Moonlight Lovers

Eighteen

CALEB glanced at the clock on the counter and watched the time change. It’s exactly nine o’clock. He sighed as he looked at the door again. Selene has not come to the café yet. Something gripped his heart. He wonders if she’s alright. Outside the café, the sky was cloudy and gray, and it has been drizzling since earlier that morning. He hoped Selene had just slept in and would come to work later that day.

He had just changed the sign at the door when a familiar car parked in front of the café and a beautiful, slender woman stepped out of the car, wearing a salmon pink dress and a pair of white flat shoes. Her wavy ebony hair was flowing behind her back and over her shoulders. There was a wide smile painted across her lips.

“Dahlia,” he muttered. Caleb smiled curiously waiting for her boss to come inside the café. He could not help but notice though how different Dahlia looked than the last he saw her—which was when exactly? A week ago?

The paleness of her skin has gotten a little color in them and looked comparably healthier, her eyes are vibrant and full of life, and just her overall appearance looked really enthusiastic.

Caleb remembered that this kind of change in his boss would always be obvious every time she goes away on vacation. Every one and a while Dahlia would go traveling, and whenever she would return, she would always come back refreshed and looking like a whole new person. He and Selene had talked about how much they are looking forward to traveling soon, too, because it looks like it is very therapeutic as evident in their young boss.

Dahlia’s eyes narrowed as she smiled when she pushed the glass door of the café as she entered the shop and greeted Caleb. Caleb just bowed back to his boss and welcomed her warmly.

“I’m glad to see you well, Dahlia.”

“Thank you,” she beamed, placing the bag she was carrying on a table near her. “Everything okay here?”

Caleb nodded. “I think Selene’s going to be late, though,” he wondered.

Dahlia waved her hand. “She’s not coming in today. She asked me if she could have the day off. She said she’s with a friend. But she’ll be back tomorrow.”

Caleb was a little shocked by the news. A friend? She doesn’t mean that Godric Octavius right? Are they still together since last night?

He didn’t want to think that Selene would agree to spend a whole night and a whole day with a man she just met. He has only known Selene for a year but he had a good sense of the kind of person that she is. And he knew very well that Selene is a careful person, who would not put herself in danger.

He averted his eyes and pretended to be doing something behind the counter. “I see.”

“Are you okay?” Dahlia asked.

Caleb looked at her and forced a smile. “Yes. I was just a little worried. She didn’t tell me that.”

Dahlia nodded knowingly. “And are you two okay?”

An uneasy smile slipped on Caleb’s lips. He shrugged. “Yeah, we are.”

Dahlia looked unconvinced. “You’ve never been a good liar, Caleb. Do you remember when I hired you? I told you, anyone can easily read what you are feeling through your eyes.” She walked to the door of the café and changed the Open sign on the door back to Close.

A deep crease formed on Caleb’s forehead. “Are we opening a little late today?” He asked.

Dahlia shook her head. “Now I don’t always come here but I know everything that is happening in my café. Besides, your eyes are telling me right now that something is bothering you, so, I’ll close the shop today and you get the day off, too. If you want to go to her, do it now before I change my mind,” Dahlia demanded, with her hands on her hips.

A grateful smile gradually appeared on his lips. “Thank you, Dahlia.”

THE rain fell heavily against the glass window of Café Bliss and Dahlia peacefully sat on her favorite spot in the shop, looking outside on the streets and enjoying her solitude.

She was glad that it didn’t take too much convincing for Caleb to take the day off, too, so that she could have the entire day and the café to herself. She hadn’t realized how much she missed this routine over the last few days that she was away. If she actually had a choice at all, she would never go anywhere. She’s happy just sitting in the same place where the greatest love of her life proposed to her many, many years ago.

She smiled bitterly and looked at the ring finger of her left hand. It’s empty now. But for so long, even after her groom-to-be left, for her sake as he said, she had worn the ring all the time and it made it easy for her to let the men she would meet know that she already belonged to someone. After a while, her wearing the ring for a long time left a faint mark around the base of her ring finger, imitating the shape of her engagement ring.

Dahlia delicately touched her finger. What she wanted more than anything in the world was to see him again, to be with him, become his wife, and live happily together. But searching for his former lover was a more difficult feat than she’d expected. Dahlia remembered that her would-be groom was not uncommon among the wealthiest and the most distinguished community in Clairhill, as he was one of them, too. But none of the remaining families knew any information about him. And her search would always reach a dead end.

Just recently, she found out that an old friend of hers, whom she owes a lot to, having saved her life before, may have information that will help her find her former fiancé. Yearning for the chance to meet the love of her life again, she begged for his help. He was very hesitant at first but eventually agreed. He didn’t promise her that he would be able to find the whereabouts of her fiance soon, but he will try nevertheless. No matter how long it will take. Dahlia accepted it. She had been waiting a very long time, after all, she could wait a bit more.

The mobile phone on the table lit up and buzzed and Dahlia turned her attention to the device. She picked it up and opened the text message that came in.

I’ll visit you tonight. I hope you are well now. – R

Dahlia pursed her lips. She hoped he would come with news about her former fiance tonight.