Special thanks for those who helped me with my creative writing work... Linda, Jemmie, Colleen, Rachel and Hui Ying for those i've not mentioned. sorry! cos i gave too many ppl read till i foget... Especialy mig.. (But pls don't hao lian when you're back. ha. kidding.)
Amber sat beside the window in her wedding gown as memories of the past reverberated in her mind...
"Excuse me!" Amber said loudly and elbowed her way through everyone as she was running late for work. She raced into the lift and one of her heels got stuck in between the gaps of the lift. Amber was thrown off balance. She tripped and fell and saw something fall out from the handbag since it was not closed properly.
"My tampon!" a voice screamed inside her. She stretched her arm to reach out for it. Just then, a man entered the lift and stepped right on top of it.
"Err... Sorry Sir," she said, staring at the shoes then looked up when the man stepped aside. Oh God! It was Richard! She felt like a complete fool and nearly passed out when the charming entrepreneur smiled!
"Good morning Amber!" Richard greeted.
"Oh god... This is so embarrassing!" she muttered under her breath as she grabbed and stuffed it inside her handbag hastily.
"Good morning!" Amber stood and beamed as if nothing had happened.
They walked into the large office filled with sounds of phones ringing, photocopiers printing, managers giving orders and ladies gossiping. When the ladies saw Richard, they started to gravitate towards him, oblivious to Amber's existence.
Amber walked towards her desk, sat on her swivel chair and took a deep breath. "What a way to start the day!" Amber thought miserably.
Richard's voice faded as he entered his office. Jenna sat beside Amber and gazed stupidly at Richard's closed door, "Next week will be the annual party and I bought a new dress! I bet he won't miss my cleavage and he shall be mine that night..." Jenna rubbed her hands together and pretended to laugh like a wicked witch.
"Ha! Why? You bought an invisible dress?" Amber teased.
"Come on. Give me a break," Jenna laughed and smacked Amber's arm playfully.
It was after lunch when Amber and Jenna entered the office and found Richard mingling with a group of male colleagues in the staff lounge. Though Richard was the boss, he was never arrogant and demanding.
"Oh. I'm getting a cup of coffee," she told Jenna and excused herself towards the staff lounge. Her heart sank as the group separated. But Richard was still sitting right there! She tried her best to hide her smile before entering.
"Hi Amber, take a seat," Richard offered. "Here's a cup of freshly brewed coffee." Pointing to the cup on the table.
"Thanks," Amber replied. She did not know whether to laugh or to cry as she recalled what happened earlier that morning.
"So... Who are you going to the annual party with?" he asked.
She could not let him know that nobody had asked her! She needed to think of a name fast!
"David," she said hastily and regretted it immediately. David happened to be the obese security guard downstairs.
"Oh. What a pity. I was about to ask you to..." Richard said looking slightly disappointed and taken aback.
"Oh! I just remembered David said he couldn't make it... Erm... because... his cat is sick," Amber interrupted.
"That's great! Oh! I meant poor cat…" Richard added.
"Yeah. Poor kitty..." Amber echoed, trying her best to look as if she had not lied.
"You'll be joining me instead?" asked Richard.
"Why not?" Amber said and realised her voice was two notches higher than usual. She took a mouthful of coffee and tried her best to keep herself calm.
The night finally came! Amber was tense and excited, not knowing what Richard's reaction would be, but the thought of dancing with Richard in her new gown brought a glow of sheer happiness to her eyes. She jumped when the doorbell rang and ran to open the door.
Richard stood rooted to the ground and opened his mouth in astonishment. The beautiful dark sapphire-blue velvet gown had the sides cut away to show the deep curve of Amber's waist and hips that made every feminine curve Amber possessed beguilingly displayed.
Amber smiled as she looked at Richard's raven black tuxedo that fitted his tall, splendid frame. It looked as if the best tailor in the world had made it specifically for him.
"You look great today!" Amber complimented.
Richard took a few blinks before he snapped back into reality, "Oh! Thanks. You look exquisitely lovely today."
The atmosphere in the dance hall was saturated with music and sweet perfume. Everyone turned their heads to see who Richard was with. Amber heard a lot of whispers repeating, "Isn't that Amber?"
