The dining room was alive with laughter and conversation, the clinking of glasses and the hum of chatter filling the air. Ahicia had tried her best to join in, but the wine had loosened more than just her nerves. It had stirred memories she would rather forget and amplified emotions she couldn't fully control.
The moment came when it all felt too much—the noise, the attention, the weight of everything unspoken. Damian noticed her unease and stepped closer. "Where are you going?" he asked, his golden eyes searching hers.
"Just outside for some fresh air," Ahicia replied, attempting a casual tone despite the slight wobble in her voice.
"Let me escort you," Damian offered, his voice firm but gentle.
Ahicia shook her head quickly. "No, it's fine. I just need a moment alone."
He hesitated, his protective instincts evident. "Alright, but don't stay out too long," he finally said, his gaze lingering on her as she turned away.
Excusing herself quietly, she stepped outside, craving the solace of the cool night air.
Ahicia swayed slightly as she stepped outside, the cool night air hitting her like a gentle slap. Her head spun, the wine she had consumed at dinner doing its job a little too well. She leaned against the marble railing of the Moonlight estate's expansive terrace, inhaling deeply to steady herself.
The sky above was a canvas of stars, their soft glow casting a serene light over the garden below. It was beautiful, but Ahicia's mind was too clouded to appreciate it fully. She had needed the escape. The laughter and banter at dinner had been too much, the attention on her suffocating.
As she tilted her head back, trying to clear her thoughts, the sound of approaching footsteps broke her reverie. Turning unsteadily, she came face to face with someone she hadn't seen in years.
"Kelvin?" she whispered, her red eyes narrowing as they focused on the man standing a few feet away. He looked just as she remembered—sleek black hair, sharp features, and that smirk she had once found charming. Now, it only stirred a mix of anger and confusion.
"Ahicia," Kelvin Mitchell said, his tone smooth and casual as though they were old friends catching up.
She straightened, her initial surprise giving way to anger. "What are you doing here?" she demanded, her voice sharper than she intended.
Kelvin raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by her reaction. "I could ask you the same," he retorted. "But seeing as this is a family event, I suppose my presence makes more sense."
Her confusion deepened. "Family event?"
Kelvin's smirk widened. "Didn't Damian tell you? I'm here for my engagement."
The words hit her like a punch to the gut. She blinked, her mind racing. "Engagement?"
At that moment, a soft voice called out from the shadows. "Kelvin? Are you out here?"
A woman stepped into view, her presence as delicate as it was striking. She had chestnut-brown hair pulled into an elegant updo and soft hazel eyes that sparkled with warmth. She wore a flowing emerald-green dress that highlighted her graceful figure.
"Ah, there she is," Kelvin said, turning to the woman with a genuine smile. "Ahicia, meet my fiancée, Celeste."
Ahicia's mouth opened, then closed. For a moment, she could only stare. The realization made her stomach churn.
"It's nice to meet you," Celeste said, her voice kind as she extended a hand. "Kelvin has mentioned you before."
Ahicia forced a smile, though it felt brittle. She shook Celeste's hand, the gesture polite but devoid of warmth. "Likewise," she managed to say.
The awkward silence that followed was mercifully brief, as Damian's voice cut through the tension. "Ahicia?"
She turned to see him approaching, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as they landed on Kelvin. "Is everything alright?" he asked, his tone clipped.
"Of course," Kelvin said smoothly, though his smirk faltered slightly under Damian's scrutiny. "We were just catching up."
Damian stepped closer to Ahicia, his presence protective. "I'm sure you were," he said, his gaze never leaving Kelvin.
Celeste, sensing the tension, placed a hand on Kelvin's arm. "We should go back inside," she said softly. "Your parents were looking for us."
Kelvin hesitated, his eyes flicking between Damian and Ahicia before he nodded. "Of course," he said. "We'll see you inside."
As the couple disappeared into the house, Damian turned to Ahicia. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now.
She nodded, though the lump in her throat made it hard to speak. "I… I didn't expect to see him here," she admitted.
Damian's jaw tightened. "If he bothers you, let me know."
Ahicia managed a weak smile. "Thanks, but I can handle him."
They stood in silence for a moment, the night air heavy with unspoken words. Finally, Damian placed a hand on her shoulder, grounding her. "Come inside when you're ready," he said before turning and walking back toward the house.
Ahicia watched him go, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. Kelvin's reappearance had thrown her off balance, but it was Celeste's involvement that truly stung. She leaned against the railing again, taking another deep breath. She needed to pull herself together—the night was far from over.