CHAPTER 16
Amara nervously fidgeted with her fingers as Kaelith stood right beside her.
The guard told them Rafael just arrived.
And after so many days, Amara wasn’t sure how she should feel.
All the emotions seemed to envelop her. Martha was in the kitchen preparing the drinks.
And now they stood in the lobby waiting for Rafael.
Amara's heart raced as Rafael entered the room.
Her mind was flooded with memories of his soft touches, the smiles, the shared glances, the tender moments.
But now, as he stood there in that impeccably tailored dark blue suit, looking just as dashing as she remembered, there was an unfamiliar tension in the air.
She had expected to feel joy at seeing him again, but all she could manage was a forced smile.
Rafael's light eyes met hers, and he offered a small smile. Whereas she was still, Rafael could feel his heart bursting out. The small piece of jewelry in his pocket seemed to be piercing his skin. But he decided. Today. And every day. Amara was his.
Kaelith however felt that green-eyed monster lurking underneath his skin.
Slowly resurfacing and eating his skin alive.
She was smiling at Rafael but she didn’t smile at him.
Not even once. "Rafael,” she said, her voice quivering with uncertainty as she stepped away from Kaelith’ s protective warmth.
Rafael smiled, his expression softening as taking her off guard he swept her in his arms holding her close to his chest. Amara was stunned her heart beating fast not because Rafael was holding her, but because he was embracing her in front of Kaelith.
No, no! She didn’t want Kaelith to see this.
Her hands raised as she slightly pushed Rafael with a forced smile.
Rafael failed to notice the swirling hesitancy in her eyes and pecked her cheek taking her off guard once again.
“Happy anniversary, my love. no, I haven’t been a good husband, and no reason could justify this, but I promise to love you forever and ever." He moved closer to her, and for a moment, it felt like the distance that had grown between them might start to melt away.
"Rafael," she swallowed hard uncertainty. “Happy anniversary.” That’s all she could say. That’s all she could mumble.
Amara's heart sank even further. She had hoped for a rekindling of their love, but it seemed that Rafael had other things on his mind. "What is it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.
Amara's mixed emotions swirled within her. Her care for Rafael was still there, but so was the uncertainty and fear of what new was bubbling inside her.
Amara tried to maintain a facade of calm.
She knew whatever she was thinking was not moral, she shouldn’t have these emotions for a man other than her husband, but the anxiety within her was almost overwhelming.
She forced a small, polite smile, hoping it would conceal the turmoil of emotions beneath.
“I have something for you,” Amara mumbled with difficulty as Rafael chuckled wrapping his arm around her waist and guiding her to the dining table.
Amara caught a glimpse of Kaelith across the room, her eyes fixed on him, his shoulders tensed and his fists clenched tightly at his sides. The atmosphere was heavy with tension, and his jaw was clenched so firmly that it looked as if it might shatter.
Kaelith's usually warm and inviting eyes whenever he glanced at her had turned dark and stormy, their usual brightness replaced by an unsettling intensity. His brows were furrowed, and his gaze seemed to pierce through the very air around him.
Amara had never seen Kaelith like this before, and it sent a shiver down her spine. She had known him as a gentle and kind person, but the anger that now emanated from him was something entirely foreign. She didn’t know what got him so worked up.
A mixture of concern and fear washed over Amara. She wanted to approach him, to understand what was wrong with him, but the look on his face was so intense that it kept her at a distance.
Rafael blocked her vision with his large body.
Amara's heart raced with anticipation as she finally laid eyes on her husband after seventeen long days. The moment should have been filled with happiness and warmth, but to her surprise, all she felt was an overwhelming emptiness deep within her.
As she looked at him, his smile, and the familiar contours of his face, it was as if a disconnect had formed during their time apart. The physical presence was there, but the heart-to-heart connection seemed to have faded.
“Oh, seems like Abigail is here. Wait, I’ll bring him in.” Rafael beamed sprinting outside the door. Amara swallowed hard, looking back at Kaelith.
Kaelith's dark and angry eyes met Amara's, the intensity in his gaze momentarily softened, and a flicker of warmth passed through them. It was as if, in that brief moment, he had found a tether to reality amidst the storm of his emotions.
Amara saw a hint of vulnerability in his eyes. She took a cautious step closer; her own eyes filled with concern and a determination to help him through whatever was tormenting him. Something just pulled her to him. There were so many unsaid words between them.
Kaelith's clenched fists slowly relaxed, and his jaw unclenched as he took a deep breath. It was evident that he was struggling to regain control over his anger and emotions.
Without saying a word, Amara extended her hand towards him, offering her warmth, her gaze never leaving his. Kaelith clenched his jaw before Amara smiled at him. “Come.”
The sudden intrusion of manly giggles snapped both Amara and Kaelith back to reality. They turned their heads to see Rafael entering with two men and one woman. Their laughter was loud and raucous, their attention momentarily drawn to the couple in the dimly lit corner of the room.
Amara quickly retreated her hand, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. Kaelith looked at the place where her hand was and fisted his own still lingering in the air.
The elegant ballroom was abuzz with the lively chatter of guests, the clinking of glasses, and the soothing notes of the live jazz band.
Kaelith stood by the bar, a glass of whiskey in hand, watching the entrance with a mixture of anticipation and anxiety.
He couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy as he saw Rafael walk in with his friends, among them Abigail's wife.
Rafael entered with his two friends. “You didn’t have to bring all these, Anna.”
The woman beside Rafael shrugged her shoulders carrying a box covered with gift-wrapper. “It’s your anniversary, Rafael. I couldn’t just come empty-handed.”
As they approached, Kaelith's eyes locked on Amara, who was standing nearby. His heart tightened as he saw Rafael's arm slip around her waist, pulling her closer. Kaelith quickly began fuming. “Meet my wife, Amara. Isn’t she beautiful?”
Rafael turned towards his friends, still keeping Amara close, and introduced her with a broad smile.
Kaelith couldn't tear his gaze away from the scene. His jealousy burned hotter as he watched Amara, her cheeks flushed with a mix of surprise and discomfort. She offered a polite smile to Anna, trying to conceal her feelings in this awkward situation.
Kaelith grumbled storming to the table grabbing a glass of whiskey and taking a sip, struggling to hide his jealousy and the turmoil of emotions within him.
He let Rafael play whatever game he was playing. He wasn’t going to lose Amara to him. Not again.
“This is Abigail, and this is Oliver. They’re my friends. We used to hang out all the time when we were still students.” Rafael said motioning towards the men. One of them had a blonde head with smoking blue eyes.
But the other, he seemed so familiar.
Her heart pounding. Amara couldn't shake the sensation that she knew Abigail from somewhere, but her memory remained stubbornly elusive. She tried to hide her unease and discomfort by offering a polite smile, but her anxiety was palpable.
His eyes roamed her body in an invasive and uneasy manner. It sent a wave of repulsion through her, making her skin crawl as she unconsciously moved closer to Rafael. “Hi.”
Abigail took her hand between his and pecked. Amara quickly retreated her hand and rubbed it sneakily.
She felt an overwhelming urge to distance herself from this man, to escape his gaze.