Page 3 of Goodbye To Tomorrow

Chapter 1

Jiraiya

Before The Sickness

The hall was gigantic and beautifully decorated; it led to an elegant ballroom just like those in those old 1950’s movies on television. As I walked into the hall, my eyes were greeted by the colorful brightness akin to a New York party; entertaining sophistication, even though we are in France. Flickering lights from the rears of cameras brightened the hall even more as loud music blasted from invisible speakers intricately placed at different positions in the banquet hall.

Ladies, beautifully dressed in dazzling attire, took their positions in front of the flickering lights of the numerous cameras. Each photographer worked their devices expertly; changing locations, repositioning their subjects and adjusting the lighting.

My gaze caught Gracen's and I immediately smiled and winked. She was dressed in a flowing sapphire gown cut through in the middle, revealing hot creamy legs. The gown had sparkling diamonds on the breast cuff which accentuated the color of her eyes; she wore matching diamonds earrings and silver high heeled open-toed sandals. Her silky long hair cascaded down her shoulders, giving one the feel that one was beholding a goddess—she was simply breathtaking. I could not help but wonder how gorgeous she must look on the front cover of Glam Magazine.

She returned my smile with excitement in her eyes, as she tried hard to hide her blush and concentrate on the cameras that were non-stop flashing. Gracen loved the cameras; they had been her companion for a long time. They had helped her show to the world what lay on her inside, while still giving her the ability to withhold inner secrets. The flash from the camera had brought out the sparkle in her eyes which the world seemed to like, she loved them so much, but she seemed to love me more.

I stood distinct, for good reason, in the room: my six foot and three inch frame is a sight to behold; with my nicely cut, well-tailored suit, revealing the body of a man who was not afraid to sweat it out in a gym. My hair is the color of brown sugar and my eyes the color of gold when they catch the right light. I caught seductive glances and flirty smiles from the ladies throughout the room. But I had eyes only for my lady love. I would have fitted nicely into the model-studded crowd if they were male models. I, however, was a perfect match to have Gracen on my arm at such events as these. Appearances were everything for a man in my position.

I wasn't just about my looks; I had been able to carve out a niche for myself in the real estate world while a very young man. At the age of thirty-four, I was already worth billions. Many think it's chiefly due to my father's influence; my father who had pushed and pulled me on the road to success. I had hated it all while growing up. I wanted to be me, to be able to make my own decisions, but I must say that I am grateful for all that I am and have now.

In minutes, Gracen was standing enveloped in my arms; I embraced her passionately and place a gentle kiss on her red painted lips.

"I wasn't expecting you here," she said with a warm smile, as she freed herself from my grasp.

"I wasn't expecting to be here either," I responded with a smirk and a wink, holding her by the waist as I led her to a vacant space free from the blinding lights of the cameras. "Gosh, these lights! How do you cope with them?" I said as we walked side by side.

"Well, I got used to them over the years, you know,” she replied, her smile as radiant as she looked. I eyed the scenery as we walked, taking it all in.

"How did the photo shoot go?" I asked, having finally spotted a secluded area where we could speak privately.

"Very well as you can see," she quipped with a wide grin on her face. At that instant, she looked very much like a Disney princess. And I, her Prince Charming, was going to make her my queen.

I gave a quick chuckle scanning her from head to toe, which was Gracen's intent as she elaborately expressed herself. A few steps backwards revealed her beauty to the colorful lights; indeed, she was such a beauty to behold. Her skin glowed from the reflection of the lights, coming from various corners, on her body.

She had the type of figure any woman would envy; standing at a height of five feet and nine inches, with accentuated curves like that of a true goddess. She had skin that glowed like glass dipped in sweet vanilla, she was blessed with the kind of body many ladies would starve to have. With a body like hers, it wasn't surprising Gracen stood out as one of the rising models in America, appearing in every top beauty magazine in the US and beyond.

"Beautiful dress you have on," I complimented, with a teasing smile.

"I didn’t think you’d notice," she responded mockingly.

"So, what really brings you here to Paris? I must confess; it's quite a surprise. I wasn't expecting that you would show up to one of these affairs, so it has to be business," Gracen replied.

"Well..." I started to speak, drawing an inquisitive and adorable look from Gracen. My God, she was truly beautiful.

She swept her long hair over her shoulder as she peered into my eyes. There is an eagerly inquiring glint in her eyes as I build the suspense in the air.

"Can you talk already?" Gracen asks impatiently, albeit, with a stroke of excitement.

The air around Gracen went still, momentarily, from impatience as she looked intently into my eyes, maintaining her smile.

"I am getting married," I said finally with a straight face.

Another round of stillness ensued around us as neither of us spoke. I had to summon all I had to hold my laughter in check. The look on Gracen's face was enough to break any man's resolve and make him spill his guts as he apologized profusely to her for being such a comical fool.

The smile on Gracen's face slowly disappeared, leaving a bewildered expression engraved on her features.

"Okay..." She said when she was finally able to speak, trying desperately to maintain her cool. But I could see the confusion reflecting in her eyes.

"I'm sorry Gracen, I have been looking for ways to let you know, I mean to ask you...What I'm trying to say is; will you marry me, Gracen? Will you spend the rest of your life with me?" I asked as I dropped down on one knee in front of her, while the music which had dropped to a soft jazzy tune played in the background.

"Jesus!" She gasped in utter shock. Her expression again slowly changed from bewilderment to relief to joy as a soft smile spread over her pink face. She let out a flow of air from her mouth.

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