Chapter 16 Jack brought himself out of his thoughts as the driver slowly pulled to a stop in front of the Hockley residence. He looked up at the looming and quite overwhelming building as he carefully stepped onto the stone pavement and up to the opened doors before him. Since he and his uncle had never quite made the invitation list to one of the Hockley's previous gatherings, this was his first time being present in their enormous home. Jack entered into the breezeway and into the coatroom, where a huge pile of topcoats and hats lay. He watched as servants frantically tried to reorganize the mess as more people entered. Outside the coatroom and down the ornate hallway was the entrance to the ballroom. It was at the top of a staircase that split to curve down on both sides of the room. The view from the top of the stairs was absolutely wondrous as the ladies ball gowns swayed in graceful circles as they danced to the small orchestra's relaxing melody. Jack could see the groups of men in their spotless white shirts and black tuxes. All the way around the room where large pillars in which had been decorated with garlands and silver ribbons. "Jack! It's so wonderful to see you!" Jack's good friend Brian was calling him over to a nearby table. Brian was ironically Rose's cousin, being on Ruth's side of the family but holding none of his family's personality traits. Jack came up to him, shaking his hand. He was surprised to see his friend so soon again after the Dewitt-Bukator's latest gala. "Great to see you again. Gosh, can you believe this place? The hallways go on forever, their ballroom is bigger than my house and they're backyard could pass as Central Park." Jack couldn't help but laugh. He definitely knew that the Hockley's were one of the wealthiest families in the state. Although they resided here in Philadelphia, they had major businesses located in various well known cities such as Pittsburgh, New York, Chicago and San Francisco. But being a Hockley was anything but glamorous from what Jack had picked up from various conversations. The Hockley men were known to be dominating and demeaning, picking their work over their family. "Yeah, I know what you mean. I-" Jack stopped short as he noticed Rose standing with her mother near one of the opposite pillars. "I got to go. I'll see you later Brian." Being a little confused, Brian just shrugged his shoulders and let his friend wander off to somewhere on the other side of the room. Rose breathed heavily and nervously as she leaned against a pillar for support. She knew all too well what was about to happen to her. Her mother had awakened her early this morning to dress and have brunch with the Hockley's. There, at breakfast and with the whole Hockley clan, Her mother and Nathan Hockley announced the official engagement between Caledon and herself. Never before had her mother ever mentioned anything like this and never before had she expected anything like this. Sure, she knew that her mother had always wanted her to marry into the Hockley family but since she met Jack, the thought had been completely thrown out of her mind. Now here she was, becoming quite jittery as she waited for Nathan Hockley to give the cue for Caledon to tap his champagne glass and reveal to all of Philadelphia his news. Jack quickly made his way over to where he could clearly see Rose standing a short distance from her mother. Definitely not wanting to bring any attention to himself, Jack leaned up against the opposite side of the pillar as Rose. On noticing Rose's hand picking at one of the garlands, Jack quickly and carefully slipped his hand into hers. Her hand stiffened and gripped his a little harder than he'd expected as she leaned her head to the side slightly, trying to catch a glimpse of who was one the other side. Jack sighed heavily. "It's me Rose." He gently whispered. He could feel her hand tighten slightly and then suddenly relax. He quickly looked around to see if anyone was looking their way. When he saw everyone busy dancing or talking amongst themselves, he quickly pulled Rose's hand and dragged her into the little slightly lit hallway nearby. Rose was stunned. She hadn't expected this at all. She knew that if her mother or anyone found her for that matter, she would have a hefty price to pay. "Jack…no Jack!" She quietly whispered as he leaned her against a wall, completely out of site from the rest of the guests. She could still faintly hear the music playing and the quiet murmurs of people chatting as she tried to glance back to see if anyone had seen them. Jack was a little confused by Rose's suddenly worried emotions. "Rose, what's wrong?" Rose looked up into Jack's deep blue eyes as she leaned up against the wall. Her breath was heavy and her eyes were starting to fill with tears as she looked at the one thing she wanted more than anything in the world, but would never be able to have. She had to end this…it would hurt to much if she didn't. "Jack…I can't be here. I have to go." She started to pull away but Jack kept his hand on her arm and pulled her back to the wall. "Why? What's wrong?" Rose swallowed hard, her head falling down. She felt Jack's gentle and loving hands on her chin as they slowly lifted her head up to face him. "Please don't make this any harder than it already is Jack. I just have no choice." "No choice to do what?" "I…I can't see you anymore Jack." "What? Why?" "Jack…there's a time in everyone's life when they have to say goodbye. This is just happens to be our time." "But why Rose? Is it me? Was it something I said…what?" Jack couldn't believe this. "No Jack…it's not you at all. Please don't think that. I…I'm sorry Jack, I'm extremely sorry. I didn't want it to end up like this, honest I didn't. But sometimes, especially in the world we live in today, these things happen." "But why is it goodbye Rose? It can't be goodbye…not yet, don't you understand that? I lo-" Rose placed her hand on Jack's mouth. "No Jack…please don't say it, please." Jack and Rose were both nearly in tears as they heard in the background, someone's knife tapping against glass lightly. Someone cleared their throat and began to speak. Jack could faintly hear Rose's name being called out by the speaker. "Rose darling, would you mind very much if you came up here?" the speaker said with a hint of slight annoyance in his voice. "I have to go. Goodbye Jack." Rose took one last glance at Jack and rushed out of the hallway, trying to keep her emotions at bay. She put on a fake smile and made her way up to the stage where Caledon, Nathan and her mother stood. Jack followed her out to the ballroom. He watched curiously like all of the other guests as Rose made her way up the steps to the stage. He noticed her quickly glance his way as she took her place next to Caledon Hockley. Jack was completely confused by the whole thing. Why is Rose up there with the Hockley's he thought. "Everyone," Caledon Hockley announced with a smug smile on his face. "I would like to announce my engagement." The room went completely silent as all of the young women in the room held their breath. "I would like you to meet my fiancée and soon to be wife, Rose Dewitt-Bukator." The room erupted in applause as Caledon poured some champagne for Rose, himself, his father and Rose's mother. For Jack, the world had just stopped. He felt like he was the only one not even moving among all of these joyful people. Now, more than ever, he felt terribly alone in the world. He saw Rose look his way and her smile faded. He could see in her eyes the telepathic message being sent to him. I'm sorry Jack, I'm so sorry… Now he knew why. |
