The moment Daniel's voice echoed through the high-ceilinged foyer, Chloe spun around on her high heels. Her furious scowl vanished, replaced by an exaggerated, dramatic look of terror.
She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing fake tears to spill down her cheeks as she rushed toward the grand staircase.
Chloe: Darling! Protect me! She threw dirty water at me!
Daniel came running down the marble steps, dressed in a sharp navy blue suit with a small American flag patch pinned to his lapel. His face was pale with shock and confusion as he hurried toward the bottom.
Daniel: Chloe? What happened?! Why is there water all over the floor?
Chloe: Oh, Daniel, it was horrible! This crazy old woman snuck into the foyer and started screaming at me!
Daniel: What old woman?
Chloe: That maid right there! She picked up a metallic bucket and threw dirty water all over my new red gown! Then she tried to grab my arm!
Chloe threw her arms around Daniel's neck, sobbing hysterically into his suit jacket while pointing a manicured finger behind her.
Chloe: She threatened me, darling! She said she was going to ruin our wedding!
Daniel: Chloe, calm down for a second...
Chloe: I am terrified, Daniel! Look at my red dress! It's ruined! You need to call estate security right now and have her locked up!
While Chloe sobbed loudly into his chest, the wet woman with glasses stood near the marble archway. She didn't yell. She didn't panic. She simply reached up with two fingers and calmly removed her black-framed glasses.
She pulled a clean handkerchief from her inner coat pocket and slowly wiped the water from her face. Without her heavy glasses, her sharp, intelligent blue eyes shone with absolute confidence and composure.
A subtle, elegant presence surrounded her, far different from the quiet worker Chloe had assumed her to be.
Chloe: See, Daniel? Look at her standing there! She doesn't even care that she attacked your future wife!
Daniel pushed Chloe back slightly, his eyes moving past her shoulder toward the woman standing near the stairs.
Daniel: Chloe... let go of me.
Chloe: Darling, why are you looking at her like that? Tell the guards to drag her out!
Daniel took three slow steps down the final marble stairs, stopping in his tracks as his eyes widened in total shock and horror.
His jaw dropped open, his hands trembling at his sides as he recognized the woman standing drenched in front of him.
Daniel: Mom?!
The word hung in the air like an explosion, leaving Chloe completely frozen in her red halter gown.