Saving Grace

“Who wants to talk to me, you said?” Eleanor Watson, the youngest daughter of Adam Watson, the present Governor of the city, asks her maid who came in her room to pass on this message.

“Your father wants to talk to you.” the maid repeats seeing no reason the Princess couldn’t understand it at the first instance.

Eleanor throws her purse on the bed which is scattered by her beautiful gown. It is her best friend Avery's wedding today and the only reason why she has come back to New York from Paris, taking a few days off from her upcoming movie's shoot.

“Tell him I am not available to talk now. And even if I was, I am not interested in discussing anything with a man who said he doesn’t take me as his daughter anymore.” She said in a dismissing tone before focusing back on what she was doing.

Her father Adam Watson, was the Governor of the Town, a wealthy man who had every right to rule the place more than anyone else but he was short of wits and skills which the Knight billionaire heirs possessed. And the most important criteria he thought he missed to become the ruler was that there was no one to continue his generation forward, his legacy ahead because he didn’t have a SON, but only two daughters.

The maid bows her head and hurries out. She might sound rude but she has all rights to be upset with her father. What was her mistake if her elder sister, Patricia Watson, eloped and married some stranger? She didn’t help eloping her sister, neither she knows where Patricia is now.

Patricia made no contact with her and she stopped trying to look for her after five months of failed attempts. Patricia is a ghost to the family now and even taking her name in her father’s presence, spoils the mood and decorum of the entire house. Patricia got to lead a life she wanted to, with the man she loved and Eleanor had to bear the punishment behind.

For three months, her father didn’t let her move out of the house without his tight security, in the fear that even she would run away from them. But that didn’t let her suppress her ambitions. She utilized this opportunity in practicing acting in her closed room. She attended some online courses, even enrolled her name in an acting institute in Paris and finally informed the same to her father. It wasn’t easy.

He did all he could to stop her from leaving to Paris against his will and when she still didn’t bother, he passed this horrific statement that if she steps out of the house that day, he will consider he never had a child. She will be forever dead for him just like Patricia is.

The drama continued for one more hour, her mother, Rose Watson, did all her best to explain her husband but she couldn’t change his mind neither Eleanor’s. She was determined to leave the family behind to fulfill her dreams. She shifted to Paris.

It was hard for Eleanor to stay away from her parents, lead a common man life unlike the princess life which she led in New York. But her hard work paved off and soon success and fame kissed her feet. She bagged some good contracts and took acting as her full time career.

She even got modeling offers from some renowned fashion brands but she denied them. She is not a model. She doesn’t want to try things she is not confident of succeeding in. Her interviews, her photo shoots and every little gossip kept hitting the front of magazines.

During all this She secretly was in touch with her mother and when Adam Watson got to know it, he tried to cut off that final link between the mother-daughter too until Rose argued for her rights by threatening to leave him which made him accept her conditions and allow that much privileges to Eleanor of at least visiting their home whenever she wants and meet her mother.

It is one such visit of hers in New York which she wants to make quick and easy. Talking or even meeting her father is the last thing in her mind. So, when the maid informed her that he wishes to talk to her today, she denied the request.

“Get a grip Eleanor Watson. Dad is just messing with your mind. There cannot be anything he needs to talk to you except leaving your career and coming back home forever,” she mutters to herself, looking in the mirror. “You are a Star and your responsibilities are much more varied than this family and house. You don’t belong here anymore. Attend Avery’s wedding and run back to Paris before he plans anything to stop you”

"Eleanor," her mother, Rose, enters the room with a soft rustle of her elegant gown. The room is adorned with vintage furniture, reflecting the opulence of the family's mansion.

“Mother…” Eleanor turns around, a cascade of auburn curls framing her face. Her eyes sparkle with a mixture of excitement and defiance. “How am I looking?”

Rose, a woman of grace and poise, takes a moment to appreciate her daughter's ensemble, a glamorous blend of sophistication and contemporary flair.

“No less than a princess,” she replies, her voice filled with maternal pride.

“I am no longer a Princess, Mom. I am a Diva. A Sensation to the acting empire,” Eleanor declares, her confidence radiating like a spotlight. “Do you know, no one knows I am the daughter of a wealthy Governor?”

Rose raises an eyebrow, intrigued. “Nobody knows that? Why didn’t you tell them?”

Eleanor's smile widens. “Because I didn’t want them to treat me royally. I am tired of being given attention for the tag's sake, Mom. I want to earn it on my own now, through my hard work.”

Rose, still admiring her daughter, contemplates the transformation in Eleanor's aspirations.

“Acting and modeling is not a good career, Eleanor. Not for girls of reputed families, at least,” Rose expresses her concern, her voice carrying the weight of traditional values. “What pleasure do you get from displaying yourself in front of people?”

