Prologue
4 years ago
"Mom, do I have to attend tonight's dinner party?" Protested a 16 year old Julianna McCoy.
Her older sister Sienna McCoy who was two years older to her, sat with a bored expression in one corner of the living room. She had just graduated from school and was relaxing before her college started. She was enrolled in the nearby Grace College to pursue a Bachelors degree in Business Management.
Her oldest brother Jake was four years older than her and least interested in parties. Ice hockey was his passion and he lived, breathed and spoke only of hockey. He was studying Bachelor of Science in Athletics Training from the University of Austin, Texas.
"Yes, decide on what to wear. It is an important official party," said their mom, Elena McCoy. Her father Geoffrey McCoy and her mom were too involved in their financial firm to think of anything else. They only talked of their business and expected all their children to follow in their footsteps.
Sienna and Jake weren't interested in their financial firm and they always received plenty of rebukes everyday.
They were all sitting in the living room when their parents suddenly announced that there was a dinner party at the house of an investor who was interested in investing in their business.
Leroy Martin was a big name in the world of business. He was a billionaire with many established businesses running successfully in Texas. His interest in their small financial firm meant a lot for Geoffrey and Elena McCoy.
They all reluctantly went upstairs to their rooms to get ready. While both Sienna and Jake had beautiful chocolate brown hair, Julianna's hair was golden blonde just like her mom's. She stood out amongst her siblings and it caused her a lot of embarrassment.
They arrived at the huge sprawling mansion just on time. The entire mansion was luxuriously decorated and spotlessly clean. They were ushered into a huge banquet hall, lavishly decorated. There were tables at regular intervals with guests seated and enjoying the delicious hors d'oeuvres. Drinks were offered from a crowded bar in one corner of the banquet hall.
As they entered, Leroy Martin came forward and shook hands with their dad. Geoffrey McCoy introduced his wife and all of his children.
"Why don't you children go and enjoy with my son, Vincent?" said Leroy Martin, looking around for his son. He sent an attendant to summon his son. After a few minutes, a tall, muscular boy of about eighteen, came forward wearing a black business suit like his dad.
"Yes dad, did you call for me?" He asked, looking at Julianna, curiously.
"Son, meet the children of my friend and business associate, Geoffrey McCoy. These are Jake, Sienna and Julianna," said his father,"Everyone, this is my son, Vincent."
They all greeted each other. However Vincent held out his hand and shook Julianna's hand, looking into her eyes. Sienna looked at her with disbelief while she blushed and looked elsewhere.
"Take them with you, Vince," said his dad.
"Yes dad," Vincent said and led them to an adjoining room where many boys and girls of their age were enjoying themselves.
Sienna saw a friend from her school and rushed to chat with her. Vincent and Jake talked about sports. Julianna loitered around the room, checking out the paintings on the walls. She couldn't connect with anyone. They were all older than her and didn't even look in her direction.
She went to another adjoining room and saw a beautiful statue of Venus near the staircase. There was a huge aquarium with many colourful fishes swimming inside. She watched them, mesmerised.
"It's mine, " said a husky voice, from beside her. She turned and came face to face with Vincent. His blue eyes stared straight into hers, holding her gaze in a trance.
"Oh, I like it," she said, looking away towards the aquarium.
"I'm glad you like it," he said, still looking at her.
"How old are you, Anna?" He asked, still looking at her.
"I'm sixteen and my name's Julianna, " she reminded him.
"I want to call you Anna," he said, still looking at her.
Julianna shrugged, glancing briefly towards him. Why was he staring at her? Was there something on her face? Maybe her hair had become a crow's nest.
"Come, I'll show you something else," he said, holding out his hand to her. She looked at his outstretched hand asking for hers silently. She shyly places her hand in his and he held it firmly in his.
He loved the feel of her soft hand in his. She was gorgeous, without any trace of makeup whatsoever, looking innocently at everyone and everything with her big baby blue sparkling eyes. Her long pale hair shone like gold as she moved around staring and gasped with happiness at small things such as paintings and fishes. She seemed unaware of her own beauty and the attention she was causing upon herself.
He led her to the small rose garden in the backyard with a huge fountain in the middle. Roses of all colours grew around them and she gasped at the beauty of it all. She looked more beautiful in the mellow lights twinkling around them.
He picked up a red rose, kissed it and pinned it to her hair. "A rose for Anna," he said huskily. Julianna blushed and thanked him softly.
"It's beautiful," she said, looking around her but Vincent couldn't look away. He stared at her mesmerised by her.
"Yes, beautiful, " he agreed, still looking at her.
Sienna came looking for her."Oh there you are. What are you doing here? Mom's looking for you, " she said, glaring at Vincent. She pulled Julianna along with her back into the party.
Vincent stood watching her go away. "I'll marry you one day, Anna," he promised to himself.
He went back to the party but she was gone. He was restless the next few days. He had to meet her. He couldn't concentrate on anything.
His wish was answered when his parents went for dinner at their house. He too accompanied them with only one wish. To see Anna.
He saw her again. She looked more beautiful than she looked at the party. The whole time he impatiently waited to talk to her. "Can I use the washroom?" He asked her.
"Julie, show Vincent the washroom, dear," said her mom. Vincent was too happy to even utter a single word. He followed Julianna as Sienna glared at him.
Just in front of the washroom, he held her hand to stop her from leaving. "Anna, will you meet me tomorrow after school?" he asked, nervously.
"Why?" She asked him with wide innocent eyes.
"Meet me and I'll tell you," he said and she agreed.
"Ok," she said.
"I'll wait for you outside your school. You're in Glendale High, right?" He asked. He had found out from Jake already.
"Yes," she said and then went back to the table.
The dinner was over and they went back home immediately. Vincent didn't get any other chance to talk to Julianna. He eagerly waited for tomorrow.
He wrote a simple letter with all his thoughts poured in it,
1 universe,
9 planets
204 countries
809 islands
7 seas
And I had the privilege of meeting you. You don't meet someone by accident. There's always a reason. For me it's a blessing, my destiny.
Vincent
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Featured picture: Elle Fanning as Julianna McCoy
