Chapter 2 : The Farewell Party

Elara

One week after Caspian received his promotion, I stood in front of our bedroom mirror, trying to decide whether my dress was elegant or too much.

I turned sideways.

Then the other way.

Behind me, Caspian was struggling with his cufflinks.

"You're going to break those."

"I've had them for years."

"Exactly. And you've been fighting with them for ten minutes."

He glanced at me through the mirror.

"You've been changing your mind about that dress for fifteen."

"I have not."

"You've changed twice."

"Three times."

He smiled.

"Thank you for proving my point."

I picked up my perfume and sprayed a little onto my neck.

His eyes followed the movement.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You're staring."

"I like the dress."

"You didn't even look at it properly."

"I don't need to."

He walked toward me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

His chin rested on my shoulder.

"I know what you look like."

I smiled at our reflection.

"And yet you still haven't helped me choose."

"Black."

"The black one?"

"The one you're wearing."

"Good answer."

He kissed my cheek.

"You're beautiful."

"So are you."

He raised an eyebrow.

"Are you sure?"

"Don't get excited."

He laughed.

Tonight was his farewell party at Sterling Crown Bank.

The promotion had been finalized a week ago, and now he and several colleagues were preparing to leave for their new positions.

I was proud of him.

He had worked for this promotion for years.

Late nights. Long meetings. Endless targets.

I had watched him come home exhausted more times than I could count.

Tonight was supposed to be about celebrating everything he'd accomplished.

And I wanted him to enjoy every second.

"Ready?" I asked.

He checked his watch.

"Now I am."

"Finally."

He held out his hand.

I took it.

"Let's go, Area Manager."

His smile widened.

"I like hearing that."

The hotel ballroom was already crowded when we arrived.

Music played softly while people moved between tables, greeting colleagues, taking pictures and raising glasses.

The moment Caspian walked in, someone shouted.

"There he is!"

"Area Manager!"

"Don't forget us when you're sitting in your big office!"

Caspian laughed.

"I haven't even started yet."

"Exactly. That's why we're reminding you now."

I laughed beside him.

One of his colleagues turned toward me.

"Elara, you have to keep him humble."

I smiled.

"Believe me, I try."

Caspian looked at me.

"She enjoys it."

"Someone has to."

Everyone laughed.

The evening passed easily.

Food was served.

Drinks were poured.

Pictures were taken.

The employees being transferred were congratulated again and again.

Eventually, one of the managers called Caspian and the other transferred employees forward.

A few short speeches followed.

Nothing too formal.

Just memories of their years at the bank, appreciation for their colleagues, and excitement about the opportunities ahead.

When Caspian's turn came, he stood with his drink in his hand.

He looked around the room.

"I'll keep this short because I know everyone is waiting for the food."

The room laughed.

He continued, thanking his managers, colleagues and friends who had helped him reach the new position.

Then his eyes found mine.

"And to the woman who listened to me complain for six weeks while I waited for this promotion..."

A few people turned toward me.

I smiled.

Caspian raised his glass.

"Thank you for believing in me."

Something warm spread through my chest.

I lifted my glass toward him.

He returned to the table a moment later.

I leaned toward him.

"That was sweet."

"Just sweet?"

"Very sweet."

"Good."

He reached beneath the table and squeezed my hand.

A few moments later, the manager raised his glass.

"To new positions, new opportunities and new beginnings."

Everyone lifted their glasses.

"Cheers!"

Glasses clinked around the room.

Caspian turned toward me.

"To us."

I smiled.

"To us."

We drank.

Then the music changed.

People started moving toward the dance floor.

Caspian stood and held out his hand.

"Dance with me."

I placed my hand in his.

"Of course."

He pulled me close.

My arms settled around his shoulders while his hands rested comfortably at my waist.

We moved slowly with the music.

"You look happy," he whispered.

"I am."

"Even with Ravenmere?"

The question made me pause.

I looked at him.

