Diamond Tears | Book 2 of The Champagne Chronicles

F I V E - Beyond Midnight

The air in Café Lumière was thick with anticipation as the final touches were being added to the Halloween party. The café had been completely transformed—cobwebs draped over the lights, spooky carved pumpkins in every corner, and fake bats dangling from the ceiling. The smell of pumpkin spice and cinnamon lingered in the air, mixed with the scent of excitement.

Fenna, dressed in her long, black sorceress robes, was darting around the room, making sure everything was perfect. She had truly gone above and beyond, determined to make the night not only a great Halloween party but also an unforgettable 18th birthday celebration for Levi and Yves. She had wanted to throw them a separate birthday party, but with both her and Daphne working, she'd decided to combine the two events.

"Eighteen is special," Fenna had said earlier, arranging a final batch of snacks on the table. "It's not just any birthday. I want them to feel like tonight is all about them, even with the Halloween chaos."

Daphne, who was dressed as a vintage Hollywood starlet—complete with a silk black gown, pearls, and a chic curled hairstyle—watched her friend with a smile. "You've really outdone yourself, Fenna. This place looks amazing."

Fenna paused for a moment, grinning. "Thanks. I just want everything to be perfect for them. They deserve it."

Riley and Jérôme were helping too, adding the final decorations. Riley, in his vampire costume, looked effortlessly cool, his dark cape flowing as he moved, while Jérôme, in his Mad Hatter outfit—complete with a top hat and mismatched patterns—brought an eccentric flair to the event.

As they worked, there was a lightness in the air between Daphne and Riley. A playful energy crackled between them—every glance, every small touch felt charged with the unspoken tension. Riley would catch her eye as he adjusted some cobwebs, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. Daphne, pretending not to notice, would brush past him, her arm just grazing his, sending a shiver down her spine.

"You know," Riley said softly, leaning close as he adjusted a nearby decoration, "you're making it very hard to focus tonight, looking like that."

Daphne shot him a teasing smile. "Maybe you should try harder, then."

Before the playful banter could go any further, the doors to the café swung open, and the birthday boys arrived. Levi, dressed as a rockstar zombie, and Yves, as a pirate complete with an eyepatch and sword, entered the room to a round of cheers from the small crowd already gathered.

Levi's eyes widened as he took in the café. "No way," he muttered, clearly in awe of the effort Fenna had put into making the night special. He glanced at her, and without a second thought, crossed the room to her.

"Fenna, this is... incredible. I can't believe you did all of this for us," Levi said, his voice full of appreciation. He pulled her into a tight embrace, lifting her slightly off the ground before planting a soft kiss on her lips. "You're amazing."

Fenna laughed, her cheeks flushing with pride. "I wanted to make sure it was a night you wouldn't forget. You only turn 18 once."

Yves joined them, slinging an arm around Levi's shoulder. "Yeah, thanks, Fenna. Now we can officially get drunk... legally." He winked, making both Fenna and Levi laugh.

Despite the festive atmosphere and it being both a birthday and a holiday celebration, Fenna and Daphne still had work to do. They slipped behind the bar, their costumes looking slightly out of place as they poured drinks and took orders. The café was slowly filling with students, and the Halloween party was officially in full swing.

As Daphne worked, she couldn't help but be aware of Riley's presence. He was never far, always watching her with that familiar intensity, his smirks and glances making her pulse quicken. There was a playful, romantic tension simmering between them, something that had been building for days. Every time their eyes met, it felt like the temperature in the room rose a little higher.