Seraphina
"Cheers," I chimed in, clinking my glass against Lysander's. His blue eyes sparkled with a smile.
I took a sip of my beer and cast a glance at Luna, who was asleep beside me.
Even though this celebration was for her, it didn't feel quite like one.
"It's been a while since we've sat down like this to drink, Senior," I remarked, setting my cup on the dining table before looking up at him.
He nodded in agreement.
"You know, you didn't have to buy a cake for Luna. It's a waste of money," I commented, expressing my concern.
"Why are you worried about that? Luna isn't even complaining," he remarked, glancing at my contented dog.
I couldn't help but smile at Luna's peaceful demeanor.
"How's work treating you? Are you still planning on quitting?" he inquired, his curiosity evident. I nodded in response.
"I've thought about it, and I've made up my mind. I'm going to quit and travel the world until I get tired of it. I've made and saved up enough money for that," I explained, with a chuckle.
"This year. I plan to do it this year and take a break," I continued, and he nodded, understanding my decision.
"Just do it as long as it makes you happy," he encouraged.
"This should be your mantra now, Lys, always do what makes me happy. You say that all the time," I teased, taking another sip of my beer.
"Because I mean it," he replied with a sincere smile, making me smile in return.
"Are you busy this Saturday? I want to treat you to lunch," he asked, his proposal catching me off guard.
"Lunch? Out of the blue?" I questioned, genuinely surprised.
"Yeah. My business is booming very fast lately, Sera, and we should celebrate it... together," he explained, reclining in his chair.
I sighed and considered his offer. "Let's make it dinner, Senior. I have an event to attend, and I'll be busy by then."
Event? You're going out to work again?" he asked, a hint of concern in his voice, and I nodded in confirmation.
"It's a top-tier event, and they need the experts there. Though I'll be in the kitchen, behind the scenes as always," I explained, which elicited a laugh from
him. "But they need me, and I need the paycheck too."
He smiled in understanding. "Okay then. Dinner it is," he agreed, and we shared a laugh, the ease of our friendship evident.
Thad
I took a seat at the table, maintaining a calm demeanor as I watched the violinists expertly craft melodies with their nimble fingers.
The opulent hall
was brimming with high-status individuals, a mix of business magnates, accomplished women, and influential partners, all engaged in animated conversations and soaking in the exquisite atmosphere.
Sighing softly, I cast my eyes around the room, then retrieved my phone to check my emails. The lavish party had been in full swing for approximately two hours, a lavish affair that had treated us to a succession of delectable
dishes.
My attention drifted to the eighth course before me, marveling at the meticulous presentation that exuded professionalism.
As my phone buzzed, I excused myself from the table and retreated to the balcony to answer the call.
"Yes?" I responded.
"Mr. Whitlock, the clients are on their way to the event," my assistant reported.
"I successfully persuaded them to accept our invitations and outlined the benefits they stand to gain from attending."
I couldn't help but chuckle lightly as I gazed down at the lively crowd outside, all caught up in their merriment.
"Well done, Mark. You really pulled it off," I complimented him before ending the call.
Returning to my table, I noticed a chef already hard at work. I took a seat, mentally preparing to persuade my clients who would arrive shortly.
My phone buzzed, and I promptly replied to the message. Laughter and gasps from a neighboring table caught my attention, prompting me to turn and see
what was going on.
Standing there was a lady in a chef's attire and a cap. She expertly fried her dish with remarkable speed, adding little tricks that left the guests at her table both surprised and delighted. Despite her outfit, she exuded a simple yet elegant charm.
However, my throat went dry when she looked up, revealing
her captivating emerald green eyes, deep and beautiful.
A strange sense of familiarity washed over me. She felt like an old friend, though I couldn't quite place where we might have crossed paths.
I struggled to tear my gaze away, but it remained fixed on her as I watched in fascination,
unable to look away, as she worked her culinary magic with graceful ease.
She wrapped up her cooking show and explained her dish to the impressed guests. But my eyes remained locked on her, particularly her captivating
emerald eyes that never met mine.
When she finished, she walked past my table, and her delightful cologne wafted by, oddly familiar.
Why did her scent make me so strangely happy? Why do i feel this way? It felt like I'd encountered it before.
Lost in thought, I hadn't noticed how long I'd been staring at her departure until I felt a tap on my shoulder.
I turned to
see my assistant beside me, giving me a quizzical look.
"Mr. Whitlock, the..." My assistant's voice faded as my head suddenly blanked out, a pounding sensation throbbing through my skull.
I let out a low groan,
unable to focus. Closing my eyes briefly, I reopened them to find myself entranced by those mesmerizing green eyes once more.
