The Black Ocean

Episode 2

I loathed the dimness and the relentless buzz. Why had I even stepped into this chaotic mess they called a party? I sought solace in a corner, hoping it'd offer some semblance of seclusion, though that was wishful thinking. There I stood, alone, with my colorful non-alcoholic drink resting in front of me.

Dorian mentioned he'd show up with his girlfriend, Blair. He kept insisting there was something urgent to discuss, yet our last face-to-face encounter had been back on the university campus, the awful day when dozens of his portraits were scattered on the floor.

Coming here had been a terrible idea; I knew I'd be met with the sight of them happily enjoying each other's company. Elisa had pushed hard for this, promising it would be a blast, and she practically dragged me along.

I fidgeted uncomfortably in my black mini dress. As if the chaos weren't enough, I was wearing this outfit that made me feel oddly uneasy, nervously tugging at the skirt, worried about some mishap as I sat. The house hosting the party was quite grand, boasting a huge pool that screamed opulence. I was Elisa's plus-one, yet she deftly dodged all my questions about whom the house owner really was. And where was Elisa now, when I found myself alone by the poolside?

She probably had already found someone to dance with and joined the bustling crowd in the hall. The poolside offered a quieter atmosphere amid the darkness. I settled on one of the wooden lounge chairs with comfy cream-colored cushions, idly playing with my phone, hoping the party would end soon. It was almost midnight, and the ordeal showed no signs of winding down.

"You're having a blast, aren't you?" a voice broke the silence.

The figure on the sun lounger across from me turned out to be Alex. The soft poolside lights cast a faint glow on him, making his presence noticeable. I owed him thanks, but this didn't feel like the right moment. He'd seen Dorian's face in those drawings and hadn't raised any questions. I doubted he had told Dorian. If he had, it would've likely caused a stir.

He flashed a smile. I'd almost forgotten how charming his smile was; it had been nearly two weeks since I'd last seen him.

"Not exactly..." I replied, my tone dripping with irony.

"Why are you so bored?" he asked, clearly finding it amusing.

"I guess this isn't really my thing. I don't get what's so fun about all this," I gestured toward the house and the wild crowd inside.

"Then I probably won't impress you if I say I organized all this. I asked Elisa to bring you" he said, and I was stunned. I could only manage a sheepish smile, words escaping me.

"Why didn't you ask Dorian?" I asked, feeling discomfort arise at the mention of his name. There were several reasons for my unease, but I couldn't grasp why he seemed so uneasy too.

"I don't really know Dorian either. Being partners in the company, brought us along for dinner. That's all, just one meeting. Elisa was much friendlier to me than him. That's why I asked her," he explained, a wry smile on his lips.

"Dad didn't call me for the shareholders' dinner" I muttered, unable to hide my disappointment.

"We got called at the last minute. Maybe he didn't want to bother you." His smooth voice carried a hint of an attempt to mend my shattered spirits.

His hazel eyes, though appearing black in the dim light, were captivating. It dawned on me that he was clad in black jeans, a plain black shirt, and a leather jacket: my favorite color. He wore it effortlessly. How else could he pull it off so well? He took the cocktail from my hand, had a sip, and returned it, shaking his head with a disapproving glance.

"That is the reason you are bored" he muttered with a raised eyebrow, flashing an arrogant smile that always seemed to stun me. There was an odd effect it had on me, it coaxed a smile out of me too. The darkness served as a scapegoat, concealing the truth.

"You're in love with Dorian, aren't you?" he asked, observing the half-smile on my face, leaving me frozen with surprise and unease. He squinted, as if trying to discern even the tiniest detail.

"No, what gives you that idea?" I retorted, shaking my head in an exaggeratedly negative way.

"He's got a girlfriend, I mean..." I murmured, anxious that someone might overhear us.

"Lets just have some fun" he remarked, rising and extending his hand towards me. I took his hand, placing my glass on the small wooden coffee table beside the sun lounger. As we moved towards the throng, Alex still had a firm hold on my hand guiding me through the crowd. Finally reaching the drinks table, he was waiting for me to choose the drinks for both of us.

"You Pick" he said with a wink.

It felt like he trusted my choice more than I did. I realized I didn't even know my preferences and wasn't certain if I had any.

