FictionPress.com - let the words flow
| FictionPress.com - let the words flow |
|
| Home Just In Communities Forums Beta Readers Dictionary Search | Login Register Extras |
It had been a normal day for me, Faylin Bradshaw. Normal, since the day my father had declared that we were in debt. So much dept that he had to sell his restaurant and most of our property. We now resided in a small broken home with barely any furniture or room for our family.
My father began working as a mailman and my mother did whatever she could to get some spare money. I worked as a waitress in the morning in a fancy restaurant and in a casino at night. We all did what we could so that my little sister Tracey could have a normal life, without her worrying about if we’d have our next meal or not.
I got back from my shift at Laguna Beach at 6:30, a little late then usual. I quickly changed into my uniform, gave my mother a quick kiss on the cheek and dashed out the door.
"Notice the hot guy over there?" a sultry voice whispered into my ear. I quickly turned around to glare at my friend Tiana. She was petite and stood at five foot three. She had a short pixie cut and had her hair dyed blonde. Tiana had chocolate brown eyes and had a knack for getting the attention of all the hot guys. I couldn't really make fun of Tiana's height though, because I was an inch shorter then her.
I was slim enough with shoulder length red hair. I absolutely hated my ferociously coloured hair(not that I dyed it, or anything), so I always tied it up. Although I was told it made my green eyes look more full of life. But I didn't really take those sorts of compliments to heart.
"No," I responded,” why would I? I'm here to work, not to notice the guys." It was true; I was really focused on my work and didn't want to mix business with personal relations. Plus, I didn't have time for dating in the first place; my first priority was to get my family out of debt.
"True," she responded giving me a sly look,” but that doesn't mean you can't admire the nice artwork."
I rolled my eyes and didn't even bother to give her a response for that comment.
"Look," she pointed,” he won the game, and a hell of a lot of money."
"Good for him," I scoffed. I wouldn't care who the hell got that shit load of money, unless it was I, then I'd probably be over enthused about that.
"Hey, waiter over here!" one of the men called out. Ever wonder how they never called out, ‘Hey, waitress over here?’
Tiana turned to look at me and I shook my head, “you go do it," I told her.
Tiana glared, “go!" and pushed me towards the table, “you’re the one who needs the extra tips." What a great time for her to mention that.
"Stupid, Tiana!" I mumbled underneath my breath. Although I needed the money desperately it didn't mean I liked serving people drinks. I only worked as a waitress because it was an easy job and because of the pay.
"Yes sir?" I asked approaching the man.
"I'd like a scotch on the rocks," he said dismissing me after he was done ordering.
"Geez," I groaned," some people are so rude." Nonetheless I strolled over to the bar and got his drink. I walked back to the table and presented him with his drink, I was about to leave when I was stopped by an unfamiliar voice.
"Wait," said the voice. I turned around trying not to show on my face how irritated I really was.
"Yes?" I asked as politely as I could, when I noticed who was speaking. It was that man. He did look sort of good-looking close up. He had nice jet-black hair that was properly combed but had a few strands falling into his vibrant green eyes. He looked as if he worked out because you could see that his body was well formed even though he was wearing a suit. I didn't know exactly how tall he was, but by the way he was too big for the chair, it looked as if he was six foot two or three.
"How about you and me play a game of cards?" he asked. I narrowed my eyes, who did he think he was. Besides the fact that I didn't really know how to play a lot of card games.
"I have better things to do, sir."
He smirked,” I’ll make it worth your while."
I glared at him, who did he think he was? " I only know how to play one card game, and that doesn't include poker."
"That's fine," he nodded,” what’s the game?"
"Crazy eights," I know call me weird, but that seriously was the only card game I knew. Despite the fact that I worked at a casino, I didn't know any other card games.
The man gave a grin and said,” that’s fine with me."
I stared at the man oddly, “I didn’t agree to play. Plus, employees aren’t allowed to.” Call it an excuse, but it was true.
“Fay!” Tiana cried out, “just go play, you might win something out of it.”
“No,” I hissed, “I don’t want to.”
“If you win, you’ll get some of my winnings,” the man said.
