Saturday in the art gallery,

The piece of art that proudly hung on the wall was bewitching. It showed a girl with long curly dark hair and tan skin sitting by a window gazing at the starry sky. Her hand was extended as if reaching for the most brilliant star. The title was "My Rose."

Genevieve smiled and cuddled up closer to Charlie resting her head on her shoulder. Charlie wrapped an arm around Genevieve's waist. The sound of the chatter and the ruffling of the feet were drowned out by Genevieve's loud heartbeat and the warm feeling that extended through her whole body.

Someone lightly tapped on Genevieve's shoulder. She turned around. A handsome blond man with light brown eyes she had never met stood before her.

What could this stranger want from her? She gave him a quizzical look before averting her eyes. Besides her friends, men like this rarely approached her.

The man introduced himself as Lucas Greene. "I couldn't help but notice that you look just like the girl in the painting, simply breathtaking." He not so subtly touched Genevieve's arm. His touch made her uneasy. He had a hand in his pocket, cold hands and a malicious smirk on his face.

Charlie shoved Lucas' hand away from Genevieve and glared at him. "Thank you. I am Chae Rin Choi, the painter. Of course, the girl in the painting looks breathtaking. My girlfriend, standing here next to me, inspired me."

"Sorry for intruding, then

"Sorry for intruding, then." Lucas took Genevieve's hand to his lips but she yanked it away. "We'll meet again soon." He chuckled darkly and walked away.

Never is not nearly long enough. Genevieve shuddered. That man gave her the creeps.

Pouting was one of Charlie's hidden talents. Like now, she was still frowning with her arms folded over her chest and mumbling some expletives. Genevieve wrapped her arms around Charlie's neck and looked into her eyes smiling wryly.

"Jealous?"

Charlie sighed. Her alluring cherry lips curved into a small smile. "You don't know how difficult is to have a girlfriend as beautiful as you. In your case, everyone is a potential enemy."

Genevieve giggled. Charlie had never been shy to show her jealousy. "But, I do know what is like to have a stunning and sweet girlfriend. You don't have to worry about anyone. I am completely in love with you." She gave Charlie an affectionate kiss and pulled away with a playful smile.

"What are you scheming? Your eyes are shining." Charlie grinned.

"My eyes don't shine. They are dark and dull, like my soul. I was thinking that maybe you and I should get out of here and take the next step."

"What are you proposing Ms. Taylor?"

"I am proposing to make you my wife, tonight. Sorry I didn't make it more romantic." Genevieve shrugged.

"Actually." Charlie pulled a small box from her coat's pocket and opened in front of Genevieve. "I have the same proposal for you."

A ring with a heart-shaped diamond shone from the box. Genevieve's eyes watered and she took a step back cupping her hands over her open mouth. It was happening. She caressed Charlie's cheek. "I love you, Chae Rin Choi. Let me try something, but I warn you. It will sound cheesy as fuck."

Genevieve cupped Charlie's cheeks and looked at her in the eye keeping just a few inches of distances between their faces. "The first time that I saw you, time seemed to stop. You took my breath away. Damn, this girl is hot was my first thought."

Charlie giggled and kissed Genevieve's cheek.

Genevieve smiled and kissed her back. "The second one was... this is the one who is gonna change my life. I found out that not only you were beautiful and strong, you also were kind, compassionate, patient and grumpy as heck in the mornings. It doesn't matter what, you are the one for me... Now, the only thing in my mind is one simple question. Four words, thirteen letters. Would you marry me?"

"Yes!" Charlie's eyes glassed and she took the ring from the box and put it on Genevieve's finger. "Just for the record, there are fifteen letters in that phrase! Anyway, I can't wait! But, we are not eloping. These things must be planned!"

"Really? Let me check." Genevieve laughed and pulled her phone out of her purse and added the number of letters using the calculator. Welp, she did not want to be a mathematician anyway. "Oh... The things one finds out." She chuckled. "I'll be patient, my love." Genevieve gave Charlie a long kiss which she eagerly returned.

