As The Light Flicker

Umpisa

The soft clinking of wine glasses and the low hum of a piano filled the air like velvet... rich, warm, and just the right kind of expensive. Nasa pinakataas kaming floor ng isang hotel restaurant na may glass walls overlooking the city. Everything sparkled, like the night was wrapped in gold and promise.

I looked like I belonged here.

Wearing a satin midi dress in deep wine red, my neckline soft and square, my hair in a low bun with loose strands framing my face... I looked... composed. My pearl earrings glinted every time I moved my head. Classic. Elegant. The kind of look na pang front row, pang-feature sa magazine. Lucas liked it that way.

"You're quiet," he said, slicing his steak with precision, not even glancing at me.

I smiled softly. "Just... taking it all in."

His eyes flicked to mine for half a second, then to my plate. "You barely touched your food."

And just like that, my stomach tightened.

Wrong again, Kate.

"Sorry," I whispered. I picked up my fork and forced a bite, chewing slowly.

Lucas didn't like it when I left things untouched. He once said it was wasteful. He once told me it made me look "high-maintenance."

I swallowed hard... not the food, but the tension. And smiled again.

He leaned back, one arm casually draped over the chair, sipping his red wine. He looked like a prince in a dark green button-down and gold watch, clean and sharp and put-together. We probably looked perfect together... his hand occasionally resting on the small of my back, my laughter coming out in soft, practiced waves.

To anyone watching, we were it. Power couple. Perfect date. Beautiful people in a beautiful place.

But pretty things can be dangerous. Especially when they come with quiet rules you never agreed to, and expectations you never signed up for.

The waiter approached and refilled our glasses.

Lucas nodded once, then looked at me again, this time longer. "You didn't call me earlier."

That made me freeze for a second.

"I was busy with org work," I replied, too quickly. "I'm sorry."

His jaw tensed just a little. "You always say that."

I nodded. I lowered my eyes. Lowering my gaze had become a habit lately.

And again, to anyone else in the room, we looked so good together.

But no one could see how it felt to sit across someone who could burn you with a single stare. No one could hear the way I held my breath between words, trying to say just enough... never too much.

My fingers tightened around my wine glass. I caught a glimpse of my reflection on the restaurant's mirrored panel across the room.

I look beautiful. I look happy.

But looks can lie.

And in that moment, I wished I was anywhere else. Anywhere he wasn't.

The elevator was lined with mirrors. Gold-framed, sleek, and cruel.

I stared at my reflection as we descended, forcing my shoulders to relax.

He's just tired, I told myself. Probably stressed sa training.

I smoothed my dress down with my palms, fixing the wrinkles sa gilid ng tiyan. Parang kailangan kong ayusin ang kahit anong kaya kong kontrolin. My lipstick was still intact. My earrings still matched. My heels weren't loud, just the right rhythm sa marble floor.