I debated over the thought and then agreed, "Fine," I said as everyone made room for me to sit down.
The dealer began shuffling the cards and then handed them out. I picked up my cards and looked over at the man.
"Since we're playing cards, how about we introduce ourselves? I'm Jett Forrest and you are?"
"Faylin Bradshaw," I responded as icily as I could,” who’s going first, me or you?"
"Ladies first," he enthused. I rolled my eyes as I flipped over the first card, it was a ten of spades, and I looked through my cards and pulled out a two of spades. "Pick up two," I smiled.
"Very well," he responded as he picked up two cards.
The game went on until we were both left with three cards. Before I put down a card, Jett interrupted me. "Why don't we make this card game worth your while?"
I raised an eyebrow,” what do you mean?"
"Well I did say I would give you some of my earnings so, how about a bet?"
"A bet?" I parroted. What was this guy up to?
He nodded," a bet."
"Which would include...?"
"If you win the game," he began,” you can have all the money that I won today."
My eyes opened wide as I struggled not to look too enthusiastic about the idea. If I won, I'd have enough money to get my parents out of that debt, and have enough left over to buy a new house and furniture.
Hmmm, but if he was willing to give me all that money, he really must want something out of it,” and if you win?"
He smirked," then you marry me, no questions asked as to why I want to marry you."
I stared at the man, was he for real? I wasn't going to risk playing a game, which ended with me having to marry some random guy, but if I won I'd win all that money...what to do, what to do!
I debated in my head about the options, and then said,” deal."
"Good girl," Jett responded,” don’t forget, there are a roomful of witnesses to testify this bet."
I nodded,” let’s get back to the game."
I put down a King of Clubs and then he put down a King of Hearts. I debated in my head over my cards and then put down my four of hearts. "Last card," I grinned.
"Hmmm," Jett said as he put down a two of hearts,” pick up two."
"Shit," I whispered as I picked up two, I couldn't put down any of my cards,” go," I told him.
"Last card," he grinned as he put down a seven of hearts,” I win."
"Come on darling," Jett said as he grabbed my arm and led me towards the door.
"I can't just leave," I retaliated,” I have to work."
"Not anymore you don't," Jett told me,” no wife or fiancée of mine will work."
"Well, I don't know who you think you are but you can't just demand that I do things for you! Even though I agreed to marry you, doesn't mean I agreed to not work. Plus I need the money!" I yelled.
"Fay, what just happened, and where are you going?" Tiana ran up to me.
"She just lost a game of cards to me, and she's going home," Jett told Tiana,"she'll call you later." And then he had the nerve to pick me up like I was his bride and he carried me out the door.
"Put me down," I shrieked,” put me down."
Jett paid no heed to me as he strolled over to his black Jaguar. He pulled open the passenger door and stuffed me in. Damn, the insufferable bastard.
He got into the drivers seat and buckled his belt then started the car. I was too busy trying to open the door, damn the stupid car!
"Why won't your stupid card open?" I demanded.
"Because it has a child safety lock. When the vehicle is moving the door won't open," he told me as if I was a four year old.
"Well I refuse to go anywhere with you," I pouted like a four year old.
"Well then, that's too bad for you since you can't go anywhere else, except where I take you," and he had the nerve to go driving off, without even noticing that I didn't have my belt buckled. I hastily belted it, I didn't want to die. But it seemed as if it was inevitable, the way the jerk was driving.
"Can you stop driving like a maniac? You're going to get us both killed," I told him as he swerved once again.
"Oh my God! LAND!" I screamed as I hastily pulled open the car door and fell to the ground. I was never EVER getting into a car with him EVER again!
"Stop being such a drama queen," Jett scoffed as he grabbed my arm and pulled me up from the ground.
"Where are we?" I asked as he dragged me along the pathway.
"My house," was the only response I got out of him.
"I'm not going to your house," I told him crossing my arms.
"Too bad," he shrugged,” because that's where we're going to live once we're married," and he just kept on dragging me. Hello! I was not a rag doll! And I most definitely didn't want to go into his house.
"I have my own home, you know. And you can drop me off there, and I'll live there until we're married."
