Shadow Of The Heart: A Dance With Deception Duet

Moonlight

Sebastian stands there, a shy smile playing on his lips. He’s clad in a snug navy blue sweatshirt that accentuates his athletic build, paired with black jeans and sturdy combat boots. His dark hair is slicked back, and a hint of Sandalwood Colonel cologne lingers in the air, intoxicating and warm. In his hand, he cradles a single red rose, its petals velvety and perfect.

"I thought you might like it," he says, extending the flower toward me with a gentle urgency.

"I do, thank you," I reply, a mix of gratitude and teasing in my voice. "You really know how to win a girl over." I give him a shy, tentative smile, bringing the rose to my nose, inhaling its sweet fragrance. His lips curve into a cheeky grin, a spark of mischief lighting his eyes.

"What can I say? I'm too charming for my own good. I might yet win you over," he quips, his confidence radiating.

"Mmm," I hum, amused, feeling a flutter in my chest."Let's not get ahead of ourselves."

 He chuckles, the sound warm and inviting. He offers his hand to help me down the front steps, and I take it, feeling a sense of comfort."Oh, I wouldn't dream of it." 

As we reach the bottom, his hand finds its way to my lower back, guiding me toward the sleek passenger seat of his Bentley. He opens the door for me, a gentlemanly gesture that makes my heart race. Once we’re both settled, he starts the engine, and the soft notes of "Take Me to Church" by Hozier fill the car, wrapping us in a cocoon of familiarity.

I start humming along quietly, stealing glances at Sebastian, who seems lost in thought for a moment before turning to me. “So, do you know what everyone is doing? Has your father come up with any new strategies to help?”

He sighs, his expression turning serious. “Most of the town is down there now. I’m pretty sure there’ll be a search near the streams. But most of it will be at the fields; his family wants to say a few words, and hopefully, someone will find something.” He reaches over, giving my hand a comforting squeeze that sends warmth coursing through me.

"I’m really glad you let me pick you up, Delilah; I know the circumstances aren't the best," he says, a nervous laugh escaping him.

"But I’m really looking forward to spending some time together," he adds, flashing me a quick smile as we pull into the parking lot, the crowd of anxious faces coming into view.

"Me too; I’m glad to be here with you." I squeeze his hand gently before we step out of the car, a rush of uncertainty washing over me as I approach the large gathering. I can feel the weight of judgmental eyes before I even see them. Looking up, I catch Patricia’s glare, her expression a mix of disdain and amusement as Sebastian slips his arm around my shoulder. The other women around her whisper, their laughter ringing out like sharp needles.

"Ignore them, darling; they don't have a decent brain cell between them," he mutters, the words spilling out with a mix of frustration and humor. I can’t help but stifle a giggle, slapping my hand over my mouth to silence myself.

"I'm sure they have at least one," I reply, trying to keep the mood light.

"I really don’t know about that, darling." His eyes twinkle with mischief, drawing me in. Our laughter fades as we turn our attention to the front, where Sebastian’s father, Edward King, stands tall, commanding the crowd's attention. He bears a striking resemblance to Sebastian, with his prominent jawline and dark hair flecked with grey.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Edward's voice booms, resonating through the heavy air. “As you all know, the last few years have been very hard on our close-knit town.” He pauses, his words heavy with meaning. “With seven men now missing, it has put a strain on what was once a happy, thriving community. I hope tonight we can find some pieces of this puzzle. Good luck to all. Thank you, and God bless."

As he steps down from the microphone, he strides directly toward us, his face breaking into a warm smile. “Ah, son! Thanks for coming tonight, and you have the lovely—ah—” 

He stumbles over my name, and Sebastian jumps in, irritation flickering across his features. “Delilah, Dad! Remember Delilah,” he says, exasperation dripping from his tone. 

"Oh yes, the lovely Delilah!" he mumbles apologetically, but as his eyes roam my face, I catch a fleeting glimmer—a shadow lurking behind his recognition, something more sinister than mere forgetfulness. 

I smile sheepishly at both of them, desperately wishing I could slip away into the crowd. Thankfully, Seb senses my unease and deftly redirects the conversation. "Of course we'd be here, Dad, but we really should go explore the field; we want to contribute as much as we can. Let’s catch up later," he says abruptly, and as we begin to walk away, I can feel his father's gaze burning a hole in my back—a lingering weight that feels far too intense for comfort.

"How about we start on the outskirts of the fields, if that works for you?" Seb suggests, intertwining our fingers with a gentle squeeze. 

"That sounds perfect," I reply, trying to shake off the lingering tension. He leans down, nuzzling my hair and planting a quick, affectionate peck on my forehead. 

"That's my girl," he murmurs, his voice warm and reassuring. I try to ignore the fluttering in my stomach, the way my pulse quickens under his attention.

"I honestly have no idea what they expect us to find here," I muse, watching as he kicks at the dirt, sending a small cloud of dust into the air. 

"Neither do I, honestly," he chuckles, flashing that cheeky grin that always manages to make my heart skip a beat. "I just saw this as an opportunity to steal you away for a bit." I swat playfully at him, feeling the corners of my mouth lift in a reluctant smile.

"Now that's a joke if I ever heard one," I tease, but something shifts in his expression—a flicker of seriousness that catches me off guard.

"What if it’s not?" he counters, his voice dropping to a low murmur that sends a thrill through me.

"I don’t know why it’s so hard for you to accept that I like you, Delilah," he says softly, stepping closer until my back is pressed against the rough bark of an old, rotting tree. 

He towers over me, his intense gaze pinning me in place, and I can feel the air between us crackle with something electric. "I really, really like you, darling," he whispers, his breath warm against my skin. "Can you just accept that for me?" 

My heart races, a whirlwind of confusion and excitement coursing through me. I’m caught off guard, unsure of how to respond. 

"Give me a chance," he continues, his voice gentle yet pleading. "I know you’re still grieving for Kai. I know it won’t be easy, but please." His face hovers so close to mine, his lips tantalizingly near. 

Before I can find my voice to answer, he closes the distance, capturing my lips with his. The world around us fades, the sound of the search party buzzing in the background replaced by the rush of my heartbeat. In that moment, the weight of uncertainty lifts, leaving only the warmth of his kiss and the unspoken promise of something new.