Chapter 5
900 Words
Selene didn't sleep much.
She lay in bed staring at the ceiling, replaying every moment of the evening -- the subtle glances, the silent tests, Damien's unexpected honesty by the window.
You're not a shadow.
The words exhoes through her mind long after the house grew quiet.
Mari snored lightly across the hall, unaware or uncaring that Selene was awake. Typical.
Just after dawn, Selene finally drifted into a shallow sleep... only to be woken by her alarm a short while later.
The engagement was still days away, but they were expected at the Ravenson estate again that afternoon for planning. Selene felt her chest tighten at the thought.
Damien would be there. So would vivienne. Mari would be... Mari.
Selene inhaled deeply and rose to get ready.
Mari stumbled into the kitchen still half-asleep, hair tied in a messy bun, wearing shorts far too short for a morning visit to the Ravensons.
"Ugh," Mari groaned. "We have to go back to the mansion today. I swear Damien looked like he wanted to die last night."
Selene poured tea, keeping her tone neutral. "He wasn't rude."
"Yeah, because he has no personality," Mari muttered as she poured cereal. "Meanwhile Ethan couldn't stop laughing at everything i said. Did you notice?"
"Yes," Selene said softly. "You seemed to enjoy yourself."
Mari grinned. "Of course i did. I'll be the pretty wife. You'll be the quiet one. It's always been that way."
Selene sipped her tea. "Maybe people saw different things last night."
Mari paused, spoon hanging mid-air. "What does that mean?"
Selene didn't answer. She didn't need to.
Mari scowled. "Whatever. Let's just go."
When they arrived, Vivienne greeted them at the door, crisp and graceful in a fitted navy blouse and tailored slacks.
"Good morning," she said, her voice soft but firm. "Thank you for being punctual."
Mari beamed. "Of course! I woke up early for this."
Vivienne's eyes slid down Mari's outfit -- tight dress, noticeable cleavage, short hemline.
There was a pause.
A long pause.
Selene stepped forward quickly, bowing politely. "Thank you for having us again, Mrs. Ravenson."
Vivienne's gaze moved to Selene. Her eyes softened just a fraction.
"Come in, Selene."
Just selene.
Mari blinked, stunned.
They stepped inside.
Damien was already in the sitting room, checking emails on his phone. He wore a crisp white shirt and charcoal slacks -- formal even for morning.
He glanced up as they walked in. His eyes landed on Selene first.
A subtle acknowledgement. A quiet, almsot imperceptible nod.
Mari saw it instantly.
Her expression tightened.
Ethan entered a moment later, bright as sunshine. "Ladies! Good to see you again."
Mari attached herself to his arm almost instantly. Ethan, too gentle to refuse, smiled politely.
Damien looked at the scene briefly before turning to Selene.
"You slept?" he asked.
Selene blinked, surprised he initiated conversation. "A little."
"Same," he muttered before returning to his phone.
But Mari's eyes narrowed.
Why is he talking to her?
The family gathered around the long mahogany table in the planning room. Papers had been laid out -- guest lists, venue options, floral arrangements.
Vivienne sat at the head.
"We want both couples involved," she said. "A Ravenson engagement is a family event."
Mari perked up. "Oh, great! I want roses -- red roses. And gold decorations, like a royal wedding. And--"
Vivienne held up a hand. "Mari, we'll get to that. But we'd like to hear from Selene and Damien first."
Mari's jaw dropped.
Ethan coughed to hide a laugh.
Damien didn't react outwardly, but Selene saw it: the faintest twitch of his eyebrow. Amusement? Approval? She couldn't tell.
Selene lifted her chin. "I think something elegant but understated would be beautiful. Whites, creams, maybe soft cold accepts. Something timeless."
Vivienne smiled. A ewal smile.
"Lovely."
Charles nodded. "I agree."
Mari sputtered. "But red roses--"
"Red can be dramatic," Vivienne said calmly. "Selene's suggestion aligns better with a formal Ravenson event."
Selene stared down at her hands, cheeks warm. She hadn't meant to overshadow Mari.
Damien leaned slightly toward her. "Good," he murmured quietly. "Very good."
Selene's breath caught.
Mari saw.
And her expression twisted into something small and sharp.
During a short break, Selene stepped into the hallway to breathe. The house was larhe, quiet, almsot meditative.
Footsteps approached. Clean, steady, familiar.
Damien.
He stopped beside her but didn't intrude.
"You handled yourself well," he said, eyes forward.
Selene looked at him. "I only spoke honestly."
"That's rare."
She tilted her head. "Why?"
"Most people try to impress my family," he said softly. "Or tell them what they want to hear."
"Is that what you expect from me?" she asked gently.
Damien's jaw clenched.
"No," he said finally. "I expect you to be... exactly what you were last night. Composed. Thoughtful. Real."
Her heart fluttered.
She hadn't expected him to notice so much.
"I'm trying," she whispered.
He turned to her fully. "You're doing more than trying."
Their eyes held for a long, soft moment.
Then--
"Selene!"
Mari's voice crashed through the hallway. "What are you doing? We're starting again!"
Selene stepped back, startled.
Damien's expression cooled immidiately. "Go ahead," he said. "I'll be there soon."
Selene hurried past her sister, but not before noticing Mari's narrowed eyes, flicking between her and Damien.
Dangerously jealous.
Selene's stomach twisted. She knew that look.
Mari wasn't going to let this go.
Not at all.
- Writer
