Jack Collins's Story

xxxEleonora had felt odd in her printed silk; however, it was the dress her mother so abruptly chosen for her. It was necessary that her mother chose Eleonore's wardrobe for prestigious reasons, reasons that Eleonore understood and never questioned. She is in fact a Bennington; a child born into prosperous hierarchy. Wherever she went, the paparazzi followed retreating her steps; making note at every significant thing she did which would later be seen in the media. And her dear mother was very prudent of this, allowing her daughters to appear ever so angelic and pure; however, behind the masks, faces suffer loneliness and anguish. You wear a mask for so long, you forget who you were beneath it- a common practice for the Bennington sisters Nonetheless, Eleonore's mother could care less, she was still expecting her daughter to dress the part whilst remaining a proper lady.

xxxEleonore was finally finished pinning a loose strand, which would have been a bother to her mother, into her bun. Sighing in relief, she fanned herself letting the air cool herself down. It was awfully humid, and Eleonore's dress and heels were not helping. She was debating whether to change into something more suitable for her age and comfortable when she heard someone shouting out for her behind the closed door of Eleonore's room. Thinking it must have been time for the reception to start, she retrieved her handbag and joined her mother out into the hall, regretting having done so once she got a glimpse of her mother snapping at at a servant holding a large bouquet of red roses, "I told you specifically that I asked for white lillies. And you bring me this?" The servant stood defenseless under Alessandra Bennington's dominance that when she finally shooed him off with a brush of her hand he made no hesitation to get away, and Mrs. Bennington let out an exasperated sigh.

xxxThe annoyance quickly vanished when Mrs. Bennington found her kindest daughter looking ever so modest and sophisticated in the dress she wanted her to wear. "Oh, my darling." she marveled at her daughter's picturesque features in awe as she gave her a peck on each cheek. Eleonore thought it was unusual, but followed in suit.

xxx"Of course it's a little tight around the edges, but it could work." Her mother referred at to the dress, smoothing a hand around Eleonore's hips. Eleonore couldn't help herself to figure out if her mother meant to offend her daughter to persuade her to go on a diet. She would never consider herself fat or overweight though she did have the full cheeks that were often pinched and poked at in a mocking manner; however, her figure was delicate and slender. Often times she caught the boys at her school acknowledging the simple curves. Eleonore had mentally hurled at the thought, and took upon herself to wonder where her sister Dot was at. "Where is Dorothy, mother?" She responded to her sister's given name, knowing that her mother very much disapproved of any other.

xxx"Don't mind your sister," Her mother insisted as she fluffed at Eleonore's bangs, "Wherever she is at she had better put a smile on her face. It is her day, and we all know how temperamental she can get."

xxxEleonore didn't answer. She didn't have to because it was an everyday thing that her mother criticized Dot, and her disobediance. Nora on the other hand had admired Dottie for it since they were little girls. She used to always wait by their window last at night, waiting for her sister to tell about the adventures she journeyed. Where Dottie went was never answered, and will probably never be. But, whenever Nora saw her dauntless sister disappear out from their window she always felt the urge to follow, the sudden desire to venture out into the unknown herself. Someday she will.

xxxWiggling away from her mother's nearly irritating behavior, she told her that she was going to go find Dottie. Her mother waved her away in ridicule, "Let the bride-to-be get ready for her ceremony. But, in the meantime I do encourage you to make small talk with our dear guests and everyone else who appears worthy of our praises once most of them have arrived." Her mother had a way of saying things that were not intentionally meant to hurt someone, but does. "I'm going to search for your father. Go help Genevieve with platters-" she paused, hearing a few voices out in the foyer -"we have guests! Don't be sluggish. Go do what I say, Eleonora." After Mrs. Bennington rushed her daughter off, she made her way down the grand staircase gracefully.