"Keep dreaming," he laughed,” nice try. I'll drop you off at your house, and I bet you'll try running away to some other country or something." Darn! All my evil notions were down the drain. He was good, I was going to give him that.
"But I don't want to!" I whined.
"It's your fault for playing that game of cards with me," he reminded me.
"Shut up! You practically demanded that I play cards with you, you cocky good for nothing bastard!" I screamed at him. It was a nice feeling to be screaming at him.
"Look here," Jett started,” you’re going to live in this house with me whether you like it or not. Next week we're going to get married in a big fancy wedding, because that's the way my mom wants it. I want you to be nice to my parents, or else there'll be hell to pay." He was so demanding, and so insufferable.
"What about my clothes?" I demanded.
"I'll buy you all the clothes you need."
"But I want my own clothes, from my own home!" I insisted.
"I said I’d buy you all the clothes you want."
"But I want my clothes now!"
"Look, I'll buy you all the clothes you want tomorrow, and we'll get your old clothes, while we’re at it. Happy?" Jett glared.
"Not really."
"Too bad."
Jett dragged me to the door as I finally got the chance to look at his house. "Wow," was my response. It was humongous, as far as my imagination went it looked like a mansion; no it looked like a palace. This guy was definitely loaded!
"Wait," I stopped in my tracks,” I’m going to go in looking like this?" My uniform wasn't anything fancy; it was just a pair of black slacks and a white shirt.
"Well do you plan on going in naked?" Jett asked sporting a smirk.
"Shut up, pervert," I retorted.
"Wait here," he ordered as he ran up the stairs. Five minutes later he was back with a box in his hand. He opened the box and grasped my left hand and then proceeded to put on a silver diamond encrusted ring on my ring finger. I tried to pull my hand away but he had a firm grip on it.
He glared at me and then said,” never take this off. If I ever see you with it not on, there will be hell to pay." Did I mention he was very demanding?
I was finally able to pull my hand away from his grasp. I glared back at him,” whatever."
Jett ignored the glare and my response,” follow me. You need a nice dress to wear, since you can't see my parents wearing that." Augh! That was so rude. Although I didn't like my uniform either, it didn't mean he had to be so rude about it.
He led me into what I think was supposed to be the sitting room. In the room was a pretty girl sitting with a rack full of dresses, and a billion boxes.
"Hello, my name's Lorraine!" she immediately stood up when we entered,” you must be Mr. Forrest, and this must be your lovely fiancée."
Jett nodded,” she needs a nice dress to wear to meet my parents."
"Right," she nodded as she led me towards the rack of dresses," try on this one," and she motioned towards a screen. I hesitantly walked behind the screen and pulled the dress on top of my clothes and then I took off the clothes underneath. Even though Jett couldn't see me, I could feel his presence and I was shy about changing in front of people.
I walked out from behind the screen and heard Jett say,” too much cleavage." I grumbled annoyed as Lorraine handed me a bunch of dresses to try on. I had a feeling it was going to take a while.
"What about this one?" Lorraine asked.
"Too short," Jett responded lazily. Easy for him to say, he hadn't been the one trying on a billion dresses.
I walked behind the scene once more and tried on the last dress. 'He'd better like this one,' I thought, 'or else I'm going to strangle him.'
"How about this one?"
I could have sworn that something flickered in Jett's eyes, but it was gone before I could say something,” it’s fine."
"Finally," I groaned. But I did have to agree the dress was really nice. It was white with peach flowers on it and it stopped right above my knees. It had a neckline in the shape of a V, with an empire waist. It was decorated with rhinestones and sequins. And just at the empire waist below the V was flower shaped rhinestone pin.
"It looks beautiful on you," Lorraine sighed,” now all you need are shoes and matching jewelry." She began looking through the many boxes when finally she pulled out a pair of strappy white sandals. Out of another box she then pulled out a diamond set and handed them both to me.
"Go ahead," she said,” put them on."
I sighed as I sat down on a chair and put on the shoes and then Lorraine helped me put on the diamond set.
"There," she smiled,” you look perfect."
I gulped as I looked at Jett who nodded his approval.
"Let's go," he said.
I held my breath, not only because I was going to meet his parents, but because he was going to be driving again.