CHAPTER SIX; Dinner of promises
560 Words
The Calipps estate had never looked more magnificent.
Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand hall in warm golden light while servants hurried from one room to another, making final preparations.
Fresh flowers decorated the dining table.
Silverware gleamed beneath the candlelight.
Every detail had to be perfect.
"The Ashcrofts will arrive in thirty minutes."
Clara adjusted the last pin in Luna's dark curls before stepping back.
"There."
Luna glanced at herself in the mirror.
A deep emerald gown flowed to the floor, its elegant design making her look every bit the daughter of Blackridge's most powerful family.
She barely recognized herself.
"You look beautiful," Clara said softly.
Luna smiled politely.
"I feel uncomfortable."
"The two often go together."
That earned a small laugh.
A knock interrupted them.
"Miss Luna," a maid announced through the door.
"Your father is waiting."
Alexander Calipps stood at the foot of the grand staircase, speaking quietly with several guests.
The moment he noticed Luna, his face softened.
"My Little Moon."
He offered his arm.
"You look just like your mother tonight."
Luna blinked.
"You've never said that before."
For a brief moment, something unreadable crossed Alexander's face.
"No..."
he murmured.
"I suppose I haven't."
Before Luna could ask what he meant, the mansion's massive front doors opened.
"The Ashcroft family has arrived."
A distinguished couple entered first, followed by a young man dressed in a perfectly tailored navy suit.
He couldn't have been much older than Luna.
Confident.
Well-spoken.
Elegant.
"Mr. and Mrs. Ashcroft."
Alexander greeted them warmly.
"And this must be Nathan."
The young man bowed politely.
"It's an honor."
Alexander turned toward Luna.
"My daughter."
Nathan smiled.
"So we've finally met."
Luna returned the smile.
"I suppose we have."
There was an awkward pause.
Neither knew what else to say.
Fortunately, Alexander broke the silence.
"Dinner is served."
Conversation flowed easily throughout the evening.
Politics.
Business.
The future of both families.
Luna remained unusually quiet.
She answered when spoken to.
Smiled when expected.
Listened without truly hearing.
Nathan noticed.
"You don't seem particularly fond of formal dinners."
She looked at him in surprise.
"Is it that obvious?"
He chuckled.
"A little."
To Luna's surprise...
He wasn't unpleasant.
In fact, he seemed kind.
Patient.
Even a little awkward.
"So," he asked quietly while the others continued talking.
"What do you enjoy?"
No one had asked her that in a long time.
She thought for a moment.
"Reading."
"Anything else?"
She hesitated.
"...Walking."
"If I didn't know better," Nathan said with a smile, "I'd say you were trying to escape this room."
Luna laughed before she could stop herself.
"You'd be right."
Across the table, Alexander watched the exchange in silence.
A faint smile touched his lips.
He believed everything was going exactly as planned.
Luna didn't have the heart to tell him...
She felt absolutely nothing.
Nathan was kind.
Respectful.
Everything anyone could hope for.
But when she looked at him...
Her heart remained perfectly still.
And for reasons she couldn't explain...
A pair of tired eyes and grease-stained hands briefly crossed her mind.
She immediately pushed the thought away.
"Why am I thinking about him?"
She didn't even know his name.
Outside, unnoticed by everyone inside the mansion...
The moon slowly climbed into the night sky.
And somewhere beyond the estate walls...
The town waited.
So did someone Luna never expected to see again.
- Writer
