3 weeks later.
'I'm right outside.'
Charlie pocketed his phone right as soon as he read the text and began wheeling his suitcase out of the airport, careful not to bump into any tourists or worse, his friends. They'd be holed up in that island for the weekend anyway, and judging from the group chat, nearly everyone had arrived that morning via Nate's family's private yacht. Truly out of all the beautiful places in the world, he hadn't had the faintest idea why Nate would've chosen his family's private island for his wedding. They could've done it somewhere else but then again, if he knew one thing about these people, is that they would love nothing more than attention.
It was easy to spot his best friend amidst all the tourists and the drivers outside the arrivals hall. Rafe, looking like he had just jumped out of an old film about Italian mobs, was casually leaning against his black Mercedes with his legs crossed, raising his hand to catch Charlie's attention. He was wearing his shades, looking every inch the powerful man that he is with a navy polo and beige trousers. Charlie immediately wheeled his suitcase to meet him, quickening his steps just as he felt people starting to raise eyebrows at the guy. When the hell did Rafe arrive in the city, he hadn't even known.
"Hey," Charlie greeted just as Rafe pushed himself away from the car, clicking his eyes to open the trunk. "When did you get here?"
"A few days ago, actually." Rafe replied, lifting his suitcase and placing it right next to his own. Charlie was about to say something about having too many suitcases for just a weekend until Rafe added, "Coincidentally I had some business to take care of in Seattle, which is why I'm here."
"Why aren't you joining the others then?" he asked, just as Rafe closed the trunk with a press of a button.
"Nah," he replied, curtly as they made their way to the front seats, "the less I spend my time with the others, the better."
"Have you been waiting long?" Charlie asked, just as he climbed into the passenger's seat while Rafe towards the driver's seat. Rafe had always preferred to drive. There were only a handful of times when Charlie saw Rafe with a chauffeur, and that was only when it was socially-required to do so.
"Not really," he replied, lips twisting as he was putting on his seat belt as the car hummed alive.
Charlie's eyebrows scrunched in confusion, wondering what had made his best friend smile like that. Deciding to grill him later, decided to put on his seatbelt first because Rafe was about to drive out of pick-up area. His eyes immediately connected to the woman sitting behind him through the rearview mirror, just as Rafe click a button to reveal the sunroof.
Lila was asleep right behind him. Though she looked peaceful, sleeping like that, dressed in a long dress and a cardigan with headphones covering her eyes, it was clear that she had just stepped out of her flight as well. Last he saw, based on her social media page, was that she was in London.
"Dude..." Charlie said, astonished. Have they been in talking all this time? Texting? Calling? Why hadn't he mention that they are? Or that Lila's coming along?
"What?"
"You didn't tell me that Lila was joining us." he whispered, careful not to wake her. She seemed exhausted. And jet-lagged.
Rafe kept his eyes on the road but turned on the radio through his steering wheel, keeping the volume low as the sound of a woman singing in French filled the speakers. Only then did he decided to reply, "She called me asking for a ride, so I said yes."
They knew her well enough to know that she would rarely ask for help. If she could do it herself, she would. Unlike most people he knew, she had always preferred to be alone. If she could, she would've driven and sailed to the island herself. So the fact that she had reached out to Rafe for a ride, she must've felt something for him. Anything, at this point, and Charlie would've accepted. They had been doing this dance for way too long.
Perfect timing, really, because she chose that moment to slowly rouse from her sleep. She pulled away her headphones, letting it dangle around her neck as she stretched her arms, looking around and registering her surroundings before her eyes landed on Charlie, sitting on the passenger's seat staring at her from the rearview mirror. "Hi Charlie," her voice thick with sleep, "long time no see."
Charlie wanted to say that he was there three weeks ago, when she finished her two-week performance at the theatre back in New York, but he decided to remain quiet about it instead since he really didn't have the time nor the energy to actually look for her to say hi. Meeting her sleepy green eyes through the rearview mirror, he asked, "How are you?"