"I'm trying."

He kissed my forehead.

"You don't have to think about it tonight."

I nodded.

"Tonight is about you."

"And you."

I smiled.

Then a woman approached us.

She was tall, elegant and confident.

"Caspian."

He turned.

His expression changed slightly.

"Vivienne."

She smiled.

"It's really happening."

"Looks like it."

She touched his arm.

"I still can't believe you're leaving."

I smiled politely.

She finally looked at me.

Her eyes moved down to my engagement ring.

Then back to my face.

"You're Elara."

I nodded.

"Yes."

She extended her hand.

"I'm Vivienne. We worked together."

"Nice to meet you."

"You too."

She smiled, but she didn't move away.

Instead, she turned back to Caspian.

"You still owe me dinner."

He laughed.

"Do I?"

"Yes."

"You said that three years ago."

"And you never paid."

They both laughed.

I stayed beside him, listening.

There was nothing wrong with their conversation.

Nothing I could accuse either of them of doing.

But she seemed very comfortable with him.

Too comfortable.

Then she touched his arm again while laughing.

My eyes dropped to her hand.

I looked at Caspian.

He was already looking at me.

His lips twitched.

He was trying not to smile.

I narrowed my eyes.

Don't.

He smiled anyway.

Vivienne continued talking.

"You know, we're going to miss you."

"I'll miss the good people."

She laughed.

"Good people?"

"Some of you."

She playfully hit his arm.

That was enough.

I stepped closer.

My hand slipped around his waist.

Caspian looked down at my hand.

Then at me.

His smile grew.

I ignored it.

Vivienne noticed.

I leaned up and kissed Caspian's cheek.

His arm immediately came around my waist.

"Well," she said with a small laugh, "I can see you're in good hands."

Caspian chuckled.

"I am."

I smiled.

"Very good hands."

His eyes dropped to mine.

Vivienne smiled again.

"Well, I'll let you two enjoy the evening."

She walked away.

The moment she was out of earshot, Caspian looked down at me.

"You were jealous."

"I wasn't."

His eyebrow lifted.

"You weren't?"

"No."

"Then what was that?"

I looked at him innocently.

"What was what?"

"The kiss."

I shrugged.

"I'm affectionate."

He laughed.

"Very suddenly."

I tried not to smile.

"Maybe I wanted to remind you who you belong to."

His smile faded into something warmer.

"You never have to remind me."

I looked at him.

"Good."

He pulled me closer.

"And for the record..."

"What?"

"I liked it."

I laughed.

"Of course you did."

"Very much."

He kissed my forehead.

I rested my head against his chest.

For a few minutes, we simply stood together while the music played around us.

I knew Vivienne wasn't important.

Caspian had chosen me.

He had made that clear.

And I trusted him.

Eventually, the party began winding down.

People said their goodbyes.

Caspian exchanged hugs and handshakes with his colleagues.

We took one last picture before heading outside.

The night air was cool against my skin.

Caspian took my hand as we walked toward the car.

"Did you enjoy yourself?"

"Very much."

"Even with Vivienne?"

I looked at him.

"Don't ruin the night."

He laughed.

We reached the car.

Before opening my door, he stopped.

"One week."

I frowned.

"One week until what?"

"Until we leave."

My smile faded slightly.

"Right."

He touched my cheek.

"Are you okay?"

I nodded.

"Yes."

"You're sure?"

I forced a smile.

"Yes."

He studied my face for another moment.

Then he kissed me.

I kissed him back.

His hand remained against my cheek when we separated.

"We'll be okay," he whispered.

I nodded.

"I know."

He opened the car door for me.

I got inside.

As we drove home, I watched the city lights pass through the window.

Seven days.

In seven days, I would return to Ravenmere.

The place where my old life had ended.

The place where I'd once been married to a man I hadn't seen in three years.

I tightened my fingers around Caspian's hand.

Whatever waited for me there, I wasn't going back alone.