The Seal

"Audrey, I love you! My heart beats for you," Greg exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with a fire that mirrored a star-streaked sky. The world seemed to still for a heartbeat. Audrey's breath caught as a warm flush spread across her cheeks, her smile unfolding like a blooming rose.

She playfully nestled her head against his shoulder, savoring the moment.

"How can this be?" she asked, raising her eyebrows skeptically. "Our parents haven't even approved of our union, and you know that as well as everyone else." Her gaze arched with doubt.

In an instant, their joyful mood shifted into a heavy cloud of uncertainty.

"I'm doing my best to handle this situation, and I need you to stand with me," Greg replied, his voice firm but pleading. "I understand how demanding my parents can be, but that doesn't change the fact that I love you and want to spend eternity by your side."

Audrey bit her lip, heart caught in the tug-of-war between love and reality.

"By the way," Greg added, a small smile returning, "my family's hosting a dinner tomorrow. You're invited."

Her heart fluttered, fragile and frantic. "Wait... really? Are you sure I should be there?"

"Absolutely! I'll pick you up tomorrow at noon," he said, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "It's getting cold, we should head home."

Maybe things will finally change, Audrey mused as they both drove home, hope blooming in her chest. It better be a new beginning.

The rest of her day ended joyfully as she dreamt of marrying her childhood sweetheart and hoped for his family's acceptance.

---

The next day arrived with a nervous flutter in Audrey's chest. She stood in front of the mirror, her hands trembling slightly as she adjusted the delicate straps of the gown that Greg had gifted her. It shimmered softly in the light, elegant and graceful.

The elevator doors slid open, and there stood Greg, eyes widening in awe.

"Oh my God... you look stunning," he breathed, momentarily speechless. "My mom won't be able to take her eyes off you. I can't wait to call you mine."

Audrey blushed, lowering her gaze with a soft laugh. "Thank you for the dress. I had no idea what to wear until you came to my rescue."

"That's nothing. I'd do anything for my girl," he said, his voice thick with pride.

They drove in silence for a while, hands entwined across the center console. As they approached the Constellar estate, Audrey's breath caught in her throat.

The mansion stood like a palace etched from a dream, its towering arches and glass walls catching the afternoon sun like diamonds. The sheer beauty of the place had always captivated her since childhood. The stunning aesthetic of the house was breathtaking, making it seem almost sacred. The floors gleamed with such brilliance that she felt almost unworthy to step on them. A symphony of laughter and clinking glasses echoed from within. Guests shimmered in designer gowns and tailored suits, a rainbow of silk and scent painting the atmosphere with joy.

Audrey hesitated at the door, her stomach tightening. The tantalizing aroma of gourmet food only reminded her that she hadn't eaten all day. Another day lost to work and worry, she thought. The rumbling in her stomach grew louder as the enticing scents reached her nostrils.

A masterpiece of a grand table stretched before her, adorned with crystal goblets, flickering candles, and a bouquet of fresh lilies so extravagant it seemed to defy nature. The glimmering lights cast a soft glow over the meticulously arranged dishes, each one promising a taste of culinary delight, hinting at the fortune spent in preparation.

"Hey, Mom... she's here!" Greg called out.

All eyes turned.

Melissa Constellar appeared from behind a velvet curtain, her heels clicking like a ticking clock. Her expression froze. Her painted smile shattered into a look of barely disguised disdain.

"Welcome," she said stiffly, barely meeting Audrey's eyes, as if her presence was an affront.

Before Audrey could speak, Mr. Constellar entered. The very air shifted with his presence, calm, commanding. His eyes found Audrey, and for a brief second, beamed with the warmth of hospitality.

She remembered that gaze from her childhood, how he used to smile at her while she sat quietly in the kitchen, waiting for her mother to finish her shift. Back then, he'd seemed like a god: unreachable, benevolent. He had been a beacon, a model father figure, until everything changed the day they were sent away.

"Thank you all for joining us tonight," he began, raising a glass. "Let's make a toast. Tonight is about family, unity, and celebrating what we've built together. May our legacy endure."

Audrey sat quietly as the evening unfolded, and the atmosphere became increasingly suffocating. The food felt as though it were stuck in her throat, turning the meal into a struggle, each bite a lump of despair. Each polite smile felt like a paper cut. Every glance from the guests delivered a silent verdict. The weight of judgment was heavier than the crystal chandeliers hanging above, her hunger overshadowed by the sharp taste of alienation.

Greg busied himself with the host's duties, moving from guest to guest, keeping up appearances. He tried to ensure that everything unfolded seamlessly. But Audrey could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his smile faltered when he thought no one was looking.

She clenched her fists under the table. I've come this far. I won't give up now.*

As the night slowly crept in, it was finally time to leave.

