A chance encounter

*A few years ago, on Cassus*

Kristana Oxley was in her bed in her quarters at the Flammadies Estate. She could not be happier. She had a wonderful job working for the Flammadies Family, she had a wonderful man in her life, even though she was lowborn her life was shaping up to be pretty fulfilling. She knew she would never be treated the same as the Highborn, and she had made peace with that. She knew they had more and always would, she was content with her place in life. As long as she could keep her steady job that actually paid pretty decently and she could be with the love of her life. She snuggled up next to the man, Marcus in her bed. He was so handsome with his black hair that was always a little disheveled. She couldn't be more lucky to find a man that was so kind to her. He started to stir as he felt her body against his.

"Good morning dear. I do hope I didn't wake you!" she said sweetly and kissed him on the forehead.

"It is quite alright, I was just dreaming about you, but seeing you in the flesh is much better than any dream I could have!" he said with a smirk on his face and kissed her deeply. "Krist, you make me so happy, I hope you know that. We will have a great life together. I know that being lowborn is not all it is cracked up to be at times, but we will always have each other, and that is all that matters!"

Kristana could not stop smiling. Her heart could not be any more full than it was when she was with Marcus. She had never felt this way about anyone before. When he was not around, her heart ached for him. When he was around she could not get enough of him! She was very serious about her work, but Marcus could always make her laugh. She felt so carefree and full of life. There was a time when being a lowborn really affected her, and she was depressed because of it. She knew she would never amount to much, and then her life had turned around. Things were looking up and she couldn't be happier about it.

Marcus took her in his arms and continued to kiss her. Kristana almost lost her breath because the kiss was so deep. If I were to die, right now in this very minute, I would not even care she thought. What a way to go! She continued to kiss him and flipped him over so she was now on top of him, their hands roaming each others bodies, when suddenly there was a knock on her door. Kristana nearly jumped out of her skin. She was allowed to have people in her quarters, but she still felt like a little girl being caught by her parents.

"Marcus, go hide! In the closet!" Kristana whispered.

"But Krist....." he started. "No please I do not want you to get caught in here, please!" Marcus went off into the closet like he was asked. It was not an overly large closet so he had to really jam himself in there. Her quarters were much nicer than her house that she grew up in, but they were not as nice as if she were a Highborn herself.

Kristana put a robe on quickly and ran to the door to open it. It was one of the guards that she was in charge of. "Hello there, are you busy? We were thinking of doing some training a little early today if that is alright with you?"

Kristana smiled. "Of course, just let me get dressed, I will be right there!" Kristana closed the door and ran to her closet and opened the door to find Marcus, and he jumped out and scared her. "I do not know how you scared me since I knew you were there!" she laughed, and he pushed her back onto the bed.

"Do you really have to go?" he asked as he kissed her neck. "Yes dear, I must go, but I shall see you later, right?" Marcus smiled sadly. "Actually no, I have plans, but I will come to you as soon as I can, hopefully within the next few days. Do not miss me too much!" he smiled slyly and quickly dressed. He kissed Kristana one last time and left the room.

Kristana sighed happily as she lay on her bed, unable to move. She felt that if she moved, things would change. Her life would not be as perfect as it was anymore. She needed to feel this bliss for a few moments longer.

*Present Day*

Kristana slammed down her mug of beer after chugging it down. The man sitting next to her in the bar laughed at her. He was a young man and she was giving him a run for his money. They had made a bet to see who could drink the other under the table first, and she was winning so far. She could definitely hold her alcohol. Where a lot of other women liked to be more girly and dainty, Kristana liked to be one of the guys. She was not looking to impress anyone, but always somehow some poor man would become enthralled with her. She was attractive with her long blonde hair and her piercing green eyes. She didn't wear much make-up but what she did wear was put on expertly and cleanly. She did not spend a lot of time on her appearance but she always seemed to look pretty put together without really trying.

"Wow you are a lightweight! Are you gonna let a woman out drink ya?" She laughed as she chugged another mug full. The man sitting next to her snorted and chugged another mug as well. He was clearly not able to sit too well on the stool anymore. Kristana just laughed again. "I guess so! Well it was a good try, but I do think I have won our little bet! Buck up champ, maybe you can win next time!"

The man stood up unsteadily and Kristana did as well. The bar was quite crowded but the man decided to kiss her roughly, clearly not thinking too well. Kristana was taken aback but decided to have some fun, so she started to kiss him back and then bit his tongue, not too hard but enough to tell him she did not want to kiss him anymore.

"Bloody hell! The bitch bit me!" he screamed. "Well maybe you should watch your tongue and not stick it down my throat without my permission next time!" she shot back at him. This man was mistaken if he thought that she would not be able to take care of herself. He spit out some blood and made his way towards her. She just smiled as she knew what he was going to try to do. He stumbled and tripped  and fell flat onto the floor. Now there was a small group that had gathered that were laughing at him.

"She tripped me! Did you see that!" he yelled looking at the other bar patrons. Kristana just laughed and laughed. "Maybe you shouldn't drink as much next time, eh?" she said offering him her hand to help him up, but he refused. "Not bloody likely!" he tried to get up himself and failed. "I'll get you for that! Kristana Oxley is it? I will make you pay!"

Kristana continued to sneer at him. "You know, no one likes a sore loser, and also never come near me again, and try to shove that nasty tongue down my throat or else I will do more than just trip you next time." She spoke so coldly that the young man actually seemed to shiver at her voice. She turned around and walked out of the bar with a smile on her face. Yes she had changed since her time with Marcus. Maybe his betrayal was the best thing that could have happened to her. It hardened her. She was not the naive young woman she once was. She was also fun loving, but in a different way. She would not let anyone walk over her again, no matter what. No one would lie to her, and get away with it.

Sometimes all you had was yourself to count on in this world. Kristana learned that the hard way, and she was happy she did. She needed to learn that lesson. She decided to go back home and rest a little bit. The alcohol was starting to effect her and she did not want to get into anymore fights. Most days she did not dwell in the past. She tried to not think about things like that. She wanted to just have some fun. Tomorrow would be a better day.