"Alright, I'll go with color," I decided.

I grabbed a blue glass for him and a green one for myself. Handing it over and bolting seemed tempting, but that would have been too awkward. Both of us eyed the glasses warily, taking a cautious sip, as if sampling poison served in golden chalices.

"Too sweet."

"Too sour."

I burst into laughter at the dueling critiques uttered simultaneously. I abruptly stifled my laughter, yet he continued beaming that breathtaking smile at me.

"Switch," he directed, reclaiming the glass from my hand and pressing it back into mine firmly.

"Mission accomplished," he declared, tugging me towards a crowded sofa set with no empty spots. As we approached, a few occupants graciously vacated their seats for us. I scanned the scene, utterly puzzled by the gesture.

Everyone seemed to avoid notice, yet their conspicuous gazes were fixed on me. Thanks to Alex, I had garnered more attention than I desired, and I needed to extricate myself from it swiftly. I took a large gulp from my glass.

"Would you like to dance?" I asked, forcing a smile. Dancing was the only and most daunting escape from this situation. At least in the throng, we could blend. I have already made my choice. Alex mimicked me, downing half his drink in one gulp.

"Let's go."

As the enigmatic man in black, whose mesmerizing smile had led me here, drew me into the crowd.

An upbeat track filled the space. At least it was a song I enjoyed. I endured our dance for a single song. Then I could flee without glancing back. Alex checked his phone with a sardonic expression, tapping away before pocketing it. He remained motionless. If he persisted, I'd suspect I'd swiped a Greek statue from the museum garden in my sleep, forgetting it.

Moments later, the music abruptly changed to a slow-tempo dance number. A partner dance. I wasn't surprised.

"Something tells me you arranged this," I remarked, shaking my head disapprovingly and placing my hands on his shoulders.

"Maybe..." he murmured. I attempted to shift my focus elsewhere, but his presence held me captive.

It felt as though he was everywhere I turned. I instinctively pulled away, creating some distance between us. Yet, he gently drew me back, closing the gap between us. Puzzled, I met his gaze, finding a profound intensity in his eyes.

"Wouldn't you want to find out if you have a chance to be with Dorian?"

"If you don't cut out the nonsense, I might just leave you stranded on the dance floor," I snapped, my smile a tight facade, my teeth gritted with frustration.

As the music picked up its tempo, I halted my steps, glaring back at Alex who stood motionless amidst the dancing throng. His gaze was equally charged, almost irritated.

"What did he do to you?" he murmured, his voice a soft whisper. No one had ever bothered to inquire before. It was almost overwhelming. I wanted to pour out my heart, to share every detail without pause, as if time were standing still. Yet, a solitary sentence escaped my lips.

"He is in love with someone else. Isn't that enough?"

Alex's face remained an impassive mask. His unwavering gaze remained locked on me as he continued the narrative.

"You love him more than anyone or anything else, but he's blind to it. He can't see that your love surpasses everything. He's oblivious to your feelings and instead talks about someone else," he trailed off, his voice tinged with an unspoken emotion.

I nodded, feeling numb to my very fingertips. Pain wrapped around me like thorny vines. I felt it, the anguish of a soul engulfed in flames.

"I want to let go, but I can't. He's everywhere, I feel like everything is about him. Every song, every book, every film... I think I'm losing my mind," I confessed, each word a painful incision in my heart.

Did Alex truly understand my turmoil? He completed my sentences as though he was reading my mind. His gaze was fixed in the distance, his expression clouded. I struggled to comprehend his thoughts and emotions, failing to penetrate his stoic facade.

"Why do you believe I could catch his eye, and why would you lend a hand?" My words brought a hint of amusement, drawing a wry smile from him. It felt as if the answer lingered just beyond my reach.

"Have you ever dated anyone?" he asked.

I shook my head, my heart and thoughts exclusively reserved for Dorian.

"That's why he never thought he might lose you. You made him think you'd wait for him no matter what and how long it took,"

Our dance had ceased; we simply held each other, suspended in our embrace.

"Why rush into someone's life you barely know and play this game, Alex?"

"Our love is unrequited, and we're two viewers stuck watching the same poorly scripted movie."