Sara walked with an effortless confidence, as if the marble beneath her heels was just another familiar floor. She kept pace beside Savana, who greeted people left and right—never staying long, just brushing through the crowd like a breeze scented with wealth and charm. Her presence was magnetic, but uncommitted.
"So, what do you do?" Savana asked casually, her voice soft and curious.
"I'm a private swimming instructor," Sara replied, keeping her tone even.
Savana turned to glance at her, surprise flashing across her flawless features. "Really? That's so fascinating. But are you… good at it?"
Sara paused, her lips pressing briefly together."Yeah. Kind of," she said, the humility in her voice almost betraying the years of discipline behind it.
Savana smiled wide. "I'd love to see you swim someday. I admire women who know how to do things. Makes them more... interesting."
Sara gave a short nod, not quite sure how to respond to that.
They had been weaving deeper into the hall, and now Savana came to a stop before a tight circle of sharply dressed men. Every suit was tailored, every face solemn—these were men who moved money, made decisions, and knew power like second nature. The air shifted subtly, heavier somehow.
Sara instinctively slowed her steps, something in her gut tightening.
But Savana didn't notice—or didn't care. She tugged her along, smiling broadly as she spoke louder than necessary."Dad! Meet my new friend, Sara!"
The circle parted slightly as one of the men turned. He wore a charcoal suit so perfectly pressed it seemed sculpted on him. A heavy, neatly groomed beard framed his sharp jaw. His eyes were dark, shrewd, and his thick brows gave him a natural sternness that was intimidating on its own.
He turned slowly from the man he'd been speaking to, gaze landing on Savana with fondness—and then shifted to Sara.
Sara wanted to disappear.
But then… the unexpected happened. The man's features softened. Just a little, but enough to notice. "Pleased to meet you Sara. I am Jacob," He pulled his hand out for her to take and Sara did so.
"I don't believe I've seen you here before," he said in a voice that was deep and calm. "I hope my daughter didn't drag you into too much trouble. She tends to be a bit… quick to befriend."
Sara blinked, caught off guard. "Not at all. She's been very kind," she replied politely.
He nodded once, then let go of her and blinked smilign ever so briefly and her gaze shifted ever so slightly from him and her eyes caught a figure behind him. Just a shadow at first, barely visible between shoulders.
But she knew.
Even in half-light, even without seeing his full face—she knew.
Augustine.
Her breath hitched. Her eyebrows drew together in confusion.
Why is he here?
She hadn't expected to see him again. And for some reason he was appearing everywhere now.
He was talking to someone in all seriousness and the man seemed very interested in him and for a brief moment his gaze shifted—and landed on her.
Their eyes locked.
The noise of the room—the clinking glasses, the murmured conversations, Savana speaking at her side—it all melted into a dull, distant hum.
He looked at her the way one might look at an unwelcome ghost. Cold. Surprised. Not at all pleased.
Sara's breath slowed. Her chest felt tight.
His expression didn't change. Just that frozen glare, like he couldn't decide if she was real or a mistake.
Her hand clenched slightly at her side.
Then, with a sudden flick of fingers in front of her face, Savana broke the moment."Hey?" she said, laughing. "Did I lose you already?"
Sara startled, blinking away the stare. She looked at Savana and smiled—awkwardly, but with effort.
"Sorry. I just zoned out for a second," she said.
She glanced once more toward where Augustine stood—but he had already turned away.
Sara bit down on her lip, her brows tightening ever so slightly as frustration stirred in her chest.
But then, a light tap on her shoulder startled her.
Before she could fully turn, Elijah's hand caught hers. "Come," he whispered, not loud enough for anyone else to hear, and he gently but firmly pulled her away. Savana, deep in conversation with her father, didn't notice the slip.
Sara followed without protest, slipping between small groups of glittering guests and polished conversations until Elijah led her to the center of the room.
The dance floor.
It was a wide, gleaming expanse of polished marble, empty now, spotlit gently from above. Music had not yet begun, but the hush around them said it would, any second.
He turned to her at last, his face lit with a boyish grin.
"I wanted the first dance to be with you," he said softly.
And just like that, her heart did that annoying flutter again.
There was something in the way he said it—gentle, sure, like it wasn't even a question but something obvious and simple.
He extended his hand, and she took it.
Their fingers intertwined naturally, and he pulled her closer, his other hand resting at her waist. The moment their bodies aligned, a soft swell of music floated into the air—elegant, slow, dreamy.
Elijah's gaze was fixed on her.
Sara, a little breathless from the intimacy, couldn't meet his eyes. She looked down, focusing instead on the rhythm, the ground, anything.
He chuckled lightly, a sound that was more warmth than amusement."Why won't you look at me?" he asked gently. "Did Savana say something? Something that made you uncomfortable about me?"
Sara's head lifted in surprise. "No—no, not at all. She's actually really sweet. Very warm."
He nodded, twirling her slowly, then drawing her back again, his hand resting more confidently on her back now.
"She is sweet. We were best friends, once. But things changed when our parents got involved," he said, his voice quieter now, more thoughtful. "When they decided we should get married, it kind of… ruined everything. You can't really go back after that."
Sara blinked, unsure what to say. "I didn't know you were that close."
"We were." His smile faded just slightly. "But there's always that… awkwardness now. Even if we don't end up going through with it—which I doubt we will—things between us aren't the same. Some business deals sound perfect today and fall apart by next week. That's how this feels."
"That's… really sad," she said honestly.
He looked at her, then leaned in a little, as if anchoring himself to her eyes."Can we not talk about that right now?" he murmured. "I just want to enjoy this. You. This moment." he looked a bit uncomfortable and she didn't want it to become awkward.
Sara didn't respond with words—she just nodded,