Genevieve pulled back. "If you keep kissing me like this, we will need to borrow a supply closet."

Charlie bit his lower lip and averted her gaze. "Let me show you the other paintings." She took Genevieve's hand but halted as her eyes landed somewhere behind Genevieve. "Isn't that Lia? She looks lost."

In the direction Charlie was pointing, the tall figure of Lia stood out among the crowd. Genevieve smiled. Lia had gone all out with her fancy black blouse and her gorgeous burgundy skirt.

Lia had gone all out with her fancy black blouse and her gorgeous burgundy skirt

"Lia is eternally lost. I'll go get her." Genevieve let go of Charlie's hand and walked toward Lia.

Genevieve was still walking through the crowd when the floor beneath her trembled. This was not an earthquake. She got down on her knees, ducked her head, covered her ears with her palms and opened her mouth. Shock waves from an explosion shook the whole building-shattering glass, throwing pictures and paintings off the walls and knocking people off their feet-followed by the deafening sound of a blast coming from the east side of the building.

After the ringing in Genevieve's ears had somewhat subsided, the room was relatively silent. Everyone was probably stunned. The lights had gone out. A few emergency lights flicked on, leaving the room dimly lighted. Genevieve stood up from the floor and brushed the dust off from her hair and clothes.

The air flow changed, bringing with it the smell of gunpowder. A part of the building had been blown off. However, the explosion had probably come from outside, otherwise, the building's structure and the people inside would be in a much worse condition.

The shrieks and screams of the people reverberated in the room. Nonetheless, the noise was soon overpowered by the earsplitting blare of the fire alarms. It was like a high decibel horn on a train. The fire sprinklers went off, soaking everyone and everything. Genevieve quivered at the sudden change in temperature.

Hysterical people ran toward the stairs, screaming, yelling and shouting.

"Fire!"

"Help!"

"Please!"

"Calm Down!" Genevieve's command was completely ignored as someone pushed her, almost knocking her off her feet. Have it your way, then. She clicked her tongue and ran back to her fiancée.

Charlie was in the middle of the crowd, looking around, her eyes full of tears; people kept jostling her. Besides the scratch on her forehead, she looked unharmed. She clutched her phone against her ear and implored the 911 operator for help. Genevieve took Charlie's hand and pulled her toward the wall, away from the fleeing crowd.

Genevieve's thoughts raced as she hurriedly gauged all the possible escape routes, not that there were many options. Following the crowd to the stairs on the West side seemed like the most logical option. Going to the East would be too risky. The fire was coming from there and there was a possibility that the stairs were blocked.

Genevieve kept one hand clasped around Charlie's wrist and her other hand on the wall. They tried to make their way to the stairs while remaining as close to the wall as possible. The stampede of people sprinted to get out of the building. They pushed and trampled each other.

Bam! Bam! Bam! Genevieve stopped in her tracks and pulled Charlie behind her. Bam! Bam! Bam! The roar of gunshots was almost drowned by the thunderous ringing of the fire alarm. However, the dreaded sound was unmistakable, and it was coming from the direction people were running to.

No. This could not be happening. Genevieve sought cover behind a wall, opened her purse and took out her gun. The shooter was nowhere in sight among the sea of people.

"You brought a gun?"

Charlie's shaky voice was full of fear. Genevieve turned to her. As she had guessed, Charlie's bottom lip was trembling and tears spilled from her wide eyes. Terror was evident on her face.

"I always carry my gun, just never had to pull it out before. Shh... Don't worry. I won't let anything happen to you. I promise we will make it to our wedding. Okay?"

Charlie sniffled before nodding and wiping her tears off. Genevieve decided to stay put until she gets a visual of the shooter. It was too risky with Charlie here. The much-needed mist stopped after only twenty minutes.