"Ms. Lawson, you're so fortunate. Your future husband is not only handsome but also thoughtful. He asked me to help you wear this necklace!"
I took the box and opened it. There it was, the necklace with diamonds so minute they were almost invisible. John had given it to me on our first anniversary, claiming he had saved up from working part-time for half a year. I was deeply moved, believing it to be the most meaningful gift. On my wedding day, as I toasted with this necklace on, its clasp broke, dropping into my wine glass. In my haste to retrieve it, the necklace lost its luster. That incident became a source of ridicule among my circle. Instead of wearing the ancestral emerald or ruby necklace, the eldest daughter of the Lawson family insisted on a necklace that faded.
I closed the jewelry box without a word and tossed it aside. Sherry happened to enter at that moment.
"Oh, what's on the ground?" She picked up the box and opened it.
"Cynthia, isn't this the symbol of your love with Johnny? Why did you just leave it here?"
Johnny? How did I not notice it before? With that endearment and tone, anyone unaware would think John was Sherry's husband.
I stared at the makeup artist in the mirror and ignored Sherry.
"Bring me the red box from the second drawer on the right. The ruby necklace is more fitting for today."
Sherry came up behind me, placing her hands on my shoulders. Her eyes glinted as she looked at the necklace around my neck.
"Cynthia, you're the star of the day. Won't the ruby necklace overshadow you? Besides, the necklace Johnny sent you is more meaningful."
I stood up, shrugging off her hands, and slipped into my high heels, looking down at her from my slightly taller stance.
"I am the center of attention today, and nothing, be it a person or an object, can overshadow me. As for John's gift, you're welcome to it if you find it so appealing."
Ignoring her surprised expression, I made my way downstairs to the banquet hall.
The hall was abuzz with activity. As the granddaughter of Frank and the sole heir to the Lawson family, I was the star of the event. The host was already on stage, engaging the guests.
I walked over to Frank, taking his arm. He looked at me with a mix of reluctance and helplessness in his eyes.