"A little tired, I just flew all the way from London from a masterclass." she replied, crossing her arms. It must be the trick of light or something because Charlie caught her eyes drifting to Rafe, looking at him in a way that a friend wouldn't look at another friend. There was something sad and nostalgic in her eyes before it was gone, like a flash of light. "How about you?" she added.
"Great actually, we finally won the deal to a film."
"That's amazing! Is it the one from that book, about the woman being kidnapped by a werewolf?"
"Don't tell me you read that too?"
Lila grinned, leaning back to her seat, crossing her arms with satisfaction. "Who doesn't? It's incredibly romantic."
Charlie groaned, "If it weren't for how great the sales are going to be, I don't think I would've fought this hard."
"Liar," Lila teased, "you think it's romantic as well."
"Yes I do," Charlie replied softly, "but I'll have you know, I'm not really a big fan of the romantic genre. This one though, I have a good feeling about."
Lila leaned her head closer to the middle, between the boys, "Have you thought about the soundtrack?" Lila had always been interested in composing something for a movie, and this seems like any good opportunity to do so. Maybe she should branch out, do something more than just perform.
"Not really, we just wrapped up the deal." Charlie replied. "Would you be interested though? Writing a song for the film? Or maybe contribute a whole soundtrack?"
Lila broke into a grin so radiant, it caught Rafe's eyes in the rearview mirror and for a moment, he couldn't tear his gaze away. There was something about that smile—something that tugged at him in a way he hadn't expected. He quickly looked away, forcing himself to focus on the road, though his peripheral vision lingered on her every movement.
"I would love to," she replied, leaning her head on the side of Rafe's seat as she spoke with Charlie. "I'm thinking of trying something new, something other than performing."
"Have you composed anything before?"
"I did," she admitted, leaning back against her seat, her eyes towards the view of the highway, "many years ago. I never release it though, I didn't think it was any good."
"Maybe you can work with our composer, once the movie's in pre-production."
"Really?"
"Yes, if you're a fan of the book, you can capture the essence of the story like no one can." Charlie replied, meeting her eyes through the rearview mirror. Truthfully as a man, he can see how Nate and Rafe was so smitten with her. She has this sweet quality to her personality that only very little could resist. "And besides, it would be great for publicity if the great Lila Evadne is making her debut as a composer."
"I can't wait." she smiled. "Thank you, Charlie."
"You're welcome. Come to think of it, it's our first project together after school."
"Yes," she mused, "it's weird to think about school now that we're here."
"It is." Rafe replied, as if he was trying to remind them that he's here too.
"Normally I hate reunions, but I don't know, this time it feels different."
"How so?" Lila asked, genuinely curious. She had never really attended any of their reunions, seeing as her work required a lot of travel, not that there were many either. But Charlie, on the other hand, always made the time to go, being the extrovert that he is. He was the only channel to all the news and gossip for both Lila and Rafe, even though Rafe never really cared.
"I don't know," Charlie shrugged, "I just have this feeling that something's going to happen."
"I see." Lila replied, quietly.
"What about you?" he asked, "What made you want to come?"
Rafe noticed how Lila started fidgeting her fingers, her gaze flickering down before darting out to the view, as if seeking an escape. He leaned back, eager to hear her answer whilst keeping his eyes on the road, pretending to be too busy driving to hear. He tried to school his expression when she finally opened those beautiful lips, "I don't know, to be honest. Nate asked me to come and I couldn't say no, for some reason." The way he looked at me...she wanted to say more but she didn't.
"What about you, Rafe?" Lila diverted the attention, her eyes assessing him. "You never really bothered to attend these things, even more so when Nate's involved. What made you go?"
"You."
Immediately Charlie turned to his friend, his lower lip hanging lose. Out of all the things he could've said, he decided to be honest. Something must've happened between the two, Charlie assumed, or Rafe wouldn't have been so bold.
"What do you mean?" Lila asked.
"Because you decided to go," Rafe replied nonchalantly, even though his insides were anything but. "Remember? I told you that if you go, I'd go."
