Chapter 26
Act II, Scene XVIII: Obsidian Tower, London
Titan
‘Y ou’ve been in a terrible mood lately,’ Scarlet said.
I replied with a non-committal sound, my gaze glued to my screen as I finished up the last batch of edits.
My head swam with images of Kalina’s face when I’d left her at her door two nights ago.
Charlie’s the one for her, I told myself.
He comes from a stable home and family, and he knows how to be in a relationship.
He’s also your friend and he likes her.
It was what Kalina needed. It was the whole point of the stupid Agreement, and what she’d wanted. Their second date would cement things for them, and I could focus on moving on.
‘Between home and work it’s like fire and ice,’ Scarlet mumbled. She continued clicking away on her keyboard.
‘What are you talking about?’ It was the first thing she’d said that piqued my interest.
‘Kalina’s been delightful since her date. You could probably use some. You’re a total grump.’
The date went well.
This was good.
And even though my heart quickened at the thought of Kalina being swept off her feet, she deserved it.
As if she were in my head, a message popped up on my screen.
Hi, we didn’t discuss details...do you want me to meet you at the venue?
16:39
Or I can come to you?
16:39
Whatever’s easiest.
16:39
She was panicking.
She’d likely forgotten about tonight, and it was the last thing she wanted when she could be out with Charlie.
Hey, you don’t have to come if you’re busy. I can ask Scarlet to join me.
16:40
Do you want me to come?
16:40
Of course I did. I wanted to be around her every single second of every day.
Yes. I can pick you up?
16:40
It’s out of your way. I’ll meet you there?
16:40
Let me fetch you. You’re doing me a favour and I can’t have you trekking around town in heels.
16:41
Thank you. I was worried about that ha-ha.
16:41
See you around 6.30?
16:41
Great.
16:42
It was one night.
There would be loads of people there, and I wouldn’t have to face the idea of being alone with her where I’d likely confess my feelings.
It was hard enough thinking about her being beautiful and enthralling tonight. Kalina would be amazing, as always, and likely enchant everyone we’d meet.
But tonight was about Mae and I needed to focus on her.
Then, there was the matter of Charlie. One of my best friends. I couldn’t do that to him. To them. Not when I’d insisted they go on a date.
Twice.
‘Are you even listening to me?’ Scarlet stood on the other side of my desk.
‘Sorry, no.’ I scrubbed my palms over my face.
She inhaled, crossed her arms over her chest, and let out a long breath. ‘Could you tell her how you feel already?’
My gaze shot up. ‘What?
‘Please don’t give me any of the bullshit where you pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about, or you’re going to make me mad by insulting my intelligence. Tell Kalina how you feel.’
‘I—’
‘I don’t want to hear it. I’ve sat around for the last two weeks, watching the two of you idiots dance around each other.’
‘That doesn’t seem accurate.’ It had maybe only been about a week.
She glared at me. ‘You aren’t denying it.’
I sighed. ‘How did you know?’
She laughed, a loud and unrestrained sound. ‘Please. You can’t stop looking at each other like you want to devour one another. And you’ve been hanging out with her all the time. Add to that the fact that you look like an idiot in love.’
She wasn’t wrong.
‘Kalina doesn’t feel the same way. She’s with Charlie.’
Scarlet slapped her palms onto my desk, making my screen shake. ‘Because you told her to go out with him! Did she tell you she doesn’t feel the same way? If you took one second to look at her, you’d notice it’s written all over her face.’
‘You said their date went well.’
‘I’m sure Kalina had a lovely time but one, I wanted to see your reaction and two, she doesn’t have the same look on her face when she's with him. Her spark is missing.’
I let out a strangled breath. ‘I have to get ready to leave, and even if—for argument’s sake—you were right, she’ll be happier with Charlie. He’s perfect for her and I don’t want to ruin the chance.’
Scarlet shook her head. ‘You’re throwing this away because of a possibility? God, you’re so stupid.’
I glared at her. ‘Don’t you have plans tonight?’
‘Other than telling you you’re making the biggest mistake of your life by letting the one woman who is perfect for you slip away? Nope.’
