The soft amber hue of Wednesday's sunset bathes my room. Holding my journal tight, memories of James swirl in my thoughts.
That intense gaze, the smirk that seemed to ask, "What's your next move?"
But he's no longer here to challenge me. It's been nine years since he left, teaching me the profound value of life.
I glance at the clock; it's nearing six. Tonight is the grand opening of the restaurant owned by James's brother. I slip into a sleek black dress that hugs every curve. Stray strands of hair fall onto my face as I gather the rest into a loose bun. A golden necklace rests gracefully on my collarbone, and the bold red lipstick gives me a renewed sense of confidence.
Balancing on one foot, I slip on my heel and catch my reflection. I had pictured Noah accompanying me, but tonight, it's Dave and Emma.
Emma's gaze sweeps over me, "Ready?"
I nod. "Absolutely."
Dave's frown deepens, worry evident in his eyes.
"How did you end up in this mess again?"
Before I can respond, Emma nudges Dave sharply. "Tonight's about honoring James."
He grimaces but persists, "I can't stand seeing you get hurt. Especially not by someone like Noah Cloud."
"I saw it coming," I reply with a shrug, "It hurts less that way."
Dave wraps me in a comforting hug.
"Steph, you deserve so much better."
Emma, unable to contain her curiosity, asks, "This Charles you mentioned... Is he as terrifying as they claim?"
"Terrifying?" I chuckle, "quite the opposite. He's kind-hearted."
"But the tales about his ex, his father...?"
"Just rumors," I retort, a hint of edge in my tone, "and when have we ever taken gossip at face value?"
Emma zips her jacket, her annoyance palpable.
"All I'm saying is, while Noah might be trouble, Charles sounds like a whole other level of danger."
Dave murmurs, "She's just on edge. Something about Xander needing a break."
I exhale deeply, watching the door Emma stormed out of.
"Tonight, Dave, I just want to remember James."
♡♡♡
The gentle rhythm of jazz enveloped us as we entered the restaurant. Laughter echoed, and the sound of cutlery meeting plates created a lively ambiance. Amidst the crowd, a tall man in a dark blue suit stood out. Engaged in conversation, his infectious smile seemed to magnetize the room.
Gabriel's deep blue eyes, both intense and attentive, appeared to acknowledge every guest with sincere warmth.
A wave of nostalgia washed over me.
"He's the picture of what James could have become," I murmured, a lone tear tracing my cheek. "James would've been so proud."
The music dimmed, and Gabriel moved to the center, capturing the room's focus. Silence enveloped the space as he began, a touch of vulnerability evident in his gaze.
"Thank you all for joining us tonight. I'll confess, public speaking isn't my strong suit."
A ripple of laughter spread through the attendees.
"Today marks the anniversary of my brother James's untimely passing," he continued.
"He's always had a dream of opening a restaurant, and I'm thrilled to be able to make that dream come true for him. Welcome to St. James!"
Lifting his glass, emotion evident in Gabriel's voice, he toasted, "To James. May you find serenity wherever you are."
Echoing his sentiment, the crowd raised their glasses. Gabriel then approached me, his aura both authoritative and gentle.
"Steph," he whispered, his eyes brimming with empathy.
Choking back tears, I responded, "I had no idea, Gabriel."
His smile, both comforting and genuine, enveloped me.
"He was a boy of many secrets, but he didn't hide one thing, and that is his love for you."
The warmth of Gabriel's embrace enveloped me, the depth of our shared grief causing my eyes to close instinctively. As his head rested atop mine, the world seemed to shrink, and for a moment, the embrace felt eerily familiar, as if I were in James's arms.
"Let's go," Gabriel whispered, his touch light as a feather guiding me forward.
We entered a secret garden, alive with the scent of flowers in full bloom. A heavy silence enveloped us, broken only by the quiet fall of my tears onto the lush grass.
His phone lit up suddenly, an anonymous message glowing on the screen: "He never wanted you to cry."
The number, the words, they were pieces of a puzzle, threads leading back to 'an unknown sender'.
"Gabriel, you send those! But why didn't you...?" My words quivered, struggling to piece it together.
"I've always had a flair for the dramatic," Gabriel quipped, extending a leather-bound journal towards me.
Drying my eyes, I inquired, "What is this?" Gabriel tenderly wiped another tear from my face and guided me to a bench nearby.
As we sat, emotion weighed heavy in his voice.
"That night, James's passing wasn't an accident," he confessed, his words stealing my breath away.
"He related a struggle with dark thoughts in this journal. But I'm certain it wasn't his, Steph," he said, opening the journal to its secrets.
"This is something else!"
I gasped, shaken by the unexpected twist.
"Who would do this? James was loved by all," I pondered aloud, bewildered by the grim revelation. "That's exactly what I'm trying to uncover," Gabriel urged, motioning me to delve deeper into the journal, "Let's keep this just between us."
Numb, I simply nodded, a familiar ache resurfacing, only to be interrupted by Ashley approaching us, a question in her eyes.
"Seems like you two are bonding," Ashley observed, to which Gabriel simply responded, "Just recalling about James."
Ashley's confusion was evident as she remarked, "I thought you two hardly knew each other."
