Moonlight Lovers

Twenty-five

CALEB’S brows creased. “Are you celebrating something?”

Selene shrugged coyly. “Well, sort of. I’ve accepted another job. You do remember Godric Octavius, right? He came by the café for about a few days before,” she said. “See, he offered me a job. And it was such a great opportunity so, I’m leaving this one in a couple of days. I have actually prepared my resignation,” she added.

Caleb’s smile slowly disappeared. “You’ve accepted to work for him?” He wanted to ask why but his voice had died in his throat.

“I did,” she answered. “I thought a lot about it. It’s a little scary thinking about working in a company like The Orchid, but I think it would really help me a lot. Not just career wise. I just really want to be able to start saving money soon. You know what it is like here, right? But I still feel a little sad about leaving.”

“It’s because of what happened last night, isn’t it? That's the real reason you're quitting, right?”

“No.” Selene touched his arm, filled with concern. “Caleb, it’s not. I’m not even thinking about it at all.”

“Was it that bad?” He wondered painfully.

“No! Caleb…” She sighed in resignation. “Don’t say that. You’re a great person, okay? I just am not the right one for a great guy like you.”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to lie for my sake, Selene,” he said. “Sorry, but I think we should do a rain check on the rice wine and grilled pork tonight.” After saying that, he left the room and headed to the café’s exit.

Selene followed him outside the café where he stopped and stared at the person leaning against the luxurious car parked outside. She opened her mouth in surprise when he saw who it was.

“Godric?”

The tall blood being was looking like a model wearing a long sleeved white shirt rolled up on the elbows, black pants, and a pair of leather shoes. A silver Rolex adorned his masculine arms, and his hair was swept neatly. “How was your day, Selene?” He asked, not even acknowledging the presence of another person between them.

Before answering, she turned to Caleb. His fists were clenched on his side, jaws tightened. He didn’t even glance at her when he finally turned and walked away from the place. She wanted to call him but his name died in her mouth.

Selene returned his gaze to Godric and she found him looking at her worriedly. “Is everything okay?”

She just nodded. He didn’t have to know what happened. “Yes,” she simply responded. “Why did you suddenly drop by?”

Godric shrugged. “I want to take you out to dinner.”

LOCKEWOOD Towers’s highest floor is where the famous The Paulini’s restaurant is located. The entire floor is an open-air indoor restaurant where couples and families love to visit for both huge and simple celebrations.

The tower overlooks the twinkling calm waters of Lake Ynez at night. Selene sighed as she looked to her right and watched the serene beauty of Clairhill several hundred feet above the air.

“You can tell me whatever’s bothering you, Selene,” Godric said.

Selene removed his gaze from the breathtaking view around the restaurant and onto the equally breathtaking view in front of her. She just smiled and shook her head. “I’m fine. This is nothing.”

“Caleb, wasn’t he?” He asked. “You’re thinking about him, am I right?”

“Are you reading my mind right now?”

Godric shook his head. “I told you I can’t read anyone’s minds. I can only hear a few of your thoughts.”

She sighed. “Caleb and I just had a misunderstanding.”

“You seem really upset about it,” he commented.

“I am, because he’s my friend. And I hate that we are having this kind of misunderstanding right now,” she let out.

Godric smiled at the view outside. “He’s a very lucky guy to have you as a friend.”

Before Selene could respond to it, two waiters arrived at their table with the food that they ordered just less than half an hour ago. Selene gaped at the food’s impressive presentation when the plates were served before them and closed her eyes as she smelled the air above it. “This must be really good,” she exclaimed, moistening her lips.

“It is,” Godric replied, slicing his steak gracefully with a knife and a fork. “I used to go here a lot. Everyone I bring here says the same thing.”

“By everyone, do you mean women?”

Godric looked confused. “Yeah.” He shrugged.

“Why did you take your new employee to have dinner at the same place you brought your dates to?” She innocently asked, sipping on the bubbly champagne that sits on the table in front of her.

“Well, maybe because this is a date?”

Selene moved back in her chair a little trying not to spill any of the champagne from the glass. She quickly grabbed the table napkin and gently dabbed the side of her mouth.

“Are you okay?” He got up, looking worriedly at her.

Selene could feel her face flushing at his thoughtfulness. “I’m fine,” she said in a small voice.

She couldn’t even start properly eating because Godric kept staring at her. A few minutes later, and almost without warning, Godric reached out his hands to touch her hair. He slowly leaned in on her, until their faces were closer and closer to each other.

Selene shut her eyes. So many things are running in her mind. Her heart was wildly drumming against her chest. Are they really going to kiss? Is it alright when she still has a lot on her mind to think about?

“The cherry blossoms are in bloom tonight,” she heard him say.

Selene opened her eyes and was slightly embarrassed to find out that Godric actually just picked a small round petal on her hair. The trees are all over Clairhill and like Godric said, were in bloom that night. The petals flew as high as the top floor of Lockewood Tower and some had landed on the floor of The Paulini’s. The clients of the expensive restaurant were mesmerized by the beautiful, pink petals dancing and fluttering gorgeously in the air.

“You’re right. They’re beautiful,” she whispered.

“You’re beautiful, Selene,” Godric muttered.

Her cheeks were burning again. How can he say that so casually after just making her really embarrassed of herself?

Godric Octavius is truly, truly dangerous for her heart.