A Love Unseen

sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow over the lush greenery. I felt a slight sense of unease, my mind still

t," my parents had said to me when I had approached them for advice, which was of no

s ridic

of nowhere, his voice cutting through my thoughts, and h

and thinking I should get a bell for this i

n grinned, his eyes sparkling with amusement. "Scenery, huh? You sure you wou

kled, unfazed by my dry response, and I chose to ignore him as we both continued walking

l playing cat and mouse?" That managed to halt my steps briefly,

hich way I think about it, I still end up at a crossroad.'

. If you don't want to lose her, then you need to act fast.

for what it's worth, you are right, and I might as well talk to her.' That w

uld see that it was packed with people. Ethan clapped me on the back again and said,

rom her like a beacon. As I watched her, I couldn't even understand why I was at crossroads in th

I scoffed at the thought that his annoying self had managed to invade my

t over. I could almost picture the look in her eyes, the way they would sparkle in the

ded the audience's attention with ease, her voice clear and confident. When she

ulating her on her speech. 'You were ama

t I had made the right decision. 'Th

as a small endearing thing but, everytime she did that something crazy usually followed s

d the event that was quickly drawing to a close. As we talked, I couldn't help but notice the w

atch. 'We should get going,' I said. 'I told

her bag and said hello to a few friends before returning by my side t

grown accustomed to over time, the jitters, self consciousness and the occasional stutters. How was

" I hear her tell someone on a call. My driver pulled ove

she nodded and got in with

rves were all over the place despite my calm front

rowsed through the shelves, her eyes scanning the various items on display with little interest while I on the other hand was t

't know how to approach a date when we haven't c

ice in favor of actually focusing on the task at hand,

f Domaine de la Romanée-Conti. The shopkeeper wrapped our purchase

rm and welcoming as always so I fell behind with a slower gait in comparison to her, trying to orga

and My mother immediately came forward, a bright smile on he

ile on his face too. 'Ah, wonderful to s

nd, 'Hello Dear,' he said, his voice

voice neutral, whether or not she

was currently being brought in by the servants. Meanwhile, My mother chatted amiably, asking her ques

ear. It's been quite some time sinc

n an even voice 'I've been good,

. 'Of course, dear. We're always happy t

and her mother's shopping habits. 'Business is going okay, Dad's occupied as always, and Mom's st

before me. Her interaction with my family didn't seemed forced which was to be expected to some extent considering that both of our families were

pt twirling restlessly in my head. Looks like taking Ethan's advice was necessary and I would definitely see it through. I had made the

while we ate. Eventually, we finished our lunch and my mother smiled at us.

ll see what I can do.

on... I'm meeting some clients in a hour,' I said, glancing at my wa

gathering her thin

led, deciding not to over think it I took a shot

er simple reply a look of cur

hen she nodded I felt excited and could finally let go off the breath I was holding. Afterwards I promised to send her the address

****

e window of my penthouse apartment, adjusting my cufflinks for what felt like the hundredth time. Clad in a tailored blac

as known for its exquisite cuisine and intimate atmosphere something she would appreciate. I had chosen it specifically because of its

ng fairy lights that spelled out "Chez Pierre" in elegant fonts. The sound of soft jazz music drifted out into the night air, mingling wi

ble, in particular, was special - Pierre had arranged for a private room with a breathtaking view of the city skyline. The table was decorated with a beautiful bouquet of white roses; he

the maître d' station, resplendent in his tailored suit and slick

nth time. She walked into the restaurant gracefully, looking elegant in a fitted black dress that fell just above her knees. Her hair was styled in a sleek bob

r to me before I could take a second sip of my drink. I stood up, feeling a sense of nervous

k of electricity as my hand brushed against hers. Pierre himself came over to greet us,

his French accent thick and rich. 'I trust the pl

d I can very well recall a number of times she's expressed her wish to visit Paris to confirm t

you tonight. In fact Our chef has prepared

specially when I noticed how relaxed she was. 'Thank you, Pierre,' I said. "Every

e said. 'Now, let us begin. Your first course will be our signature foie gras, served with a side

d smiled. "I'm so glad you could make it

...besides you've put effort in arranging this so it would have been a waste if

ing. It was the beginning of what I expected to be a perfect night, gone was the tension and unease I had sensed earlier today

r to our table, a sly smile spreading across his face. 'And

anned. And as the dessert course was served, I couldn'

y best so as not to rattle her nerves for this had always been a sensitive issue between us, one we almost neve

t pounding in my chest. 'Something that I think will change everyt

'What is it?' she asked, her

s take a walk,' I said, standing up and pulling

feel the tension building. I knew that this was it, the moment I had been waiting

den, the city skyline spread out before us, I t

ovely scene. The garden was beautifully landscaped, with elegant stone pathways winding through perfectly manicured hedges and f

dmire the way she moved with confident elegance. She stopped at the edge of the garden, lo

h a smile on her face. But as she looked back at me,

ond ring inside. 'From the moment I met you, I knew that you were someo

m her lips. Her eyes seemed to cloud over, and she looked at me with a mix

with shock. She took a step back, her hands flying up to h

etely lost her composure which was very much unlike her b

ion and alarm. I took a step forward, my hands rea

gestured wildly with her hands, as if she was trying to push me away.

esperate, that I slowly got to my feet. I ran my free hand through

eeling a sense of unease. 'Wh

said, her voice trembling. She threw her hands up in the air, her purse slipping from her fingers and falling to the g

ion. 'I'm not following,' I said, shakin

r needs and every whim.' she said, her voice taking a venomous turn. She took a step closer to me, her eyes bl

fists clenched at my sides. ' what do you mean by rich men like me?? We' really in the same social circl

dfather... they all want me to marry you, to be a part of your world...all they see is you and I'm like the perfect toy that's been manufactured and groomed to meet u

come withdrawn all of a sudden, turns out she was under so much pressure. My mind spiraled out of co

voice cracking with emotion. 'But I just couldn't b

termination. 'I think we should end this, Landon.

rld was crashing down around me. 'What? No, we can

e could, I don't think I want to, my family would just pressure m

desperation. I couldn't l

reached out to her, my hands grasping for hers. 'Don

from me, her eyes flash

ce filled with suppressed anger threatening to spil

on reality. I grabbed her by the waist, pulling her

with emotion. 'Don't leave me. I'll do

ed my hands off a

repeated. 'I need my space.

ripped out of my chest but my eyes remained fixed

ed, my voice barely

he walked away leaving the sound of h

hing go so wrong??? My vision began to blur, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. My heart was ra

ike the world was spinning around me. My mind was racing, thoughts swirling ar

forehead, and my mouth went dry. My vision began to tunnel, and I felt like I was stari

erything bec

ing towards me. I heard a voice, shouting out and yelling f

don! Oh my g

n it, to make out who was speaking. But it was no use. E

***

was or what was happening. As he opened his eyes, he saw Aurora's worried face hovering above h

r voice soft with relief. 'I

g from his mind. 'Where... where a

lained. 'You came down with a really high fever yesterday. The ho

cool against his skin. 'You seem cooler no

moving with a quiet efficiency. As she took his temperature,

le playing on her lips. 'It's falling back to normal,' she said, her

eyes were a bit sunken, her skin pale, and her hair was tied back in a loose ponytail with a

g now,' she said, smiling softl

y. And then, as the door closed behind her, he thought to himself, "I

But as he lay there, waiting for Aurora to return with

y did I dream