I left Scarlet to finish her work as I went up to the loft to get ready for the night. It wasn’t like the things she’d said hadn’t crossed my mind, but she saw what she wanted to believe.
While I wanted to believe it was the truth.
Tonight would be more difficult than I thought.
I pulled up outside Kalina’s house, and I looked at the blue door with trepidation.
‘Are you going to move?’ Scarlet reached over me to yank on the door handle.
‘You could’ve taken the tube.’ I scowled at her but shifted out of the seat and onto the pavement. ‘I’ll be out in a few minutes,’ I said to the driver.
Scarlet straightened her coat beside me. ‘As if you’d let me.’
She bounded ahead before I could respond.
‘Kalina, Titan’s here,’ she called out as she walked through the door.
I reached the doorway as Kalina stepped out of her room, and it knocked the air right out of me.
She was wearing the golden yellow dress. The one she’d worn the night we’d met.
‘Is this okay?’ she asked, pressing her palms against the full skirt.
‘Yes,’ I breathed. My gaze roamed down from her hair, with the golden headband woven through some strands, to the shimmer dusting her collarbone and exposed shoulders.
‘It’s not too much?’ She swung from side to side making the fabric rustle.
‘It’s exactly the right amount.’ I offered her a reassuring smile.
‘Thanks. You look really great.’ She tipped her head at me in my black tux.
‘Wow. You two,’ Scarlet said, as if she’d appeared from thin air. ‘You look amazing. Can I get a photo?’ She lifted her phone up and gestured for me to step closer to Kalina.
I shot her an unimpressed look.
‘Come on, you can do better. Move closer.’ Scarlet smirked at me.
I’d get her back for this.
‘Is this okay?’ I looked down at Kalina.
She nodded.
Part of me wanted to tease her like I’d done before. Instead, I wrapped an arm around her waist, placed my other hand in my pocket, and leaned in slightly as Scarlet snapped away.
‘Perfect. You kids have fun, okay?’ She winked.
Kalina let out a soft laugh. ‘I left some dinner in the oven for you.’
‘You’re the best.’ Scarlet was gone in a flash.
‘I need my bag. Two seconds.’ Kalina disappeared into her room, reappearing in a tan coat.
It was like seeing the sun disappear behind the clouds.
‘Ready?’ I offered my arm.
‘Yeah.’ She wrapped her hand around my forearm.
A sense of comfort ran through me at the familiar feeling but it was overtaken by the silence that followed throughout the drive.
Kalina looked out of the window, and appeared to be counting the trees as we sped by.
Our hands laid between us, our fingers nearly touching.
I cleared my throat. ‘Thank you. For doing this.’
‘I should thank you for asking me. Are you nervous?’
One look at her washed away my anxiety. ‘Not anymore.’
‘Good. It’s going to be great and you’re amazing.’ She moved to reach for my hand between us, then pulled back.
I flexed mine at the lack of contact between us.
Being alone with her was much harder than I’d realised.
We pulled up outside the Royal Observatory, giving me a reprieve from this confined space with her. I walked around to open the door on her side and offered her my arm again.
We walked toward the entrance, an exterior of white stone enhanced by purple up lights. It cast shadows over the facade in a beautiful, yet haunting, sort of way.
Guests parked and we walked through the double doored entrance into a low din of chatter and music. Some guests interacted with each other, while the rest crowded around the glass cases scattered around the room.
‘Let me take this.’ I offered to remove her coat, thankful to have something to do.
‘Thanks.’ Her gaze darted around the room.
The lights had been dimmed and there were projections of galaxies and stars all along the walls and domed ceiling. The bar on the left was a dark marble and to the right, crowds gathered around what appeared to be photo booths.
‘Hey,’ I said, and waited for her to turn around. ‘I’ll be right back. Are you okay?’
‘Mmm hmm.’ She reached down and clasped her bare finger. As if realising what she’d done, she looked up at me. ‘I’m fine. Go.’
‘I’ll be two minutes.’ I nodded.
When I returned, Kalina stood over a small square glass case, and a man beside her spoke animatedly. Kalina’s eyes were fixed on the case while his were glued to the front of her dress where it dipped into her cleavage.
My chest heated and I clenched and released my fists before I strode toward them. I placed a hand on the small of her back, and stepped between her and the stranger.
