Let the Show Begin

Storm clouds began to gather around the chapel as the thunder faintly sounded through the nave. The coffin was ready, set perfectly in the center of the crossing. The acolytes could be seen working quickly, as they prepared the altar for the services after the viewing. The smell of death became ever so stronger; as if it were arriving with the cloudburst that could be seen offshore. Feelings of sorrow, regret, and despair engulfed the room from close friends and family, but no tears have been shed... yet.

Formal services have yet to begin, so there was no show to put until the others arrived. If someone were to walk in right now, they would just associate the numbness of the group to shock, depression, or pain; common feelings people feel when they are grieving.

On the other hand, one may wonder, what kind of people prepare for a funeral just for show.

Short answer; The Parkers and their ever-so-dear friends. But make no mistake, they were grieving, but the only grieving that was happening was over the loss of money.

While the death was very real, everyone that was close to the couple, seemed as if they were waiting for the day for one of them to break. As if they were too perfect! They lived their lives on social media and that life portrayed a beautiful, happy and loving couple, who were carefully crafted by gods and enjoyed all the adventures they were presented to them. I'm sure you've seen the type on any social media platform. And this couple was no different.

It seemed like they were the perfect couple on screen, but it seemed too good to be true. The perfect was screaming 'Red Flag' and the signs were everywhere, but ignored by everyone that was close to the young Parker couple. Maybe they shrugged them off on purpose. Perhaps, it just wasn't their place to say anything. For all we know, fear for their own lives was the issue.

But let's not forget, the coffin was ready.

...

The coffin was ready.

...

Ready.

A black lace dress, pale white skin, a bit of blushed cheeks, rose tinted lips, and long brown hair pulled to one side. Sad, yet beautiful.

But there is no time to pity the poor girl.

Minutes before 10 AM, the funeral director stormed in as the lightning crashed into the sky, "It's time!" As if, he was putting on a Broadway musical and everyone was being called to their places.

"Dim the lights in the front!" He ordered.

Everyone one what was huddled together dispersed and lined up, ready to greet the guest.

"What is going on here! This is a funeral, not a wedding!" the director barked. He then began to hand out small nasal inhalers infused with garlic, onion, and peppermint. "This will invoke your tears, so get ready!"

You could hear a bit of chaos happening behind the doors. It must be the reporters, after all, there is still a story to be told. They all want to see the emotion on the families faces, the reaction from friends, but most importantly what drama is going to pour out as others arrive.

I may have forgotten to mention this, but any death in the Parker family would put a halt to thousands of business deals, send waves in all sorts of branches of technology, and drastically affect the stock market. The young couple's relationship started with a business deal and touched hundreds, if not thousands of companies in the States, so it was only natural for everyone to be curious as they worried how their business will now be affected.

So before we get this funeral started, let's rewind. We will find ourselves backtracking in time, maybe it's been 3 years, before the world was in complete chaos. Before the people you lived with would be the only people you would not be patronized to see. Even before the whole world was asked to stay inside. Before Mr. and Mrs. Parker were Mr. and Mrs. Parker.

At that time, it was Dean Parker and Kalana 'Kali' Petillo, two perfect strangers, who believed they would live very different lives. Lives where they were free to make their own choices; find love or happiness; when pressure was a non-existent feeling.

So we go back to their beginning.