Authors: Janet A. Mota
Chapter 33
Company Party
Amber
I’m engaged to the man of my dreams. I still can’t believe this is happening to me. I am also walking around on cloud nine. I’m deliriously happy and I can’t hide it. I feel like nothing can bring me down but I’m scared too. I’m scared that everything is going to come crashing down on me. I’m trying not to let my negativity get the best of me but it’s lingering.
Tonight is Dylan’s company holiday party. It’s a formal party and it will be my first. I went shopping for a gown and it was strange. I felt out of place but as soon as I put on the gown, I felt like a princess. I’m excited and hope that we dance the night away. I actually went to a hair salon and got my hair done into a beautiful loose bun with curls shaping my face. I just finished applying my make-up and now it’s time to put on my dress.
Dylan got dressed while I was applying my make-up. He looks so handsome in his tuxedo. My mouth went dry when I saw him. He kissed my cheek and told me he would wait for me in the family room. I watched his ass as he walked away and had to turn on the fan to cool myself off. I walk into the closet and slip into the dress. It is a blue strapless form fitting gown with a slit up the leg that reaches my thigh. I put on silver pumps and take a last look in the full length mirror. I have long silver earrings and a simple silver necklace to match my earrings. I pick up my silver clutch and I’m ready to go.
I walk into the family room. Dylan looks away from the television when he sees me walk in. He clicks off the TV and walks toward me.
“You’re breathtaking.” He says. “Your eyes pop in that dress.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going to have a hard time keeping my hands off of you tonight.”
“You won’t hear me complain.”
He laughs and we head out.
****
The holiday party is being held in a hotel ballroom close to Dylan’s office. From what I manage to hear, the owners of the company go all out for their employees every year for the holidays. We are enjoying cocktail hour just outside the ballroom. They haven’t opened the ballroom yet. I am taking in the ambiance and meeting some of Dylan’s coworkers. Everyone seems to be very nice and I am truly enjoying the light conversation and jokes. Dylan hasn’t left my side. He knows that I’m nervous about all of this and is trying to make me comfortable.
Everywhere I look I see a woman looking at Dylan. He seems to be the center of attention but he’s not looking at any of them. He has no idea how handsome he is and that he has all the ladies in a tailspin. I smile to myself. He’s all mine. He looks over at me and leans down. He kisses my cheek and whispers in my ear.
“Have I told you how sexy you look tonight?”
“You have but it doesn’t hurt to hear it again.”
He laughs and the doors to the ballroom open up. Someone comes out and announces that we should come in and find our seats. Dylan gives me his arm and I put my hand on his elbow. He leads me into the ballroom and we find our table. We sit and soon dinner is served.
As the night progresses, the dinner dishes are cleared and the band starts to play. Dylan and I dance the night away. The band is playing really great songs but they’ve yet to play any romantic songs. I’m dying for Dylan to hold me in his arms as we sway to the music. We decide to take a break since dessert is being served.
When we reach our table, a woman is standing there wearing a skin tight red dress. She has a short bob haircut and her hair is jet black. Her lips are bright red and she has a smile on her face that seems like she’s bearing her teeth more than smiling. She’s glaring at me as I walk up to her. The hair on the back of my neck stands on end. I hold my hand out to her.
“Hello. My name is Amber.” I say.
She crosses her arms and points her chin up. “How do you know Dylan?”
Dylan walks up behind her and stands there listening to the conversation taking place between us.
“I’m his fiancée. Who are you?” This woman is beginning to annoy me.
“What’s going on here?” Dylan asks.
“Dylan, you look so handsome tonight. I was hoping to dance with you.” The woman says practically falling all over him. Her perfume is so strong that it’s making me gag.
“I’m sorry. Who are you?” I can tell Dylan is so confused by this woman’s presence.
“Don’t you remember me? I’m Gloria, Judy’s daughter.” She snarls at him. Before Dylan can respond, Judy appears behind Dylan and grabs her arm.
“Gloria, come sit with me. Dessert is being served. Mr. Morgan and his fiancée would like to enjoy it.”
