His grey eyes were a striking contrast to the dark suit, and they gleamed with an intensity that drew her in. At that moment, it was as if time had paused, and Amara was entranced by his presence. The room seemed to disappear, leaving only the magnetic allure of his eyes.
"Shall we?" He mumbled in his deep voice making her nerve wrecked and extended his hand. Amara eyed his hand unsurely before placing her shivering ones on his. Strangely she could feel the warmth and his touch brought her comfort. For a moment she hadn't noticed anyone, butthe moment Kaelith pulled her to his side, Amara stilled.
Slowly they moved to the dining hall.
Lush bouquets of vibrant flowers, including pastel peonies, adorned every corner, infusing the air with their sweet fragrance. Soft, twinkling lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm and romantic glow over the room.
The dining table was a feast for the senses, a culinary masterpiece. It was loaded with an array of delectable dishes, from gourmet appetizers to luxurious main courses and an assortment of delicious desserts.
A massive banner hung proudly in the air, bearing the heartfelt message, "Happy Marriage Anniversary." It served as a focal point, a reminder of why she was dressed up and dolled up. An ache pierced her chest and her hand in Rhy’s felt so heavy. She hated this feeling, feeling like something was missing within her.
CHAPTER 16
Amara nervously fidgeted with her fingers as Kaelith stood right beside her. The guard told them Rafael just arrived. And after so many days, Amara wasn’t sure how she should feel. All the emotions seemed to envelop her. Martha was in the kitchen preparing the drinks. And now they stood in the lobby waiting for Rafael.
Amara's heart raced as Rafael entered the room. Her mind was flooded with memories of hissoft touches, the smiles, the shared glances, the tender moments. But now, as he stood there in that impeccably tailored dark blue suit, looking just as dashing as she remembered, there was an unfamiliar tension in the air. She had expected to feel joy at seeing him again, but all she could manage was a forced smile.
Rafael's light eyes met hers, and he offered a small smile. Whereas she was still, Rafael could feel his heart bursting out. The small piece of jewelry in his pocket seemed to be piercing his skin. But he decided. Today. And every day. Amara was his.
Kaelith however felt that green-eyed monster lurking underneath his skin. Slowly resurfacing and eating his skin alive. She was smiling at Rafael but she didn’t smile at him. Not even once. "Rafael,” shesaid,hervoicequiveringwithuncertaintyasshesteppedawayfromKaelith’ s protective warmth.
Rafael smiled, his expression softening as taking her off guard he swept her in his arms holding her close to his chest. Amara was stunned her heart beating fast not because Rafael was holding her, but because he was embracing her in front of Kaelith. No, no! She didn’t want Kaelith to see this. Her hands raised as she slightly pushed Rafael with a forced smile.
Rafael failed to notice the swirling hesitancy in her eyes and pecked her cheek taking her off guard once again.
“Happyanniversary,mylove.no,Ihaven’tbeenagoodhusband,andnoreasoncouldjustify this, but I promise to love you forever and ever." He moved closer to her, and for a moment, it felt like the distance that had grown between them might start to melt away.
"Rafael," she swallowed hard uncertainty. “Happy anniversary.” That’s all she could say. That’s all she could mumble.
Amara's heart sank even further. She had hoped for a rekindling of their love, but it seemed that Rafael had other things on his mind. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Amara's mixed emotions swirled within her. Her care for Rafael was still there, but so was the uncertainty and fear of what new was bubbling inside her.
Amara tried to maintain a facade of calm. She knew whatever she was thinking was not moral, she shouldn’t have these emotions for a man other than her husband, but the anxiety within her was almost overwhelming. She forced a small, polite smile, hoping it would conceal the turmoilof emotions beneath.
“I have something for you,” Amara mumbled with difficulty as Rafael chuckled wrapping his arm around her waist and guiding her to the dining table.
Amara caught a glimpse of Kaelith across the room, her eyes fixed on him, his shoulders tensed and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, and his jaw was clenched so firmly that it looked as if it might shatter.
Kaelith's usually warm and inviting eyes whenever he glanced at her had turned dark and stormy, their usual brightness replaced by an unsettling intensity. His brows were furrowed, and his gaze seemed to pierce through the very air around him.
Amara had never seen Kaelith like this before, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She had known him as a gentle and kind person, but the anger that now emanated from him was something entirely foreign. She didn’t know what got him so worked up.
A mixture of concern and fear washed over Amara. She wanted to approach him, to understand what was wrong with him, but the look on his face was so intense that it kept her at a distance.
Rafael blocked her vision with his large body.
Amara's heart raced with anticipation as she finally laid eyes on her husband after seventeenlong days. The moment should have been filled with happiness and warmth, but to her surprise, all she felt was an overwhelming emptiness deep within her.
As she looked at him, his smile, and the familiar contours of his face, it was as if a disconnect had formed during their time apart. The physical presence was there, but the heart-to-heart connection seemed to have faded.
“Oh, seems like Abigail is here. Wait, I’ll bring him in.” Rafael beamed sprinting outside the door. Amara swallowed hard, looking back at Kaelith.
Kaelith's dark and angry eyes met Amara's, the intensity in his gaze momentarily softened, and a flicker of warmth passed through them. It was as if, in that brief moment, he had found a tether to reality amidst the storm of his emotions.
Amara saw a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. She took a cautious step closer; her own eyes filled with concern and a determination to help him through whatever was tormenting him. Something just pulled her to him. There were so many unsaid words between them.
Kaelith's clenched fists slowly relaxed, and his jaw unclenched as he took a deep breath. It was evident that he was struggling to regain control over his anger and emotions.
