Aria
This time last year, I hadn’t been back in London long.
It had been a birthday I didn’t think I’d ever see.
Jason wasn’t one to do anything for them—they were always just another day.
Callum never forgot and always bought me something, even though he didn’t need to.
He was always thoughtful—the complete opposite of his brother.
I shuddered thinking about the past. I knew it would stay with me for the rest of my life, but I wasn’t going to let it rule any part of my future.
I looked in the mirror, adding the final touches to my make-up, and brushed my hair one last time.
Sebastian had bought me a dress to wear tonight.
It was elegant and sat just above my knees, a rich plum colour that was tight-fitting around my curves and made my cleavage look pretty good, if I did say so myself.
“Nyx?” I heard Sebastian call, and he appeared in the room.
I stood from the dressing table, and he walked over, wrapping his arms around my waist from behind and kissing my cheek.
“You look beautiful. Happy birthday.”
I turned, narrowing my brows at him. “Why do you smell of petrol?”
The smell was overpowering and started to make me feel nauseous. I couldn’t smell his usual citrus scent that I loved so much.
“I was at the petrol station before coming home, probably got some on me somewhere. Let me go shower. I won’t be long.”
He kissed my forehead and rushed off into the en suite. I soon heard the shower running. At least he was home when he said he would be.
The doorbell went, and I made my way out of the room and downstairs. I opened it, but there was no one there, just a small present perched on the step, alongside a single purple rose. I bent down to pick them up, turning the little card over.
My little Astra.
Thought you might need one again.
C x
I closed the door and opened the little black box. A delicate ring sat inside with a crystal attached to it, shaped like a star. I knew what it was. He’d gotten me one in Leeds before to help with my anxiety, something to twist rather than fiddle with my sleeves. Something less obvious to Jason.
I made my way back up to the bedroom and took the ring out of the box, placing it on my right hand and holding it up to look at it. The light caught it, making it shimmer, turning the star into a rainbow of colours.
I put the box and rose in my dresser drawer, then sat on the edge of the bed, waiting for Sebastian.
It wasn’t long before he was wandering out of the en suite with a towel wrapped around him.
His eyes flicked over to me as he pulled his black shirt on. “How was your day with Serfina?”
“Got my nails done.” I held my hands up to show him.
He smiled, then his eyes fixed on the ring. “That’s pretty. Is it new?”
I looked down at the ring and twisted it as knots formed in my stomach. “It’s from my mum. She sent it for my birthday,” I lied.
“It suits you,” he said, pulling his trousers up and looping his belt through.
I grabbed Sebastian’s suit jacket from the chair and helped him put it on. “Thanks,” I replied, trying to brush it off. “Where are we going tonight?”
He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me flush, kissing me softly. “It’s a surprise.”
“You know I don’t like them.”
“When have I ever let you down with my surprises?”
He looked at his watch and met my eyes. “We’ve got a bit of time before we need to be there. I think I should give you this present first.”
He started trailing kisses down my neck, and his hand disappeared under my dress, making its way to my thigh.
“Sebastian,” I said, pulling his hand away.
He stopped kissing my neck and traced his lips over mine, his hand finding my dress again.
“Sebastian, stop,” I said, a little firmer, stepping back to distance myself.
He narrowed his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just tired. I don’t feel so great.”
He took hold of my hands. “We can stay home. We don’t need to go out.”
“No, I want to go out, I’ve just been feeling a bit off since yesterday. Serfina gave me some BBQ chicken she made, and it tasted fine, but now I’m wondering if I should have listened to Hayden.”
“You ate Serfina’s cooking? Did you have a death wish?” He clamped his lips shut, trying not to laugh. “Let’s just stay home if you’re not feeling great. We can watch Romeo + Juliet.”
“No, I’m fine. I want to go out. You’ve planned it all.”
“Fine, but as soon as we get home, we’re watching it.”
I arched my brow at him. You want to watch it?”
“It’s your birthday and your favourite film. Of course I do.”
“I knew you secretly loved it.”
He chuckled. “I didn’t say that.”
“I won’t tell a soul.” I ran my fingers over my lips as if I was zipping them up.
Sebastian opened the door of the car and took my hand, helping me out. We hadn’t gone far. The high-end restaurant he parked outside was situated in Chelsea. He passed the keys to a valet and then rested his hand on the small of my back, guiding me in.
As we entered, the lights from the glass chandelier cast a warm glow through the foyer where the server stood behind an oak desk. The walls were rustic panelling, giving it an eighteenth-century vibe.
