend, the double doors opened, and Councilman Lawson exited, his thick, brown, shoulder-length hair swaying as he walked. His dark eyes were intent on Cassandra, which made her shift on her feet.

"The council has decided," he said, a soft smile on his face. "Your business has been approved on one condition."

"What would that be?" Cassandra asked, her heart in her throat. If they only gave her a conditional approval, she would have to work harder to prove herself. It wouldn't be ideal, but Cassandra would do it.

"You have to match a list of men that the council will provide you first," Councilmen Lawson said.

"Sir, I don't think that—"

The man held up a hand, silencing Cassandra.

"I will be on the list. There is a lot that the council must consider. Expect the list of men tomorrow. If you happen to find a match for someone that isn't on the list, let me know. We can work something out," Councilman Lawson said, his wink reassuring Cassandra.

"Thank you, Councilman Lawson," Cassandra said.

"Please, call me Asher," the man said before strolling back through the double doors.

"This is going to be a challenge," Lance complained, puzzled.

"It is," Cassandra grumbled. "I guess the council isn't confident in my idea. But we will show him that Portum Island will be better for it. Now come on, you have a website to launch."