Delphine interrupted Ethan to ask him an important question she couldn't contain anymore.
She looked earnestly at him, but deep down she already knew the answer..
"Wait, Ethan" she interjected, her voice quivering slightly.
"I have to know, was it all a coincidence when we met at the party? Or were you intentionally trying to approach me?"
Ethan's gaze met hers and his expression softened.
"I have to admit" he confessed "Our meeting was not a coincidence. I only was there to talk you.
But I didn't know how to approach you without scaring you and I waited for you to come to me."
he replied sincerely.
"What about the bakery and the train?" she asked, feeling a bit uncomfortable.
"Of course it was not a coincidence, I hoped to find you alone during those instances but it didn't happen. And I didn't want to scare you anyway."
Delphine's heart skipped a beat as the realization settled in.
The meeting she had brushed off as mere chance had held a deeper meaning.
Her mind raced, recalling how she had hurriedly returned to Dorian's motorcycle at the bakery and how the bus had been filled with passengers, leaving no space for him to start a conversation.
A mix of emotions washed over her—a blend of surprise, curiosity, and a hint of embarrassment.
She had unknowingly thwarted Ethan's attempts to reach out to her, unintentionally obstructing the path that would lead her to the truth about her heritage.
"Now can I ask you why you approached me first even though you didn't know me? Did you think that I'm handsome?" Ethan giggled, knowing that it would embarrass her.
Delphine's face flushed and an embarrassed smile lit up her face.
"No, no! I mean, it has nothing to do..." she tried to explain.
He immediately stopped her and interjected "I know, I'm teasing you. You just recognised me and asked".
Delphine was so embarrassed she didn't know what to say anymore.
"Anything else? You want to ask me, I mean" Ethan insisted, hoping that it would help her leaving the embarrassment aside.
She thought for a few seconds and Ethan waited for her next question.
"And what about you being a student at my school?" Delphine asked. "Was that also a lie?"
Ethan met her gaze directly again, his honesty unwavering.
"Yes, I'm afraid so" he replied with a sigh.
"I couldn't possibly be a student at your school. It was the easiest way to talk to you at the party. If I didn't say that you would have suspected something and left..." he added.
Delphine's mind struggled to process the revelation.
"Okay, okay. hen… why did you run away that day?" she finally asked.
Actually, that was the thing that interested her the most.
Ethan's expression turned somber as he met her gaze.
"Delphine, you must understand" he began, his voice tinged with a touch of sadness "I don't usually look like this. I'm not a human without using a spell. When water touches me, the spell breaks and I... I become what I actually am. It's a transformation I have little control over. I must immediately dry myself."
Delphine's eyes widened in astonishment and she tried to comprehend the implications of Ethan's revelation.
She quickly absorbed the truth and felt a rush of empathy and understanding wash over her.
She realized the immense weight Ethan must have carried, the challenges he faced in navigating a world where his true nature could easily be exposed just to find and meet her.
She realised how he must have felt every time he tried to talk to her and didn't manage to do it because of the circumstances and had to keep finding new ones.
Then she inquired "Ethan, I'm genuinely curious, how did you pull off joining our school party? It seemed like such a daring move."
Ethan acknowledged what she said. "You're absolutely right, Delphine. It was very risky, but I thought it was the only way I could have a chance to talk with you without making you feel uncomfortable."
Delphine's smile widened as she responded "I find it hard to believe that you took such a chance just to talk to me."
Returning her smile, Ethan simply replied "I had to".
Curiosity still lingering, Delphine pressed on, asking "But how did you manage it? Joining a school party, pretending to be a student when actual students were there and no one knew you..."
Ethan chuckled softly before responding "Indeed, it was quite a challenge. I had to find a way to blend in and look like the others, to become a part of the crowd without raising any suspicion. I had to observe and study how students interacted, hoping to fit in naturally. And I think I did it."
With a hesitant smile, Delphine mustered the courage to ask another question that had been lingering in her mind since he told her about the spell to look like a human.
"Ethan, I hope I'm not offending you by asking, but... is this how you actually look? Or is it just the way you present yourself here on Earth?"
Ethan chuckled warmly, dispelling any concerns she had about offending him.
He thought that it was a funny question.
"No, Delphine, you're not offending me at all" he reassured her.
"This is how I truly appear. The only difference lies in my legs. Of course they only look like this on Earth and that's the part that the spell affects."
Delphine's eyes widened with wonder as she took in Ethan's explanation.
She hadn't even think about the existence of such spells, or of spells at all.
She marveled at the thought of Ethan, his upper body reminiscent of a human, while his lower half transformed into a majestic tail that allowed him to navigate the depths of the ocean with grace.
The image painted a picture of ethereal beauty, a fusion of two worlds embodied within a single being.
"I find it utterly fascinating" Delphine admitted with sincere admiration.
"To be able to do something like that... it's so fascinating."
As Delphine and Ethan immersed themselves in their conversation, their connection grew stronger
However, their moment of tranquility was abruptly interrupted by the buzzing of Delphine's phone, jolting them back to reality.
She quickly looked at the screen to find a message from Dorian, telling her that they could meet in twenty minutes.
Apologizing, Delphine turned her attention back to Ethan. "I'm sorry, Ethan. It seems I have to meet someone, but I would love to continue our conversation another day, just like we did before."
Ethan nodded understandingly.
"I completely understand, Delphine. It's a good thing, our discussions are long and hard for you. We'll arrange another meeting. I can't wait to share more with you."
With an eager smile, Delphine replied "I feel the same way, Ethan. I'll message you and we'll arrange our next meeting soon."
They wished each other a good evening and then Delphine left.
She mounted her bike, the thought of her next meeting with Dorian mixing with the remnants of her conversation with Ethan.
She rode towards the dock when the setting sun painted the sky in a mesmerizing tapestry of colors.
The horizon had traces of orange, soft pink, and hints of purple, casting a warm glow over the calm waters.
The golden sunlight danced on the rippling waves, creating a picturesque backdrop for Delphine's journey.
As she pedaled, the sun descended further, casting elongated shadows that stretched across the dock.
Delphine's heart quickened while she she approaching the meeting spot.
She slowed her bike to a stop, taking a moment to absorb the enchanting scene before her.
The sun, now a mere sliver above the horizon, painted the sky with its final strokes of brilliance.
Then, her gaze swept across the dock, searching for the familiar figure of Dorian.
She kept approaching and then her eyes fell upon him, sitting comfortably near the edge, basking in the evening glow.
Dorian, with his Mediterranean looked, had a charm that perfectly fitted with the summer ambiance.
His tanned skin, already kissed by the sun, spoke of days spent outdoors on his boat, enjoying the warmth of the season.
The gentle breeze tousled his brown hair, adding a touch of wildness to his otherwise refined appearance.
He sat there, at ease in the quiet setting.
A pair of sleek sunglasses shielded his eyes, leaving an air of mystery.
The sunlight played upon his face, accentuating the strong lines of his features, while his relaxed posture exuded an innate confidence.
Delphine made her way towards him, her steps tinged with a bit of anxiety for what was going to happen.
The weight of the things she had to share weighed upon her heart.
Her mind ready buzzed with thoughts of the conversation that lay ahead.
The bond she shared with Dorian was strong, built on trust and shared experiences, yet what was going to happen in a matter of a few minutes threatened to challenge that foundation.
As she closed the distance between them, Delphine's smile masked the unease she felt deep within.
She didn't know how to ask him to cover her lies, because she had to reveal that she had lied to him too.
She hoped that it wouldn't ruin their friendship, as she needed the support and understanding that only Dorian could provide.