Seraphine

fifty three

Seraphine

Walking down the grand staircase in her dress and new white sneakers is a difficult process for Seraphine, given that her body is shaking so violently she thinks she might trip.

She tries to hush her nerves, repeating to herself that everything will be okay, and takes the stairs one at a time, very hesitantly. 

I can't remember the last time I was this nervous about something. Maybe about Derek, but this...this is different.

The moths in her stomach that usually flitted around whenever Derek was near have been replaced by beautiful butterflies, and Seraphine actually smiles at the feeling. 

It's so new, so...unafraid, that she can't help it. Living so long under Derek's watchful eye and tight grip has dimmed her perspective so much that everything feels twisted.

One thing is for sure, she thinks as she steps onto the floor and looks up towards the kitchen, where she knows four men are waiting for her. This feels right. 

Seraphine passes by the living room where she burned her clothes and smiles at the memory, now wanting to do the same thing to Derek. Hurt him, burn him, like he burned her. 

"Seraphine, darling, is that you?" Damien's voice calls from the kitchen, and Seraphine turns her head just in time to hear a chair scraping and footsteps sounding. She takes in a deep breath, but nothing could've prepared her for how attractive Damien Brummer is. 

He's changed from his earlier clothes, now wearing a dark blue button up that brings out his eyes. His black slacks hang over shiny black shoes, and Seraphine's mouth waters at the glint of a silver chain hidden beneath his shirt. His brown hair is gelled to look professional, though Seraphine notes she likes his bed head much more. 

She meets Damien at the entrance to the kitchen, and falters under his scrutinizing gaze. It travels up and down her body multiple times until she's standing directly in front of him, and she hears him take in a breath. 

"You're a vision, Seraphine." He lifts a hand, and Seraphine hesitates only a moment before placing hers in his, subjecting her knuckles to a gentle squeeze and a gentler kiss. 

Damien grins down at her before turning on his heel and leading her further into the kitchen, where she knows the other three await. 

She takes a deep breath, and then another, and then squeezes Damien's hand for good measure. 

He squeezes hers right back. 

"Gentlemen, let me present the darling Seraphine." Damien raises her hand above her head and steps to the side, revealing Seraphine to the other three professors. 

The three of them stand, and Seraphine has to hold tightly onto Damien in order not to fall over from sheer, overwhelming attraction. 

Enzo's lips are parted as he stares at her, his black curls falling over his green eyes and swaying with every breath he takes. He's wearing a forest green sweater over a white, collared button up, something he would wear to teach his class, and Seraphine smiles at him with familiarity. 

"You look beautiful, Seraphine," Enzo mumbles, and Seraphine bows her head before any of them can see her furious blush. 

Her head snaps up quickly, however, when Nico steps forward and takes her hand from Damien. He's grinning wolfishly down at her, and Seraphine raises an eyebrow as he lifts her hand, but she can't ask him anything before he suddenly spins her around quickly. Laughter tumbles out of Seraphine's mouth as she spins, showing the men the dress's missing back as well as the large bow right above her ass. 

Nico's hands settle on her waist as she finishes spinning, and he dips his head down before she can blink, kissing her cheek.

"You're exquisite, my dove," he murmurs, and Seraphine blushes harder. As Nico steps away, she admires the cherry red button up he's wearing, how it doesn't bring out his eyes like the other two but somehow seems so flattering. 

"Red's my color, hm?" He asks teasingly, one of his knuckles coming to lift Seraphine's chin. She nods once, her cheeks aflame, and Nico grins.

He steps back and sits down, and Luca moves in front of Seraphine next. 

Seraphine's breath hitches in her throat as he doesn't say anything, just simply stares at her. He seems to have gotten his fill of the dress, because his eyes don't move from her face. 

For a moment, she wonders if she should've put on makeup, but then--

"Enchanting, Seraphine." He says, almost like a prayer, and Seraphine can only blink as he reaches for her hands and rubs his thumbs along her knuckles. "Completely enchanting." 

Luca stares at her like she's the most compelling piece of artwork he's ever seen for a few more moments, making Seraphine's knees buckle, before he finally steps to the side and pulls out the chair at the head of the table for her. 

"Thank you, Luca." Seraphine finally speaks as she sits, still looking up at his steel gaze. She smiles when he does, and turns to the rest of her professors. "Thank all of you, for everything you've done today and...for this," she glances down at the table and blushes as she waves her hand above the table, and the professors chuckle. 

"Of course, Seraphine." Enzo says, grinning over at her from his place next to Nico. 

"Alright, are we ready to eat?" Damien claps his hands together, still standing, and Seraphine tilts her head to look back at him. 

"I think so," she offers, and the others chime in their enthusiasm. Damien grins and walks to the island, and Seraphine's eyes bug out of her head. 

There's a mountain of food prepared, and her head spins as she inhales deeply, catching the juicy steak, buttery potatoes, seared zucchini, and fresh cheesecake. 

"Oh my God," she gushes, ignoring the way Nico and Luca chuckle at her expression. Damien grabs a plate from the island and looks at her expectantly. Seraphine takes one more look at all of the food and breathes one word. "Everything." 

Damien nods his head once and beams as he piles food onto her plate--a little bit of everything, just like she asked. "That's my girl."