'Nice save, Rafe,' Charlie wanted to say but he rolled his eyes instead. They were about to enter the dock anyway, so he was happy enough to stay silent just to see how Rafe's going to handle the pair of inquisitive eyes sitting behind them. Lila didn't seem convinced. She seemed like she wanted to ask more, but asking more would mean stepping into a territory she didn't she was ready to explore into.
So Rafe stared ahead, content in the silence as he exited the highway. Charlie, being the extroverted that he is, was practically jumping with agitation from the silence. The singer from the radio was belting out lyrics in French that none of them had understood, and yet, judging from the tone of her singing, he can tell that she was belting on about an unrequited love. Seeing them like this, it was no wonder Charlie had always bore a perversion to romance.
Soon as they arrived at the entrance of the prestigious yacht club, Rafe parked his car at the entrance where a valet was already waiting. He climbed out of his car, handed the valet his keys and a generous tip, telling him to take care of his Benz. He then joined Charlie and Lila standing near the grand double doors that would've led them into the exclusive docks, where the country's finest yachts were moored in serene elegance.
This wasn't just any marina, this was a private haven where only those with an invitation would have the privilege of docking their vessels. The staffs here were all armed with ironclad NDAs, granting a layer of freedom for these powerful families. Rafe and Nate's families were among the selected few of the country, to own multiple places here, granting them the unlimited access to various luxurious facilities along the lake and beyond.
Lila had buttoned her cardigan over her dress, her arms wrapped around her middle with her brown medium-sized handbag dangling on her forearm. Her headphones were still dangling around her neck, making her look younger and more innocent than she actually was. Charlie was watching the staff unloading their things. His single suitcase, Rafe's suitcase and duffle bag, along with Lila's silver suitcase and a cabin bag. He slipped the guy another tip just as he loaded their things into a cart.
"Welcome, sir, your boat is ready," a tan-skinned man that looked a few years older than they were approached Rafe, clutching an iPad against his chest. He looked like he had played football in college, or joined the marines, or both. He was certainly someone Charlie didn't want to pick a fight with.
"Thank you, Russo." Rafe said. "Any updates on..."
"No, sir. Everything's going as planned, for now."
"Good, good."
The man, Russo, turned to Lila, and broke out into a smile, "Miss Lila Evadne, it's so good to see you again."
"Likewise, Russo." she replied, gathering him into an embrace, causing him to tense, his eyes flicking back at Rafe with alarm, only to soften when she finally lets him go. "How are you? Has Rafe been treating you well?"
"Well enough, how about you?" Russo asked, before suddenly giving a little bow, "Congratulations, by the way, for your concert."
Lila awkwardly waved it off, "Oh, um, thank you. But I'm well, too."
"That's good to hear." he said, before turning to his boss, who was standing there watching them without expression. "Sir, I have some things to tell you."
"Right, then," Rafe turned to Charlie and Lila, "you guys can go ahead. The staff will lead you to my boat. I'll join you later."
"Alright." Charlie said, "See you later, man. Come on, Lila."
Lila followed him inside, picking up the free champagne from the tray that was offered by one of the staffs. Charlie did the same. Though he couldn't help but ask, as they passed the other impressive vessels parked on this dock, "How did you know Rafe's assistant?"
"Russo?" she asked, taking a sip of the bubbly champagne.
"Well, who else?"
"Rafe and I were neighbors before we were classmates. He actually spent a few years of his childhood in England, did you know that?" she asked, smiling at some fond memory of hers. Charlie only shook his head in reply, so she continued, "Anyway, Russo's mom used to work as a kitchenmaid at my family's estate. After the thing that happened, she naturally lost her job, and Russo had just gotten discharged, so I sent a letter of recommendation to Rafe's family."
"Wow..." Charlie gushed, "I didn't know that."
"Yeah, well...now you do." she said, as they made their climb through the large plank leading to the entrance of Rafe's yacht. "I owe a lot to his mother. She used to bake me the best chocolate chip cookies. She was the one who pushed me to pursue my piano when I felt like quitting."
