The Bradbury Chronicles

Pawn It

He asked for my hand in marriage.

The corner of her lips quirked in a semblance of a smile, her gaze far away.

“And I assume you said yes?”

She stopped stirring her coffee, watching the brown swirls dissolve into stillness. The aroma was thick—like Istanbul in summer.

She imagined herself sinking into it.

“What do you think?” she finally replied, lifting her hand.

The simple gold band caught the dull light slipping past lace curtains that fluttered in the breeze.

“Cheap bastard,” her companion muttered.

She nodded.

Not even a gem. Just a plain ring—perfectly summarizing their relationship.

“You going through with it? There’s still time, you know.”

She sipped her coffee.

“He looked so pleased when I said yes. In fact—”

She hesitated. Had she even said yes? She remembered the shock more than her own words. His speech about it being “inevitable” had rolled over her like static, and then he’d walked out of the office—broad back, smug grin—leaving her blinking.

Annoying.

She deserved better, even if she was carrying his child. Office romances—especially between a boss and his unwilling secretary—never ended well.

Besides, he was still married to his first wife.

They both deserved better.

----

The waiter returned to clear the table. His brow furrowed at the lone coffee cup and the plain gold band lying beside it.

On the receipt, scrawled in hurried ink:

Pawn it. Hope it brings you better luck—and happiness.



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Word Count: 247
Prompt: Write a story that includes the words: gold, hand, coffee
Written For: "Daily Flash Fiction Challenge"