𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄

𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐄𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐍

𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐆𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐑𝐘

The walls, painted a dark and somber gray, provided an austere backdrop to the room’s new furnishings.

The centerpiece of the room was undoubtedly the Newton’s Cradle that occupied my desk. Its chrome spheres swung gracefully, a solitary touch of whimsy amidst the office’s stark surroundings.

I sat behind my desk, my gaze fixated on the pendulum’s rhythmic dance. It was in this quiet contemplation that the door to my office swung open with an almost imperceptible creak.

The room’s muted lighting accentuated the entrance of the mysterious visitor, who was clad in a dark blue suit.

“Salvadore,” He called out my name with an air of confidence that hinted at prior acquaintance. Still immersed in the silent ballet of the Newton’s Cradle, I slowly turned my attention toward the stranger.

The room’s muted lighting accentuated the entrance of the mysterious visitor, who was clad in a dark blue suit. My brows furrowed in confusion as I couldn’t fathom how this man knew my name.

“What can I do for you?” I inquired, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. In response, the man extended a black card towards me.

The card, devoid of any color except for faint white lettering, bore the name ‘Alastair Montgomery.’ It was as cryptic as the man himself, a riddle in the form of a business card, waiting to be deciphered.

—

The restaurant exuded an air of rustic elegance. Dark wooden beams crisscrossed the ceiling, casting intricate shadows that played with soft, golden lighting.

Walls adorned with faux aged plaster displayed a curated collection of vintage Italian posters and art. Each table was meticulously set with white linen tablecloths and polished silverware, and the ambiance was filled with the soothing notes of Italian music.

Amidst this cozy setting, Dacre and I sat at a corner table, our conversation intimate amidst the restaurant’s muted chatter.

I leaned forward slightly. “Something unusual happened at the office today,” I began, taking a pause to gauge my brother’s reaction.

Dacre raised an eyebrow as he sipped from his glass of red wine. “Unusual in what way?” He asked, his curiosity piqued.

I reached into my suit pocket and retrieved a black card. The card was simple, bearing only a name, in faint white lettering. I slid it across the table to Dacre, who examined it with a mixture of surprise and intrigue.

His eyes widened imperceptibly as he read the name. “Montgomery,” He muttered, his mind racing to connect the dots. He glanced up at me. “Do you remember Montgomery?”

I shook my head, a furrow forming on my brow. “No, the name doesn’t ring a bell, but the man seemed familiar in a way I quite can’t explain.”

Dacre leaned back, taking another sip of wine, his expression contemplative. “He’s a business partner, but why would he visit us after all this time?”

“He didn’t say much, just handed me that card and left.”

—

“You know, I’ve been thinking about Teagan lately,” I sighed. “I just can’t shake the feeling that I might see her again.” He said wistfully, unaware that Teagan is a part of my present.

Maintaining the façade of a supportive brother, I offered a message as I raised my glass in silent toast. “We have to keep those who matter most hidden from even the closest of our allies.”

Roux stared at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

I continued to gaze at Roux, leaving the message deliberately vague and open to interpretation. “Perhaps, my dear brother, it’s best that some secrets remain hidden until the right time.”

—

With one eye still on my phone, I noticed my wife’s entrance but didn’t turn just yet. Her soft voice reached my ears.

“Who are you talking to?”

I closed the call with a finality that only came when my wife was present. “It’s nothing,” I murmured as I placed the phone on the table.

My wife was trying dresses for an upcoming event, and the way the fabrics embraced her lithe figure only served to accentuate her ethereal beauty.

I am a man who was no stranger to luxury, and I couldn’t help but be mesmerized by the elegance she exuded.

I stood up and approached her, gently tracing my fingers along the silk fabric of the dress. “Every dress you put looks exquisite on you,” I murmured. I swept a strand of her hair behind her ear, “You make them look even more beautiful.”

Her reflection in the full-length mirror showed a slight blush on her cheeks as she met my gaze. “You always know how to make me feel special,” She replied with a soft smile as her eyes locked with mine.

In that moment, the penthouse was filled with an unspoken connection, an intimacy that went beyond words. I reveled in the pleasure of having her near.

—

The restaurant was a vision of opulence and romance, with dimmed lights casting a soft, warm glow on the rich, dark wood furnishings, and plush crimson velvet drapes that adorned the walls.

Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, sparkling like stars in the night sky. The ambiance was one of intimate luxury, and it had been reserved entirely for my wife and I.

Teagan was a vision in red, her dress artfully hugging her curves in all the right places. The fabric cascaded gracefully to the floor, with a subtle slit that revealed just a hint of her elegant legs.

Her hair was styled to perfection, cascading in loose waves over her shoulders, and her eyes sparkled with excitement and love.

“Minha vida, have a seat,” Teagan gracefully accepted my hand, sinking into the chair before me. Her eyes, filled with affection and warmth, never left mine.

“You’ve truly outdone yourself tonight, Dacre,” She murmured, her fingers gently tracing the rim of her wine glass.

I took my own seat, my hands reaching out to clasp hers on the table. “I wanted this evening to be as exquisite as you are,” I replied. “I have a surprise for you, minha rainha.”

—

The musicians continued to fill the air with the heartfelt melody of Come What May, as I retrieved a small red box from my pocket.

I carefully opened the box to reveal a necklace that seemed as if it had captured the very essence of the night. It was an exquisite piece, crafted with a fine white gold chain, and a pendant that held a breathtaking emerald.

The emerald was a deep, rich green, like the lushes of forests, and it was surrounded by a halo of small, glistening diamonds that enhanced its natural beauty.

The pendant was a teardrop shape, elegantly designed to hang gracefully against Teagan’s collarbone. The moment the pendant caught the light, it radiated a mesmerizing play of colors from deep green to bright, sparkling facets.

I stood up from my seat, my eyes never leaving Teagan as I walked behind her. I carefully fastened the necklace around her neck.

“Feliz aniversário. Minha vida, this emerald is as precious as you are. Just like this emerald, you light up my life with your brilliance, and bring colors to my world that I never knew existed. Eu te amo.”

TO BE CONTINUED.