by M. K. ROZE
I stopped breathing for a few seconds. “Mom, Dad, I can’t believe you got me a Movado watch. It’s beautiful. Thank you so much.” I leaned over the table and kissed their cheeks. “I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” Mom said.
“Open the other one,” Dad said, pushing a small pink box in front of me.
I pushed it away. “You’ve done more than enough.”
“Honey. it’s your birthday tomorrow,” Mom said, pushing it back in front of me.
I took the white ribbon off and lifted the top. “No way,” I said, looking at the white gold diamond earrings, with a necklace that matched. I got up and hugged them both. “I love you guys so much. Thank you!”
“You’re welcome, honey,” Mom said, with tears in her eyes.
Dad kissed my forehead. “You deserve it.”
I couldn’t stop smiling.
“It will match your dress,” Mom said. “And make sure you have Kaylee take tons of pictures.”
“Absolutely.”
Dinner came out shortly after. I ate the salad and chicken parmesan. It was delicious as always. We shared a few more laughs, and I rushed home and took a shower. Before I knew it, it was already 4:30.
Kaylee came in from work and hugged me. “Happy birthday, Sis.”
“I’m not eighteen yet for a few more hours but thank you.”
She handed me a pink bag. “Here’s one of my gifts for you. I ordered something else, but because of the holidays, they said I’d get it in a few days.”
“Kaylee, you’ve already done so much for me. I’ll open it tomorrow, okay?”
“No, open it now, please.”
I smiled and sighed. “If you insist.”
I removed the pink tissue paper. “No freaking way!” I yelled. It was her old iPad, but I didn’t care. I squeezed her tightly. “I can’t believe you’re giving me this.”
“I got a new one for Christmas.”
I hugged her again. “I love you. Thank you.”
“How was lunch?” she asked as she walked off to her room to get ready.
“It was great.”
I went into my room and slid into the teal dress I bought. It fit perfectly, nice and snug, and showed off my curves. I looked in the mirror, twirling around, and noticed I’d forgotten to put on my new earrings and necklace.
As I was trying to put the necklace on, Kaylee came in. “Wow! you look gorgeous.”
“Aw, thank you. Can you help me with this? I can’t clasp it.”
“This is gorgeous!” she said, as she put it on.
“Mom and Dad got it for me.” I moved my hair away from my ear. “I have matching earrings too.”
“Damn, I wish I had parents like yours.”
“You can wear them, but just not tonight.”
She turned to me. “I don’t have to. I’m wearing the ones you bought me.”
I smiled.
She took the brush off the dresser. “Do you need help with your hair and makeup?”
“Nah, not tonight.”
“Remember I told you your surprise was later?”
“Kaylee, what are you up to?”
“Nothing bad, I promise. Now sit and let me fix you up.”
“If you’re trying to hook me up, don’t.”
“Chill out. I know you’re in love with Prince Constin,” she said mockingly.
I tried to keep a happy face as she fixed me up, but I was still feeling depressed because Constin hadn’t called me. I genuinely wished I could get out of going to the wedding, but I promised, and I didn’t want to upset her.
“You miss Constin, don’t you?” She said as she added the finishing touches.
“Yeah. Why?”
She looked away. “No reason.”
That’s weird. I thought she didn’t like him.
“All done,” she said tapping my nose.
I got up and walked over to the mirror. “Wow! I look sophisticated. Thank you.” I hugged her then frowned. “I wish Constin could see me now.” I opened my dresser and took out the barrette he gave me. “Can you put this in for me, please.”
Kaylee made a sad face. “Sure, turn around.”
I thought it was weird because she didn’t argue with me about it.
“There, all done,” she said and rushed to her room to get ready. Two hours later, she re-emerged. She looked stunning, wearing a gold dress and silver heels. Her hair was in a bun too. We ended up taking both cars in case one of us wanted to leave early.
When I arrived downtown at the reception, I parked on top of a small hill and sat there waiting for Kaylee. Couples were kissing and holding one another as they walked inside. My eyes started to tear up, but Kaylee knocked on the window, so I blinked them away and got out.
We walked down the pathway, and I stopped to take some photos of the rustic-pillars that surrounded the building. It was gorgeous, with twinkle lights dancing magically in the trees.
Kaylee took a few pictures of me standing in front of them. I did the same for her. She took me by the arm, and we headed inside, where she removed her name from the escort table in the hallway. We continued inside and entered a room. At least two hundred people were sitting in chairs, facing an arch decorated in roses. It was pretty.
After the short ceremony, Kaylee and I walked over to congratulate her aunt and new husband, then continued to the room next door. There were tons of round banquet tables with silver rosette tablecloth’s that touched the ground. As we walked, my head was turning in all different directions. The uplighting with white draping was breathtaking, making a more magnificent spectacle of the ceiling and its diamond chandeliers.
People I didn’t know were going up to Kaylee, hugging her. She introduced me each time, but I still felt out of place.
When we sat at the table, I could smell the fresh roses and baby’s breath that lingered from the tall centerpiece in front of us. Ms. Ashfield, Kaylee’s mother and five other people I never met joined us, but I didn’t mind. They were all talkative and very polite.
