Darcy Yoon tensely watched the sun rise and felt somewhat resentful. He'd been up since 3 a.m. and his view was not improving as the minutes passed. He'd been watching this view for 2 hours in complete disgust wishing he had the power to change it. He cursed himself for not having a good enough excuse to decline coming to this dreadful land. He had to remind himself several times that he was here to help Charles. Darcy was an estate purchasing mogul and Charles desperately wanted him here assisting with all the reality dirty work.

Darcy mused that if Nether Fields Manor had been built in LA or New York, he would've paid millions for it and the restaurant that sat in front was icing on the cake.

Too bad Nether Fields is surrounded by this hideously bare desert. It's ruining everything, Darcy muttered to himself.

It wasn't Charles fault, Darcy thought. Charles didn't know about the promise. Darcy promised himself to never visit places that reminded him of a time when his life changed forever. He promised himself never to come to areas that took his thoughts back to a time and place where his memories caused unbearable anxiety. The scenery out his window took him to that very place in time and he couldn't shake it.

For the hundredth time since he woke up, he looked toward the door, and no matter how many times he longingly looked at it he never stepped toward it. Darcy hadn't left his suite since noon yesterday. It was hard enough having to be surrounded by the cursed ugly brown bland desert, but what waited for him on the other side of his door he knew was just as bad – he didn't have it in him to entertain Charles and his unyielding sisters. His mind was not equipped yet to deal with that kind of socializing. He hated that such an inferior view could easily take him to that time he desperately didn't want his mind to go.

The gathering was another dread that Darcy wanted to avoid. Charles was throwing a neighborhood soirée later today and begged Darcy to join him. Due to Darcy's feeling of superiority, he couldn't say no to Charles for such a menial request.

Life is actually simple. Why do I insist on making it complicated? Darcy said aloud to his empty room.


ll*ll


"Did you send it Char?" After the twentieth text from my mother asking where the heck I was, I had Char answer her.

We are finally on our way.

We were running late by 30 minutes. Char had insisted I wear makeup, so I plopped myself down at the makeup section of a fancy department store and a young lady with too much glitter and gold shimmer on her face did my makeup. I'll blame Char if my mother thinks I look like a glittery shiny beast.

As we pulled into Nether Fields, I saw my mother. She was near the entrance and stomping her feet looking livid. Jean was right beside her attempting to calm her.

I strategically parked furthest from the entrance, as far from my screaming mother as I could. Regardless of the distance, unfortunately, I could still hear my mother from inside my truck. I let out a stifled laugh as my brain and legs both agree to remain in my truck.

Here comes the humiliation.

I inwardly thank God for the makeup and the cute bun up-do Char did for me.

"Are you okay Rocky? You look like you want to vomit."

I look toward my best friend in the beautiful pageant dress and grin. The taste of acid rises up to my throat and I immediately want to peel out of here. I am in over my head. I was not used to wearing heels and a dress-like outfit - AND makeup. It felt like I was going into war and had no weapons or vehicle, and a panic attack was beginning to bloom inside me. The reality that I'm not only wearing heels but caked on makeup feels uncomfortable and seeing my mother through my rearview mirror marching toward us didn't help my nerves.

"Rocky?"

Char shakes my arm. "What's wrong? Lizabet Raquel Benito, answer me right now? You're scaring me."

We both jump up - startled - as my mother bangs on my window.

The tint on my windows happily hides me from being seen.

Unfortunately, my truck was not sound proof and we heard everything my mother shouted, "GET out now Rocky. You better not be wearing a man suit."

Char's big doe eyes plead with me, "Rocky, we better get out now. People are staring."

I happily notice Jean gently pull my mother away from my truck dragging her back toward the front entrance of the restaurant.

My hands still glued to the steering wheel grip tighter as Char attempts to peel my fingers one by one away.

"Why are you being stupid Rocky? You've been to Iraq twice, you fought ISIS fighters, you roamed around the middle of Falluja with limited supplies, you were sent to fix multiple stranded Humvees numerous times in the middle of nowhere Iraq…should I continue? Let's not forget almost being captured in Afghanistan. This little gathering is a piece of cake."

I look toward my friend and stick out my tongue.

"Out…NOW Sergeant Benny. I thought you were hungry." She uses my nickname in the Marines – Benny shortened of course from Benito. Char quickly opens her door and exits before I can respond. Knowing me like she does, she stands at the end of my truck leaving me no exit unless I run out of here on foot.

Not in these heels and cute jumpsuit…Argh! I can do this. I've been to Iraq twice and Afghanistan once. I can do this.

I slowly step outside and the clank of my heels reminds me that I need to tread lightly. If I stomp around in these heels like I do with my boots, my feet will hate me in the morning and I'll probably destroy these cute heels.

I cringe as I continue to hear my mother's high-pitched voice shouting at me. I realize quickly that she's furious, as she begins to speak her native tongue which she never does.

My mother finally sees me as I reach Char, who stood frozen at the end of my truck. My mother's embarrassing screams always make Char nervous.

I look toward my mother who has now shut up. She gives me a "at-least-it's-not-pants" nod before walking in Nether Fields.

Ha! In your face Mother! I AM wearing pants.

As we reach Jean, she gives me a gentle hug. "Rocky. You look beautiful."

I take in Jean and Char's beautiful white ball gowns looking tight and cinched. I flash them a smirk knowing they were uncomfortable.

I shrug at Jeans complement and walk with my bestie and favorite sister into Nether Fields.

"Okay Guys, here's the run down so far. Charles Benally is such a gentleman. He has…"

I stopped listening as I noticed the twinkle in Jean's eyes. I didn't want her praise to muck up my opinion of him.

I simply smile at Jean as she carries on - "Charles" this and "Charles" that. The expression on her face glows brighter with every mention of his name, which worries me. It wasn't until Char poked me in the ribs and Jean had her tilted-head-puzzled look that I begin to focus on them again.

"What?" I sheepishly say.

"Lizbet Raquel did you hear a word I've said?" Jean lightly pinches my arm.

Char quickly rescues me, "We are listening Jean, tell us more about this Darcy Yoon."

"Well his family is from South Korea and they are multi-millionaires. He is 38-years-old and single. Darcy and Charles became friends in the Army, but Darcy was an Officer. He retired last year…"

Again, I tune out my sister as an Officer retiring at such a young age means something serious. Also, another thing I found odd was, why did millionaires join the Army in the first place.

"Ouch." I get pinched again but this time from Char – her pinches really hurt.

"You didn't hear a word I've said Lizbet."

I give Jean my best sad puppy dog eyes.

She dramatically sighs and becomes quiet as we enter the banquet room.

The double doors slowly open for us like in the movies and I can't help but roll my eyes the moment I see the many ridiculous events in front of me:

1. My mother hovering around two tall good-looking men. I assume Charlie and Darcy.

2. Linda and Kathy, each near the two men in question, flirting openly and shamelessly.

3. The large banquet room, which should hold 200 people, currently only has about 40 people present making this soiree look small and boring.

4. I'm the only woman not wearing a white ball gown.

Jean sighs and whispers to us, "Isn't he handsome?"

As if they heard her, the two men bow to my mother and sisters before turning to head our way.