Whimsical Pretenses - Chapter 1 (Fiction)

Chapter 1 – Meet Mia

She stepped forward on the edge. She then spread her arms, felt the wind blowing through her hair. She felt the air on her fingers, billowing.

“I’m finally free…” She thought.

He was standing in front of the building, and when he looked up as if exasperated, he realized someone is at the edge of the roof. In panic he widened his eyes and shouted “Miss, STOP!”

6 months ago…

Mia was excited… she was finally getting married. Her childhood sweetheart finally proposed to her. She was looking at the rack of magazines in the bookstore.

“Finally, I’m shopping my own stack this time.” She could feel the giddiness in her heart.

Mia Mendoza, was a part owner and wedding coordinator of Belles and Laces Events Management. She was in charge of running errands for brides who needs extra help in wedding details. A hopeless romantic, she was always after happy endings that she ventured into the wedding business.

At 29 she couldn’t ask for more, she was living her dream job, and not a day she complains about life in general. She grew up with her aunt who was a spinster who discouraged her about love and fairy tales, but her love of romance from the books and movies she saw prevailed. She knew she was entitled with her own happy ever after someday.

She picked several magazines and headed directly to the payment counter.

“A discount if you may, Miss…” looking at the cashier’s ID and handed her membership card and smiled, “Joanna, you’re new aren’t you?”

Joanna smiled back “Yes, here you go Ma’am, I saw you once before. Wow, more magazines this time?”

She widened her smile “Yes for me.”

And she flashed her engagement ring.

The cashiers eyes widened with amazement and said, “Congratulations and have a nice day.”

“Awww, that’s so sweet, thanks!” and headed out of the door when her phone rang.

It was Jake her fiancé’.

“Hello, Babe?”

She could hear a loud sigh.

“Babe…”

“Babe I couldn’t wait to see you! You should see the things I shopped for the wedding preparations. You know how you told me I should just look at Pinterest sites but it’s just different from magazines.” She explained happily.

“Babe I need to see you tonight.”

“Of course Babe, something wrong? Is this about your teaching contract again? I told you, you should transfer to another school, the pay isn’t that great. They’re shortchanging you.”

“Let’s just talk later ok?”

“Okay, I can’t wait to see you! I love you!”

“Bye.” And he hung up.

Hmmpphh…grumpy. She thought to herself.

Jake her fiance’ is a high school Math teacher from an exclusive school. They both took up education but Mia pursued another career due to her love of romance and weddings. They’ve been together for 7 years. She was the one who pressured Jake to propose to her until he finally gave in and presented her a ring.

She came home to her apartment, showered and got dressed. It was in the middle of summer she wore a yellow mini sundress with floral pattern which hugged her figure. She chose to wear it just in case they would go out and have dinner outside.

She heard him knock and opened the door.

“Babe!”

She rushed and hugged him quickly kissed his lips.

He broke of their hug and let go of her and looked at her with a sad face.

“Let’s just sit down…” his voice shaken and forlorn.

“Babe…I know if you’re worried about the expenses, I have most of it from X-deals, I get discounts and free services. And of course you said your relatives would donate. If it’s about your job, you’ve been complaining about, I told you to edit your CV and apply to another school.”

“It’s not that…”

She looked at him directly; a squinted and probing look in her eyes.

“If it’s not that, then what is it? Don’t tell me you’re going to cancel the wedding?” Her eyes widened with shocked.

“I…”

She could feel panic…this is not happening, she thought. This is her worst nightmare. She already announced in Facebook and twitter also posted the picture of her ring on Instagram. Everybody knew about her engagement.

“Please listen…”

“NO! If this is what it is, why are you doing this to me???”

“Rita and I… and now she’s pregnant. Mia, I’m so sorry…please, please forgive me. I never knew, I was lonely and she was there.”

“Lonely? How dare you! Rita?? Your co-teacher? When?”

“It’s not important…” his voice trailing off.

“I put you above all else! I made time for you…I made sure I was the perfect girlfriend!”

She quickly grabbed the unopened stash of magazines and threw all of it into his direction.

Jake veered away and tried to approach Mia.

She felt her knees weakened and knelt down. “How could you do this to me? How could you? Seven long years…”

“I’m so sorry; it’s never my intention to hurt you.”

She looked at him in the eye, “Do you love her?”

“I didn’t mean for it to happen…”

“Leave me alone!!!” Pushed him forcefully towards the door. She shut it behind her and cried.

It was thirteen long years. Mia knew Jake, and she knew him too well. From the start, back when they first knew each other, Mia was always there to help him. He grew up with lots of insecurities, it was Mia who lifted him up in times of need. It wasn’t easy being with Jake and going along with his plans in life, she prioritized his decisions over hers. The decision to get married was a long time coming that required a lot of patience on her part. When he finally proposed, after enough prodding and arguments, the commitment issue was finally laid to rest and they were ready to move forward with their lives.

Or so she thought. Now everything around her shattered.

Click here for CHAPTER 2.

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