After we ate dinner, the DJ that was to our right, started playing pop music. We got up, and Kaylee grabbed some flutes of champagne off a table and walked onto the dance floor.
“We’re not allowed to drink, I said.”
“It’s okay, no one is looking,” she said and handed it to me. “Swirl it around before you drink it.”
I giggled. “You do that with wine, not champagne. It will make it flat.”
She swirled her drink, spilling some on the floor. “Whatever. Just drink it.”
I took a few sips, gagged, and kept the glass near my chest, hoping I wouldn’t get caught with it. A half hour later, a man approached Kaylee and began dancing behind her. She couldn’t stop smiling.
“Hey, I’m going to go sit for a while. My feet are killing me!” I yelled out over the music.
“Okay,” she said and looked over toward the exit.
I sat back in my seat and discreetly downed the rest of the champagne. I stared around the room watching everyone have a blast. Kaylee was dancing up a storm. The alcohol was kicking in, causing me to feel more depressed. I wasn’t supposed to drink while taking the pills, but I did anyway.
A slow song came on that reminded me of Constin. Watching the bride and groom dance with each other, in such a fairytale setting, hit a soft spot. I couldn’t help but think of Constin, wishing he was there.
Everyone in the room seemed to have a date but me. This made it even worse, and I missed his touch.
Feeling sorry for myself, I lowered my head and glanced at the time on my phone. It was twelve minutes until midnight. I was thinking about leaving, but the room was still fuzzy.
My high heels were causing me pain, so I leaned over to fiddle with them. A pair of black dress shoes appeared in front of me. I slowly looked up, and my heart skipped a beat.
“Constin!”
He stood there grinning at me. His black tux with a red tie made him look so unbelievably handsome.
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br /> He reached his hand for mine. In a daze, I got up slowly.
“H-how did you know I was here?”
He didn’t utter a word. Instead, he walked me onto the dance floor, twirling me around toward him.
I looked over at Kaylee.
When she smiled at me and didn’t approach us, I was sure she had something to do with him being there.
“How long have you been here?” I asked.
“Long enough.”
At that moment, the DJ began the New Year countdown. Before it ended, Constin was staring into my eyes with a look he’d never given me before. He slowly came in and kissed me on my lips.
“Happy Birthday, Viata,” he said, with his velvet voice.
Butterflies danced in my stomach. I wanted more of his soft, warm lips against mine.
His eyes opened wide and smiled as if he knew what I was thinking.
The New Year’s song that was playing came to a stop and the room filled with silence.
Constin held my waist and placed his face on the side of mine. “This song is for you,” he whispered in my ear.
The song Perfect, by Ed Sheeran, started playing.
“How did you know that this is my favorite song?”
“I didn’t.” He pulled me back in, and buried his face in my neck, kissing it slowly. I could smell his sweet vanilla scent, and it was as if I was floating in his arms.
He raised my chin slowly, and his eyes filled up with tears as he met my gaze.
I couldn’t help but tear up as well, almost as if I could feel his pain.
He embraced me tightly, placing his face against mine. His tears fell onto my chest.
I grabbed his smooth face. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Constin looked away briefly. His eyes met mine again, and he kissed me passionately for what seemed to be an eternity.
My body became weak with the same warm sensation I experienced when I was with Mihnea. I thought I would never feel that way again until I found Constin.
When the song ended, we walked off the dance floor hand and hand.
“Would you like to leave and go somewhere quiet to talk?”
“Yes,” I said as I waved goodbye to Kaylee.
I was sure she’d understand that I wanted to be alone with him.
We walked out to my car. It was a perfect night, with a slight breeze.
We stood near my car. I wrapped my arms around him and rested my head on his chest. “Are you okay now, compared to last time?”
I could hear him swallow hard. “Yes, for now.”
I sensed he didn’t want to talk about it. “Do you want to go back to my place?”
“How about we go to my father’s cabin tonight?”
My heart sped up. “You told me not to trust you, remember?”
He nodded. “I was upset. I’m sorry.”
“I forgive you.”
He smiled. “Would you like to come over? I’d feel much better if you stay close to me.”
I blushed. “Okay, I’ll come.”
“Perfect. My car is over here,” he said.
“What about mine? They’ll tow it.”
“Follow me.”
“What car do you have?”
“You’ll see when I pull up.”
“Show off,” I said as he walked away.
I got into the car and waited until he pulled up. I was happy to see him, but I still wanted to know why he treated me like crap the previous week.
He pulled up in the Aston Martin, lowered his window, smirked at me, and gunned it out of the parking lot.
I shook my head and followed him, trying to keep up. We drove to the outskirts of St. Augustine, where we drove off the main road and onto a dirt one. Tall oak trees surrounded me on each side. Up ahead I saw only his brake lights. Everything else was pitch-black.
We arrived at his cabin, which sat alone on a small hill. When I started to get out, Constin reached for my hand like he always did. As we walked toward the beautiful cedar front door, fresh pine lingered all around me.
“Is your father here?”
“Yes, he is. Would you like to meet him?”
“Sure, I’d love to.”
