Lovers Of The Night

16: A Moment of longing

Chapter 16: A Moment of Longing

Alone in her room, Odette reached for a picture frame on her bedside table. It was a photograph of her and her mother, smiling and happy. The picture was old, the edges slightly faded, but it was one of her most treasured possessions.

As she looked at the picture, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. She missed her mother, missed her warmth, her laughter, her guidance. Her mother had always been her rock, her source of comfort. And now, when she needed her the most, she wasn't there.

Tears welled up in her eyes as she traced her fingers over the picture. "Mom," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "I miss you."

She clung to the picture, her tears falling onto the glass. She wished her mother was there with her, wished she could hold her, talk to her. But all she had was this picture, this memory of a happier time.

As she sat there, crying quietly, she felt a sense of determination. She would face this, would stand up to the man who was after her. She would do it for her mother, would make her proud. And with that thought, she wiped her tears, her gaze hardening. She was ready to face whatever was coming.

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In the silence of her room, Odette began to sing. It was a soft, gentle melody, a lullaby her mother used to sing to her when she was a baby. The song was soothing, filled with love and warmth. It was a piece of her mother she carried with her, a piece of her past.

As the melody filled the room, Tom, who was passing by, stopped in his tracks. The song was beautiful, filled with emotion. He recognized it as the one Odette's mother used to sing, the one Odette often hummed when she was lost in thought.

He leaned against the door, his heart aching as he listened to her sing. He could hear the longing in her voice, could feel the love she held for her mother. It was a moment of vulnerability, a moment of raw emotion.

As he stood there, listening to her sing, he felt a sense of admiration for her. Despite everything she was going through, she was still standing strong, still fighting. And he knew, without a doubt, that he would do everything in his power to protect her, to keep her safe. Because she was not just his friend, she was his family. And he would fight for his family.

As Odette's song came to an end, she turned around, her eyes meeting Tom's. She hadn't realized he was there, hadn't realized he had been listening. She felt a blush creep up her cheeks, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Tom," she stammered, her voice shaky. "I didn't know you were there."

Tom gave her a small smile, his gaze soft. "I didn't mean to intrude," he said, his voice gentle. "Your song... it's beautiful, Odette."

Odette looked down, her cheeks burning. She wasn't used to singing in front of others, wasn't used to being the center of attention. "Thank you, Tom," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

There was a moment of silence, a comfortable quietness that filled the room. Tom didn't say anything else, didn't want to embarrass her further. He simply stood there, his gaze filled with admiration. And in that moment, Odette felt a sense of comfort, a sense of acceptance. She knew she could be herself around Tom, knew he wouldn't judge her. And that made her feel a little less shy, a little more brave.

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After their moment of shared silence, Odette cleared her throat, breaking the quietness. "Tom," she began, her voice steady. "Could you go downstairs and check on something for me?"

Before Tom could respond, he reached out and gently took her hand, causing her to pause. His touch was warm, comforting. "Odette," he said, his gaze meeting hers. "Before I go, there's something I wanted to ask you."

Odette looked at him, curiosity sparking in her eyes. "What is it, Tom?"

Tom took a deep breath, his gaze steady. "Bill's birthday is coming up," he said, his voice calm. "And we're planning a small party for him. I was wondering... would you like to join us?"

Odette blinked, taken aback by the sudden invitation. She hadn't expected this, hadn't anticipated being included in their plans. But as she looked into Tom's eyes, she saw sincerity, saw warmth. And she knew, without a doubt, that she wanted to be a part of this, wanted to celebrate with them.

"I'd love to, Tom," she said, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Thank you for inviting me."