‘Hi,’ she said, and lifted her face to look at him with a dazzling smile, unaware of what he’d been doing. ‘Mr…’
‘Walker,’ the man added. He looked up at me and I only glared back in response.
‘Yes, Mr. Walker was telling me that this whole collection was made with lab grown diamonds, and the campaign is aimed at people who want something special, knowing it’s coming from a sustainable and conflict-free source. It’s so interesting.’
‘Mmm, I’m sure that’s where Mr. Walker’s interests lie.’
‘Lovely to meet you, madame,’ Mr. Walker said as he lifted Kalina’s hand to his lips. ‘Have a good evening.’
He scurried away like the rat he was.
Kalina continued to stare at the diamond tennis necklace that lay on the black velvet plinth inside the case.
‘Have you spotted Mae yet?’ She was none the wiser about Mr. Walker’s ogling.
‘Not yet.’ I took her in for the first time. From the way her eye makeup made the golden flecks of her irises appear even brighter, to her full red lips, she really had no idea what kind of pull she had on people.
On me.
‘Use your genes to your advantage,’ she said, a small smile playing on her lips.
‘What?’
‘Scout her out, you could probably see over everyone’s heads.’
I let out a small laugh. ‘I’m really glad you’re with me tonight.’
‘I’m happy to be here.’
I swore a look flashed in her eyes, but it was gone before I could assess it and I was sure I’d imagined it.
She looked at my lips before looking back up to my eyes.
I shook my head. It was playing tricks on me.
‘Want something to drink?’ I asked.
She cleared her throat. ‘Yes please, it’s quite warm.’ She fanned herself.
‘Wait right here.’
I strode across the room and scanned the room for any sign of Mae. I’d never seen her in person, but had scrolled through enough articles online to recognise her.
‘What can I get you sir?’ the bartender asked as I sidled up to the long marble countertop.
A guest beside me was handed a glass with a blue shimmery liquid.
‘What is that?’
‘The drink of the evening sir, a starry night.’
‘Two of those please.’ Kalina would flip when she saw it. Colourful and shiny was her drug.
The bartender handed the drinks to me and I made my way back to the spot I’d left her, only she wasn’t there.
I searched the crowds, and spotted her easily in her beautiful gold ball gown. I was like a moth to a flame.
She spoke to a woman, whose back faced me, and I took a moment to watch Kalina animatedly tell a story. Her hands were always involved in her conversations.
It was adorable.
‘Titan,’ she said as I stepped closer. ‘This is Mae Dubois.’
I stilled for a moment before handing a glass to Kalina then offered my hand to Mae. She looked exactly like her photos; dark brown skin, silver hair, and piercing blue eyes.
‘A pleasure Ms. Dubois. Could I offer you a drink?’ I lifted my glass toward her.
‘No need, you enjoy that. It’s wonderful to finally meet the infamous Titan Andersson. Your partner was telling me her thoughts on the Nova collection.’
Kalina’s cheeks flushed, and I wondered if it was about the compliment or the insinuation. ‘I love the idea of a sustainable way to make such exquisite pieces of jewellery.’
‘Please, feel free to try some on,’ Mae said to Kalina. She gestured to the photobooth area. Various staff members assisted guests in trying on jewellery then photographed them wearing it.
‘Don’t mind if I do,’ Kalina said with the biggest smile. She took a sip of the drink and her eyes went wide as she groaned. ‘Oh my gosh, this is so good.’
‘Pleased to hear. Thank you.’ Mae’s lips tilted up at the corners. I’d never seen a photo of her smiling and it made my heart swell knowing Kalina was the reason.
Kalina excused herself, leaving Mae and I to our own devices. If I hadn’t known her age from the websites I scoured, I would never have guessed her to be in her late sixties. With her glassy, smooth skin and bright eyes, she had a young air about her.
‘Mr. Andersson,’ Mae started.
‘Please, Titan.’
‘Titan, I was impressed with the campaign shoot you sent to me.’
‘Thank you.’ My heart raced in my chest and I took a sip of my drink to steady my nerves.
‘I saw your work for Mode. Your shoot with the Royal Ballet Academy was actually what got me interested in your work. The way you captured the gracefulness and poise was breathtaking.’
