Forever

Chapter 1: Money

Money - Flying Lizards

To Whom It May Concern,

All the events in my eighteen years of life have each led me to here. This white healing hospital room. Bleached walls and bleached tiles and bleached sheets surround me. My vision is blinded by the undeniable white. It's the most hideous shade that I have ever been trapped inside. Although, I must admit the punishment fits the crime, and I have no one but myself to blame for my demise. I have bared witness to the rumors spread about me, and it inspired me to finally share my truth:

June 8th, 1997 I wandered the chaotic ballroom of the gala. My parents had escorted me in then left me for good. Naturally, I'm used to this life. The fantastic patterns pranced back and forth as strangers admired one another pretending to truly know one another. I swayed back and forth in my pink ball gown letting the strings of the orchestra lead my soul. The gown fit wondrously and had been a birthday gift the week before. I had turned sixteen, and in Ventura that suddenly meant I was a woman. At least to my family I had finally reached the ripe age of inheriting the family secrets. The people of the gala swirled around carrying cups of hopeful fulfillment, and I stood near the grand staircase, where the view was good, sipping on my own glass of rosé. Family friends redundantly approached me wishing me well and praising my parents. I had no clue of what the gala was about, but I assumed it had to do with a grand artist. Paintings were hanging gently from the walls and bidding tables were pushed flush underneath them. It was then that my eyes wandered the room carelessly looking for a sign of one of my parents, but that is when they graciously landed upon the gaze of an older gentleman. He looked dashing in his dark suit that fit to his body fantastically, custom made no doubt. His cold brown eyes held my gaze and I smiled allowing my straightened whites to shine towards him. My eyes danced away and carried on with their search only to be pulled right back to his everlasting stare. His hair was kissed with gray streaks and so was his beard. His black roots barely stood a chance against the brutality of time. Slowly, he brought his glass of red wine up to his pink lips. A short woman stood next to him and I admired her beauty. She looked to be his age, and held gray streaks in her once lively raven hair. Her dress was red and it looked two sizes too big in the cup, and a size too small in the waist. Her arm wrapped around the mans and she smiled brightly at the couple in front of them. That's when I realized they had been having a conversation with my parents. I walked forward and the man looked stunned at my bold movements. I walked up to the tiny group and held my hand against my mothers arm.

"Oh, Lilian, there you are." She greeted as if she had been looking for me. My dad gave me a soft smile before turning back to the woman in the red dress to talk about architecture plans.

"Who might this be?" The gentleman asked and instantly my body felt ablaze. His voice was not deep, but still held a firm tone.

"Our daughter Lilian. She hates these events, but I think it's great for her to come and see how the world works." My mom introduced me and I held out my hand for him. He simply grabbed it and brought the skin to his lips that had just tasted the bitter wine before. His lips curved into a smile and his dark eyes stared deep into me. It made me nervous I'll admit.

"How old are you, darling?"

"Just turned sixteen!" I cheerfully said. My voice jumped with my excitement and his grin grew.

"Are you going to be doing any bidding?" He questioned and I leaned closer to hear him. Before I could answer his wife tugged on his arm— which was interlocked with hers.

"Mr. Jones is starting a project in San Francisco. Did you hear that?" She asked him. His eyes fell upon hers in the same way that had previously been on me. Her chest held heavy jewelry draped sloppily around her neck. She was new money and she probably married into it.

"That's fantastic! Do you have plans and a budget in motion?" The man asked and I zoned out after. I care nothing about the architectural industry my parents are in. I quickly lost interest and wandered away. I stared up at the hideous paintings the masses were so intrigued by and cringed. I would never want something so god-awful hanging in my home.

"See anything you like?" The voice from just a few minutes ago whispered next to me. I lazily rolled my head to look at him and gave him a girly grin.

"Not particularly. I think they're all hideous." I told him bluntly and his smile returned. It was sincere and beautiful.

"They are, aren't they?" He said agreeing with me. I pointed at someone frantically writing down their name on the paper and laughed, and so did he.

"How do you know my parents?" I asked refusing to let him walk away from me. Turning sixteen came with responsibilities and that meant I had to hold a conversation with strangers.

"Laura and Charlie? We've been in the same business for a while now. I even went to college with your old man. We haven't spent much time working together, but it's nice to see him every once in a while. I know my wife, Jen, is a big fan of the Jones' work."

"I don't think my father has ever mentioned you." I admitted then instantly wanted to take it back, "Actually, I'm not sure. I never got your name."

"William. William Thompson."

Instantly the fire I felt before was back and swooped over my whole body. I'm unsure of why this phenomena occurred, but it made me feel everything I knew I was missing. Late into the night I had left the gala with my parents and I missed the man I left behind. Achingly, in bed I laid thinking of his soft lips against the back of my hand. I thought about his rough arm wrapped tightly around his wife's own arm. I thought about all the ways I would allow him to violate me. I knew what I wanted the moment I saw him. If only I would have been warned of the mistakes to come.

A/N: Hello readers I really hope you guys enjoy this story. It's the first one I've finished lol. The titles are names of songs that I feel fit the vibe of each chapter/letter. Thank you so much for reading and please give me your feedback!!