Annette lingered at the edges of the grand gathering, her presence like an unspoken secret that demanded to be revealed. The room was filled with low hums of conversations and the occasional burst of laughter. Beautiful diamond chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystals breaking into beams of golden light that seemed to be spilling across polished marble floors. Heavy crimson drapes framed tall windows blocking out the streaks of amber and gold that filtered through, casting an unearthy glow over the gathering. The scent of spiced wine and freshly cut roses lingered in the air, mingling with the faint tang of anticipation for something unkown , as though everyone present awaited some revelation or moment to unfold.
Annette's unearthly beauty was impossible to ignore, yet she seemed so indifferent to the attention she garnered. She stood apart, her posture both elegant and distant, like goddess was carved from marble. Her blonde hair shimmered as the dying sunlight caught it, cascading down her back in silken waves. She wore a dress of deep emerald silk that clung to her form, the fabric shimmering faintly with her every movement, and her ocean-green eyes scanned the room with intensity.
Her allure was magnetic; people stole glances at her, their gazes lingering a moment too long, but she remained unaware—or perhaps she didn't care for them because she was already scanning the large Hall for someone special. Men and women alike found themselves drawn to her, an inexplicable pull that seemed to defy their nature. Some tried to strike up conversations, but Annette would only nod politely, her attention always drifting, her thoughts elsewhere.
From her vantage point near the tall windows, she spotted Louis. He stood at the center of a small group, his warm laughter carrying over the soft strains of the string quartet playing in the corner. His brown eyes sparkled with mirth as he spoke, gesturing animatedly with a glass of champagne in hand. The sight of him made something twist deep within Annette—a sensation she neither welcomed nor understood. He was dashing as ever, his dark hair swept neatly back, his tailored suit a perfect fit that accentuated his strong frame. Yet it wasn't his appearance that captivated her; it was the way he carried himself, the way his smile seemed to light up the room.
And then there was Lily. The raven-haired beauty stood beside Louis, her soft, melodic laugh blending effortlessly with his. She was dressed in a pale lavender gown that seemed almost ethereal, her serene demeanor drawing people to her like moths to a flame. Annette's gaze lingered on the pair, her chest tightening as she watched Louis glance at Lily with an expression she had never seen before—an expression of adoration so unguarded it felt like a betrayal.
Annette's nails dug lightly into the delicate silk of her skirt as she fought to keep her composure. She could feel the weight of the room around her—the mingling of whispers, the flickering of candlelight, the faint clinking of glasses—but her focus remained fixed on Louis. She envied Lily's effortless grace, the way she seemed to move through the crowd as though she belonged to a different, purer world.
Yet beneath Annette's envy was a deepening suspicion. Her mind replayed every moment she had spent observing Lily, every soft smile and demure tilt of her head. Something about her seemed too perfect, too carefully constructed. Annette's lips pressed into a thin line as she watched Louis lean in to whisper something into Lily's ear, eliciting a shy smile that made her blood simmer.
From the moment Annette heard of Lily 's engagement to Louis, an unfamiliar pang shot through her heart—a mingling of jealousy and suspicion that she struggled to contain. It is only protective instinct, she told herself over and over again, but those words felt hollow, why did they feel so meaningless. Louis was a dear friend, someone who she had come to rely on for support and advice over the years, and she had grown accustomed to his affection, even if it was unspoken. The thought of him entwined with someone else—especially with Lily with her serene, almost too-perfect demeanor—was enough to make her pulse quicken in resentment.
She had seen her in a few social gathering at the time she thought of her as naive, innocent. Now these unwanted feelings awoke every mention of this woman, having her in a clear line of sight was such an eye sore. Her beauty was nothing short of what a goddess would look like. Her raven black hair, her lush pinkish lips, Annette shook her head trying to clear her thoughts.
What does she want with him? she wondered, eyes narrowing as she observed Lily 's graceful movements from across the room. Lily's s soft-spoken nature and reserved manner, which Louis seemed so drawn to, like a siren's song pulling him in deeper, this only intensified Annette 's suspicions. Beneath that placid exterior, Annette imagined something darker, some hidden motive that lay in wait, concealed behind that carefully constructed mask.
Everyone thought that her and Louis would end up becoming more than just good friends, rumors spread that they were lovers, Annette would just brush them off, knowing that Louis Green already had a one sided kind of love. But now seening his delusions becoming reality she wondered if she had done something differently maybe just maybe the things would have ended differently.
Annette let out a sigh, rubbing her head she thought of the day before the gathering.
A subtle breeze brushed past, carrying with it the faint scent of lavender from the nearby flowerbeds, this seemed to engrave itself into her memory for some reason, Louis looked at her with his familiar, warm gaze, oblivious to the tension in her chest and the war between her heart and mind.
"Are you truly certain about Lily?" she asked, her tone soft yet laced with a warning
and something else.
Louis smiled, his face brightening at the mention of his fiancée. "I am, Annette. Lily is... genuine, kind. She has a way of making me feel at ease."
Annette felt her heart sink. *Genuine*, he said, as though she were the very image of innocence. Louis couldn't see what Annette saw—a carefully crafted image, meant to charm and enchant. She looked away, her hands curling around the hem of her skirt as she forced a lightness into her tone.
"Perhaps," she replied, masking her disappointment with a faint smile. "But sometimes quiet manners can hide ambition. Are you certain she isn't seeking the… advantages that come with this marriage ?"
Louis laughed, a sound that only deepened her unease. "I believe Lily is incapable of such schemes. Besides, you worry too much, Annette. Surely you would wish me happiness?"
Annette swallowed, feeling her words catch in her throat. How could she wish him happiness with someone else? Her friendship with Louis had always been a delicate balance—a game of glances and unspoken moments. That's what she thought looking back at it now, but deep done she knew he loved Lily from the moment he saw her, but now, with Lily stepping into the center of his world, she felt the cracks widening, as though she might lose him entirely. She thought nothing would happen between the two and things would stay as they had been. But Louis suddenly sent a proposal to the Devereu family.
In the days that followed, Annette 's feelings continued to build, the war between her mind and heart was a losing one as both wanted the same thing. Every glance Lily's exchanges with Louis, no matter how small, every intimate smile she caught from across the room, stoked the fuelled and fostered her growing resentment. She began to search, almost obsessively, for signs of Lily 's deceit, small gestures or expressions that might reveal her true nature. It was a hopeless task, yet Annette could not seem to let go. Her thoughts trailed after Lily like shadows just waiting to hear the whispers of her soul, each suspicion sharpening her resolve.
As Annette stood there her thoughts were interrupted, an older gentleman approached her, a glass of wine in hand. "Miss Annette," he said with a warm smile, "you're a vision tonight. Tell me, why do you always stand apart from the crowd?"
Annette turned her gaze to him, her smile polite but distant. "Some enjoy observing more than participating," she replied, her voice soft but firm.
The man chuckled, nodding in agreement, but Annette's attention had already drifted back to Louis. She couldn't explain why the sight of him with Lily filled her with such unease. She told herself it was merely concern for her friend, but the lie felt hollow. Deep down, she knew the truth was far more complex and far more dangerous.
The gathering continued around her, a swirling mix of laughter, music, and golden light, but for Annette, the room might as well have been empty save for the two figures at its center.
I must protect him, she told herself, but the lie was too easy. Somewhere beneath her watchful exterior, hidden even from herself, lay another truth—one that tugged at her heart with each passing day, deepening her desperation to end this.