POV: Seraphina
I woke up the next morning feeling...strange. Feeling different for the most part. Not just because of the whole last night drama, but something else. I got out of the bed and walked into the kitchen, I brewed coffee and then had a sip. Roman wasn't around and I wasn't supposed to be in office today,
But when I walked to the sitting room, there was a note on the desk, a larger book was placed on it to wedge it.
I picked it up and read it aloud to myself.
"Arranged a couple of things for you."
My brows came together, unsure, wondering he has set the letter, but my curiosity got the best of me.
I stepped outside and found a driver standing in front of a parked car. He had a confused look on his face, when he said the way I was dressed.
"Mr. Roman had told me to accompany you for shopping."
My face lit up at the sound of the word, shopping. It had been a while and finally I get to go.
I ran back upstairs, my heart beating faster with excitement and I cleaned up and I changed into something simple, a cream colored top and wore a black cardigan on top of it.
I rushed down back and the driver still stood outside. He gestured to the back seat and I followed him and he opened the door for me and I entered the car.
The ride was quiet but it went smooth regardless. I looked out the window, watching the building pass me by. It reminded me of the cab I had entered, how I was eager to see everyone.
But then that led my mind to the incident that happened afterwards but I shook my head. Sending it back to where I buried it in my mind.
The car finally stopped In front of a silent boutique built in the heart of our city. The windows showed a few of their products they had inside and I had already chosen a blue gown while I still sat in the car.
I came down from the car and stepped into the boutique and was surprisingly welcomed by my name.
"You must be Seraphina," she said kindly. "Mr. Roman called us ahead. Come in, darling."
I followed her into the store and almost immediately, She and a few other receptionist gathered around me, bringing different gowns, heels, bags. I even tried to refuse at first, but every time I tried to stop them, she would smile at me and say,
"This is from Mr. Carter. Let him take care of you."
The shopping had gone great, it was a nice gesture from Roman. I felt my heart went growing warmer when I thought how much he had spent on doing all of these. I felt drawing closer to him, over and over again. He had done so much for me. And still I didn't know how I would repay him.
I felt loved and cared for.
I returned home and saw Roman already back from work and I jumped into his arms, pulling him into a hug, almost casually.
I didn't mind anymore. I love the fact that he cared for me and watched over me.
I felt loved for the first time in a while.
"Seems you enjoyed your day." He said casually, looking down at me.
Just as I was about to answer him, a strange voice spoke from behind me and I left his arms and turned around. My eyes furrowed together in confusion.
"Sorry I'm late. Traffic," she said smoothly.
Roman left beside me and walked slowly to the woman. "Seraphina….. this is Selena."
Selena.
The name didn't ring any bell in my mind, but her next few words stunned me deeply.
"I'm his fiancée," she added casually.
The bag in my hands fell to the ground with a silent thud.
I stared at Roman, my lips opened to speak, but no words came out.
Engaged?
Roman was engaged?
Roman, who held me and promised I would be safe in his hands?
Roman…the same Roman who looked at me like I was something which could break easily that he had to protect?
Roman, who stared into my eyes like that?
Roman….had someone?
I barely heard their voices as they greeted their selves, even sharing a light kiss. I nodded when Selena turned and spoke to me, but I didn't even know what I was answering to. I just nodded.
Inside me, everything felt disgusting. I felt ashamed. Ashamed of myself.
How could I have let my heart imagine all those dirty things?
How could I let myself believe there was something growing between us?
He was only helping me...as a friend's daughter.
That was all.
My face burned with all the embarrassment I was feeling and I quickly excused myself from them.
I needed space. I needed to soak everything I was seeing in front of me.
The next morning, Selena had settled around the house and I tried to avoid her as much as I could. But after the whole day of avoiding her, she met me in the garden.
"Hey," she greeted, slowly sitting beside me. "Roman told me a bit about what you've been through. I'm glad you're here."
Her smile was kind. Even genuine.
But It made me feel worse. For all the things I thought.
"I hope I'm not making things awkward," she continued, looking, trying to find my eyes. "I just want you to feel safe."
And to be sincere...I did.
Selena wasn't who I thought she would be, she didn't do what I expected other fiancée to do, when they found out, someone else, a girl was living with their soon to be husband.
She didn't glare at me or even act possessive around Roman.
She infact helped me around the house. Assisted and gave me some cooking tips, even joked about how my cooking felt different from hers. Even took me shopping.
Selena's kindness, the way she acted around me. They way she made me feel safe.
Made me vow to myself.
Never will I become a rift between Roman and her.