The lift in the towering Geneco building moved like a blur up and up to the top floor. Yet for Marni, it seemed to take hours. She nervously twisted her hands in the soft fabric of her dress as the floors swept by. At last, an electronic bell sounded, and the doors opened to reveal Rotti's private quarters. She stepped gingerly from the lift, glancing around. The hallway was empty and shadowy, the electric torches which hung in brackets cast a soft glow on the walls. She walked down the hall, glancing into the kitchen, the dining room. Empty. She continued down the hall and into the large bedroom. She breathed a slight sigh of relief, and went to the wardrobe, retrieving a satchel from the top shelf. She began to pull select items of clothing from the wardrobe. She left most of the glittering and silky evening gowns, the diamante studded shawls and satin gloves. All these rich and expensive clothes that Rotti had bought for her, that he had expected her to wear. Nathan liked her best in her simple, classically styled blouses and skirts. He loved her hair when it hung free, unkempt and not styled.
She stuffed her various items of clothing into the bag, and a few scattered possessions and books from the shelf next to the bed. She felt a pang of guilt. Rotti was many things, but he had looked after her. In his own way, he probably did love her. She sadly went to her small dresser and grabbed her favourite pairs of underwear and bras, piling them into the satchel. She firmly closed the buckles, which slid into place, then slung it over her shoulder. She cast one last look around, and made her way towards the door, back to the lift. She impatiently jabbed her finger on the button, willing the lift to hurry. She wanted to be gone from here. The lift doors finally opened, to reveal Rotti Largo, standing with his arms folded and looking at her with a cold fury, flanked by several of his guards. Ah yes. He had security cameras everywhere in the building. No doubt he'd been watching her since she stepped foot in the building.
Marni stepped backwards, away from him, her eyes wide with fright, "Rotti, I-"
Rotti strode out of the lift, his look of fury contorting his face, beetle black eyes glinting with malice, "Where have you been?"
His voice is low and dangerous, and Marni trembles, clutching at the satchel on her shoulder, "I, I'm sorry.."
Rotti grabbed her, shaking her shoulders savagely, "It's Nathan Wallace, isn't it?!"
Marni started to cry, trying to wrench herself out of his grasp.
"I'm not stupid, Marni!" Rotti bellowed at her, "What are you playing at?! Have you forgotten about the wedding tomorrow?! You are to be my wife for God's sake!"
Marni sobbed, her shoulders heaving, as he shoved her roughly away from him. He grabbed the satchel from her, wrenching it from her shoulder with a force that startled her, and flung it across the hall. His breathing was heavy as he ran a hand through his glossy black hair, sighing with frustration. Marni stood, sniffling, watching him fearfully.
He slowed his breathing, but continued to keep his hands clenched into fists at his sides, "Clean yourself up, and stop this ridiculous behavior. Do you hear me?"
Marni made no reply, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
Rotti strode past her into the bedroom, "I've got an urgent matter of business to take care of." He said curtly, "I'll see you when I get back." He said the last part very pointedly, "It wouldn't be a good idea for you to try to run away again. You won't get far."
At that, his guards seemed to smirk at her, sniggering, as they stood menacingly by the lift. Rotti emerged from the room again, clutching his briefcase and clutching a thick, woolen jacket.
Marni cowered back from him, "I'm sorry, I-I…" she said, her voice raw.
Rotti glowered at her, his eyes narrowing spitefully, "If I were you, I would give some thought to exactly what you would be walking away from." He said, moving close to her so that his face was mere inches from hers, "Think about how much I've done for you!"
Marni looked at him miserably, her eyes shining with tears, as he glared hatefully at her before turning on his heel and walking down the hall.
He stopped at the lift and looked back at her, "I can make your life a living hell, Marni." He smirked, "And I'm sure Nathan would like to come back to work…? He's throwing his future away, and so are you!"
Marni stood, as he boarded the elevator and then disappeared behind the doors. She let out a cry of frustration, and kicked the satchel which lay on the floor. She shook her head, screwing her eyes shut, trying to make sense of her emotions.
"What do I do…what do I do?" She whispered.
She had so hoped not to face Rotti tonight. She had only wanted to come and get her clothes. She could have then gone back to Nathan's apartment, and explained that Rotti hadn't been around. What now? His guards glared menacingly at her, toting large guns.
Nathan frowned, glancing at the small digital clock which sat on his bookshelf. Marni had been gone for over three hours. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, fidgeting. He should have gone with her. But she insisted, said that it was better she went by herself. It was almost 10pm. He ran a hand through his thick hair, desperation showing on his face. What if something terrible had happened? His blood ran cold as he thought that perhaps Rotti had hurt her. Another unwanted thought occurred to him, perhaps she had changed her mind. He sighed, standing up from his seat at the breakfast bar, and strode into his room, picking up his communicator from the bedside table. To hell with it, he'd given her plenty of time, he had to call her. He sat down on the bed which they'd spent so much time in for the past few days. He felt apprehensive as he pressed the keys to bring up her name, and hit 'dial'.
She didn't answer. Now Nathan was very worried and confused. He left a message.
"Marni…? I'm a bit worried that you haven't come back yet. Could you please contact me…Uh, thanks." He pressed the 'end' button, and then stared at the small, rectangular communicator, holding it so tightly that his knuckles were white. He didn't want to believe that she had changed her mind, but it seemed the most obvious explanation. He felt stupid for believing. For believing that someone would really choose him. He was just Nathan Wallace. Hard working, quiet, aloof. Why would someone like Marni be truly interested in him? Rotti Largo was the savior of the world, right? What had he, Nathan, ever done?
