Destiny or Coincidence (AlanxJeff) VI

Under the moonlight

Jeff

"Thank you," I manage to murmur, still dazed by the intensity of the moment. His face lights up with a warm smile, dimples forming beautifully on his cheeks. I feel my heart start to race at the sight of that genuine expression.

"There are a lot of people, right?" he says, looking around nervously. There's a hint of shyness in his voice that surprises me.

I nod subtly, not knowing how to respond. My mind is clouded by the closeness of his presence. But he continues, not allowing the silence to settle between us. "Were you going to try the desserts? I was, too. Would you like to go together?" His smile becomes conspiratorial, as if inviting me into a little shared secret. "To be honest, I don't know anyone here," he adds, covering his mouth as if he's sharing something important.

I look at him cautiously, trying to figure him out. He's also here alone, like me. For some reason, that little detail makes me feel an inexplicable sense of relief and, somehow, happiness. I nod again, and together we head over to the dessert table, where the sweets are laid out like precious jewels.

"Oh! They look so pretty they don't seem real, right?" he comments as he looks at the delicate desserts, arranged like small works of art. "I'll be honest, I'm not a huge fan of sweets, but sometimes I do crave something with strawberries or chocolate, you know?"

"I love strawberries," I reply, focusing on the meticulous detail of the tarts. The hall is so crowded that we end up getting closer to the table. I feel his arm subtly wrap around me, shielding me from a push. His touch is firm yet gentle, like a momentary refuge in the middle of the chaos.

"How about I serve you something?" he suggests, picking up two small plates. "I think it might be safer."

I nod again, speechless, as he serves me with care. He'll definitely get bored soon with someone who only nods, I think, a slight blush creeping onto my cheeks. Yet, he keeps smiling, as if my company is enough. In no time, he has both plates filled. "With this, we'll try everything," he says with a triumphant smile that lights up his face. I feel a bit embarrassed; I've never been so shameless about food, but he doesn't seem to mind at all.

"I'll share another secret with you," he adds in a lower tone, leaning closer as if sharing something intimate. "I think I really only came to this party for this. The food looks really great." His eyes shine with sincerity, and my heart gives a little flutter.

I watch him as he talks, noticing every little detail of his expression: the way his lips curl when he smiles, the light that dances in his eyes when he laughs. Everything about him seems warm and inviting, and I can't help but wonder what someone like him is doing here.

With plates in hand, he invites me to follow him through some side corridors, hidden from everyone else's view. Each step echoes softly in the night, blending with the distant sound of waves crashing against the shore. "Can we be here?" I ask, a lump forming in my throat, feeling a mix of anxiety and excitement.

"Yes," he answers with a mischievous smile, those dimples appearing again. "A friend told me about these corridors. If we get here before everyone else finds a partner, the secret spot is ours."

"The secret spot?" I repeat, my curiosity growing, as we approach a beautiful hidden terrace.

The air is cooler here, and the sound of the sea becomes clearer, more present. The terrace is surrounded by flowers that seem to glow under the moonlight. The moon, full and majestic, rises high above, casting a soft, silver glow over the place. The whole setting feels wrapped in a veil of magic, like a stage set just for us.

"Here, we can eat in peace," he says with a warm smile that melts me a little more. We sit on a wooden bench near the edge of the terrace, with the view of the sea stretching beyond the horizon. The night is perfect, the starry sky a witness to our little bubble of tranquility.