Golden Sky

The smell of grilled meat and a crackling fire drew Thea out of her cabin and towards the field behind main lodge. Seth tagged along, his eyes fixed on Thea in silence.

After reminding him the basics of their agreement, she had brushed past him, got ready for the evening and walked right out without saying another word. Seth clenched his fists, the more he thought about his own words, the more irritated he felt.

“My goodness, that smells really good!” Thea's voice perked him back to reality, his eyes settling on Celine on the field.

The sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink. The field, now bathed in the warm glow of a small camp fire, was even more inviting. Celine was a master hostess ; she had a long table set up on the porch, covered with a tablecloth and occupied with different meals.

Thea leans closer to Celine with a smile, one that Seth had surprisingly come to love. “Of course it does! Its a century old family recipe!” Celine chuckled.

“There are recipes that old?!” Daisy asked, joining the duo by the BBQ grill.

“Of course! The women in our family kept this recipe and made sure it was passed down to generations!” Celine smiled.

Thea sniffs the air with a smile. “Now my mouth is watering! I can't wait to try this.”

Celine nods. “It will be done soon. Let's go, we should settle down.”

They all gathered around the large wooden table. Seth settled down on a seat next to Thea and across from him, Arian and Daisy while Celine took the seat at the edge of the table.

“I'm early, Celine.” Arian announced , finally settling on his seat next to Daisy.

Celine narrowed her eyes on him."Of course you are. You don't need to announce it every bloody time!”

Arian smiled, earning an eye roll from Celine. Thea sighed, staring up at the sky. It was beautiful and the breeze was chilly too.

“I could stay here forever. It's so peaceful and beautiful..” Thea muttered, rubbing her shoulders with her arms.

She felt a jacket drape over her shoulders , it was Seth, barely meeting her eyes as he pulled the jacket over her shoulders gently.

“It gets cold out here..”

Thea met his gaze, was he pulling up a shower for Celine or did he mean that? He almost sounded convincing to say the least. Seth tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ears, his hands gentle on her skin.

This was the only time he gets to touch her without having to explain himself or admit a feeling he clearly knew no idea how to get rid of.

Thea looked away, it was all a performance. Nothing more.

“It is. The scenery here is almost addictive..” Arian said, reaching for a cup at the center of the table, and at the same moment, Daisy did the same.

Their fingers brushed each other slightly, and they both pulled back as if they had been burned, a quick, awkward glance passing between them.

“You should have it. “Arian said, gesturing at the cup.

Daisy clears her throat and takes the cup instead, turning her back to him. Her heart was pounding in her chest and her skin seemed to tingle where they had touched. She shuts her eyes, of all the men in the world her heart is racing for an elite boy?! Why?!

She hates those arrogant bastards! Except Seth Blackwood of course. He's just right for Thea.

Celine chuckled, unaware of anything else other than her own thoughts.

"You know," she began, "this place brings back so many memories. I remember that one time, Seth was just a little boy, and he absolutely refused to leave. I had to bribe him with ice cream for a whole week just to get him into the car."

Seth's face turned a faint red. "Celine, please," he muttered, shaking his head.

Arian laughed loudly. "I recall that day! You looked like you were wrestling a crocodile, Celine. I thought he was going to bolt into the woods."

“Arian!” Seth cautioned but Arian was out to mock him.

Thea chuckled, her eyes scanning Seth in disbelief. “Really? I thought he was the type of child to listen without asking questions.”

She raises her hands over his chin, calling Seth's attention to her once more. “I thought he was always like this. Too perfect.”

His eyes lingered on her face, does she really think he's perfect?

Celine laughs. “Seth was full of energy growing up. The older he got, the calmer he got. But I could never forget that day even if I tried! I had to carry him over my shoulders, pleading with him..”

She goes silent, a sad smile on her face Seth knew what it was. Celine had no idea why he wanted to stay at the resort, he hated his parents. He didn't want to go home.

“It's been so long ago. It's okay now.” Seth said, his eyes meeting Celine's. Celine nods, fighting back tears.

If she knew what he was going through, she would have fought to be his legal guardian. Maybe things would have turned out differently for him.

“Long time again? Seth, you were a nutcase back then. And I was a saint.” Arian joked, trying to redirect the convo.

Celine pointed a playful finger at Arian, laughing.