Marni replayed the message over, sitting miserably on the carpet in the hallway, her legs out in front of her. She didn't know how long she had been sitting there. After Rotti left she had simply crumpled and sat, staring into space, as the guards stood, smirking at her. Nathan's job. Nathan's future. He loved being a surGEN. Marni buried her face in her hands, starting to cry again. And what had Rotti meant, make her life a hell? She didn't want to think about it. He had shown himself to be an extremely passionate and well, frightening man when he wanted to be. She wiped her eyes, as the familiar electronic bell told her that the lift had arrived at the floor. She looked at it fearfully. Sure enough, Rotti stepped out. He smiled tightly, clearly glad to see her still there. He seemed to have calmed down considerably. The business meeting must have gone well.
"What are you doing on the floor?" He asked, not unkindly, walking to her and offering his arm.
She got to her feet shakily, holding onto his arm. She looked at him questioningly.
Rotti put his arm around her, "Darling, let's forget about the stupidity of this week. You stayed with a friend because you had cold feet, is that right?"
Marni looked at him guiltily, "I guess."
Rotti increased the pressure around her shoulders, "Yes you did. But we're getting married tomorrow, do you understand?"
Marni looked solemn, and she slowly nodded, "Yes."
Rotti relaxed and embraced her, "Good girl." He stroked her hair, pressing her against him, "From the moment I saw you, I had to have you, Marni. We're going to be very happy."
Nathan received the strange, broken message from Marni sometime early in the morning as he lay, unable to sleep, on his bed.
[Incoming message from Marni Shiva]
Hands shaking, he pressed the accept button and listened to Marni's voice.
"Nathan I…" She was whispering, "I'm sorry but, I can't ask you to give up your future for me. I uh, I can't because, you deserve to be a surGEN and, and I can't…I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I can't call off the wedding. I'm sorry. I- I have to go he's coming-" It went dead.
Nathan felt a numbness overcome him, a dull ache in his chest and hot tears pricked his eyes. He threw his communicator across the room. It hit the wall and shattered with a satisfying crunching sound. Fuck Geneco, and his stupid job, what did he care about any of that?! He supposed there was a time he had cared. Certainly he'd worked hard. He hadn't even been there a year yet but he'd risen up through the ranks to become the top SurGEN. But why should he care!? He would find another job, surely. He punched his pillow, anger flaring in him. Perhaps it was just an excuse. Perhaps she realized she wanted to marry Rotti after all and changed her mind. Liar. If he didn't love her so damn much, he'd probably hate her.
Marni stared at her reflection in the mirror, as the hair stylist piled her hair deftly on top of her head and fastened it with pretty white jeweled flowers. A tear ran down her cheek, smudging her heavy eyeliner and she heard the hair stylist make a noise of distaste.
"Madam, you're spoiling your makeup again."
Marni glared at him, hating his stupid brightly coloured clothes, green hair and tiny hands. Men with tiny hands were not to be trusted, she decided. She made a note to tell Nathan about that. Oh. Another tear rolled down her cheek. It was such a beautiful dress. Pearly white, shimmering fabric that fell in cascades from the waist to her ankles. The bodice was corseted and fit her snugly, drawing in her waist and pushing up her breasts. It was detailed with beautiful, subtle butterfly designs. Marni looked at it, running a finger over the thick, smooth fabric. A white choker around her neck, made of lace and with a shining gem set in it, which matched her earrings. She stared again at her reflection, and glanced at the clock which she could just see reflected in the mirror. Half an hour to go. She felt as if it was a time bomb ticking down. Her heart was racing, her palms sweaty. She looked at the hair stylist again, misery etched on her face, creasing her brow. She screwed her eyes shut, felt more tears fall. Nathan….
She jumped up, startling the hair stylist, "I'm sorry this is all wrong. It's just all wrong!" She exclaimed, and raced out of the room.
The hairstylist frowned, putting his hands on his hips. He thought her hair looked quite good, actually. What a bitch.
Nathan heard his intercom being buzzed, repeatedly. He was sitting on his couch, not having been able to sleep the night before, and instead he had sat in his lounge, chain smoking cigarettes and watching TV. He hadn't smoked since he was eighteen years old, and it was beginning to occur to him why. It was making him feel quite sick. It was nearly 11am, Marni would be getting married about now. He stubbed out the cigarette and jumped up, to go and depress the button on the intercom, too numb and sad to care who it was.
"What?" He snapped
A small voice came from the intercom, "I couldn't do it."
In a daze, he didn't reply, simply pressed the button to unlock the gate. Then he ran to his front door, and down the hallway to the stairs. She came running up the stairs. She was wearing her wedding dress, hair half up and half down, mascara and eyeliner streaking her cheeks. A khaki satchel was slung over her shoulder, clothes hanging out of it as if she had packed in a mad rush. But God, she still looked absolutely perfect, somehow.
She threw herself into his arms and he held her against him. She started to cry into his shoulder, burying her face in his neck.
She kissed him, again and again, punctuating each kiss with babbled words, "I'm sorry - I love you - I love you!"
Nathan looked at her in a bemused way, "Idiot." He said softly.
Marni looked a little confused.
"You think I care about being a surGEN? You honestly think it matters?"
Marni cringed, then smiled at him sheepishly, "I thought it did."
"Idiot!" Nathan exclaimed, but his face was awash with happiness and relief, and he hoisted her into his arms – the irony of her wearing a wedding dress would hit him later on – and carried her into his apartment.
"Nathan…you smell weird, have you been smoking?"