Prologue
Candlelight flickers across the face of a strikingly beautiful woman as she pulls out her phone for the twelfth time of the night. She lets out a frustrated sigh before reaching towards the bottle of wine sat in the middle of the elegantly set table. Pouring herself another glass of the dark Merlot, she throws her manners to the wind as she downed the glass in one swift motion.
Raising a manicured hand to no one in particular, a waiter quickly appears with the check. The beauty snaps the leather book closed on a credit card and hands it back without even a glance at the slip inside. Her nonchalance to the check was rare to see in a venue such as this.
At least, not unless someone was one was of the city's elite.
As the waiter left, she glanced down at the diamond ring she wore. Although it was modest compared to the various jewels decorating the other guests, it had proudly adorned her left hand when she entered the venue two hours ago. With one last look of disgust she wrenched it off her finger before dropping it in the untouched glass of champagne belonging to the setting across from her.
With the check and pen in hand the young waiter returned. As she reached out for the pen she gently brushed his hand, raking her nail gently down his palm. The young man took a sharp intake of breath and turned his head trying to hide the flush that was forming on his face.
Laughing softly to herself, the woman quickly signed the check before getting up and leaving the restaurant; disappearing into the dark rain without ever looking back.
Had she decided to spare a glance she would have seen the young man's face go pale as he read the five-figure tip she left for him.
Anyone watching the scene play out would get the feeling that this wasn't the first time she had been stood up; however, it obviously would be the last.