During the dance, Richard held her very tightly. Amber closed her eyes, enjoying every moment. Soon, she felt his lips on hers. The kiss was soft, warm and sweet. She hoped that this night would never end.
It was almost the end of the party. Richard held Amber's hand and said, "It's getting late. I'll send you home."
At the exit, Amber's colleague, Sam, staggered towards them and said, "Hey Richard! Who's that hot chick beside you?" He took a step closer and said in disbelief, "Oh my God! You won the bet! I can't believe you really did ask Clumsy-Amber out!"
"You're drunk," Richard said nervously.
Sam looked confused, "No I'm not! You said you wouldn't ask her out in a million years! Not until we dared you to!" Sam took a hundred-dollar bill out from his wallet. "You deserve this... I'll go get some drinks and I'll talk to..." Before Sam could complete his sentence, he turned aside and vomited.
Richard put his right hand behind Amber's waist and led her away from Sam. She shoved his hand away and questioned, "What is this all about?"
"Nothing. He's drunk," Richard said, avoiding Amber's eyes.
"Look at me," she said firmly. "And tell me the truth."
There was a long pause before Richard could answer. "It was a bet that..."
Amber shook her head and felt tears forming in the corners of her eyes. She turned around and walked away as quickly as she could.
"Amber! Wait! I didn't mean it!" He grabbed her wrist and whirled her to face him. "Please Amber," he begged. "Listen to me!"
Amber stood stiffly and felt herself tighten with anger. She clenched her fist and kept her jaw tight.
"What!" She yelled. The tears that had gathered in her eyes started to drip slowly down her face, taking her makeup with them.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to ask you out long ago, but I dare not. I was afraid I might scare you off or something. I seized the opportunity when Sam and the others dared me to ask you! I am really sorry, Amber... Will you forgive me?" he pleaded.
Amber opened her mouth but nothing came out. She stood stiff and stared at the dark floral carpet.
"Please Amber. Believe me. I like you ever since the day I met you. You were different from any other girl I've met. I like the way you smile, the way you sulk and stare at the computer screen when you're tired. The way you play with your hair when you're bored and even the way you talked to the Donald duck figurine on your desk when you're stressed out! I really like everything about you!" he confessed.
Amber felt her face flushing, she never knew Richard had been noticing her all along. Not forgetting he had been observing Amber's weird habits that she thought no one knew. She looked at him and thought to herself, "Is this true?"
Richard put his hand on her face and used his thumb to wipe away the tears on her cheek. "It's true," Richard said as if he read her mind. "I'm sorry… Really sorry..." he repeated guiltily.
Amber smiled and said, "Don't ever do this again..."
Richard pulled away and said, "I promise. Wait for me here. I'll go get my car." Richard planted a kiss on Amber's forehead and ran across the road.
Suddenly, a car came speeding past from nowhere. Next thing she knew, Richard was flung to the other side of the road. Panic engulfed Amber. It had never crossed her mind that this would ever happen. Everything happened without any warning.
"Richard!!!" she screamed. Her heart was thumping madly with fear and she began to cry as she ran towards him. "Don't leave me!" she cried.
Richard face was in a bloody mess that was unrecognisable. Amber tried to breathe slowly as air wheezed and rattled in her chest. He looked at her and smiled even though he was struggling and grasping for breath. Despite the excruciating pain, Richard took a little black satin box from his pocket and handed it to Amber.
Amber's hands were shaking uncontrollably as she opened the box. It was a stunning diamond necklace that shone beautifully under the lamp light.
Amber turned and looked at him, "I love you Richard..."
Richard's hands slowly slipped away from Amber's. From that moment, she knew he was gone.
A crowd started to form around them as she cradled his dead body and started rocking him like a baby.
"Don't leave me, Richard. Don't leave me," she repeated as she rocked Richard's body, that showed no sign of life.
Rocking rocking rocking...
Amber snapped back into reality and jumped slightly when her mother knelt down in front of her. There she was, sitting in her wedding gown.
Amber's mother held her hands tightly and said, "It's your wedding today. Don't worry, dear. I am sure Richard would be very happy to know that you have found someone who loves you as much as he does."
Amber smiled, took a last look at the beautiful diamond necklace and closed the box.
"Yes. I bet he will," she smiled blissfully.
(Hope you've enjoyed it. My English is not perfect so pardon for any mistakes. ha.)
