“You look beautiful. Happy birthday.”
I turned, narrowing my brows at him. “Why do you smell of petrol?”
The smell was overpowering and started to make me feel nauseous. I couldn’t smell his usual citrus scent that I loved so much.
“I was at the petrol station before coming home, probably got some on me somewhere. Let me go shower. I won’t be long.”
He kissed my forehead and rushed off into the en suite. I soon heard the shower running. At least he was home when he said he would be.
The doorbell went, and I made my way out of the room and downstairs. I opened it, but there was no one there, just a small present perched on the step, alongside a single purple rose. I bent down to pick them up, turning the little card over.
My little Astra.
Thought you might need one again.
C x
I closed the door and opened the little black box. A delicate ring sat inside with a crystal attached to it, shaped like a star. I knew what it was. He’d gotten me one in Leeds before to help with my anxiety, something to twist rather than fiddle with my sleeves. Something less obvious to Jason.
I made my way back up to the bedroom and took the ring out of the box, placing it on my right hand and holding it up to look at it. The light caught it, making it shimmer, turning the star into a rainbow of colours.
I put the box and rose in my dresser drawer, then sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Sebastian.
It wasn’t long before he was wandering out of the en suite with a towel wrapped around him.
His eyes flicked over to me as he pulled his black shirt on. “How was your day with Serfina?”
“Got my nails done.” I held my hands up to show him.
He smiled, then his eyes fixed on the ring. “That’s pretty. Is it new?”
I looked down at the ring and twisted it as knots formed in my stomach. “It’s from my mum. She sent it for my birthday,” I lied.
“It suits you,” he said, pulling his trousers up and looping his belt through.
I grabbed Sebastian’s suit jacket from the chair and helped him put it on. “Thanks,” I replied, trying to brush it off. “Where are we going tonight?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush, kissing me softly. “It’s a surprise.”
“You know I don’t like them.”
“When have I ever let you down with my surprises?”
He looked at his watch and met my eyes. “We’ve got a bit of time before we need to be there. I think I should give you this present first.”
He started trailing kisses down my neck, and his hand disappeared under my dress, making its way to my thigh.
“Sebastian,” I said, pulling his hand away.
He stopped kissing my neck and traced his lips over mine, his hand finding my dress again.
“Sebastian, stop,” I said, a little firmer, stepping back to distance myself.
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just tired. I don’t feel so great.”
He took hold of my hands. “We can stay home. We don’t need to go out.”