Eleanor, with a resolute gaze, counters, “You need to change your old beliefs, Mom. People will watch me even if I am not an actress or a model. Anything beautiful and bold, people like to stop and notice. What is the harm in that? And I am not doing any cheap shows. I know my limits and will never take part in anything that can make you disgusted about it.”

Rose absorbs Eleanor’s words, a silent acknowledgment of the changing times and the evolution of her daughter's dreams.

“Your father wishes to speak to you. It is important.” Rose's voice carried a hint of urgency, a plea that couldn't be ignored.

“Oh.. So, he sent you now to convince me.” Eleanor's response held a touch of skepticism, a reluctance to be swayed by whatever news her father carried.

Rose sighs in disappointment. The disappointment in Rose's sigh was palpable, an emotional weight that mirrored the concern etched on her face.

“I don’t know what is wrong with him from the past week. He looks serious all the time. He wants to share something but he is not willing to tell me either. Today he said he will share it only in your presence. I insist you hear that too. Please, for me.”

Rose's plea was laden with worry and a motherly concern that Eleanor found hard to resist.

Eleanor's internal struggle became evident, torn between her plans and her mother's request.

“Okay, I will hear him out. But tonight. I am getting late for Avery’s wedding.”

Eleanor agreed, but her commitment to attend Avery's wedding was unwavering.

She picks up her phone and clicks a few pictures of herself in the mirror.

As Eleanor shifted her focus to her phone, her actions hinted at a desire to maintain normalcy amid the impending conversation.

“But the wedding is in the evening.”

Rose pointed out the timing, attempting to emphasize the urgency of her husband's request.

“Yes, but I have promised to accompany Avery to the salon. She has no one else to join her there.” Eleanor explained her commitment, showcasing her loyalty to her friend. Eleanor hugs her mother and kisses her cheeks.

“Don’t worry, I will be back immediately after the wedding, and then we can listen to what Dad has to say. Okay?”

Eleanor's promise held the assurance that she would prioritize her family, but only after fulfilling her commitment to her friend's wedding.

Rose nods, waving a quick bye to her daughter. She really wonders where Eleanor gets all this confidence from? Patricia was so opposite to her. She was shy and reserved. Never even in dreams Rose thought Patricia would elope like that. She is still angry on her daughter for taking such a harsh step but as a mother she wishes Patricia a good life wherever she is.

____

SALON

"Now you look like a typical bride," Eleanor exclaims, her eyes gleaming with admiration as she hugs her friend Avery. "It will awe your groom seeing you in this attire. It’s a beautiful gown, Avery."

Avery, adorned in the elegant wedding gown, manages to conjure a smile, but there's a flicker of something else in her eyes.

"You don’t seem happy," Eleanor observes, her intuition keen as she senses a shift in her friend's demeanor.

"Nothing, I am just a little nervous," Avery responds, her words belying the underlying tension.

"Who doesn’t become nervous at their wedding, Avery? But don’t worry too much. I am sure the groom will keep you happy forever. I heard he is the son of a wealthy businessman," Eleanor reassures, the mention of the groom's affluent background casting a glimmer of optimism.

"Yes," Avery replies, a slight pout betraying a hidden emotion. The room, with its soft hues and romantic ambiance, becomes a silent witness to the complex emotions swirling within the bride-to-be.

Avery's phone rings again. It's the fifth time in the past 10 minutes, each ring echoing a persistent presence. Avery, however, continues to ignore the insistent calls, adding an unspoken layer of mystery to the room.

"Whose call is it? At least check once?" Eleanor, ever the perceptive friend, inquires, her gaze shifting from the bride to the neglected phone.

"Just an old friend," Avery lies, her words hanging in the air like a delicate veil. She reaches for her purse, a symbol of practicality amid the sentimental surroundings. "We should leave back."

The room, with its ornate mirrors reflecting the image of a bride in anticipation, seems to hold its breath. The subtle interplay of emotions creates an undercurrent of drama, enhancing the richness of the scene.

"Yes," Eleanor agrees, a blend of excitement and concern playing on her features.

As soon as they come out, a white car parks before them with a loud shriek. Two men dressed in black get down the car and drag her friend Avery inside. Eleanor calls out for help and even punches one man hard but he is too strong to even flinch.

“Leave her.” Eleanor shouts. “Help… Somebody help..”

In the attempt of calling for help, her gaze falls on the sticker of the car. This is not a common design. It is special and owned by the Knight of this Town. The Knight Heirs. But why would they want to kidnap her friend whose marriage is in a few hours? Before she could analyze further, they dragged her in the vehicle too.

“What the hell… who are you guys? Leave us…” she screams again and before she could react further, they tie a scarf to shut her and Avery’s mouths. The vehicle speeds up towards the old highway. Both the women keep struggling but in vain. They are too powerful and none of the two knows why they are abducted and under whose commands.