xxxThe moment Kieran Rhys returned to his hometown in New York, he felt grateful. Did he ever regret leaving for Europe? No, though he and his father agreed that it was the best thing to do, after the death of his mother awhile back, he decided to make a fresh start by quitting his job and moving Kieran across the pacific. It was the best option; however, it was one that had forever left a dent in Kieran's heart throughout the years. An old best friend of his- Dorothy Rose Bennington, or Birdie Kieran often called her because of her unusual obsession with birds, and anything thing else that had the least intention to fly. Birdie was quite the bargain market; an unusual little blonde who lived next door to him who happened to be in his third grade class. When she had first moved to the Big Apple and into his neighborhood, Kieran took an oath not go anywhere within ten feet from where she stood. It was something about that girl that Kieran didn't find charming. She was far too queer to ever capture Kieran's attention, but it'd probably never worked out any.

xxxIt was fifth grade when he first took up an interest in girls'. He hadn't known this yet until he began to have a slight crush on a blonde hair, blue-eyed cutie named Mandy. She was indescribably gorgeous, like an angel but without the wings and halo. But who could blame him for thinking this? Everyone thought she was pretty- maybe it was the blue eyes, the only thing missing was the braces. Young Kier was a sucker for braces. He thought they were cool, all the different colored bands. Whether or not anyone thought he was weird, Kieran didn't care. He still liked them the way he was fond about Mandy. It was a stupid crush then. Whether Mandy felt the same way or not, she seemed to like the attention.

xxxBut things started changing. It was when his neighbor, Birdie, hadn't came to school for two weeks. No one cared, no one but Kieran that is. He hadn't understood what he was feeling, the dark pit in his stomach that sensed that something could be wrong. Then, again why should he care that she wasn't present? But, he did care. He cared so much that the first thing he did when he got home from school one Friday afternoon was went to Birdie's house just to check on her. What turned into a simple- "Hey, Birdie. Here's the work that you missed from these passed two weeks" turned into a "Birdie! Hey, I just came to check and see if you were okay. I missed you, well not miss you in that term. The class misses you." She seemed to find this amusing, amusing in the way that the most popular guy in fifth grade had showed up to her house out of concern. It was sweet in a way that you'd call someone, a secret admirer giving you a Valentine present - that kind of sweet. And then something happened, something truly and utterly amazing- she flashed Kieran her braces; purple, pink, and blue.

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xxxNow, there he was. Twenty-six year old Kieran Jamison Rhys who returns from his days in Europe to find out that his childhood crush is engaged. He made plans to make an unexpected appearance at the reception. "It's to catch up on thing to re-mingle with the fellow Benningtons'." He told his father who was skeptical of this. He knew his son. And, how he had changed into such a cruel, pitiless young man; corrupted by his own wealth and fame. Mr. Rhys knew what his son's intentions were when he arrives in New York, and he was against it from the very beginning Kieran first pointed it out to him.

Jack gave a pained look at his dog Rex who whined to be played with. Jack had only gotten the little guy two months ago but he was sure he was going to grow huge. After all Jack Collins wasn’t the type to have a small dog. No he was definitely the big dog type. Though unfortunately he didn’t have the time to play with his newest companion. Nor was he in the correct attire to get dog hair all over him. He was sure this suit would attract Rex’s white and brown hairs.

“Sorry bud,” he said by way of apology as he went back to looking himself in the mirror and tying his tie. Not that he needed the mirror. He felt as though every day of his life was currently spent in suit and tie. What with work, business meetings, overtime. His current tie had arrived in his possession with a note telling him to wear it today. Jack knew the handwriting was not the scratchy handwriting on his fiancée’s, plus coordinating matching looks wasn’t something he would have expected from Dorothy Bennington. No this was much more her mother’s move. Just like this whole engagement was another of her mother’s moves. Jack was under no illusions, he knew Dot wasn’t the most willing bride. Marrying her though, that would be the final move Jack would make to get all he’s ever wanted.

Jack headed out and signaled for his driver to head to the Bennington’s estate. He checked his watch though he knew he didn’t need to. He’d arrive perfectly on time as he always did. Until he got what he wanted Jack walked a precarious line. Everything he did had to be perfect. Sure he’d charmed Warren, the king, but Alessandra, the queen, she was a tougher sell. So Jack had to be on perfect behavior until the wedding was done. This party wasn’t leisure or fun, it was just another business meeting that was taking place outside the confines of an office.