As we walked up the front steps, I could hear Mozart playing. Constin opened the door, and I stepped in to see a spiraled wooden staircase to my left, with a loft upstairs. We walked through the living room which had a white leather couch that sat in the center, with glass tables on each side. We continued through the living room and into the kitchen.
“This is beautiful,” I said, admiring the cedar wood cabinets and chrome appliances.
“Thank you,” Constin said and led me to the next room, which was where the music was coming from.
As we entered the family room, I saw his father playing at a white piano, with his back turned toward us. His long black curly hair ran down to the middle of his back and looked like silk.
“Viata, this is my father, Sorin.”
Sorin turned to us.
“Good evening, Mr. Silivassi. I mean, good morning,” I said, a little discombobulated time-wise. “I never heard your name before. I like it.”
“Thank you. You can call me Sorin.” He turned back around and took a glass of wine off the piano.
I glanced at Constin and smiled.
Sorin got up and handed me the wine. “Enjoy every sip.”
“Thank you.” I thought it was weird that he allowed me to drink, but I didn’t want to question him. I took a few sips and my face puckered from its iron taste. I looked away, trying not to gag.
Constin took my hand and walked me over to the red leather couch that was next to the stone fireplace. We sat next to each other, while Sorin walked away to get another bottle of wine.
I forced down the rest of the wine. The room became quiet, which was awkward and painful to bear.
“I went to Romania with my parents on vacation,” I blurted.
Constin chuckled.
Sorin’s brown eyes widened. “Yes, I remember.” He sipped his wine. “I remember my son telling me this.”
Each time he said Remember. I thought it was the same voice from my dream but knew that was impossible.
Constin noticed I wasn’t acting right. He reached out his hand to take mine. “Are you ready for bed?” he asked softly.
“Yes.” I grabbed his hand and pushed myself to my feet.
Sorin walked over to me and kissed me on my cheek. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” His lips felt like ice.
“N-nice to meet you too.”
Sorin walked over to the room near the fireplace, stepped inside and shut the door.
“Are you okay?” Constin asked.
“Yes, I’m just tired.”
“Let me get you into bed then.”
I smiled. “Sounds good.”
Upstairs, we walked down a short hallway to Constin’s bedroom. He opened the door. “Ladies first,” he said and stepped aside for me to enter.
“This is huge,” I said as I looked at the king size mahogany bed in front of the window.
“It works,” he said and continued toward the closet.
I placed my keys on the matching nightstand.
“Would you like to change into a shirt of mine?”
I hesitated. A shirt, I need more than that. “Sure.”
Constin walked over to his tall dresser, pulled out a white T-shirt and handed it to me.
“Thank you.” We stared at one another, and I cleared my throat.
“I apologize,” he said, and he turned around to respect my privacy.
As I was pulling his shirt over my head, I could smell his sweet vanilla scent on it.
“All finished,” I said, and placed my dress on the nightstand.
Constin spun around. He didn’t blink once while scanning my exposed legs. “Lie down and relax?” he asked, softly.
I did, and he covered me with the silk sheets. He stood at the side of the bed staring at me.
I patted the bed
. “Lay with me?”
“I’m not tired yet.”
I sighed, and curled up in a ball, trying to get warm.
Constin reached for the blanket at the edge of the bed and covered me.
“Aw. You’re so sweet.”
As he leaned over me to adjust the pillow beneath my head, our eyes met. “You’re so beautiful,” he said, as he moved my hair behind my ear.
My heart was pounding. I wanted to grab Constin and kiss him so badly.
He ran his fingers down my cheek and kissed it. “Good night,” he said and kissed me again on my cheek.
“You’re leaving?” My voice cracked.
He nodded. “It’s late. You must rest.”
Without thinking, I grabbed his face, and I began kissing him.
Constin backed away for a second, then kissed me hungrily. His body became extremely hot through his clothes. I thought this was normal until his breath almost scorched my neck.
I stopped abruptly, propped myself up on my elbows and placed the back of my hand on his forehead to gauge his temperature.
“You're scorching hot. Are you okay?”
Constin got up and turned away from me, his shoulders hunched. “I’m sorry,” he muttered.
As I moved closer to him, another sharp pain rushed in my head. I squeezed my eyes shut, and I was sitting at a table with at least twenty other people. I looked to my right, and the man wearing the gold tunic was next to me, smiling as he spoke, but I couldn’t hear him.
“Viata!”
I gasped, and Constin’s face slowly appeared. “I’m sorry, I-I had a vision.”
Constin scooted closer to me. “What did you see?”
I ignored him.
“Please tell me what you saw.” His voice was desperate.
“The room I was in was gold, and the table held a lot of people. A man I saw before was sitting next to me talking, but I couldn’t hear him.”
“What did this man look like?”
“He looked forty years old. Very muscular, with jet black hair and light green eyes. Why?”
He rushed up. “No reason. Get some rest. I’m going downstairs.”
“Why? Is it because of what I just told you?”
“You need time alone. I’m a distraction.”
“No, you’re not. It’s probably the alcohol playing tricks on me or something.”
I lied straight through my teeth, not wanting him to leave me.