BILLIONAIRE'S UNINTENDED BRIDE

Chapter 69: The Nightclub Dilemma

Chapter 69: The Nightclub Dilemma

It had been several days since Luke and Sebastian's reunion, and their deep bond was undeniable, yet veiled by a shield of reticence. I could sense the undercurrents of unresolved issues in Sebastian – shadows of his mother's perceived favoritism and the scars from his time with his father. Luke, ever the confidant, shared snippets of these buried stories with me, revealing his attempts to bridge these troubled waters with Sebastian. But Sebastian, like a fortress, guarded himself against any incursion into the past, especially discussions involving his father.

Sebastian had seamlessly blended into Luke's life, almost as if he'd always been a part of it. His days were shrouded in vague errands, but nights found him invariably at the nightclub – a habit he'd cultivated since his arrival. It was a pattern punctuated by late-night calls to Luke, pleading for a ride home. Whenever Luke ventured into the territory of brotherly counsel, Sebastian would deflect, either by ignoring the advice or resurrecting the ghost of his mother's favoritism, a narrative Luke had tirelessly tried to debunk.

Today, the house felt emptier with Luke away on business. He had promised to return within a day, leaving me in a whirlwind of anticipation for our impending conversation about 'us.' My heart was a tumult of emotions – love for Luke that had never waned, coupled with uncertainty about his feelings for me. Although I had confessed the word 'I love you' he hadn't reciprocated with those three coveted words. His silence on the matter gnawed at me, a longing to hear him affirm his love, even though I knew his past made such expressions difficult for him.

As I spent the day in a daze, alternating between TV shows and books, Sebastian returned around 6 pm and began his nightly ritual of getting ready for the club. He tried to persuade me to join him, but my mind and heart were anchored to the forthcoming conversation with Luke.

"Come on, Emily, it'll be fun. Why sit here moping when you could be out having a blast?" Sebastian cajoled.

"I'm just not up for it tonight, Sebastian. I'm too wired about my talk with Luke. I can't think of anything else," I replied, my voice tinged with a mix of excitement and nerves.

Sebastian, persistent as ever, tried one last time. "Look, he won't be back for hours. Let's just go out for a bit. We'll be back long before he gets home. What do you say?"

Reluctantly, I agreed to Sebastian's request, establishing my boundaries firmly. "Fine, but I'm not drinking, and I'm definitely not dancing. I'm just your ride, and that's it," I asserted, my voice laced with a determination I hoped to maintain throughout the night.

As I prepared for our outing, I chose an outfit that was casual yet subtly captivating. Slipping into a form-fitting black dress, its simple elegance was in its snug embrace of my curves, the fabric gliding smoothly over my skin with each movement. Adding just a hint of gloss to my lips and a light sweep of mascara over my lashes, I completed the look, feeling a surge of confidence.

Descending the stairs, I found Sebastian waiting in the living room. His reaction to my appearance was immediate and unmistakable. His eyes widened slightly, revealing a flash of unguarded admiration. His jaw tensed, and I noticed his Adam's apple bob, a swallow betraying his momentary loss for words.

"Wow, Emily, you look... incredible," he managed to say, his voice a mix of surprise and awe.

Feeling suddenly self-conscious under the intensity of his gaze. "Don't look at me like that, Sebastian," I chided, trying to mask my discomfort.

He stepped closer, a playful smirk on his lips. "Like what, Emily?" he teased, his tone light yet charged with an undercurrent of something more.

I pushed him playfully, trying to ease the tension. "Just... let's go, okay? And stop ogling my ass," I retorted, half-joking, half-serious.

His laughter rang out, unapologetic and genuine. "I can't help it," he admitted, still chuckling as we headed out.

Sebastian drove us to the nightclub, his occasional glances in my direction. I returned his looks with a stern 'stop it' glare, trying to maintain the boundaries I had set.

The club was a whirlwind of sensory overload as we entered. The pulsating bass of the music, the dizzying array of lights, and the sea of bodies moving in sync created an atmosphere that was both overwhelming and intoxicating.

Sebastian, ever the charmer, was quickly swallowed up by the crowd, his magnetic presence drawing people to him effortlessly. Girls flocked around him, and he basked in their attention. I left him to it, making my way to the bar.

Settling at the bar, I ordered a non-alcoholic drink, the bartender nodding appreciatively. As I sipped my drink, my thoughts drifted to Luke. The anticipation of our conversation, the longing to hear him say those three words, filled me with a tumult of excitement and nerves.

Despite my desire for solitude, I found myself repeatedly approached by men offering drinks or a dance. I rebuffed their advances, my patience wearing thin. The club's allure and the attention I was drawing contrasted sharply with my inward focus.

Every beat of the music, every flash of the lights, seemed to tick down the minutes until Luke's return. It was a night of contradictions – out in the throng of the club, yet utterly alone with my thoughts.