Chapter 4

In the blink of an eye, a moment unfolded before me, engulfing my senses in a fantasy world that seemed to transcend the boundaries of reality. My once mundane existence shattered, I found myself utterly convinced that I had stumbled into a world of dreams. Yet, with an intangible mental pinch, the gravity of the situation gripped my soul, affirming that the inexplicable figure reflected in the mirror was not a mere illusion, but an astonishing embodiment of an alternate version of myself.

I hadn’t gotten a good look at my surroundings lately, not because I didn’t want to but because I had little time left to get ready for the party Silas thought would bring me happiness. I was still not fully convinced if he was planning to expose himself to the public after playing dead for seven months, but like Silas, his plans were mischievous.

Silas had complimented me many times on how ‘beautiful’ I looked in the cool shades and it wasn’t surprising that he had prepared a cerulean blue floor-length cocktail dress for me. However, Silas hadn’t mentioned what this event was supposed to be about, but I had a little idea. Maybe it was related to some business? He wouldn’t be a fool enough to make a sudden appearance after vanishing for months, right?

My hands stilled as I tried to unzip the zipper of the dress as a thought crawled into my head. What was he planning? Why did he suddenly want to bring me to a party when he couldn’t even bare the sight of me leaving to buy groceries? A very known anxiousness crept in my gut that twisted painfully as I felt a tremor in my fingers–a habit I realised I adapted in these past few months. It happens whenever I get anxious.

My skin appeared radiant with a stunning blue hue that contrasted beautifully. The delicate sweetheart neckline accentuated my fragile collarbones, while the skirt elegantly embraced my hips before tapering down to my knees and cascading gracefully to the floor. Although long, it would be enhanced with a pair of heels. The dress glistened with every turn and movement, and as I spun before the mirror, I glimpsed the enchanting backless design and a small zipper on the lower portion of my waist.

Silas had gotten my measurements exactly right. Very inch clung to my skin like it had been custom-made for me. Despite the shimmers, the dress was comfortable and soft. I wasn’t always drawn to such luxurious things, but this dress kinda reminded me of one Silvio brought me last year when he ‘gifted’ the dress to me before the conference. I never wore that dress, but I could tell that was one of the most beautiful dresses.

I allowed myself extra few minutes to fix my makeup and applied the peach coral red lipstick. Wearing heels, I gave myself a last twirl in the mirror. Hair? Done. I heard the main door opening. Silas was here.

I stood in the middle of the room as I heard his footsteps nearing. There was a slight knock on the door and then it was opened. A wave of nerves crashed against my insides and drowned out the lingering anxiousness I felt moments ago. Tonight would be the first time I would be spending an evening with him dining and drinking. I took a deep breath and turned around.

Silas stood at the door, looking devastatingly handsome in his velvet maroon tuxedo with his perfectly dark brown hair styled in a sleek hairstyle. He could have passed for a model–tall and handsome. And then a tinge of awareness spread across my cheeks, mixed with curiosity noticing a small box in his hand.

“You’re ready?” Though I could see the amazement in his eyes seeing me all dressed up, he kept silent, keeping himself back from complimenting me.

“Yes, shall we go?” I pulled my eyes away from the box in his hands and tuck a piece of my wavy hair behind my ear. I should have pulled them up in a bun. His gaze run from my face to my exposed neck, then to my cleavage, and then again to my face. Something impenetrable passed through his eyes for a lot of seconds before it disappeared.

“…Yes…” he nodded averting his eyes as I walked to him. My eyes again shifted to the box in his hand and Silas noticed.

“Wait,” he grabbed my wrist, stopping me as I felt the child’s where he grabbed me. “This is for you.” I eyed the box with anticipation and wariness. My heart skipped several beats as Silas opened the box revealing a beautiful pendant. It seemed like platinum rolled over the huge sapphire diamond resting in the middle of white sparkling diamonds. It was beautiful. I didn’t want to accept this from him.

I shook my head trying to take a step back from his heat.

“I-I can not accept this-“

“It’s my mother’s,” My resistance crumbled, and I licked my dry lips even though I had applied layers of moisturiser on them. A flicker of hurt flashed in his eyes and I gritted my teeth before closing my eyes as I slowly turned around and gathered my hair scooping them in my hands and lifting them. My back was exposed to him and I felt him resisting but soon I felt the cold ornament wrapping around my neck.

My eyes shifted to the mirror in front, of m. Even with heels on, Silas looked a head taller than me. I noticed as his fingers glided on my neck, slowly moving from my collarbones to the nape of my neck and blue sapphire rested in the middle of the hollow of my neck. And then I heard a little click, the necklace was secured around my neck but Silas still hadn’t taken his hands off me. Before I could process my eyes widened.

I froze as he leaned in, his breath gently caressing the nape of my neck and sending shivers down my spine. With closed eyes, I swallowed hard, feeling his lips brush against my neck. My heart raced, and my hands shook. What was he doing to me?

“You look beautiful, Cara…” and then my eyes snapped open as he placed a lek on the base of my neck. I wanted to yell at him but he had already taken a step back, my hands still holding onto my hair as he gazed at me through the mirror. His hands raised as he placed them on my both shoulders.

D-don’t feel it!

“Just like the blue dandelions–rare and beautiful.” His voice was husky and his eyes glowed with soft satisfaction as his gaze shifted to my neck where his gift rested. I didn’t know why, but this necklace suddenly made me feel very gauche. To hide my embarrassment and emotions, I clumsily patted down my hair and turned to the door.

“We are getting late.” My attempt of avoiding him went in vain as he quickly followed me and grabbed my wrist. I was tempted to pull my hand back but strained myself. That would only bring nothing. Throughout the time we walked to the last king lot, his hold remain on my wrist. I forced my legs to move through my thoughts were corrupted. His masculine scent was storing today, more spicy and edgy filling my nostrils to the brim and that was not helping my situation at all.

I reminded myself.

I do not feel anything for this man.

A discreet black car waited for us outside the entrance of the hotel.

“Here,” Silas offered me his jacket as I settled in the backseat. “It’s cold.” He slid next to me, and the driver started the car. I gulped as I felt his velvet jacket prickling against my skin. Silas flicked his gaze to me as I tried my hard Tia to void him. A closed party departed us from the driver's side and I was glad. Silas fished out his phone typing something and I kept my head to another side, not sparing him a single look. My hands trembled in my lap as I wrapped his jacket tightly around me. I hope he couldn’t see my tremors. My chest heaved up and down as I gulped. The beautiful city couldn’t capture my attention when it was stolen by the man sitting next to me.

What was happening?

I certainly do not feel for this man.

Right?