A Day of Ruin

6 months earlier

I stared in awe at the giant chandelier hanging from the roof. It sparkled so brightly that I wondered just how many crystals and diamonds decorated it.

A hand grabbed mine and I looked down to find Bryson linking hands with me under the table, a smile on his face. He was dressed in a black suit, his glasses popping out so sexily that I kind of had the urge to kiss him right here and now.

“What are you thinking about?” he asked, his eyes on mine as if we were the only two in the room.

“Just how amazing it is. And how much fun I’m having,” I admitted, my cheeks tinging pink. He smiled in response, his dimples highlighting his face.

“I’m having fun too,” he said, his fingers stroking my hand. “Would you like to dance?”

I swivelled my head towards the dance floor where couples were dancing happily. Usually, I felt self-conscious about this type of thing, but the thought of missing out overrode any fear I had.

“Yeah...”

Bryson stood up, his hand still in mine as he gently helped me out of my chair. My black gown flowed down, gravity making it twirl around my legs as I stood. The waist was pulled in by black gems, which sat below the sweet heart neckline. My arms were free to move, little transparent black straps holding the dress securely to my shoulders.

We moved to the dancefloor and I held a breath as his hands found my waist. Automatically, my arms linked around his neck and we met eyes, a smile breaking out on each of our faces.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted my mom talking to the mayor, Wagner Smithson. Next to him stood Charles Maxwell – James’ great, great... maybe another great, grandson. Mom threw me a smile, her face beaming with pride as she watched Bryson and I dance. I grinned back at her, turning back to face the man himself.

His gaze was still on me. His brown eyes had such a beautiful twinkle that I could have just stared at them all day and night.

Movement caught my attention and I watched as mom, Wagner and Charles walked out of the ballroom. They were really good friends of ours. After dad had died, they had really opened their arms and homes to us. Dad’s business was a pivotal part of the town’s operations, and he grew up with Wagner and Charles’ dad. Charles was about my age – maybe a few years older. He was nice enough, a bit of a jerk but that chip came from his town royalty. His dad had died a few years before so he was the head of his family now, and still trying to learn his way, I guess. He was about to step up and take over important business which was apparently vital to the city’s success.

We continued to sway, until the heat started to bother us. I motioned to the garden outside of the side doors.

“Do you wanna go for a walk?” I asked Bryson.

He nodded, reaching for my hand again as we quickly detoured to the table to grab our phones and drinks. We had just arrived next to a beautiful rose garden when Bryson’s phone dinged.

“Ah damn. I just have to duck inside really quick. My friend needs his car key back. I was minding them for him.”

I leaned back against a metal railing which protected the garden. “Yeah no worries. I’ll hang here. It’s so nice out.”

Bryson nodded, turning to leave before hesitating. I watched as his face paused, him deep in thought before he swooped down and placed a kiss on my cheek. I blushed again, but I’m pretty sure he did too as he quickly strolled off inside.

I took a sip from my drink, grinning stupidly when my phone buzzed in my other hand. I flipped it open without a second thought, an unread message appearing on my screen.

Unknown: I warned you, Harlow. Now you have to pay the price.

My mouth opened in shock, panic shredding me. I looked around fearfully at the seemingly empty garden when all of a sudden, a loud blood-curdling scream filled the air.

I gasped loudly, my glass dropping from my hand and smashing into the ground around my feet.

There was something eerily familiar about the scream.

A shadow appeared in my peripheral vision and I spotted the figure of a man dressed in black watching me. He was close enough that I could see it was a male, but too far away for me to see anything distinguishable. But I did see one thing. He shook his head at me before turning and disappearing through the gardens just as people ran outside to investigate.

I slammed my chair back as I stood up urgently. Grabbing my bag and phone, I abandoned my paperwork, my feet carrying me quickly to the elevators.

The floor was dark, only lit up by random desks and office lights. There was no one else in sight, which meant he could be anywhere.

I was thankful to reach the foyer, the lights bright and overly welcoming. I hastily pressed the ‘down’ arrow repeatedly, begging for the elevator to hurry up.

Looking back behind me, I couldn’t see anything. No movement, no sounds. I was hopeful that maybe it was just a scare tactic. When the elevator dinged to signal its arrival, I rushed into the empty box, slapping my hand over the ‘close door’ and ground floor buttons. I let out a shaky breath in relief as the doors started to slowly shut. But just before my view was cut off from the office, a dark figure appeared just out of the light, standing in the walkway of the entrance to the associate desks.

The door slammed shut a short few seconds later, but the image was burnt into my mind. His silhouette standing there, staring at me. I could feel the smirk on his face. He loved my fear, I could tell. But what scared me the most was not that he liked my fear. No.

It was my jacket that I had left at my desk in his left hand, and a bundle of rope in the other.