章節 30: 030 - From the ashes

When Cynthia returned to the hall, she failed to find Daemon.

He was not in the corner they had isolated themselves in earlier, nor anywhere else she could see.

She got even more angry at Michael. Maybe the time he had made her waste had been when Daemon had left.

Not wanting to jump to conclusions, she looked around and tried to search for him.

Since she just came back from the restroom, he should not have gone there, because she would have met him along the way. She saw an opening leading to the balcony, and hoped that Daemon was only getting some fresh air.

When she went there, she almost lost hope as she didn't see him. She almost thought he left, when she noticed him in a dimmer part of the balcony. He was standing with his hands in his pockets, letting the breeze ruffle his short hair, while his gaze, deep as the night, was resting on the city.

His image at that moment made Cynthia freeze, entranced by the attractive darkness in front of her. But that didn't last long, as Daemon tilted his head toward her.

She snapped out of the fleeting trance and advanced toward him:

"I thought you left when I didn't see you inside."

"I needed some air."

He looked normal, and his voice didn't sound different from usual, but she detected something:

"Are you feeling uncomfortable? We can leave if you want."

"It's nothing. I just put some things into perspective, and accepted some facts."

Cynthia looked at him, but failed to understand what he was talking about. She only tried to be good listener, but she was stunned by what Daemon said next:

"Let's do as your father said."

"Huh?"

Seeing her confused, he decided to be more clear:

"I'm not talking about the marriage proposal. But we can get engaged."

When they had had dinner the previous time, he had tactfully refused when Michael Harsh had proposed the idea of marriage. Maybe that idea had even been the true reason for the dinner, instead of wanting to thank him.

But the man had seemed prepared. He didn't become embarrassed or angry, nor did he let the atmosphere cool down and deter him. He only changed the idea to that of an engagement between Daemon and Cynthia. In his words, it would give time for the feelings between them to flourish. He had been like a negotiator, hiding his true intentions at the beginning, only to unveil it at the opportune moment.

Since he knew Cynthia had shown some care for him when he had been into a coma, he showed consideration and didn't categorically refuse. Though he said he would consider it, none of the people at the table had been fooled. So the change that happened made Cynthia surprised, and less happy than he thought she would be.

She asked:

"What made you decide to get engaged?"

Daemon went back to looking at the night:

"Letting the past go is for the best, but growing old alone is not that appealing."

Cynthia noticed with disappointment that something other than love and affection was motivating the decision. Nevertheless, she thought back to the instructions of her father, then smiled to mask everything:

"Okay. I will ask my mother to help us with the preparations then."

Daemon nodded, and said:

"I'm a little tired, let's go."

"Alright."

Cynthia's smile became more natural as she linked her arm to Daemon's.

They left the balcony and left after going through the hall. Cynthia noticed Daemon's eyes looking for something or someone, without much success it seemed, but she said nothing. After all, he might only be looking for someone he might recognize from the time before he left the city.

Just as they disappeared behind the door of the elevator, Evelyn came back from outside. She heard the closing of the elevator, but it was irrelevant to her. She was more preoccupied with finding an opportune moment to leave the party and return to the side of her son. The thought of him brought a smile to her beautiful lips, but also a bit of discomfort at the idea that he was all alone at home.

_ _ _

Outside of the lobby, the valet brought Cynthia's car in front, and they made the way back in silence.

Daemon was lost in thoughts, with the remaining part of his mind on the road. As for Cynthia, she was lost in the passing scenery. The hypnotic light of the night, the sparse people still outside, the few cars still on the road.

Without obstacles, they soon arrived where they had departed from a few hours earlier. Daemon drove to the underground garage of the apartment building, and they both left the car.

He was about to give the key of the car back to its owner when she said without stopping:

"Wait for me."

Daemon leaned against the car and watched her take the elevator. Five minutes later, she came back, but without her bag. She was instead holding in hand the box of the watch she had prepared for him.

"Here. You said you didn't dislike it, so I want you to keep it."

Daemon took the box and opened it, looking at the luxurious watch inside.

She stretched her palm:

"That's it. Now, key."

Daemon knew she was talking about the key of the car. He looked at the face that had none of the usual joy, even as their relationship was about to change. He placed the key in her hand, but he didn't let the latter go when she was about to turn away.

"I think I can guess why you are unhappy. I can't fault you with that, because I'm not oblivious to your intentions, or to your heart. They are the reason I accepted the engagement, even if other variables played a role. I want to settle down with you, and I can promise I won't let your heart down. Even if it might take some time, I don't doubt that you will be able to get your place in my heart."

Cynthia couldn't keep her dissatisfaction alive anymore. Daemon's straightforwardness moved her more than any sweet word. And while there might not be love now, who could say there won't be later?

His shadow covered her as he got closer to her, making her heart start picking up its pace.

She closed her eyes as he leaned down slightly, her breath getting shallower due to anticipation.

The contact she was expecting fell on her cheek instead of her lips. This made her open her eyes, but she lost her disappointment in the depth of the dark eyes belonging to Daemon.

He stroked her cheek with his thumb, then turned to walk away.

"Goodnight, Cynthia."

She remained where she was standing until the back covered by the dark smoking disappeared.