Devon's bravado deflated like a punctured balloon.
He lowered his head, his gold chain clinking softly against his chest.
"My bad, Elise," he mumbled, his voice losing its affected swagger.
He glanced around, his sunglasses hiding his eyes but not his curiosity.
"Yo, where da the man of the hour at? Brandon ain't here yet?"
Before anyone could answer, the sound of footsteps drew their attention.
Pierre appeared at the top of the stairs, resplendent in white shorts and an oversized silk shirt adorned with vibrant tropical flowers.
He raised his arms dramatically, jazz hands shimmering in the sunlight.
"Ladies and gentlemen, round of applause for our superstar!"
Pierre announced, his voice booming across the deck.
Right on cue, Brandon emerged behind Pierre.
His simple white T-shirt and jeans stood in stark contrast to the opulence surrounding him, yet somehow made everyone else look overdressed.
He moved with an easy grace that belied the tension in the air, his presence commanding attention without effort.
Pausing at the bottom of the stairs, his eyes sweeping across the gathering.
The air hung heavy as everyone turned to look at him.
Brandon's gaze darted from face to face, a mix of familiar and unfamiliar, until finally landing on Elise.
Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to slow down.
A smile, warm and genuine, spread across Brandon's face, lighting up his features.
He raised his hand in a small, awkward wave.
Elise's reaction was swift and cold.
She let out a soft "Hmph" and turned her head to the side, her golden hair swishing with the movement.
Her posture stiffened, chin lifted slightly, as if determined to look anywhere but at Brandon.
The moment stretched, taut with unspoken tension.
Brandon's hand slowly lowered, his smile faltering slightly at Elise's dismissal.
Joyce leapt to her feet, her face contorted with anger.
She stomped toward Brandon, her chunky heels clacking against the deck.
Without warning, she punched him square in the chest.
"Where'd you disappear to, asshole? We were worried sick!"
Brandon stumbled back, caught off guard by Joyce's sudden assault. She leaned in close, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper as she jabbed a finger toward Elise.
"Especially my dear ice queen."
Brandon's eyes lingered on Elise, his heart racing as he took in her ethereal beauty. The world around him seemed to fade away, leaving only her in sharp focus.
'Damn!' Brandon thought, his inner voice a mixture of awe and desire.
'She's even more stunning than in the old Brandon's memories...'
He watched as the sunlight caught her golden hair, creating a halo effect that made her look almost angelic. Her porcelain skin seemed to glow, flawless and radiant.
His gaze traced the contours of her face, from her high cheekbones to her perfectly shaped lips.
He imagined what it would be like to run his fingers along her jawline, to feel the softness of her skin.
'Heh... You didn't have the balls to act? She's mine now,'
Brandon taunted the old Brandon in his mind.
Brandon's eyes darted toward Joyce and to Pierre.
Pierre caught the look and coughed awkwardly, stepping forward to pull Joyce away.
"Joyce! B had his reasons..."
Joyce shrugged off Pierre's grip, crossing her arms defiantly.
"He needs to be punished, or Elise will never speak to him again!"
Elise turned her gaze to Joyce, their eyes locking in a silent exchange.
Joyce's eyebrows raised slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
'Hehehe~'
Elise's lips tightened, head tilted slightly, her brow furrowing in suspicion.
'What are you up to this time?'
Joyce's mouth quirked into a small, reassuring smile, and blinked rapidly toward Elise.
'Leave it to me! I got your back bitch!'
The moment was broken as Devon suddenly sprang from the sofa. He sauntered toward Brandon, his movements exaggerated and fluid.
"Missed ya, homie," Devon drawled, extending his fist for a bump.
Brandon barely contained a chuckle as he returned the gesture.
As their fists connected, a flood of memories washed over him. Flashes of a shy, introverted black kid - the Devon that was. Scenes of him crying, bullied by his foster brothers. Moments of vulnerability, Devon spilling his heart out to Brandon in confidence.
The images faded as quickly as they'd come, leaving Brandon blinking in surprise at the contrast between the Devon he remembered and the one standing before him now.
Pierre chuckled, shaking his head.
"A couple of months after you left, Dev started this wannabe gangster rapper phase—"
Joyce cut him off, her voice sharp and impatient.
"Blablablah~ We can catch up later! Punishment first!"
Brandon raised both arms in surrender, a wry smile playing on his lips.
"I cave. What is it you'd have me do?"
Joyce snickered, her eyes glinting with mischief.
"We all saw your little performance on your balcony... We're out at sea, how 'bout you start our little party off by singing a song for Elise?"
Brandon's eyebrows shot up, surprise etched across his face.
He glanced at Elise, who steadfastly avoided his gaze, her posture rigid and unyielding.
Joyce's arm shot out, her finger pointing dramatically outward. Brandon's eyes followed the line of her arm, tracing her gesture past the edge of the platform.
On the other side of the pool beneath them, a stage he hadn't noticed before came into focus. A live band was already set up, instruments gleaming in the sunlight, waiting silently for a signal to begin.
Brandon's heart raced, a mix of excitement and nervousness coursing through him. He looked back at the expectant faces around him, then again at Elise's turned profile. Taking a deep breath, he nodded.
"Alright," he said, his voice steady despite the butterflies in his stomach.
"I'll do it."
Joyce clapped her hands excitedly, her enthusiasm infectious.
"YESSS! This is gonna be epic!"
At her outburst, Elise's head swiveled toward Brandon, her eyes widening in shock. The mask of indifference she'd worn moments ago cracked, revealing a glimpse of vulnerability and shock beneath.
Brandon strode confidently toward her. He sat down beside her, his movements smooth and deliberate.
Without hesitation, he placed his hand over hers.
Elise flinched slightly at the contact, her breath catching in her throat.
The warmth of Brandon's hand sent a jolt through her, and she felt her heart begin to race.
A faint blush crept across her cheeks, betraying her usually icy composure.
Brandon's eyes locked with Elise's, and in that moment, a sudden clarity washed over him like a wave.
The slight tremor in her hand, the flush on her face, the way her eyes couldn't quite meet his - it all clicked into place.
'Heh, so she already fancies me huh,' he thought, a mixture of surprise and elation washing over him.
Leaning in closer, Brandon looked deep into Elise's eyes.
His voice was soft, meant only for her.
"I'm sorry for disappearing. This song... it's for you."
The room fell silent, everyone watching the scene unfold with wide eyes and slack jaws.
Brandon's bold yet tender display had caught them all off guard, leaving them frozen in a collective state of shock.
As if nothing out of the ordinary had happened, Brandon stood up, his voice trailing off as he walked away.
"Fatty, I need you to help me with the band."