“Mr Knight. Pleasure to have you here again,” the server greeted. “If you follow my colleague, they will take you to your private room.”
Sebastian nodded, and he took hold of my hand as we followed the staff member through the main restaurant and then to a door near the back. They opened the door, and we stepped in. My eyes widened, and I covered my mouth to hide the gasp.
The first thing I saw was the midnight blue ceiling that had tiny lights scattered over it to make it look like stars in the night sky.
The walls were draped with white silk, and fairy lights hung from the top down.
Both brought enough light for a romantic meal.
Grey rose petals were scattered over the floor, leading to a table covered in a white silk tablecloth and black high-back chairs, padded with white velvet cushions.
Grey roses had been elegantly arranged around the room.
I couldn’t believe he’d gone to so much trouble.
“Do you like it?”
“Sebastian, I don’t know what to say. It’s stunning.”
He pulled me in and kissed my head. “There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
We made our way to the table, and he pulled the chair out for me, then sat in the one opposite. The server came and poured wine for us and then left. I couldn’t stop looking around at the way the lights sparkled like little stars in the night sky.
He took hold of my hand on the table, and my eyes flicked to meet those bright blues of his.
“I love you so much, Nyx. I know I haven’t been around much recently, but just know everything I do is because I love you more than anything in this world.”
I smiled, placing my hand on his cheek. “I love you too.”
He turned his head, kissing the palm of my hand, then took hold of it. “I got you something.”
He reached for the inside of his jacket pocket and took out a small grey box. I took it and opened it. Inside sat a keyring with an Audi logo on it.
“I bought you a car for your birthday. It’ll be on the drive when we get home.”
“You bought me an Audi?” I questioned.
“Yes.”
I leaned back in the chair, and my stomach churned as I twisted the ring Callum gave me.
“Do you not like it?”
It wasn’t that I didn’t like or appreciate it.
I never expected anything. But it was like he’d gone out and splashed his cash for something that just wasn’t me.
He knew I didn’t care for money or expensive things, yet he’d gone and bought me a car.
I didn’t have a need for it in London, especially something so flashy, and I’d already told him as much.
I cleared my throat and smiled. “Yes, it’s lovely. Thank you.”
I picked up the glass of wine, taking a sip. It burned as it made its way down into my stomach. Sebastian must have noticed me screwing up my face.
“I’ll order a different wine.”
“No, it’s not the wine, but I think I should stick to water tonight.”
He tilted his head, knitting his brows together. “Are you still feeling unwell?”
“I’m fine, honestly.”
“The food should be out in a minute. I had them make something you’d like.”
And if by magic, the waiter came over with our food and placed it down.
Sat in front of me was a chicken tagliatelle.
It looked mouthwatering, and my stomach grumbled.
Maybe I was hungrier than I thought. Sebastian looked like he had a mushroom risotto.
I twisted some tagliatelle with my fork, but Sebastian grabbed it from me and ate it before I had the chance.
“Hmmm, you need to try this,” he said, with a mouthful.
I rolled my eyes at him, snatching the fork back. “I would if you didn’t steal it.”
He chuckled. “Sorry, Nyx, never going to happen.”
I finally brought some to my mouth and started chewing, but immediately, my stomach started to churn. I placed my hand over my mouth to stop myself from retching. I looked at Sebastian, confusion on his face.
“I’m going to be sick.”
I jolted up and ran as fast as I could to the bathroom. As I entered, I managed to get the cubicle door open and locked it behind me. My knees found the floor as I leaned over, heaving into the toilet a few times before everything came rushing up.
“You can’t be in here,” I heard a woman say, shock in her voice.
“I don’t give a shit,” Sebastian snapped back. “Nyx?” He knocked. “Open the door.”
I pulled the toilet flush, then reached up to unlock the door.
He pushed it open and looked down at me on the floor.
He crouched, tucking my hair behind my ears.
I could feel my stomach burning, doing backflips as I covered my mouth, trying to hold it down, but it was no use.
I quickly leaned back over as Sebastian grabbed my hair, keeping it out of the way.
His other hand rubbed my back as I violently threw up anything that was left.
A few minutes later, I’d finally finished retching into the toilet, and I leaned my back against the wall.
Sebastian cupped my cheeks and looked into my eyes. “You don’t look right.”
I just felt fatigued, like my body had no energy whatsoever. I thought I was hungry, but my stomach was not.
I really shouldn’t have eaten that chicken.
I went to stand up by myself, but Sebastian took hold of me to help. “Please don’t tell Serfina.”
He let out a soft laugh. “Let’s just get you home.”