Scented candles burned throughout the house, sending a hint of cinnamon apple into the air. After her shower she spent extra time on her hair and makeup, her heart pounded with excitement and anticipation. As if this was some sought of a first date or something. Kita laughed at how her emotions were responding. Kita had planned and prepared for this day for months, and everything was set. She'd chosen a sexy crisscross open dress, that went down to her lower back. The purple silk pencil dress with silver and purple stiletto strap heels. Applying lipstick in the same shade of racy purple as her dress, Kita took one last measuring look in the mirror before she headed out of the bedroom into the dining room of their home. ************* Kenneth opens the door standing in the foyer in amazement that he was actually home. Tears enter the creases of his eyes as he just looked around, breaking his attention, he heard the sound of heels echoing off the wood floors in their home. Kita walk
But that's okay. Because by the time you get back to work in 6 months, the fans will have more than enough time to calm down. So don't worry about it too much; we will feed positive news about the band members' comeback to the media and netizens. Now let's talk about you, Kenneth, s, I since you; sincere now, we're thinking of how we could relieve you of some of the responsibility you've had for a very long time. That way, you can focus on your wife and possibly a family shortly. The band members have always been a significant group to this SME. So the staff and I have been thinking since this group has four other single men. Along with the fact that Minsoo is 21 years old, he's more than ready to take the lead truly. Of course, Kenneth, you will always be our lead singer; that will never change. But you remain the face of the group; that's where we will make the adjustments. We will now give that responsibility to someone else. Should I say we were thinking of it? Sharing that res
"Look at Julie. Doesn't our friend look happy?" I asked. I couldn't help but smile. "You know who looks happy? Julie's groom! Look at that silly grin on his face!" Candance says, rolling her eyes. "I guess he's thrilled to death! Julie is almost 15 years younger than him!" Charmaine states. "Kita, I can't believe you are next." Kita avoids her friends questioning her. "Look at this place! It's beautiful! I hope my wedding will be as romantic. I'm so happy we were here for Julie as her bridesmaids on her wedding day. Julie is one of the sweetest girls you could ever meet. Her parents are so proud of her. "I'm exhausted after enduring the ceremony and posing for all those pictures!" Candance states, holding onto Charmaine's arm. "Oh hurry, ladies, a group of guys just got up from that table!" Charmaine says quickly, walking over to the table and dropping into the cushioned chairs. Candance took a seat, kicked off her high heels, and groaned, stating. "I tell you, I prefer to be
The anger I felt swirled inside me like molted hot lava! "The nerve of him to Strutt in that nightclub with another girl on his arm! I'm so disgusted and hurt! How often have I asked him to come out to be with me? And every time, he's given me some flimsy excuse about him working late! How could I have been so naive to think he was sincere? I refused to accept a man lying to me! This could never be a happy marriage! What made me think things would be different for me! Kenneth Cole has sadly fooled my parents and me! This is so unfair! I had feelings for him. I was so silly to think he would be different!" Once I got home, my eyes were filled with tears as I unlocked the door and closed it behind me. I leaned against it. I felt too weak to move or breathe. "That Kenneth Cole is so heartless! I never imagined tonight would be my first time seeing him face-to-face in a predicament like this! His eyes looked like he wanted to put my lights out when I told him I would tell my father! I w
I can't worry about that now; I'll think about it in the morning. I stayed in bed the rest of the weekend until my parents returned home and my mother entered my room. "Honey, are awake! We made it back. Kita! I saw so many beautiful gowns for the wedding." I didn't respond to her enthusiastic disposition. "Is everything okay? How are you feeling?" "I'm okay." I lied. I felt sick to my stomach. I wish I could just throw up and be done with this feeling. "Kita, what do you think about this dress?" "Oh, Mom, I have a horrendous headache this morning." I didn't even get out of bed to do my morning exercise. I didn't feel like it. For the first time in two days, I walked around my room to try and strengthen my weak body. I picked up the bottle of ibuprofen and down three tablets. The headaches, sore shoulder, and general feeling of fatigue still existed. I was still trying to recover more from my horrific experience. Every time I think about it, my heart twists tight in my chest. "Mom
The day I left my parents' house and moved in with my friend Candance's family for a month, I knew I couldn't stay there for long because her family was much like mine. No sooner than I returned from job hunting. Candance's mother was waiting for me to enter the door. "Hey, Kita, can you come and take a seat." "Good evening, Mrs. Lyons.' "What are your plans? Are you going back home to your parents?" "Well, no. I plan on getting my place." "Why would you do something like that? Your parents care greatly about you and only want the best for you, young lady. I'm going to have to ask you to go back home. This town is too small to keep you here when I disagree with this rebellious behavior. I can barely look at your poor mother's face. She is so broken-hearted over you doing this to them. I hope you understand. I don't want Candance to think this rebellion is the proper way to behave toward your parents." "I understand. I'll pack my things, Mrs. Lyon's, and I'll be gone by morning."
But I couldn't tell her what was in my head or my heart. I didn't want to disappoint her. So I ignored that expression and shared with her what I thought she wanted and needed to hear me say. "Girl, I feel so accomplished. I feel so comfortable now in my skin. That's how I would describe my life and this journey for the past two months. Charmaine, I need to think about where I will live and the career I want to start. Would you agree?" "Yes, but what about your intimate life? You were one of the most romantic people I know." "Right now, I'm interested in doing things I haven't done before. I want to travel and see other parts of this island and the world I haven't seen yet. And Charmaine, you wouldn't believe this: for the first time in a long time, I won't have to worry about the man my dad will pick for me to marry! That's a big relief! Now, I'll do whatever I desire and be with who I want and choose. Doesn't that sound like fun?" "Well, a little. It seems scary, too. Kita, I've
IT WAS MONDAY MORNING. AN UNNERVING AND OVERWHELMING feeling hit the pit of my stomach! I walked into the cold building clad in all marble. It looks as menacing on the inside as it does on the outside! I was met with alarming glaring eyes and stares from people. I had known these people all my life, as I grew up in this tiny Town. Wow! They honestly do believe firmly in the sanctity of arranged marriages. I hadn't anticipated that many people would miss work to be present. Or had they given the townspeople the day off from work so they could see me be made out of an example? I could feel their every emotion, too! Their anger, disappointment, disgust, and especially disdain! I could tell in the people's eyes I had already been judged and condemned! The mothers and fathers from my hometown were determined to make an example out of me! So that none of the other citizens' daughters could ever think of doing what I had done! But what had I done that deserved this kind of venom? I, Kita Ari