Chapter One

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Bill Owen Downing and Laeren Margaretha Downing were the world's number nine richest couple. They were also my parents. You would think I'm fortunate but I felt rather the opposite. Bill and Margaretha were the world's worst parents if there was even a category for a reward such as that. My parents were never home and even if they were, my Dad would be in his office and my Mom busied herself with the gardening. That was why I decided to move out and live on my own. 

The studio apartment I own in Kensington Street was not as glamorous as my bedroom back in my parents' mansion but it was homey enough for me. I had to move out anyway because my parents opposed to the idea of me working my butt off. They thought they had given me everything I wanted and I was rude to move out to start a business of my own. I know we were rich enough but I'm a firm believer of working hard to earn what you want. My parents won't live forever, anything could happen and if they were, I'd want to be prepared.

Now mostly I spend my time in Downing Bridal Boutique with my co-owner, Katherine Lowe. Kath is my best friend ever since freshman year of high school, ever since then we were inseparable. We even live in the same apartment building, on the same floor, her unit exactly next to mine. Yes, we were that close. 

Today was like any other day. I waited patiently behind the counter, waiting for any customers to arrive. You can't expect getting orders everyday when it comes to selling wedding gowns. There were more divorce cases in court rather than happy marriages. 

Looking at my laptop screen, I browsed around the internet for new styles of gowns I may be able to pre-order. Minutes passed before the bell of the front door chimed merrily and strode in Kath with two Starbucks cups in hand.

"I'm here!" she said in a sing-song voice. She came to a halt in front of the counter. "Kath here reporting for duty."

"You're late," I peered at her from the dark frame glasses I was wearing. "If it had been someone else as your co-owner, they'd fire you before you can come inside the store."

"Yes, but you're not someone else Al," she retorted, rolling her misty grey eyes. "Besides, I bought you a Green Tea Latte so you can't fire me!"

I took the white Starbuck cup she was handing out to me.

"Ah, I hate it when you bribe me like that, Kath," I said, opening the cup so I could cool it before taking a sip. "You're scarily good at it too."

With a flip of her blonde hair, she gave me an amusing smile.

"The shipment from Europe is not in yet?" Kath asked. I shook my head. "Damn it. I'm excited to look through them and try them on before we hang them up for sale."

I was actually as excited as Kath. The vintage wedding gowns I pre-ordered from England were exquisite pieces. Even though I only ordered and paid for five, I felt like I should not sell them at all. Weeks ago I went to England, stopping by at an antique store who sold me five gorgeous wedding gowns. Since my luggages were completely full, I had to ship them from England to New York. The package was supposed to come today, and I had been earnestly waiting for it to arrive.

The whole morning, Kath and I looked after the store and greeted customers as some came in to look through many gowns. By the time lunch hour came, we sold two gowns. Not bad for a half a day's work. For lunch, Kath and I ordered in some Chinese like we usually did. The usual sweet and sour chicken with rice and fortune cookies. 

"Hey Al?" Kath said, looking through multiples of unopened letters. "Did Evan ever called you back?" 

Evan McGregor is the senator's eldest son. Charming, handsome and quite the ladies man, it was unbelievable how someone like Evan would even recognize me. Evan and I met quite a few years back but we didn't hit it off until last summer when he and I accidentally met in the Hamptons. Long story short, Evan and I became lovers. We were so in love that we had not a care in the world. It all changed when that dumb blonde Evan's mother introduced as Vanessa came into our lives and became the third party who ruined it all. You see, Evan's mother never approved of Evan and I being together and so she planned to destroy our relationship by introducing Evan to Vanessa two months ago. I held on as long as I could but it seemed to me that Evan is starting to fall for her.

"No," I said with a shrug of my shoulders. "I guess I'm starting to accept the fact that Vanessa won."

"Then Evan must be a fool to let you go," Kath scoffed. "That Vanessa bitch has nothing compared to you! She's just in it for the money just like everyone else except for you of course."

I was glad I have Kath as my best friend. She always knew what to say to cheer me up. Honestly, inside I felt horrible even though with Kath saying Vanessa being a bitch and all kind of made me smile a bit. I loved Evan very much. He was the first guy I could actually connect to, felt loved and adored. Losing him or giving him up to someone like Vanessa felt wrong.

"Mrs. Downing?" a man's voice interrupted.

Both Kath and I looked up from our sweet and sour chicken halfway to our mouths. A UPS guy stood at the front door with a long wooden crate. Kath and I quickly scrambled to our feet and rushed forward.

"It's a Miss by the way," I corrected the guy. "But yes, that's me. Alena Downing. Is that the package from England?"

"My apologies miss," the guy tipped his hat my way. "Yes, this is your package. Will you please sign here and here. Where should I put this?"

I pointed to the back corner and Kath led him the way while I signed the papers. When the guy came back, I handed to him the papers and his pen. 

"Thank you miss," the guy said with a smile. "Have a nice day."

After I returned the smile and bid him goodbye, I joined Kath in examining the crate. We both looked at each other with excitement. I began reaching out to touch the wooden crate standing in front of me when suddenly all the lights in the store went out and we were standing in complete darkness.

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