Thanking his driver, Jack entered the house his soon-to-be in-laws inhabited with their wealth and luxuries surrounding them. Practically suffocating them. Alessandra had done a good job with the party. Guiltily Jack would admit to have very little to do with any party planning or preparations. Though even that would be a lie because in truth Jack had nothing to do with any of it. He hadn’t even funded any of it though he’d offered several times. It seemed Alessandra was preoccupied with getting her daughter married off before she was the root of another inevitable scandal. So far from the dinner dates Jack had shared with Dot she seemed like a poised young lady, but he knew the cyclone of trouble she really was. Warren had lamented it in private around the office and of course the occasional headline of scandal has made its way into Jack’s life. He didn’t mind though, he’d grown up with his mother who was also known for erratic and reckless behavior with no forethought.

“Son,” Warren said by way of greeting, clapping Jack on the shoulder. Jack had worked his way up in Warren’s company and now sat as his apprentice. Jack knew Warren was grooming him for takeover before Warren had even known. Warren had two socialite daughters who didn’t have heads for business, so he’d taken to calling Jack the son he’d never had. To Warren this marriage was only a formality, something he’d acknowledged after a few glasses of scotch to celebrate successful business trading. “It’s good to see you.” Jack didn’t mention that they’d seen each other yesterday at the office. “You’d better go get that fiancée of yours and drag her down before my wife has a coronary.” Then Warren put back on his business smile and headed off to small talk some guests his wife had been previously engaged with. Jack was proud to call himself one of the few people Warren felt comfortable enough to speak candidly with.

Jack put his head down and went to follow the instructions he was given and headed to the staircase. Though he recalled he had no clue which room belonged to Dot and this place had to have far too many rooms to check them all. Looking up the stairs with hopelessness he cracked a smile as he saw Dot descend the stairs. Only for a second before the image melted into her younger sister. From the little he heard about her from Warren, the much more compliant of the sisters. He supposed if everything went as he hoped she would also be his family one day. So he put the smile back on his face. “Careful, you might outshine the bride-to-be,” he said politely as she reached the bottom step with more grace than he could have managed in heels like that. He meant it genuinely though, he had to mentally remind himself she was a high schooler, even if she didn't look it right now. “Speaking of, where is Dorothy?”

He looked up the stairs to see Dot appear as if summoned. She looked careful and poised. Of course she smiled but one look at any of the scandalous pictures of her grinning into the night and you’d see her eyes lacked a spark. Of course Jack didn’t mind, in fact he hoped her social poise and refinement would last their entire engagement. “Speak of the devil,” he murmured just loud enough for Eleanora to hear.

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For a girl supposed to be celebrating her new engagement with her closest family and friends in mere moments, Dorothy Bennington did not look happy at all. Inside her vast closet she sat amidst an abundance of burgundy silk and ruffles. Some dress her mother had chosen that was supposed to make her look mature and pure. That was a crock, most of the people downstairs had seen enough of Dot in gossip rags to know she was not angelic lady. Dot held her arms crossed defiantly and her signature pout in place. She had been sulking all day. All through getting her hair and makeup down she’d been silent and sullen. Her mother’s surveillance and strict instructions had taken the fun out of even something so frivolous and girly. This felt far more her mother’s day than hers. Perhaps it should also be her marrying the awfully drear man from father’s work.

“I can’t believe I’m actually about to be attending your engagement party,” Maria said from her place at Dot’s dressing table. Eleanore wasn't there because Dot had specifically requested Maria didn't go get her. Part of the deal was that she couldn't tell her sister about the forced nature of her upcoming nuptials and right now she'd rather not have to act upbeat about the whole thing. Maria didn’t look up from the second coat of mermaid green she was applying to her nails to match her mermaid green dress. Maria’s parents were also esteemed guests to Dot’s engagement party so just like the Bennington sister’s, outfit had been selected for her by someone who clearly had no eye for color.

“I know it’s tragic,” Dot replied miserably as she took another mouthful from her glass of champagne, they party hadn’t even begun but Dot was glad to feel the tingly sensation in her limbs that told her the alcohol was starting to work. “I don't know why my mother insists on making me go through with this,” whined Dot.