The editorial magazine I’d worked for years ago, Mode was where I’d really found my calling for photography.
‘Thank you, Ms. Dubois. Wonderful and kind words coming from you.’
‘I noticed your architecture degree in your résumé. What was the reason for the pivot to photography?’
Her question took me by surprise. No one had asked me in years.
‘I had an assignment in my final year where I fell in love with the people in the background of some of my photographs. I started to focus more on them than on the buildings in the end.’
She nodded. ‘I see. Your submission with Kalina as the subject was different from the other work you’ve done. I saw something there, and I think you’ve been trying to hide it.’
I laughed nervously. ‘Not on purpose. Sometimes I have to do what the job requires of me. With no say or input.’
‘Good to see you branching out. Unofficially, the job is yours. If you still want it.’
‘Oh, I…thank you.’ I stumbled over my words. I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Mae’s gaze shifted to something behind me. Kalina chatted to one of the assistants as they slipped a diamond and sapphire choker onto her neck. Everyone was enamoured by her.
‘I can’t say she had no pull with my decision. There was something in the images you sent I think many women would love to see. We want our clients to feel like they are worthy of our pieces. You’ve captured that with her.’ She tipped her head in Kalina’s direction.
It was what I’d wanted Kalina to see. She was worthy of so much.
And she deserved to be with someone who let her shine.
‘I expect your answer by the end of the week. Please, send my regards to Kalina. She really is wonderful. I hope to see more of her.’
‘Thank you, Ms. Dubois.’ I wasn’t about to tell my potentially new boss I wanted Kalina wholly, it made my entire body ache.
‘Call me Mae. Tiffany will be in touch with the details. Enjoy your evening.’ Mae spun on her heel and disappeared.
I downed my drink before I weaved through the crowd toward Kalina.
She spotted me as one of the assistants helped her with a pair of drop diamond earrings.
‘Having fun?’ I asked.
‘Absolutely. Are you kidding? She gestured to her neck where the dark blue stones shimmered under the studio lights. ‘Do you want to join me?’
‘Not really my style.’
She rolled her eyes, then tipped her head toward the bench. ‘Take a photo with me.’
‘Fine,’ I said dramatically, but I followed her to the velvet loveseat—ironic—and left a space between us on the small piece of furniture.
It was nearly impossible.
‘How did it go with Mae?’ she asked, her brown eyes were wide in anticipation.
A small smile curved over my lips. ‘I got the job.’
Kalina squealed and threw her arms around my neck. ‘Oh my God.’ She pulled away and shook her head. ‘Sorry. That’s really great.’
My heart sank and the moment was gone.
I brushed her hair behind her ear so the earrings would show.
‘Got it,’ the photographer said. ‘Now look at me.’
The photographer took a few more before we got up and walked back to the cases. The assistants helped Kalina remove the jewellery, but she wouldn’t meet my gaze.
‘Do you want to leave?’ I asked.
She shook her head. ‘No, it’s your night. You should enjoy it.’
I wished things were different between us. I wanted to kiss her, to dance with her under these stars.
To call her mine.
‘Hey,’ I said, and tilted her chin up so our gazes met. ‘I invited you because I knew you’d enjoy this. If you want to leave, we can leave.’
‘I’m good,’ she said. But, judging by the way she picked at the side of her thumb, she needed a moment away from the crowds.
‘Can I show you something?’
She nodded.
I took her hand in mine and led her toward the long passage. I’d been to the observatory before enough to know my way around. We slipped through the door at the end, and were ensconced in a dimly lit room. Blue-purple clouds and silver stars swirled and glittered above.
‘It’s so beautiful,’ she whispered.
The Planetarium was mostly empty, save for the two couples in the room, but I couldn’t care less and only had eyes for her. The projection reflected off her skin and I watched her look up at the makeshift sky in awe.
‘It is,’ I replied. Not really talking about the same thing.
If this was a week ago, I’d have leaned down to kiss her.
And there it was. The smile that set my soul alight.
My thoughts drifted to Scarlet’s words from earlier.
All I’d wanted was Kalina’s happiness, even if that meant it wasn’t with me.