"A saint? Ypu?! You were just as bad. What was it, Arian? You put a frog in my hair? The one I spent an hour curling?"

Arian winced. "That was a classic, Celine. You have to admit."

Thea and Daisy burst into laughter, there's no way these two were that problematic!

“Goodness! I can't imagine what he was like looking after them!” Thea said, laughing.

Daisy nods, clearly dying of laughter herself.

“Comparing yourself to a saint is probably your biggest crime yet.” Seth said, taking a sip out of his cup.

He seemed…relaxed. Maybe it was the alcohol or the scenery but Thea could feel the looseness in his tone.

“Hey,I was a genius. I wanted Celine to spend more time with us and I did, didn't I?” Arian teased.

“You almost gave me a heart attack, that's what you did!” Celine snapped, laughing. She got out of her seat, heading towards the grill.

Seth smiled, a small almost missable smile that threatened Thea's heart into a race. It just didn't make sense. How would a man like him, surrounded by people who loved him be so…cold and calculated?

“Must have been fun. Growing up together.” Daisy interjected, even her was starting to feel a bit relaxed.

Arian smirked. “It was and still is.”

Seth nods in agreement. “Even though you say things that make me want to kill you.”

Arian chuckled. “Like you could even if you wanted to.”

“How long have you two known each other? We're your family friends or…?” Thea asked, sipping from her cup as well.

“Since kindergarten. I was the crying kid and Seth was the mafia boss of the class back then.”

“Don't call me that.” Seth chuckled.

“Ypu were. And then you told me ‘man up! Or all these little kids will step all over you like a munchkin!’ Such strong motivational words coming from a kid himself!” Arian teased.

“The same kid saved your ass a couple times in the past.” Seth pointed out.

Celine returns to the table with a tray piled high with golden-brown chicken. "Now, enough stories. Try this. I used a special rub on it."

Thea took a piece and tasted it. Her eyes widened in surprise. It was fantastic.

"Celine, this is amazing! It's so good." Thea said and Daisy nodded in agreement.

Arian nodded in agreement, his mouth full. "Still the best chicken I've ever had."

Celine beamed with pride. "I'm glad you like it. I promise to teach you the recipe before you leave.”

Thea's heart warmed. It was a small thing, but it made her feel truly accepted. “I promise to guard it with my life.”

Celine laughs. “Oh Thea.”

Everyone mucked in silence and Celine's voice echoed in the room again.

“Come to think of it. I never asked how you two met. I'm dying to know how you managed to sweep this beautiful woman off her feet." Celike started.

Thea's stomach knotted. This was it. The moment she had been dreading. If there's one thing she hates, it was telling Celine lies.

She glanced at Seth, who was looking at his plate, his jaw tight. He was just as uncomfortable as she was.

"It's not exactly grand or anything.." Thea said, laughing nervously.

Celine leaned forward, eager. "I still want to know.”

Seth sighed. “Celine, there's…”

"When I met Seth, I was in a difficult situation. I had nowhere to go. And Seth, he just... showed up. He didn't ask questions and offered to help. Things happened and we got married."

She looked at him, her eyes soft, remembering the feeling of his protective presence. "He makes me feel safe. That's why I agreed to marry him.”

It wasn't a lie, just a summary of their story. Seth was speechless, his eyes staring down at her in silence. He knew there was some truth in the words she said. He knew he would let hell loose for this woman and she knew it.

He wrapped his arms around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him and placing a kiss in her head.

Thea's eyes widened in surprise, she hadn't expected that. She glanced at him, but his eyes were fixed on the fire, a thoughtful look on his face. She couldn't read him.

The night went on, with Celine and Atian talking about their childhood and making everyone laugh. Soon, it was time to call it a night.

“Well, I have to go to bed now and you all better do the same. Don't stay up too late.” Celeine instructed as she got on her feet.

“Sure. Goodnight Celine.” Arian said as the old woman made her way to her cabin.

“Good night Celine.” Everyone else choruses and she waves them good bye.

Arian leans forward, a mischievous look in his eyes. “Who's up for another round?”

Daisy, tipsy as hell, raises her hands with a grin. “I'm in.”

“We're going to bed.” Seth said, speaking for him and Thea.

“I'm down for another round.” Thea announced.

Seth turned to face her, a look of surprise in his eyes. What the hell is going through her head?