One page short story - The silk scarf

The Silk Scarf

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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I looked at my image reflected from the dark tinted glass. The midnight blue tuxedo with the notched collar contrasted beautifully with the perfect white cummerbund in a sophisticated attire. I was happy that I could get ready on time. After emerging from the bathroom I hastily put on the clean, neatly ironed clothes and sprayed some cologne. I had no time to brush my hair and nevertheless, I knew nobody will notice the difference. It was messy no matter what I did to it. Besides, I had to place "time" as the most important word in my dictionary. It was all because my father never liked me getting late. As the future heir of renowned Moore and Co., I had to act as the perfect gentleman. Punctuality was just one little thing he expected from me among many other requirements. At rare times, I wanted to be a carefree guy just as some of my friends did. But it was something I had to overlook. I knew most envied me, only because I had the capacity to buy anything I wanted and my leisure time was spent with things normal people could not lay their eyes on.

"Steven, let's go." Father commanded walking hastily towards the main entrance. "We have to be there by six thirty."

I followed him to the car park where Frank waited for us. He opened the door of our luxurious Rolls-Royce muttering a polite greet.

"I heard that it is the first all talkie film, sir, is that true?" he asked in an interested voice turning the car towards the cinema hall.

"Yes," replied my father shortly. He was not the verbose type. The only occasion we heard his voice was when he wanted us to do something.

I walked through the red carpet with the CEO of Moore and Co., attracting many eyes towards us as walking. I knew the reason why we were so well-liked; it's nothing other than money. Along with money, came power, respect, appreciation and many desirable characteristics. The esteemed Moore and Co. had millions of assets all around the world; hence we were not in short of admirers. Specially, I was not deficient in opposite-sex fans despite the latest gossip of my arranged marriage. In truth, I was to marry in three months but we did not know each other at all. It was a strange arranged marriage and neither of us had any means of escaping. It was the bitter reality regardless of its astonishment. I knew she's the heir of another respected business firm. Nonetheless, I was indifferent about the marriage. Soon I'm going to say goodbye to my blissful bachelor life. But then I was happy for anything that made my family happy and 'girls' were out of my focal range.

I sat among the distinguished guests sweeping a quick glance over the crowd. It was the premiere of movie "Blackmail" and many popular stars were present lightening up the event with their classy outfits and dazzling smiles. The lights went off signalling the start.

"Pardon me, may I sit here?" A piercing voice asked blocking my view. It was a tall, slender silhouette of a young woman. Behind her there was another girl.

I nodded and replied "yes," breaking my glance from the screen. As soon as the word expelled from my mouth, the two girls hurried to the seats next to me. Both looked very much similar and wore similar straight and loose dresses with deep U shaped necklines and the waistlines of the frocks were dropped to their hips. Skirts rose to just below their knees allowing flashes of leg to be seen. "Flappers," I muttered to myself with disgust. Anyhow their presence gave off a scent of wealth and power. I never liked the way most girls behave, the social trend was beyond my taste. They smoked, drank and drove and their haircuts were terrible which made them look like teenaged boys.