The pain in my head
intensified, forcing me to gently push my assistant away and hastily rise from my seat, heading for the nearest bathroom.
I slammed the bathroom door behind me, my head still throbbing. Gasping for air, I leaned on the sink, my heart racing much faster than usual.
What was happening to me? Why this strange mix of excitement and fear?
"What is it called babe?"
"Tangled."
"Tangled?. I love the smell, it smells so much like you"
I groaned as a sudden memory, one I didn't even know existed, flooded my mind. It was a memory of a guy and a girl, my voice, my own fucking voice.
I was sitting on a bed, and someone was beside me, but their face remained frustratingly blurry.
I slumped down to the floor, clutching my head. What was happening to me?
Seraphina
"Sera, you don't know how much this means to me. I just suddenly had a number 2, and I couldn't hold it in anymore," Clara said, hugging me tightly as I changed into my outfit.
"It's fine. I've done your job for you anyway," I replied with a smile.
That's why you're the best friend ever. Did the guests ask about why I left, huh?" Clara inquired, gripping my arms.
I shook my head and sighed. "No, Clara. They did not ask me about you for once," I replied.
"I knew they wouldn't. You've charmed them with your skills, huh?" She teased, making me chuckle.
"I'm leaving now. I have a dinner with someone," I explained, grabbing my handbag. But she quickly blocked my path.
"Dinner? With who?" Clara inquired.
"Who do you think it is?" I replied calmly, and she gasped.
"It's a date. You're going on a blind date, Sera," she exclaimed, making me quickly cover her mouth with my right hand to shush her.
"God, Clara, your voice is so loud. It's not a blind date; it's a dinner with Lys," I clarified.
"Lys? That handsome guy of yours with golden hair and ocean eyes?" She asked, pulling my hand away.
I nodded. "It's more like sapphire blue, though," I added.
"Who cares if it's ocean or sapphire? They make me want to drown in them," she said, hugging herself slightly.
I chuckled as I made my way past her.
"Good night, Clara," I replied, waving my hand.
Goodnight! Get home safe and be careful with that handsome dude!" she yelled, making me quicken my pace as I left.
Thad
I looked at my bloodshot eyes in the mirror, adjusting my tie and suit. After taking a deep breath, I headed back to the hall.
Approaching my table, I noticed a lady dressed in red with her auburn hair neatly tied up.
"Callie?" I said as I sat down.
She looked up from her phone and smiled upon seeing me.
"Thad."
"You didn't tell me you would be here," I remarked.
"I wanted to make it a surprise. Are you shocked?" She said with a laugh, and i couldn't help but chuckle.
"I also received an invitation to this event," Callista said, and I nodded.
"Thad, about that night I came to your house unannounced... I'm really sorry..." Callista began, but I couldn't focus on her words as I spotted the same chef i had seen earlier.
She was now wearing a brown coat and looked quite different from before. An inexplicable urge to approach her, like an old friend, surged within me.
Without a second thought, I sprang up from my chair and glanced down at Callie, who appeared confused by my sudden
action.
"Thad, what's wrong...?"
I just remembered that I left something in my car. I need to go and get it. I'll be right back," I interrupted her and swiftly made my way toward the
entrance.
I stepped outside and was greeted by the chilly night breeze. Spotting her not far away, I hurriedly walked in her direction. However, my steps halted abruptly when I observed her approach a car and get inside.
Glancing at the
driver's seat, I saw a man seated there, engaged in conversation with her. A sharp pain pierced my chest, causing me to audibly gasp as I watched the car
drive away, out of my sight.
"What the heck is happening to me? Why am I feeling this sadness? Why did
I even come out here?" I whispered, clutching my chest.
My phone buzzed suddenly, and I retrieved it with a shaky hand.
"Yes?" I croaked.
"Mr. Whitlock, the clients... they left. I tried to detain them and explain some things, but they departed before I could do anything," my assistant's voice
echoed, carrying a sense of urgency.
I let out a sigh of relief as the pain in my chest gradually subsided.
"It's fine, Mark. I will take care of it," I assured him before ending the call.
"Thad?"
I spun around to find Callista standing a few steps away, holding my car keys in front of me.
"You left your car keys on the table. You are so forgetful," she
teased as she approached me.
I sighed and took the keys from her, glancing in the direction where the car had disappeared before turning back to Callista.
"There's no need for it anymore. Let's go back inside," I told her.
Callista looked momentarily puzzled but then nodded in agreement.
We both headed back into the event hall, but my mind was consumed by one question.
Who is she? Who is the green-eyed lady who had turned my night into a chaotic mess?