Angelica stood frozen and transfixed, her mind wrapped in a haze of shock and her eyes staring aghast and in disbelief at the figure before her.
She would have believed he was something out of her imagination if it wasn't that shared look of surprise they both had on their faces.
How...how was he standing there in the Priestly Manor, staring at her and—
Her gaze shifted to Miranda's fiance who was still holding on to her hand, utterly gripped in his own web of shock, and then it all came together.
She had met him before. Nicholas Ross — closest person Sebastian had to a friend, and his attorney.
He was there at her wedding, and he had played the role of the best man. He had barely spoken to her. And that, she believed, had been because of Sebastian.
How could she have—
"Please excuse me, I have to— I need the... rest room." She rambled and yanked off her hand, hurrying towards the hallway, which she believed led to the guest restroom, in a flight. She needed a different space, and she needed it fast.
Her heels clacked hard and fast against the tiles as she made a run for solitude. Pushing through the door she remembered as the restroom, she slammed it shut and backed her body against the door for support.
"Oh my God," she whispered, her voice in a raspy shake, heavy beats of her heart thundering in her head like an ancient gong. Her palms suddenly became shaky and clammy with nerves.
How was this possible? How could she not have known, even remembered? Nicholas Ross. The name, the face.
Sebastian. Her fingers instinctively wrapped the knob for control.
"My God," she took in another shaky breath.
She had not seen this coming, neither was she prepared for it — prepared to see him, especially while planning the wedding of Nicholas, where he'd probably be the best man.
A knot quickly formed in her stomach. The look on his face speared through her mind. He looked just as surprised as she was. He seemed to have grown a bit taller. Or maybe not taller, but more fit. He looked more wiry, but his blue eyes were just the same. A bright sea blue.
What was she thinking? Mortified by her thoughts, she walked towards the wash basin.
"Control, Angelica. It's... it's just Sebastian." She muttered, but only it wasn't. She had been found, and there were other things she feared might also be discovered.
She had always known their paths would cross someday, but what she hadn't expected was for it be this soon. She sighed when she realized she had left her phone. She would have called Adele. She needed to talk to her.
Gripping firmly to the edge of the wash basin, she peered at herself through the mirror. With her heart thumping wildly behind her chest, she drew in a deep breath. It was embarrassing to know she could still feel such strong emotions, such fear simply because of Sebastian.
And it was even more embarrassing to know how quickly she had run, but she was going to stay calm and think.
"Think, Angelica." She beckoned to herself.
First, she would sit through that meeting, and after that...after that, she didn't know. But first, she had to be calm.
Drawing in a few more breaths, she checked her face one last time through the mirror, dabbed it dry and stepped out of the bathroom. She walked back to the sitting room and there she found Sebastian still standing, but not at the spot she had left him.
He stood beside a couch, his eyes staring. Angelica wasn't negligent of the gazes fixed on her, but with all sheer will and power, she managed a smile and apologized, "I'm sorry I had to excuse myself, I needed the bathroom." She calmly explained, her eyes staring solely at Miranda and her mom, even though she could feel the bore of his gaze on her.
"It's okay, dear. I completely understand." Mrs Priestly said, and Angelica wasn't certain if she did.
She tried to gauge her countenance as well as that of Miranda's to know what they thought or knew about the situation. But regardless of impressions, she wasn't going to lose this job. At least not yet.
She wasn't certain.
Ignoring the akwardness, she lowered herself to her seat and picked up her tablet before glancing towards Nick who was sitting beside Miranda with the strangest look in his eyes.
"Here are all the ideas we've put together, Mr Ross. Miss Miranda and I thought about an amazing vintage themed wedding and we believe you would like it," She handed the tablet to Nicholas who slowly received it.
She caught a glimpse of Sebastian finally taking his seat, but she could still feel the stroke of his gaze on her.
He was non-existent, she told herself as she tried to keep all focus and thought on her job. But it was almost impossible, knowing his gaze was on her.
But determined and with great difficulty she scaled through. With great effort she managed herself and handled her meeting with professionalism - a subtle show to Sebastian that she wasn't the same person she was four years ago.
Yes, she had changed. She had evolved. She was now confident and more in control of her life. But despite knowing this her heart was still galloping like a stallion on a race.
As she closed her tab and concluded her meeting with Nicholas and the Priestly's, all she could think of was the flight to her car, and her uninterrupted escape from there.
"Thank you very much, Mr Ross, Mrs Priestly, Miranda." She rose to her feet, the others following in suit. "I'll effect the changes and make the necessary calls as soon as possible."
"Yes, I..." Nicholas cast a quick glance at Sebastian, who was also on his feet and looking at Angelica. "I should be thanking you. I pretty much like everything."
Angelica flashed him a smile and nodded. "That's the motto of my company, giving our clients the best of their dream wedding. I'm glad you're satisfied with us. Now if you would excuse me." Her lips still curved up in a smile, she turned towards the door, completely ignoring Sebastian.
His gaze followed her till she stepped out the door.
"Okay, what is going on? Can someone tell us already?" Miranda asked, shifting her gaze between Nicholas and Sebastian.
"I'll explain later, babe." He pecked her cheek and looked towards Sebastian, who was staring at them, but struck with shock.
"Don't just stand there. Do something." He said. But what? Sebastian mused. He simply couldn't just go after her and demand that they talk. He didn't- he trailed off.
Not once had he ever felt so lost or confused and scared of what to do. But somehow, Angelica had a way of stirring some helplessness in him, whether she was absent or present.
Stuck in a space for a while, he started striding towards the door, his feet in a haste and his heart...unexpectedly anxious.
"Angelica, wait!" He called out to her.