The Plot

Chapter 1

Gabriella

Why. Me.

Why would they do this to me? What unforgivable sin have I committed to deserve this type of torture? Have I not been a good daughter to them? Why would they choose to hurt me like this?

Questions kept flooding Gabriella's brain as she mourned over the unfortunate news she received from her parents. Just three days ago, her life was picture perfect but now, it has to change. She stared at the engagement ring her boyfriend gave her...

Flashback

Neil put his hands around her waist, "It's beautiful isn't it?"

Gabriella couldn't agree more as she nodded. "This place truly is amazing babe. Thank you for bringing me here." She turned in his arms to kiss him; his blue eyes sparkled as he faced the golden rays of the sunset.

Neil smiled, "Anything for you my love, happy birthday."

"Thank you, I love you."

"I love you too. "

Neil surprised her with a vacation to Fiji for her twenty fifth birthday. Gabriella couldn't have been more overjoyed. It was the first trip they had taken in their three years as a couple.

"Gaby..." Neil began, "There is something I need to tell you."

She gave him her attention.

"When we met I was simply a man with no meaning until you showed me purpose and how to love..." He exhaled, "And I'm proud of who I've become because of you."

He smiled as though a sweet memory crossed his mind. "You're such a beautiful soul; full of life and beauty and I want to thank you for being my best friend and lover. I love you."

This is why I love this man. She thought. He never fails to remind me of how much he loves me.

He took hold of her hands with a gentle grasp, "I love you enough to fight for you, compromise for you and sacrifice myself for you if need be. Enough to miss you terribly when we're apart, no matter the time or distance. Enough to believe in our relationship and stand by it through the worst of times, to have faith in our strength as a couple and to never give up on us."

Gabriella's face scrunched up. Wait... where is he headed with this speech of his?

He dropped to one knee and reached to his back pocket to pull out a small navy blue, velvet box. When it opened, it revealed a pear shaped diamond ring. Gabriella gasped; she was shocked beyond belief. She didn't think she'd see the day he'd propose. Nevertheless, she was on cloud nine; after all she had suffered,  the love of her life finally proposed.

His glossy, blue eyes were fixed on her. Tears brimmed in her eyes as they threatened to fall. "Enough to spend the rest of my life with you, if you'd let me. To be there for you when you need me or want me and to never ever leave you or live without you. Gabriella Marie Saunders, will you marry me?" A nervous smile tugged at his lips.

"Yes, yes I will marry you!" She bellowed as he placed the dazzling diamond ring on her finger. He stood up and spun her around. "I love you so much baby!"

"I love you too." She kissed his lips and he returned the gesture. Nothing could take her happiness away.

Suddenly her phone rang; she ignored it, not wanting to break her and Neil's moment to celebrate. When the persistence of the caller was becoming overbearing, she picked her phone from the bedside table and answered it.

"Hey dad."

"Hey sweetheart, how are you?" She heard what sounded like shuffling papers coming from his background then a loud thud.