"That's very kind of her."
"Yes." she replied, placing her champagne on top of the bar in the living room and clutching her bag closer. "I should go freshen up before we arrive at the island."
"Ahh yes, sure. I'll be right upstairs." Charlie said, to which she only nodded in reply before disappearing into the bathroom.
Meanwhile Rafe watched as Russo tapped through his iPad screen to reveal a CCTV footage. It was in black and white, a little grainy but the identities of these people were unmistakable. It was Nate, lurking around Lila's dressing room. The date and time showed some time after the concert, right after he left leaving the bouquet of roses. He counted himself lucky, because if would just be a few minutes later, they would've ran into each other.
"Did anyone see him?" he inquired, his fists itching to punch the man on the screen for sneaking in. He didn't even bother keeping the doors closed. It was like he was begging to be caught. What could he be playing at?
"I highly doubt that, sir," Russo replied, zooming out the footage to show him the other footages of the areas surrounding her dressing room. "It's odd that no one is there, especially after a concert."
"Lila told me that Nate personally invited her to the wedding." he said, watching Nate touching her flowers, fingering her clothes, eyeing the photos she pasted on her mirror. It raged him that he had the audacity to do so. "Something's not right."
"I agree." his assistant replied. "It was like he was begging to be caught."
"Erase the footage before some journalist get their hands on it," Rafe instructed, "but send these to me, I would like to see what he did to her."
"Yes, sir."
"Keep me posted if you find anything."
"I will, sir."
Rafe tried to quell his rage when he saw Lila, looking visibly exhausted after her performance carrying bouquets of flowers, walking in her dressing room only to stumble back in surprise. Rafe watched on, committing the scene to his memory, of how terrified she looked with her back against the door, tensed. It took a lot more of his energy to keep his rage into a simmer when he saw Nate kissing her, her eyes widening in surprise before she pushed him away, causing him to stumble back. Rafe felt his chest swell with pride at her defiance, though it still didn't erase the rage at seeing her being treated like this.
When Rafe finally made it to his yacht, he stopped short as his breath caught the sight before him. Lila was leaning against the railing, the sunlight that shone through the gray clouds somehow turning her into something almost untouchable, like a dream. She was slowly sipping her champagne, lost in thought. She had changed into a white blouse and blue jeans, with her hair braided to the side, just as she used to style it back in school. The sight of her sent a sharp, twisting ache in his chest. He wanted to reach for her, to run his fingers over that braid, to hold her so close that she'd forget every sorrow that ever touched her. He wanted to steal her away, take her to a place where the world couldn't reach them, where she'd feel the safest, happiest. And God help him, he wanted to ruin anyone who would stop him.
"Are you ready to go, sir?" his captain asked, jolting him out of his stupor.
"Yes, yes." Rafe cleared his throat.
"Alright."
Suddenly feeling parched, Rafe walked poured himself a glass of whiskey from a mini bar he kept by the semi-outdoor living room. Charlie must've ventured upstairs because he can't seem to find him here, which is good, Rafe thought. No distractions. He needed to talk to her.
Taking a sip out of his whiskey, relishing on the burn flowing through his throat, he finally made his way to her, like a sailor hypnotized by a siren. The sky was gray in a way that was nothing unusual for Seattle and he had always loved it that way. It reminded him of the gloomy skies of England, where they had spent a moment of their childhood, before everything else happened.
"Lila..." he called, and immediately, she turned, taking his breath away. Even though she was only wearing very little makeup, dressed in simple clothes, somehow she still managed to incite such reactions from him. If it weren't for his military training, he thought he would've fainted at the sight of her freckles in full display. This close. He was so close. He could just kiss all these little dots and all would be right in the world.
"Is everything okay?"
"Yes, why do you ask that?" Rafe took another sip of his whiskey before leaning against the railing right next to her.
"You look like you're about to go into a cardiac arrest."
His lips twisted. She certainly wasn't far from the truth. "I want to ask you something."
"Go ahead."
"Why did you decide to come?"
