Chapter Eight #2
After a quick shower, Sebastian dressed in his freshly laundered clothes before joining his wife and father-in-law at the breakfast table.
“I see you two made up,” Arthur scoffed, barely looking up as he buttered his toast.
Neither Sebastian nor Beth offered an explanation. They simply locked eyes across the table, sharing a silent, private joke that left Arthur entirely on the outside.
“As long as this promises to end the spectacle you two have become known for,” the older man muttered, shaking his head.
Once breakfast was over, Beth walked Sebastian out to his car and after a brief kiss goodbye, Sebastian pulled out of the driveway, headed straight for the office.
He began planning their afternoon date the moment he pulled away, dialling his assistant before he even cleared the main gate.
He was excited, giddy almost, and he really wanted to impress his wife. With one hand on the steering wheel, he spoke to his assistant, his mind racing through every high-end restaurant, private venue, and thoughtful detail he could pull together on such short notice.
After five years of taking Elizabeth for granted, a simple reservation wouldn’t cut it. He needed this afternoon to be unforgettable.
??
Long after Sebastian had left, Beth found herself unable to stop smiling and her eyes constantly drifted back to the clock.
She was also relieved that he hadn’t caught a cold after standing out in the pouring rain for six hours.
Though his knees were bruised and scraped from the hard stone driveway, Beth secretly felt a thrill at the sight. The marks were tangible proof that the proud, unyielding Sebastian Moore cared for her and that he cared enough to humble himself for her.
At exactly one o’clock, a sleek black town car pulled up to the main gates of the estate. Sebastian stepped out wearing a sharp, tailored suit, one of the many he kept at his office, and he looked every inch the handsome, commanding businessman.
“You look stunning,” he said, kissing her passionately before ushering her into the passenger seat.
“So do you,” she replied, a faint blush warming her cheeks.
Sebastian rounded the car, slid behind the wheel, and pulled smoothly out into traffic.
“Where are we headed?” Beth asked, glancing sideways at him.
“How do you feel about seafood by the beach?”
Beth looked down at her outfit, a brown slip dress paired with a dark leather jacket and black Valentino rockstud heels. “Does this mean I’m overdressed?”
“No,” Sebastian said, his eyes sweeping over her with undeniable admiration. “You are dressed perfectly.”
As he settled into the drive, he glanced at her again. “So, what have you been up to since this morning?
“Catching up on work,” she answered, catching the flash of genuine surprise in his eyes.
“You work?” he asked.
Beth let out a soft laugh. “Yes. What did you think I did all day while you were off at the office?”
Guilt struck Sebastian. There was so much he did not know about his wife, much to his eternal shame and regret, and he intended to rectify that oversight.
“Will you forgive your stupid husband?” he murmured softly. Reaching across the console, he linked their fingers together, drew her hand to his lips, and pressed a lingering kiss against her knuckles. “So, tell me. What do you do?”
“I work as a literary translator,” she said, leaning back against the leather seat. “I mostly translate novel manuscripts.”
Sebastian raised an eyebrow, genuinely intrigued. “And how many languages do you speak?”
“Four,” she replied smoothly. “Italian, Spanish, German, and Polish.”
“How on earth?”
Beth smiled, a flash of self-deprecating humour in her eyes. “Well, I had a lot of empty hours to fill as a child. I was chubby and not very popular, so I had no choice but to pick up an interesting hobby. Turns out I chose the nerdiest one: languages.”
“I’m thoroughly impressed,” Sebastian said, a brilliant idea taking root in his mind. “PayVault is expanding internationally. How would you feel about working with us?”
Beth tilted her head, considering the offer as a slow, thoughtful smile spread across her lips. “Sounds interesting.”
They pulled up to their destination, and contrary to what she had expected when he mentioned seafood by the beach, their reservation was at South Beach’s trendiest, most exclusive waterfront venue.
Flashbulbs flickered in the distance and the place was overflowing with high-society figures, influencers, and photographers.
Sebastian guided Beth through the crowded dining room with effortless confidence, his hand resting firmly on her lower back.
He was deliberately showing her off, announcing to the entire city of Miami that she belonged to him.
While Beth was still not entirely sure she wanted to officially reconcile with him, she took immense satisfaction in watching the glamorous women ogling him shamelessly, get the message.
After a delicious, leisurely lunch, Sebastian led her down to the marina where a massive, hundred-foot luxury yacht was waiting for them.
They boarded the vessel and spent the entire afternoon sailing along the golden coastline, sipping champagne, laughing, and watching the sun set over the ocean.
As evening fell, the crew transformed the upper deck into a breath-taking dining setting. A single table was dressed in white linen, surrounded by dozens of flickering candles and fresh white roses.
The moment they sat down, a renowned crooner stepped out from the interior cabin, strumming his guitar and began serenading Beth with her favourite love songs.
“How did you even...” Beth began, her voice trailing off as the music filled the cool evening air.
“I made a few calls,” Sebastian said, his tone entirely casual despite having clearly pulled off the impossible. “You mentioned months ago how much you loved his songs. I figured dinner by the ocean deserved a proper soundtrack.”
Beth gasped, her hands flying to her lips as she looked around the glowing deck in awe, her wide eyes sparkling with excitement.
“I love it,” she admitted softly, her heart melting at the effort he had put into their date.
Sitting there under the stars, serenaded by her favourite artist with the gentle ocean breeze in her hair, Beth felt truly wooed for the first time in her life. She was over the moon, her earlier reservations melting away under his focused, undivided attention.
After dinner, as the yacht gently docked back at the marina, Sebastian reached across the small table and took both of her hands in his.
“Elizabeth,” he began, his voice low and earnest. “I would like us to be exclusive. Would you consider... not seeing other men?”
Beth looked at him, seeing the desperation hidden beneath his calm demeanour. In truth, her dates with other men had never been serious. She had gone out with them purely to punish Sebastian, to get a strong reaction out of him, and to prove to herself that she was desirable.
Now, sitting across from her husband, she finally realized the true depth of her own emotional hurt. She understood why she had felt such a bitter need to punish him: she had been dying inside for five years, starving for his affection.
“Okay,” Beth said softly, nodding her head. “I’m not ready to get back together yet... but we can date in the meantime.”
She had finally agreed to go on dates with him, primarily to test his long-term resolve and keep him at a safe arm’s length, ensuring he wouldn’t slip back into his old ways once he felt secure.
He drove her straight home after their date, which came as a complete surprise.
Beth had been certain he would try to coax her into coming back to his place or taking a hotel room.
Given the charged chemistry and the romantic atmosphere of the evening, she was convinced the night would end in his bed.
When he pulled up outside her father’s gates, Sebastian stepped out, opened her door and walked her to the front entrance. Then he cupped her cheek, leaned down and pressed a brief, chaste kiss against her lips.
“Goodnight, Elizabeth,” he murmured.
Before she could process what had happened, he turned and climbed back into his car and drove off into the night.
Beth stood on the front porch, thoroughly bewildered and burning with an unfulfilled desire. She wanted him desperately.
And he had just... walked away.
That night, Beth did not sleep well. She tossed and turned, endlessly tormented by explicit dreams. It was only the first of many evenings Sebastian would leave her aching, frustrated and starving for his touch.