Scheming Love
The music faded out and the people crowding the dance floor ceased their twirling and turned to the stage, their clapping sounding through out the grand hall. Juliet clapped too, although she found the music rather dull. This was not her type of party and she wished she could've stayed home, even if it meant being alone in the night.
She spotted her parents walking in her direction, martinis in hand and accompanied by a young man. They took their seats, the stranger taking his beside her.
Her father smiled at her then turned to his guest. "Perry, this is my daughter Juliet. Isn't she quite the dish?" He winked at the youth. Juliet stifled a snort at the fondness the aging man was manifesting towards her.
"That she is." He grabbed hold of her small hand and shook it roughly. "Perry Wilkins."
"Nice to meet you." She forced a smile. It took all the will power she possessed not to snatch her hand from his grip. When he finally released it, she casually laid her hands in her lap and wiped them on her dress. It wasn't that she had anything against him, but she saw that her parents were using her on him. For what reason she was unsure.
As soon as the thought entered her mind, her question was answered. "Perry here is the mayor's son." Her mother took a swig from her alcohol filled glass. "Isn't that nice?" Mrs. Carter raised a brow towards the youth when her daughter did not respond to her insinuation.
"Yes it is. I'm sure all the girls throw themselves at you." She winced as the toe of a high-heeled shoe connected with her shin. "I mean with your being so handsome and all." She smiled at her mother and turned her attention back to the young man beside her.
He shrugged his shoulders, obviously agreeing with her false compliment. "Not really. But out of the ones that have, you're by far the most beautiful." He ran his fingertips across her hand, a yearning glinting from his eyes. She moved her hand away and placed it on her purse.
"Please excuse me for just one moment. I need to go freshen up."
She walked in the direction of the bathroom and when sure his eyes were no longer following her, she ducked out a side door.
The cool night air was refreshing against her hot face. She couldn't believe the scheme her parents were concocting; practically shoving her into the lap of the mayor's son. Of course, it was all clear to her now. If their daughter were found dating the most respected bachelor around, her parents would be assured the first invitations to every social gathering within the city. Her cheeks burned in anger. This was why her parents insisted that she'd join them tonight; so that she could bewitch the poor fool she had just met for them. She deeply wished that the mayor had a daughter. That way it would be Ben in this predicament instead of her. Not that he would mind one bit. Most likely, he would find it quite amusing.
Juliet walked down the narrow path she was following down to the docks lining the lake. She glanced up at the star speckled field above her. Her heart warmed as she remembered that night Romeo had come over and sat with her under that same sky. If only he was here now. To take her away from this nightmare. The young woman reprimanded herself for thinking such thoughts of longing. It had been only a week since they first met and she wasn't going to let her self be so rash in this foolish game of love. She was falling hard, swiftly and in her heart of hearts, she feared it would end badly. Just as her last serious relationship had.
She stared out over the placid water, her chest aching at the regretful memories she had of that night before she had climbed into Romeo's car. Did it all really happen? And why? Why had he tossed her aside like a dirty rag, embarrassing her in front of the multitude of seniors that had gathered around? She brushed the thoughts away. It didn't matter anymore. It was over and she had been found by Romeo who was so sweet and gentle. But she would never let herself be brought down by what she thought was love again.
The music faded out and the people crowding the dance floor ceased their twirling and turned to the stage, their clapping sounding through out the grand hall. Juliet clapped too, although she found the music rather dull. This was not her type of party and she wished she could've stayed home, even if it meant being alone in the night.
She spotted her parents walking in her direction, martinis in hand and accompanied by a young man. They took their seats, the stranger taking his beside her.
Her father smiled at her then turned to his guest. "Perry, this is my daughter Juliet. Isn't she quite the dish?" He winked at the youth. Juliet stifled a snort at the fondness the aging man was manifesting towards her.
"That she is." He grabbed hold of her small hand and shook it roughly. "Perry Wilkins."
"Nice to meet you." She forced a smile. It took all the will power she possessed not to snatch her hand from his grip. When he finally released it, she casually laid her hands in her lap and wiped them on her dress. It wasn't that she had anything against him, but she saw that her parents were using her on him. For what reason she was unsure.
As soon as the thought entered her mind, her question was answered. "Perry here is the mayor's son." Her mother took a swig from her alcohol filled glass. "Isn't that nice?" Mrs. Carter raised a brow towards the youth when her daughter did not respond to her insinuation.
"Yes it is. I'm sure all the girls throw themselves at you." She winced as the toe of a high-heeled shoe connected with her shin. "I mean with your being so handsome and all." She smiled at her mother and turned her attention back to the young man beside her.
He shrugged his shoulders, obviously agreeing with her false compliment. "Not really. But out of the ones that have, you're by far the most beautiful." He ran his fingertips across her hand, a yearning glinting from his eyes. She moved her hand away and placed it on her purse.
"Please excuse me for just one moment. I need to go freshen up."
She walked in the direction of the bathroom and when sure his eyes were no longer following her, she ducked out a side door.
The cool night air was refreshing against her hot face. She couldn't believe the scheme her parents were concocting; practically shoving her into the lap of the mayor's son. Of course, it was all clear to her now. If their daughter were found dating the most respected bachelor around, her parents would be assured the first invitations to every social gathering within the city. Her cheeks burned in anger. This was why her parents insisted that she'd join them tonight; so that she could bewitch the poor fool she had just met for them. She deeply wished that the mayor had a daughter. That way it would be Ben in this predicament instead of her. Not that he would mind one bit. Most likely, he would find it quite amusing.
Juliet walked down the narrow path she was following down to the docks lining the lake. She glanced up at the star speckled field above her. Her heart warmed as she remembered that night Romeo had come over and sat with her under that same sky. If only he was here now. To take her away from this nightmare. The young woman reprimanded herself for thinking such thoughts of longing. It had been only a week since they first met and she wasn't going to let her self be so rash in this foolish game of love. She was falling hard, swiftly and in her heart of hearts, she feared it would end badly. Just as her last serious relationship had.
She stared out over the placid water, her chest aching at the regretful memories she had of that night before she had climbed into Romeo's car. Did it all really happen? And why? Why had he tossed her aside like a dirty rag, embarrassing her in front of the multitude of seniors that had gathered around? She brushed the thoughts away. It didn't matter anymore. It was over and she had been found by Romeo who was so sweet and gentle. But she would never let herself be brought down by what she thought was love again.