Gloria pulls her arm from her mother’s grip and reaches into her tiny purse which is hanging from her shoulder. When she pulls her hand out, she has a gun and it’s pointing straight at me.
Chapter 34
Gunshots
Dylan
I see the gun pointing at Amber and my heart is leaping out of my chest. I look over at Amber and the look of horror on her face is something I will never get out of my head. All color from her face is gone and her lips are trembling. Her eyes don’t leave Gloria’s.
“Gloria, put the gun down.” I say and she looks at me with a sly smile on her face.
“If I can’t have you, then no one will. You are mine. Mom says that you should be mine so I am claiming what’s mine.” She bares her teeth and looks back at Amber.
The woman is demented. I look around and I can see security coming through the door. I mouth 9-1-1 to my boss and he shakes his head in acknowledgment. I look back at Gloria.
“This is ridiculous. Put the gun away before someone gets hurt.” I plead with her.
“Not until I make sure that this bitch goes away.”
I look over to Judy for help but she is in shock. Her eyes are bulging out of head and she probably couldn’t get a coherent word out if her life depended on it.
I take a step toward Gloria and she jerks the gun.
“Take another step and I will take care of her before I allow you to say goodbye.” She threatens. I look at Amber and she swallows hard.
I see the police walk in and sneak around behind her. I try to keep her distracted and talking while they try to apprehend her.
“Tell me what you want and I’ll do it.”
She looks at me and laughs wickedly. “I want you to marry me. You belong to me. I don’t know why you even bothered with this one. She’s so plain. I’m vibrant and will keep you on your toes.”
Just as she finishes with her statement, an officer grabs her from behind. It scares her and she pulls the trigger. I jump in front of Amber and feel the burn as something hits me. I land on the table and slide to the ground. I can’t hear anything and my vision starts to blur. I see Amber appear and it looks like she’s screaming. I try to talk but I can’t. I can see that she’s crying and I feel her pick up my hand. I close my eyes.
****
I open my eyes and look around. I’m in the hospital. How long have I been out? It only felt like five minutes. Machines are beeping and Amber is sitting in the chair next to my bed. Her head is in her hand, which is being held up by her elbow on the armrest. Her eyes are closed. I shift a little and the pain going down my left arm stops me in my tracks. A grunt escapes my lips and Amber pops her head up. Her eyes meet mine and she jumps out of the chair. She places her hand on my face and I lean into it.
“How are you feeling?” She asks.
“My left side is killing me.” I answer.
“Let me get the nurse.” She says and walks to the door. She opens it and walks out. A minute later, she walks back into the room with a nurse following behind her.
“Hello Dylan.” The nurse says. “I’m going to give you something for the pain and will let the doctor know that you are awake.” She administers something into my IV and walks out of the room.
Amber is standing there watching me. She is standing at the foot of my bed. She is pale and looks so scared. She trying to hide her trembling hands but I see them.
“How long have I been out?” I ask her.
“Twelve hours.” She says.
“Wow. It only felt like five minutes. What happened after I passed out?”
“The paramedics came and rushed you to the hospital. There was so much blood and I couldn’t see where the bullet hit you.” She closes her eyes and her bottom lip quivers. Her voice cracks and a tear falls down her cheek. “When we got here, you were taken away and I was left in the ER waiting to hear what was happening. I called your family and they all rushed here. The five of us waited for an hour before the doctor came out to talk to us. He told us you were stable but needed surgery so he could get the bullet out of you. The bullet hit just above your heart. By some miracle, it missed your heart and any major arteries.” The tears won’t stop falling. “After surgery, doctor said you should make a full recovery. Your family saw you once you were brought in here but I insisted they go home to rest. That’s why they aren’t here.”
“Come here, gorgeous.” She walks up to the right side of my bed. “I’m so sorry I put you through all of that.”
She grabs a tissue from the tray table and wipes her face and nose. “Are the fates trying to tell us something?”
“What do you mean?”
“We lost our baby and now you get shot. Do you think the fates are trying to tell us that we shouldn’t be together?”