"To be honest, Rafe," Lila pursed her lips, twirling the flute of her glass, watching the yellow liquid moving along with her movements, "I'm not sure why I bother either. I guess I just wanted to see for myself that it's true."
"What's true?"
"That his door in my life is closed for good."
"Did you still have feelings for him?"
She twisted her lips, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Am I wrong to say that I'm still trying to figure it out?"
She had been so laser-focused on her career all these years that she hadn't even thought of closure. Piano had been the center of her life, the bane of her existence. It still is, so much so that she hadn't really thought about the way things had ended between them. Every time she would see or hear something about him or his family's company in the news, she would block it out, tucking it away in some deep dark void in her mind. She had done it so much that it was like a habit by now.
"You're not wrong."
She turned to look at him, unable to mask her surprise. With the gray skies looming above him, wind blowing his dark hair, leaning against the railings above the dark blue waters, he reminded her of a dark prince from the fairytales. Ones that would raze the world down, just to save the people he love. And that just summed up the kind of person Rafe is.
"But what would you do, if you realize that you still had feelings for him?"
"Is it stupid if I said that I'll simply try and get over it like a normal person?"
Rafe laughed, staring at his glass, "I don't think it's that easy, Lila."
"Have you been in love, Rafe?" she asked. She must've didn't realize that she had moved closer to him, because he felt it deep down into his core, fighting the urge to pull her even closer. Already, her scent of roses had enveloped its way into his soul, enticing him further.
"No, I have not." he gritted out, surprised that his voice could still sound normal.
"I think you're lying."
"Why?" the question came out more accusatory than he intended, but it was too late to fix it now.
"Because if you really were telling the truth, then you'd get over the person you're in love with by now."
Immediately Rafe turned to face her, properly this time. Did she know? Did she figure it out? How long have she known? "I'm not in love with anyone, if that's what you're insinuating."
Lila jutted her chin, defiant. "Never? Not even once?"
"None that I can think of."
He could kiss her right now. He could, he really could. She was so close, her green eyes shining with that defiance he so clearly loved. Her porcelain skin, soft to his touch, would've been so compliant under his care. He could feel the warmth of her presence, the way her words lingered between them, tempting him, pulling him closer.
"Hmm." she replied, turning away and moved back to the position he first found her in. Leaning against the railing, sipping the last of her champagne.
"Why does it matter, anyway?"
"Because then you'd understand." she explained, her voice hardened. "What it feels like to be this confused."
"Oh, there you guys are." Charlie interrupted from the balcony above. Lila immediately shrank at the thought of Charlie overhearing their conversation. But if Rafe was affected, he clearly didn't show because he just turned to look at his annoying friend like an old man inspecting a loud noise outside his house. "I thought you both had bailed. I was wondering why we were moving but you guys never made it up."
"Ahh yes, I'll head in, it's starting to get cold anyway." Lila said, stepping away without a glance back, leaving her champagne somewhere before climbing up the stairs.
Rafe joined in after her, but as soon as he reached the top of the stairs, Charlie had already stopped him by his chest. Rafe's eyes went downwards, before raising his eyebrows at his friend, who looked genuinely concerned. Charlie had always been the one most worried about the state of their friendship.
"What happened?" he inquired, softly just so Lila wouldn't hear. Not like she was trying to anyway, she was already in her own world, reading a book with a pair of headphones covering her ears. Rafe's chest ached at the sight.
"Nothing," Rafe shrugged, tapping his shoulder in assurance, "we just talked, that's all."
"I can see that," Charlie muttered to himself, crossing his arms with a sense of trepidation, like a parent watching two kids after a fight. Lila, blissfully tucked into her corner, leaning back against the sofa, engrossed in whatever book she was reading, while Rafe stood in the opposite corner, refilling his drink. The longer Rafe kept his feelings hidden from Lila, for whatever his reasons might be, Charlie was certain that the world would run out of whiskey. Maybe, just maybe, that would finally be the moment that Rafe finally relented and confessed his feelings to her.