Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton
Ellen was so excited she couldn't hold back her joy. She practically beamed at everyone in the restaurant. Finally, she was going to meet the man she had been chatting with for 2 years. Everyone who knew of their relationship found it odd but no one could disagree with it. This was an arranged marriage between Ellen of the Miller's and Eric from the Tower's family. The Miller's were a middle class family indebted to the Tower's, the wealthiest family in the entire city. George Miller, her father drowned in debts and his company tanked. In his lowest, Anthony Tower, his bestfriend came to his aide. They commemorated their friendship by joining their youngest unmarried children in holy matrimony.
Ellen just graduated from college when she heard about the wedding proposal. This was obviously a marriage of convenience but she had to concur to protect her family. But she had not met her betrothed. He wasn't in the country at that time. They reached out to each other through facetime and social media. Ellen had never seen him in person but she knew he was a good guy. He introduced her to his friends who were with him abroad. He showed her his place, his company and his favorite spot in the city. She was so happy to have accepted the proposal and now, she was to meet him finally. They were going to be man and wife.
A man dressed in a blue tuxedo leaned into the plush seat, the waiter take his order. That man looked familiar. That's her Eric. She felt heat creep to her face and neck. Why was she feeling jittery like a little girl? Peeking from where she hid behind a blue velvet curtain, she admired her husband-to-be. The photos didn't do justice to his otherworldly handsomeness. He had a chiseled jaw, fine boned face with pink mouth and blue eyes. His dark hair was tousled but it made him uncommonly attractive. Ellen was sure he was ripped beneath that suit. It was evident from the way they clung to his body. His brilliant blue eyes looked around the room until they met hers. Ellen felt her heart sank. She wasn't ready. What if he doesn't recognize her? What if he tries to kiss her? Her heart beats against her ribcage and she feels perspiration creep to her palms. Bravely lifting her head, she wiped her sweaty palms on her red dress and marched toward him. A smile stole her features as she inhaled softly, expecting him to call her name any moment but he walked past her.
"What's going on?" Ellen whipped around only to find him kissing another lady.
"There you are. I've missed you, darling." Eric pulls the lady into his embrace, kissing her softly.
Ellen was taken aback. "What did Eric just do? Maybe, I'm day dreaming. Maybe that's his look alike. Asians do have a lot of dopplegangers."
She revealed her phone from her purse and dialled his number, looking around for her Eric.
The couple pulled away and the man received the call. "Hello?"
Ellen felt dizzy. He was her Eric but how? Eric locked eyes with her and pockets his phone, taking the lady with him.
Ellen paled in comparison with Eric's partner. Her skin was all milk and roses. She had glossy black hair and red curls that fell down her bare shoulders. The red gown she wore accentuated her figure. Her smile was shy but pretty and she looked ravishing. Unlike Ellen in a casual black gown she bought two nights ago. She was nothing like this woman. Not in any convenientiional sense.
The lady looked at the flowers in Ellen's hand and took them. Turning to Eric, she hugged him. "Babe, you didn't have to pay an usher to get me flowers."
'Usher? Did that girl just label me an usher?' Ellen was too astounded to speak. Her lips began to quiver and she bit her lower lip to keep the tears at bay.
Eric, on the other hand, was unconcerned. He fished his wallet out of his blazer pocket and whipped out a dollar. "Here's a tip for your troubles."
Ellen watched him holding the money at her. The look in his eyes. He knew who she was. Why was he doing this?
"Eric" it came as a whisper.
He took out her hand and put the money in it.
"Thanks, darling. You got me my favourite flowers." The red haired lady blew a kiss at her.
Ellen felt the ground beneath her feet swim and she almost lost her balance, save for the wall she leaned on. Roses. Eric told her his favorite flowers were roses but they were not. They belonged to that woman. How could he have humiliated her? How could he be so cruel? They dated for 2 years even though it was online most of the time. They had something real. She felt it. Did he? Did he just play her? Ellen couldn't hold back her tears. She let them fall down her cheeks. Lifting her eyes to the couple's table, hatred flashed in her brown eyes.
She marched to their table and slammed her hand on it. "What the hell is going on, Eric?"
"What are you doing, miss?" Eric's date glared at me.
"Life's too short to deal with crazy people. What are you doing here, Ellen?" Eric pushed back his seat.
"You're an asshole." Ellen raised her hand and slapped him across the face. Realising what she did, she cup her hand over her mouth sobbing terribly.
"How dare you slap my fiance?" The lady took to her feet.
"Aliyah, don't move around for the baby's sake." Eric wrapped his arms around the woman.
The sight was a nasty slice in Ellen's heart. Too difficult to ignore. Her eyes fell on the ring adorning the lady's finger. Eric had proposed to her. Worst of it all is she's pregnant for him.
One of the waiters reached their table. "Is anything the matter, Mister Towers?"
"Yes, there is." Eric pats the lady in his arms softly as he spoke to the waiter. "This woman here, tried to hurt my pregnant fiancee. Call security and drag her out of here."
"What?!" Ellen couldn't believe her ears. "Eric. It's me. Ellen."
The guests watched silently as a tall group of men pulled her out of the restaurant. They hurled her out the door and she collapsed on the pavement, hurting herself.
It wasn't over. One of them grabbed her arm and shoved her in the back of a black vehicle.
"Where are you taking me? Where's Eric?" Ellen asked as tears swarm into her eyes.
"You're under arrest for attempting to hurt the future heir of Tower Corp. You have the right to remain silent….
Everything sounded muffled in her ears. The pain that gnawed at her heart was too great to ignore. As soon as the car moved, she released the screams trapped in her throat.