But just as Audrey stepped toward the door, a voice sharp and furious rang through the air, carried from the next suite of the house.

"Greg!"

It was Melissa. Her voice cracked like a whip.

"You are a disappointment, to me, to this family and to Constellar, to everything we've built! Did you really think your father would announce that girl as your fiancée? What happened to Tasha? What happened to the ladies of Salock State? That girl, she's beneath you! She doesn't belong here. Her mother was your nanny, for crying out loud! How audacious you were to invite her over without consent. Have you forgotten so quickly all that we've been through as a result of this childish play, all in the name of love?"

Audrey froze.

Greg stood still, his back straight, his jaw locked. He cast a pleading glance at his father, hoping he could say something. He knew that his mother often resorted to tears whenever she wanted to manipulate him, but this time, her tactics would not work.

Mr. Constellar stepped forward, sighing heavily. "Son... she's not your match. This isn't about love. This is about legacy. She is good, but she doesn't fit into your future. We are talking about your nanny's daughter here. What will people say? We have painstakingly built our reputation, and it would be beneath us to associate with non-entities. You have to understand that this is the least you can do for us. That's why we sent Audrey and her mother away, but you have chosen to continue seeing her. I'm your father, and I love you, so does your mother, but we want what's best for your future. Look at Constellar, the magnificent empire that has captured the world's admiration will soon be yours. You need a partner who can stand by your side and support you on this journey."

Audrey's heart pounded in her chest, every word a dagger.

"She offers nothing-no prestige, no pedigree. She's not even from our world," he added, his voice laced with finality.

Melissa's tone softened, tears brimming in her eyes as she approached her son. "Please, Greg, listen to your father. Let her go. For the sake of everything we've worked for. For your future."

The silence was deafening.

Then slam.

The door shut behind him as Greg stormed out.

Audrey's breath caught as he appeared moments later, car keys in hand, his face pale but determined.

"Let's go," he said, his voice low.

They drove in silence. The only sound was the soft hum of the engine and the familiar melody of "Memories" by Maroon 5 playing from the stereo.

Audrey stared out the window, her mind drifting through years of stolen glances, shared laughter, quiet nights under stars. Their love had started in the shadows, her mother, his nanny, had raised him until he was grown. He'd always stood up for her, believed in her, even when the world didn't.

Now here they were, two souls clinging to the same heartbeat.

As a child, Greg had been cared for by Beatrice, Audrey's mother, while his parents were busy working at the hospital with little to no time to care for their only son. Their families remained oblivious to the young couple's love. What began as a dream slowly turned into reality.

Initially, Audrey found Greg to be a bit bullish. She tried her best to avoid him, as her mother advised her to do. However, everything changed when Mrs. Melissa figured out how wise and knowledgeable Audrey was and promised to sponsor her education. She relocated to Greg's school to gain a more comprehensive education, and he had always stood up for her, defending her against the class bullies. This changed her perception of him, and they grew closer every passing second. Despite their young age, they became the best of friends, and everyone at school thought they were siblings.

Years later, their parents discovered their love affair after the two secretly went on an adventurous mountain hike and suffered severe injuries. This angered Greg's parents, prompting them to send Audrey and her mother away. However, this only provided Greg and Audrey with a greater opportunity to deepen their love for each other.

Greg stared at Audrey. She was truly a paragon of beauty, lost in his thoughts, he was certain he would choose her over and over again without any regrets. She was an angel in human form, even if his parents chose to remain oblivious to it.

The car slowed to a stop outside Audrey's apartment building. The engine's hum faded into an oppressive silence that seemed to swallow them whole.

Greg's knuckles were white against the steering wheel. His breathing was shallow, labored, as if each breath was a battle he was losing.

"I think we need to let... go," he said, the words tumbling out like broken glass.

Audrey's world tilted. The words echoed like a scream in a cave, impossible to be true. She turned to face him, searching his eyes for any sign that she had misheard, that this was some cruel joke.

"What did you say?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Greg couldn't meet her gaze. His hands trembled as he finally looked at her, and she saw something that chilled her to the bone. Complete, utter defeat.

"You heard me," he said quietly. "Maybe they're right. Maybe we're just fooling ourselves."

The silence stretched between them like a chasm. Outside, the city continued its relentless pulse, but inside the car, time had stopped. Audrey felt her heart fracturing, each piece falling into an abyss she couldn't see the bottom of.

But as she reached for the door handle, something flickered in Greg's eyes, a flash of the boy who used to defend her, who used to promise her the world.

And in that moment, Audrey realized that this conversation was far from over. Because the Greg she knew, the one who had loved her through every storm, would never give up this easily.

Unless he was hiding something that would change everything.