“Hun,” Maria said finally putting down the nail polish and looking over at Dot. “U.S Weekly had a spread of you skinning dipping with two guys in the dam.” Maria didn’t need to add on the worst of it. What had truly set Dot’s mother off this time was that in the snaps, Dot had clearly seen the camera and was posing. Dot didn’t believe this was an entirely fair assessment of her behavior though. Since the photographer had been her then boyfriend, Riley, and she’d broken up with him the moment she heard about him releasing the photos. Not that she could explain that to her uptight mother. No, her mother knew only what was published in those magazines and across the internet. Dot never gave her more than that. Even Dot knew introducing or even talking about one her fleeting guys would have been a new form of suicide.

“I suppose.” Dot said accepting her fate. “Maybe if I act all mature and responsible, mum won’t make me go through with the wedding."

Maria gave her a doubtful look. “Well, you could get a job?” Dot’s face scrunched up in disgust but she tentatively asked what kind of job Maria had in mind. “Um, you like fashion, you could start a fashion blog. That’s what’s everyone’s doing now.”

Dot shook her head and reminded her friend that a few years ago she had in fact tried her hand at a blog only to get bored 6 blog posts in. Neither girl brought up the fact that Dot hand only actually written half a blog post, her assistant that she’d hired herself wrote the other five and a half. No, that would have only been kicking Dot while she was down.

“Oh, I know,” Dot said jumping up, causing some champagne to splash its way free of her glass. She felt more unsteady on her feet than she had been when she’d sat down. "I could do the interior designer thing like Chandra does for her father’s clients. How hard could that be? A little shopping, some moving furniture around. Easy!” Dot laughed as her eyes shone with new found enthusiasm. She was determined to earn her freedom from an unwanted marriage.

“Dot, love, you have to have some qualifications for that. Remember Chandra went to Paris to study design?” Maria said reaching out to steady Dot.

Dot waved her friend off. “Yeah but then left and came home after a year.”

Maria laughed, “Yes, for the holidays, then she went back and finished her course?” Realization dawned on Dot as she did recall Chandra spending a lot of time abroad. Of course she had assumed that Chandra had been sent away to have a secret baby. It happened more than you think. Dot wasn’t one for rumors but there was that girl at her academy who took almost a full year off claiming to be studying abroad but everyone knew she’d gotten herself pregnant. Dot was glad to not have that scandal in her repertoire. Dot must have looked really down then because Maria got up and gave her a hug. “Don’t worry, I’m going to help you get out of this.” Then Maria pulled back and looked her blonde friend in the eye. “If it’s going to cheer you up, I want you to wear the dress tonight.”

Dot immediately perked up and gave her friend a grin before charging to the back of her wardrobe. She didn’t stick around to see if Maria was going to change her mind. Dot knew exactly where she’d put the dress for safe keeping. Throwing off the burgundy dress her mother had quite literally put her in, Dot threw on the most beautiful dress she’d ever laid eyes on. It was silver and an excessively simple dress that glided over her body like water and just skimmed the ground. Dot felt like a princess in it. Though when Dot and Maria had found it on one of their many shopping excursions they’d both fallen in love with it. The fight over the dress was dramatic and resorted to some heavy name calling. It had been Eleanore who ended the fight, saying neither of them should get the dress. Dot flew back to Maria with larger than necessary twirl.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” Dot said as she continued to twirl until she felt a bit dizzy. Maria rolled her eyes and demanded that Dot in return for the dress cheer up her miserable self. Then Maria poured them both another glass of champagne as Dot turned up the music. Now successfully dressed a little tipsy the two proceeded to dance and pose in front of the floor-to-ceiling mirror Dot had demanded as her fourteenth birthday present. Both girls giggling like the teenagers they had once been in this room sneaking in from late night activities.

Then the voices begun in the lobby and Maria suggested they head down. Her advice before leaving to find her parents was for Dot to at least try and enjoy herself a little bit. Dot smiled what she was sure would be her final real smile for the evening before putting on her fake elegant smile she reserved for her mother’s gossipy socialites and her father’s business partners. All of whom she was sure had seen her backside in more than one gossip rag. Then Dot descended the staircase with all the poise and grace her forced schooling had given her.