I explained, "James used to bring Gabriel along on our walks home. They shared something special."
"You never mentioned that before," Ashley replied, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity.
Gabriel's suggestion caught me off guard, his eyes dropping to his shoes in a rare moment of shyness.
"I was thinking, since James isn't here... would you stand by my side, Steph? As my best... woman?" His chuckle was tentative, almost hopeful.
Laughter bubbled up within me, spontaneous and sincere.
"I'd be honored," I replied, the joy in my voice unmistakable.
Ashley's face lit up with relief, her tension melting away.
"Great! So, join us on Friday to plan the wedding?"
A moment of hesitation washed over me.
"I... I can't on Friday, Ashley."
Disappointment flickered across her features, a cloud briefly shadowing her sunny expression.
"Oh," she murmured, a tinge of sadness in her voice.
"It's not that I don't want to," I rushed to explain. "My aunt passed away. The funeral is at five."
"Lucy?" The concern in her voice was palpable, and her eyes softened.
I nodded, the weight of the moment settling heavily between us.
In response, Ashley stepped forward, her arms enfolding me in an unexpected embrace.
"I'm so sorry." Her words were a warm whisper against my ear.
I stiffened slightly, unaccustomed to such an open display of affection from her.
"Thanks," I managed, my voice tight with unspoken emotions.
Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted a young man awkwardly attempting to relieve himself among the garden's foliage. Ashley, noticing as well, sprang into action. Grabbing a stick, she charged towards the interloper with surprising agility.
My eyes widened in disbelief as I watched the scene unfold.
Turning to Gabriel, I began, "Ashley's quite the..."
"...character?" he finished for me, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
I raised my glass of champagne in a half-toast.
"I hate to say it, but sometimes she's a bit... overwhelming."
Gabriel's laughter, light and understanding, filled the air.
"Oh, she can be. But she has her moments," he agreed, his chuckle mirroring mine.
"She's devoted to you, I assume," I said, noting a fleeting shadow of distance cross Gabriel's gaze.
Gabriel let out a sigh, a mix of resignation and fondness.
"Our engagement was more a family arrangement than a love match. But, with time, Ashley found a way into my heart," he admitted, his voice tinged with an unspoken complexity.
I quipped, aiming for a lighter tone, "I'm sorry for your loss."
"Steph, that was brutally honest!" Gabriel couldn't hide his surprise.
"What?" My confusion was genuine.
"I value your frankness. It's refreshing," he said with a smile, toasting to my candor.
"Seems like honesty is becoming a lost art," I remarked, feeling his thoughtful gaze on me.
"Need some company at the funeral?" he offered gently.
"Just a good bottle of wine," I replied, our laughter cut short by an approaching figure.
I stiffened, and Gabriel quickly picked up on the change.
"I'll go find Ashley," he said, understanding my need for space.
"Thanks," I murmured, taking his untouched glass of champagne from him.
Facing the newcomer, my tone was icy.
"Noah Cloud. Didn't expect to see you here."
Noah met my gaze steadily. "I said I'd be here, didn't I?"
The ticking of the nearby clock seemed to amplify in the silence between us.
"You're late," I noted, my tone clipped.
Before I could dismiss him, he closed the distance, his hand encircling my waist and drawing me into an unexpected dance. The world spun momentarily, and when it steadied, his eyes were inches from mine.
"Better late than never," he murmured.
His lips met mine in a kiss that was soft yet insistent, leaving me breathless in its wake.
"Noah," I gasped, stepping back, "This back-and-forth... I can't do it."
His thumb gently caressed my cheek, his whisper barely audible.
"All I see is you."
My resolve fluttered like a leaf in the wind.
"Then you'd better be ready for the stormy days, not just the sunny ones," I said, a hint of challenge in my voice.
Noah's lips curled into a half-smile, tinged with regret. "About last night... I wish I could undo it."
In a spontaneous moment, my lips brushed his again, a fleeting touch.
"With that kind of charm, Noah Cloud, I'm surprised anyone stays angry with you."
His eyes gleamed with playful mischief.
"How about a change of scenery? My place?"
I opened my mouth to refuse, but our exchange was interrupted by an imposing figure casting a shadow over us. Looking up, I was met with a gaze that commanded the space.
"Noah," Charlie greeted with a simple nod.
A hint of unease washed over Noah's features.
"Steph, this is Charles, my brother."
Charlie extended his hand with a grin that hinted at mischief.
"Pleasure to meet you," he said, his tone laced with a playful undertone.
As my hand tentatively reached out, Charlie defied expectations by bringing it to his lips, not for a handshake, but for a gentle kiss. The unexpected warmth of his lips against my skin ignited a thrilling shiver cascading down my spine. In that moment, his eyes captured mine, wordlessly vowing his unwavering presence in my life, whether I was ready for it or not.
In that fleeting encounter, I became acutely aware of my entanglement in the complex web woven by the Cloud brothers.
Emotions for both of them deepened, ensnaring me in a dilemma I foresaw but felt powerless to avoid. Historically a runner when the going gets tough, I feared that history would repeat itself - that I would once again flee, especially now when an inevitable choice loomed between them.