My eyes don't take long to adjust as the lighting consists of candles, many candles, and white roses. A small table set for two, the decoration is truly exquisite. This place is wonderful, but more than a romantic candlelit dinner with roses, it feels like a funeral. My gaze stops at the large bed dressed with white silk sheets.
"Matt, I'm sorry, we need to talk."
"I told you we'll do it later," he says with a flirtatious smile on his face.
"No, it has to be right now."
"Okay, but I warn you, nothing will ruin this night. Come, sit." He opens a chair for me, I sit and look out the large window near the table. Judging by the amazing view from this place, we must be on the twenty-fifth or thirtieth floor.
"Tell me, what is it that can't wait?"
"Matt, I can't..."
"Wait, give me a second." He interrupts me, picking up the landline phone from the place. Apparently, he calls for room service, giving an order to bring the dinner. Then he hangs up and returns to his seat, uncorking a bottle of champagne and pouring two glasses.
"Matt, stop."
"I just want us to toast to your first time, I promise it will be special." He hands me a glass and clinks it with mine, lifting his own and taking the first sip.
"Matt, I'm not a virgin anymore." He chokes on his drink, spitting it out, coughing for a few seconds. I don't know if I should help him, all I do is stand still.
"Tell me it's a joke," he says after catching his breath. "It has to be a damn joke! And let me tell you, it's in very bad taste."
"It's not."
"Hahaha, enough already, love, it's been enough..."
"MATT! No, I'm not a virgin."
There's a knock on the door, Matt reluctantly gets up and opens it.
"Sir, room service."
"Not now," he responds curtly.
"Sorry, sir, but..."
"Is she deaf or what? I already said no!" He slams the door shut and walks back to me, his steps firm. I can't deny that I feel fear when I see the anger in his eyes.
"Why did you lie to me about being a virgin if it's not true?" He stops right in front of me and I stand up.
"I didn't lie to you... I was."
"Wait, are you telling me that you fooled me?" He manages to show a fake smile.
"I didn't want to, I was... I was drunk."
"With whom?"
"I don't know... It was in..."
"I asked, WITH WHOM?!" He shouts, making me flinch.
"I don't know, I don't know, it was in Vegas, I don't remember exactly how it happened."
"You're a damned..."
"NO, I'm not going to let you insult me. I made a mistake, and I'll face the consequences."
"Oh, yeah?! And how?! Enlighten me."
"You can break off the engagement." Tears roll down my eyes. "I'll take responsibility."
"You're truly stupid! I won't end a business deal that means so much money for me because of a bitch like you. The stupid wedding is still on. And don't worry, darling, you're not the only one being unfaithful. I just wanted to make your life pleasant by making you think that someone like me could fall in love with someone as tasteless as you. My mother was right when she said you're nothing more than a..." I raise my hand and let it fall on his face. Just because I made a mistake doesn't give him the right to degrade me as a person.
He grabs my chin tightly, forcing me to look at him.
"Listen to me carefully, the wedding is more than certain, don't doubt that. And never raise a hand against me again, or you'll get to know me."
He throws me onto the bed and takes out his cell phone, putting it on speaker as he sits.
"Hello, sweetheart," he responds to a woman.
"Hi, honey, I want to fuck you."
"You're so bad, don't you have enough from last night?"
"I can never get enough of you." He tells the woman on the other end of the line, while staring into my eyes.
I get up, grab my briefcase, fortunately, I had it with me all the time, and leave the room.
"I'm at the Rollal Hotel, honeymoon suite, floor..." It's the last thing I hear him say as I continue walking with my head held high.
I step out onto the street and hail the first available car. Once inside, I let my tears fall. I can't believe I actually felt something for a jerk like him. I reflect on this and for the first time, I feel grateful for what happened in Las Vegas. If it hadn't, I would still be deceived, believing the lies of that imbecile. During the journey back home, I dedicate myself to observing the beautiful landscape. I ask the driver to roll down the windows so I can feel the wind on my face. I feel relieved, taking a deep breath as I realize we have arrived... The worst is yet to come, informing my parents that there won't be a wedding.
***...
"Don't be foolish!" My mother's voice hysterically resounds.
"You're not listening to me. Matt doesn't love me. He sees this marriage as a business deal. He's unfaithful."
"He's a man, they're all the same! What did you expect?"
"I cheated on him too! I can't go on with this."
"And does he know?" my mother asks, widening her eyes.
"I confessed it to him today."
"What have you done? You're truly foolish," she says, shaking her head. Then she looks at my father. "And you, aren't you going to say anything?"
"Did Matt break the engagement?" he asks.
"No, he views it as a highly lucrative business deal," my tears start falling again.
"Then there's nothing to discuss. Carry on with the preparations," he says, rising and heading up the stairs, leaving me alone with my mother. She looks at me disdainfully and, just like my father, goes upstairs.
In what damn family of vipers was I born?
***...
The day of the funeral has come, or should I say wedding? All those people considered part of high society are gathered, waiting for the bride of the year. Girls my age look at me with great smiles, believing that dreams can come true. Only a few reporters have access to cover this grand event. I walk down the aisle in my princess white dress, a veil covering my face, a clear signal of purity. The cathedral is enormous and the decoration, which many find breathtaking, is overly extravagant in my opinion. But as usual, I was never given the right to have an opinion. I try to walk as slowly as possible, and during the journey, I see my friend's face reflecting only pity. And it's not without reason, at this point, even I feel sorry for myself. But they will hurt the most for forcing me to do something I don't want to. If they wanted a grand-scale media show, I'll give them a skyscraper. They'll soon see that I'm not the stupid and submissive girl they think they can control at their convenience. I look to my left, and in the front row is Matt's little friend. I roll my eyes. I observe him, and he looks at me with so much devotion that I even momentarily think he loves me. My father, who walked me down the aisle, hands me over to Matt.
"Matt, my daughter is a princess and is used to being treated as such. Today, I entrust her to you and I ask that you protect and love her for what she is, a priceless treasure."
"Don't worry, I will."
Hypocrisy at its finest. How I wish my father's words were true and not merely the performance of the year. My father approaches and hugs me.
"Beloved Father, you deserve an award for Best Actor," I whisper in his ear. He quickly pulls away and returns to his place next to my mother, who looks at me with a radiant smile.
***...
"Mr. Matt Ortega, do you take Miss Anna Brown as your lawful wife?"
"Yes, I do."
It's showtime, let's see the reaction when they hear a resounding "No."
"Miss Anna Brown, do you take Mr. Matt Ortega as your lawful husband?"
"No!"
No, it can't be. Who had the audacity to steal my moment and answer for me? Like me, everyone turned to see the intruder, the thief of the show. Oh, dear God, I could only bring both hands to my head.
As a professional novel writer in English, I am unable to determine the paragraph structure or context with just the name "Nicolas Thompson." Please provide the original paragraph you would like me to rewrite, and I'll be glad to assist you.
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