THE MISSED MOMENT

On a Monday morning, the sun barely peeking through the curtains, Emily sat at her vanity table, preparing for the day ahead. She glanced at the clock, noting that it was 8:45am, and she still had time to spare before she needed to head to the court house. But this wasn't just any courthouse visit, this was the day she would sign the contract for her arranged marriage.

After the refreshing splash of water had washed away the cares of the day, she selected one of her most cherished garments. A crimson gown that fell just below the knee, sparkling with sequins, and paired with low - heeled shoes in a delicate shade of silver.

Her outfit complete, she gathered up the essentials she'd need for the day and tucked them into her exquisite handbag. Then, standing before the mirror, she applied just a touch of makeup, accentuating her features with subtle artistry. A light brush of mascara, a touch of lip gloss, and a hint of blush gave her an understated yet elegant look.

Then, she gathered her long hair into a ponytail, carefully arranging two strands at the front for a sleek and stylish look.

Feeling confident and ready for the day, she left the room and went to the dinning room. Settling down at the table, she took a moment to savour the delicious breakfast she had prepared earlier.

The scent of coffee, the crunch of a flaky pastry, the sweetness of a ripe strawberry - these simple pleasures were a delightful start to the day. In no time at all, the food was gone, and she stood up, refreshed and ready to go.

With a tap of her finger, Emily started a FaceTime call to Camilla, eager to hear her friend's thought on her new look.

The call connected almost instantly, and Camilla's face filled the screen. But instead of the usual friendly greeting, Camilla let out a piercing scream, and Emily quickly shielded her ears.

"Why are you screaming like that?" Emily asked, a mix of amusement and bewilderment in her voice.

"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" Camilla replied.

"Of course I have!" Emily said, "I've looked in the mirror at least a million times since I was born!"

"That's not what I meant!" Camilla laughed. "I mean, you look absolutely stunning today. Even more so than usual!"

"Thank you so much for your honest opinion," Emily said, a smile spreading across her face. "I wanted to make sure I looked my best before heading out." She turned the camera to show her whole outfit, from head to toe.

"Wow, you're absolutely breathtaking!" Camilla gushed. "Stunning doesn't even begin to describe it!"

"Thanks so much!" Emily replied. "I should be going now. I'll talk to you when I get back from the courthouse."

"Oh, I bet you'll have him wrapped around you little finger once he gets a glimpse of you," Camilla said, a mischievous giggle escaping her lips.

"Who?" Emily replied, feigning ignorance.

"Why, your fiancé, of course!" Camilla exclaimed.

"Pfft, yeah right," Emily scoffed.

"Behold, the most fabulous woman in town!" Camilla said, her voice practically dripping with glee.

"Oh please, don't get carried away," Emily responded, but a hint of a smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

"I'm only trying to pump you up, girl!" Camilla said, her voice light and playful.

"I don't need your pep talk this morning," Emily said, but she couldn't help but feel a bit flattered by her friend's enthusiasm.

"Alright, I won't keep you from your man," Camilla teased.

"Sorry, but I've got to go," Emily said, cutting off the call before her friend could get another word in.

She took a deep breath and stepped out the door, leaving behind the comfortable familiarity of her home.

The drive to the court house seemed to last an eternity. As the cab approached the entrance, she spotted a sleek, black car pulling out of the parking lot, it's dark windows obscuring the drivers face. Whatever had just driven past was none of her concern, Emily straightened her shoulders and let her attention drift back to the task at hand.

As Emily walked through the doors of the courthouse, her heart began to race. She'd been given instructions on where to go, but her mind was in a fog, all her focus on what lay ahead.

The sound of her footsteps reverberated against the marble floors, echoing in her ears like the beat of a drum. Then, she spotted a familiar face. Her parents stood outside one of the courtrooms, chatting with another couple.

"Ahem," Emily cleared her throat, announcing her presence to her parents and the other couple.

Her mother turned first. " Oh, Emily! It's so good to see you, dear, how are you doing today?" She asked.

"Why do you even care, let's get this done with," Emily answered coldly.

"So, Emily, it's a delight to make your acquaintance. In person you appear even more resplendent than your photographs indicated." Said Mr. and Mrs. Rawlings, the couple who accompanied Emily's own parent. "We are the parental figures of Robert, the suitor whom you will soon wed," they concluded.

"Pleasure to meet you?" Scoffed Emily, her eyes flashing with resentment. "More like a nightmare come true," she muttered, her voice dripping with disdain. "And you call it 'thoughtful' to force me into this mess? I'd call it cruel, manipulative, and downright cruel."

The Rawlings looked at each other, their faces a mask of surprise but they choose to remain calm. "Oh, we understand how you must feel..." Mr. Rawlings began, but his words were cut off by Emily's sharp retort.

"No, you don't understand how I feel," she said her voice cold and unyielding. "Save your platitudes and tell me where Robert is."

The room fell silent, the air thick with tension. No one dared to answer her question, fearing her wrath. The silence hung heavy in the air, pressing down on them like a physical weigh.

"Where is Robert?" Emily repeated, her voice rising with impatience.

"Calm down honey, let's not get worked up," her mother tried to soothe her, but to no avail.

"You're not answering my question!" Emily exclaimed, her frustration mounting.

"Well, he actually had to leave already," her father spoke up, his voice hesitant.

"What do you mean, left already?" Emily demanded, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"He got an urgent call from his company and had to leave right away," her father exclaimed, his tone apologetic. "But he already finalized his part of the contract, so all that's left is for you to sign your half."

Emily's eyes widened, a mix of emotions, flashing across her face. Emily turned away from her parents, frustration and anger bubbled up inside her, ready to explode.