𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐄

𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

𝐃𝐄𝐉𝐀 𝐕𝐔

I stood amidst the opulent grandeur of the gala, my outer demeanor elegant and composed. I wore a perfect attire, a tuxedo that spoke sophistication.

Oh, how I loathed all these gala affairs.

The superficial conversations, masked intentions, and the relentless schmoozing with potential business partners.

It was a charade, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was playing a role in a play I never auditioned for. I looked around at the sea of formal wear and practiced smiles.

All around me, people were engrossed in conversations that were either insencere or entirely about business. I yearned to escape, to be anywhere but here.

My thoughts, in a bitter rebellion against the event, wandered into the realm of imagined possibilities.

What if I could simply vanish from this pretentious gathering?

What if I could shed the façade of politeness and obligation, and take flight?

In the midst of these thoughts, as if destiny itself had sensed my silent plea, my attention was pulled to a most unexpected sight.

Teagan, radiant and graceful, was suddenly overcome.  I saw her start to sway, her normally vivacious eyes dimming as her strength failed her.

Time seemed to slow. Without a second thought, I leaped forward, my instincts taking control. I reached out, my arms catching her just as her knees buckled.

My heart raced as I held her. “Teagan,”

In that moment, the distaste I held for the gala and its meaningless façade faded into the background. All that mattered was Teagan.

The world might have spun on, but for me, it came to a standstill. The gala demanded my presence, but now it had given me a chance to be a guardian when it truly counted.

—

When I gradually regained consciousness, my surroundings were unfamiliar. I blinked my eyes open, adjusting to the dim light of the room.

My head throbbed with the echoes of my fainting spell. I tried to sit up but found myself lying down on a plush, unfamiliar bed.

“Where are we?” I asked groggily, turning my head to see Roux standing beside me.

Roux, who had been watching over me, offered a reassuring smile. “You’re in the private guest room. You passed out, Teagan.”

“Where’s Dacre? Is he okay?”

Roux’s expression grew solemn. “I’m not sure where Dacre is right now, but I’m sure he’s fine. He’s probably still occupied at the gala.”

“I need to find him, Roux.”

He placed a hand on my shoulder. “You should rest for now. Dacre will be fine. You’ve had quite an evening.”

—

I sat on the edge of the bed, a respectful distance away from Teagan. She didn’t mind my presence, giving a subtle nod to indicate I could sit there.

Minutes passed in a contemplative silence before I decided to break the ice.

“Teagan,” I began. “I want to understand a bit more about you and Dacre. How did you and Dacre meet?”

Teagan thought for a moment, her gaze drifting to a point in the room as she recounted the past.

“We met in Barcelona,” She began with a fond smile. “We were both there for a photography exhibition.”

“What was it about him that drew you to him?”

“His genuine kindness, and the way he made me feel so comfortable. It felt like I’d known him forever.”

I listened intently, my questions born of concern, and the need to piece together the mystery of her lost memories.

“It sounds like a beautiful beginning,” I commented, prodding further. “Was there something specific about him that stood out to you? A particular moment, maybe?”

Her eyes sparkled with remembered fondness. “The most magical moment happened later in Japan,”

“Continue,”

“It was spring, and the cherry blossoms were in full bloom. We were sitting under a majestic cherry blossom tree, surrounded by the delicate petals dancing in the wind,” She continued. “Dacre looked into my eyes, and with all the sincerity and love in the world, he asked me to be with him forever.”

—

As Dacre approached us, his eyes narrowed a subtle intensity. Our presence together was a tableau of unresolved histories. His strides were measured, a controlled façade veiling the storm brewing within.

Teagan intertwined her fingers with Dacre’s, attempting to steady him.

“What were you two doing in there?” His tone, though seemingly casual, carried an undercurrent of tension.

I smirked. “Merely helping my sister in law,” I replied.

His jaw tensed, his irritation escalating. “Helping her with what?”

Teagan, sensing the impending clash, stepped forward, her voice calm yet with an underlying plea. “I passed out. Roux was nearby, and helped me until I woke up. That’s all.”

His grip on Teagan tightened protectively as he shot a stern look at me. “She doesn’t need your help.”

I offered an insincere smile. “Help comes from unexpected places, Dacre.”

Dacre’s patience waned. “Let’s not play games, Roux. I appreciate your concern, but Teagan is my responsibility.”

My eyes held his in a silent standoff. “You can’t shield her from everything.”

“I can and I will.” He retorted firmly.

—

As I strode towards the exit, a hand on my shoulder halted my departure. I turned, expecting an inquiry from another guest about some business matters.

To my surprise, it was Margarette, the vivacious woman Teagan had caught me kissing years ago.

“Roux, darling!” Her voice was a sultry purr, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Leaving so soon?”

I smiled. “Just taking a breather, Margarette. You know how these events can be.”

She leaned in, her lips dangerously close to my ears. “I remember when you used to take breathers with a bit more flair,” She teased, a suggestive glint in her eyes as she pulled away.

I raised an eyebrow, acknowledging her implication with a subtle nod. “Those were different times,”

Margarette, undeterred, traced a finger along my lapel. “Still playing the obedient lapdog, Roux?”

“Some habits die hard.”

She chuckled, her laughter’s like a melody that cut through the ambient noise.

“Well, if you ever get tired of being on a leash, you know where to find me.” With that, she left a kiss on my cheek, leaving me momentarily stunned.

The playful banter, and the lingering kiss mark — it all felt huntingly familiar.

TO BE CONTINUED.