I pat the side of the bed and she sits facing me and I don’t start talking until she looks at me. “I love you and nothing is going to keep me from you. I believe the fates are showing us that we can get through anything together and we come out stronger in the end. You and I are a force to be reckoned with. We may have our scares and bad things happen but we are united. As long as we stay that way, no one will stand a chance.”
“I never thought of it that way, but you’re right.” She says. “I’m sorry about the negativity but I can’t help to think it.”
I bring her hand to my lips and kiss her palm. “Your life hasn’t exactly been a positive one so I completely understand.”
She smiles at me. “I love you.”
“I love you. Now, kiss me already.”
She leans over and presses her lips to mine. I deepen the kiss and I hear her whimper. Her noises drive me crazy. She pulls away abruptly.
“No sir. You need your rest. There is plenty of time for that.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Chapter 35
Christmas Eve
Amber
A year ago today, I met the love of my life. I never thought my heart would open the way that it did and I never thought I would love him this fiercely. I also gained an amazing family. I couldn’t have asked for better in-laws. After everything that Dylan and I have been through this year, I thought that today should be celebrated in a very special way. With the help of Andrew, Claire and Miranda, I was able to plan a special surprise for Dylan. I am sad that Mia and Evan can’t be here for this and considered postponing it but they both insisted that I go forward with it. Dylan has recovered well from his injury. He’s still sore but has healed wonderfully.
We’ve already had the traditional dinner and now I am in Miranda’s room getting ready. I slip on my simple white gown and white pumps. I touch-up my makeup and I’m ready to go. Dylan is wearing black slacks and a black button down shirt. Nothing more needs to be added to what he picked out to wear tonight. Miranda will be our photographer. I walk out of Miranda’s room and into the family room. Claire hands me a small bouquet of red roses and the doorbell rings. Claire lets Rose in. Rose is a coworker of mine and a notary. I greet her. Andrew and Dylan are in the game room playing the usual game of pool. Andrew heard the doorbell and they both come into the family room.
Dylan stops walking when he sees me. He looks around and that back at me. I walk up to him.
“A year ago, you walked into my life and I never knew that I would know so much love. So I thought that tonight would be perfect for this special surprise. Will you marry me right now?”
I can see the wheels in his brain turning. “Baby, you don’t want to have a big wedding? What about Mia and Evan?”
“Big weddings are overrated. I spoke to Mia and Evan. They want us to do this tonight and made me promise to have the reception later so that we can all celebrate together.”
He looks around and a huge smile appears on his face. “There is nothing in the world I want more than to make you my wife. Yes, gorgeous, I will marry you right now.” I laugh and give him a quick kiss.
Rose takes her position in front of the Christmas tree. Miranda starts taking pictures. Claire leads Dylan to his position over by Rose. I am standing a few steps away and getting ready to walk up to him when Andrew appears next to me. He extends his arm to me and I place my hand in it. I blink away the tears that threaten. We slowly walk up to Dylan. I let go of Andrew and he moves away to stand next to Claire. Rose starts the ceremony.
Dylan and I stare into each other’s eyes during the whole ceremony. We exchanged the traditional vows and sign the marriage certificate. Once all of that was done, Rose pronounces us husband and wife. Dylan’s hands grab my waist and pull me to him. He kisses me so passionately. We get lost in our kiss and everything falls away. I am Dylan’s wife. Best Christmas gift ever.
“Okay guys.” Miranda says and we break apart. We pose for a few more pictures and Claire brings out the small wedding cake we got. Dylan and I cut the cake and we enjoy the rest of our traditional Christmas.
At midnight, we open presents. I give Dylan the watch he’s had his eye on and a new set of golf clubs. He hands me my gift. I open it and just stare. I pull out the piece of paper and read it out loud.
“Two confirmed airline tickets to Italy. The dates are to be determined and set by customer.” I look at Dylan and he smiles.
“I didn’t know about tonight but want to take you on your dream vacation. We can call it our honeymoon now.” I lean over and embrace him. I kiss him and whisper in his ear.
“It’s time to go home.” He jumps up.
“Oh hell yes!” He says and helps me up. “Good night everyone. Thank you for everything. I love you but it’s time for us to go home. See you tomorrow.”
I wave at everyone and say good night as everyone starts laughing.