Ethan
"Hi," I greeted almost breathlessly as his blue eyes looked into mine.
"Hi," he greeted back quietly then took a small step back when he realised he was a bit too close for his own personal comfort, "Congratulations on the promotion."
For a second I had no idea what he was talking about as I was completely entranced by his voice. It had been so long since I had heard it. Even though we had seen each other not that long ago, it still sounded so extremely foreign to my ears. I had not realised how much I had missed it until that very moment.
Sometimes, sneakily, I would watch his recent interviews online to remind myself how his voice sounded but the audio never did it justice. He never sounded the same or held the same emotion to his words. His British accent that was now influenced by a tinge of Russian and French from his years within the countries was almost melodic.
Demyan rarely raised his voice. He had always been soft spoken and very careful with his words. There was not one person I could compare to him because there could only ever be one.
"Thank you," I breathed out.
"Can we please get a picture?" One of the media outlets yelled so loudly that there was attention on just us as we stood awkwardly next to each other.
"Oh no-" I raised my hand to stop them but Demyan was quick to interrupt.
"It's alright, I don't mind," he softly smiled. "Let's just make it quick."
I nodded wordlessly and turned to face the tsunami of paparazzi. Demyan looked absolutely natural as the cameras flashed whilst I stood there not really knowing what to do with my body. A gush of wind passed by us which caused Demyan's sweet scent to creep into my nose.
It made my knees temporarily weak when I realised he still smelt like chocolates and vanilla ice cream. He had become a lot more masculine over the years but his scent always betrayed how he looked. Even the few tattoos he had contradicted the gentle soul he was or what I still hoped he was.
When the attention was off us, Demyan slipped past me to greet my parents and my brothers as they all happily hugged. A tinge of pain stung my heart, there was a time he would willingly throw himself in my arms without a hint of hesitance.
I looked down to the ground as I let out a sigh and finally moved into the hotel then was ushered to the ballroom where the party was taking place. I knew almost everyone in the large hall because I had worked with most of them. Everyone seemed extremely happy for me which helped me forget about the blonde curly haired man as he constantly caught my attention through the corner of my eye.
"Don't do it to yourself," Delunca; Uncle Marco's and Aunt Amanda's son, snickered as he handed me a wine glass.
"Do what?" I slightly glared at him as he noticed that I was staring at Demyan who patiently waited for a drink at the bar.
"Stare at him like that. You've touched that fire and you've burned yourself multiple times," he snickered as he took a sip of his champagne, "Plus he has a girlfriend now."
"I still find it hard to believe everything is as rosy as they make it seem," I rolled my eyes.
"Oh trust me it is," he shook his head and smiled, "Did you know he is moving back home?"
My ears perked up like a dog as I tried to suppress my shock, "Really?"
Delunca nodded, "Yes. Don't get excited, his girlfriend will be joining soon."
I had no idea if the wine had already started to hit my system or was it simple stupidity but I decided to completely ignore Delunca's warning and casually strolled over to Demyan without a second thought.
I tried to keep myself as unbothered as possible as I quickly took a gulp of my wine so my glass was empty then called over a bartender as I was a few inches away from Demyan. I asked for a quick refill as I pretended to not notice Demyan in hopes he would say something to me but just as I settled, he got served his drink and dandily walked away from me.
There was a small moment of panic as I looked at his retreating back but quickly turned around when he turned around to meet my eyes. He let out a sigh as he came back to the bar then called over the bartender, "I asked for a pineapple mojito. I think you got my order wrong."
"Oh sorry Sir, I'll make you another one," the bartender bashfully smiled before he got to work.
Demyan once again stood a few inches away from me and cast me a glance every once in a while as I stared at my now filled wine glass like it was the most interesting thing in the room. "Does it feel different knowing you're replacing Dad now?"
I looked at him with a small smile and shrugged, "I don't think anyone could replace your father. He has left me big shoes to fill."
He nodded, "Well I'm sure you're happy you finally got it. It's all you've ever wanted. You've sacrificed a lot for it."
I could tell in his words there was a hidden meaning in it and I was never one to bead around the bush, "You meant to say I sacrificed you for the title of CEO."
He let out a scoff as he rolled his eyes, "I don't think it was much of a sacrifice. Even, it seemed like less of a burden for you."
"You were never a burden on me," I frowned as I turned to fully face him.
A small fire burned in his eyes but he seemed to choose peace as he cast me a small smile, "Whatever you say Eth." He eventually got his drink and left just as quickly as he arrived.