She stretched and glanced around the room, noting how it seemed eerily still. The sheets beside her were tousled, and there was an unfamiliar sense of warmth and weight on her side of the bed. Amara sat up, her thoughts racing back to the night before. She tried to piece together the fragments of her memory, but the more she thought, the more elusive it became.
The realization struck her: Rowan had been there. They had been together, and she could still feel the residual effects of their intimacy. A deep sense of shame and confusion washed over her. How could she have allowed this to happen? Today was her brother’s wedding, and yet, here she was in such a disheveled state.
With a heavy heart and a throbbing headache, she dragged herself to the bathroom. The cool, soothing water from the shower fell on her body, washing away not just the sweat and the remnants of the night but also the weight of her own regret. The water cascaded over her, making her feel a little better, if only momentarily. She let it run over her, trying to erase the memory of Rowan’s touch, to cleanse herself of the guilt and confusion she felt.
Emerging from the shower, she wrapped herself in a towel and then moved to her closet. She needed to prepare herself for the wedding-there was no option to be late. As she opened the closet, she chose a gown that would help her face the day with dignity.
The dress she selected was an exquisite creation: a deep orange gown that flowed elegantly to the floor. The fabric was a luxurious silk, soft to the touch and designed to enhance her natural grace. It featured a fitted bodice with delicate, intricate lace detailing that followed the curve of her neckline. The dress had a daring, yet tasteful, plunging neckline that accentuated her figure while remaining refined. The skirt of the gown billowed out gracefully, with layers of silk creating a sense of movement and fluidity.
Amara carefully styled her hair into loose curls that cascaded over her shoulders. The curls were soft and natural, giving her an air of effortless elegance. She worked quickly, pinning back a few strands to keep her hair off her face but letting the rest fall freely, allowing her curls to frame her face beautifully. She wanted to look stunning, to present herself as the poised and composed woman everyone expected her to be.
With each movement, she felt the sting of her sore muscles, a reminder of the night before, but she pushed through it. The final touch was a hint of makeup.. just enough to highlight her features without drawing too much attention. A subtle brown lipstick matched her dress, and a delicate line of eyeliner added a touch of sophistication.
Amara glanced at her reflection in the mirror, taking a deep breath. Despite the turmoil she felt inside, she had managed to pull herself together. She had to be strong today, for her brother’s sake and for her family. The wedding was a significant event, and she couldn’t let her personal turmoil overshadow it. With one last glance at her reflection, she forced a smile and headed out of her room, determined to fulfill her responsibilities and face the day with grace and resilience.
In Rowan’s room, Harvey and Kyle were panicking as they quickly paced around the room, their expressions fraught with anxiety.
In stark contrast to their agitation, Rowan sat relaxed at the table, his demeanor unbothered and almost infuriatingly calm. His legs were crossed, and he sipped leisurely from a cup of coffee, watching his younger brother and assistant with a mixture of amusement and disdain.
The night had been a blur of chaos and desperation for Harvey and Kyle. They had been trying to find Rowan since last night, their efforts growing more frantic with each passing hour. He had disappeared without a trace, leaving behind only a vague sense of foreboding. They had called him repeatedly, but his phone was turned off, adding to their mounting dread. As the hours dragged on, their worry had transformed into a gnawing fear that something terrible had happened.
Now, in the cold light of morning, their worry was tinged with frustration. Rowan’s refusal to answer their questions only added fuel to the fire of their anxiety. They couldn’t help but think about the trouble he might have caused last night and, more importantly, how they were going to clean it up.
“Big Brother, what the hell happened last night?” Harvey demanded, his voice edged with desperation. His usually composed demeanor was shattered, his hair disheveled and eyes bloodshot from lack of sleep. He had always been the level-headed one, the one who kept things together when everything else was falling apart. But now, even he was at a loss.
Rowan took another sip of his coffee, seemingly unperturbed by Harvey’s outburst. He set the cup down gently on the table, the clink of porcelain against wood echoing in the tense silence. “Relax, Harvey,” he said, his voice annoyingly calm. “Everything is under control.”
“Under control?” Kyle echoed incredulously. He was a bundle of nervous energy, his movements quick and jerky as he paced the room. “Boss.. We couldn’t find you anywhere! Your phone was off! We thought something happened to you!”
Rowan leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “I’m fine, as you can see. There’s no need to worry.”
“No need to worry?” Harvey’s voice was rising with each word, his frustration boiling over. “We’ve been worried sick! We’ve been searching for you all night, and you just sit there like nothing happened! What kind of trouble did you get into this time?”
Rowan’s smirk faded slightly, a flicker of something darker passing over his features. He met Harvey’s gaze, his eyes hardening. “I can handle my own problems, Harvey. You don’t need to babysit me.”
“But Big Brother…” Harvey began, his voice edged with concern.
Rowan waved his hand dismissively. “Enough, Harvey. Get dressed. We have a wedding to attend.”
Without another word, Rowan strode into the bathroom, leaving Harvey and Kyle in a tense silence. The sound of running water soon filled the room, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere.
Harvey exchanged a worried glance with Kyle. “Do you think he’s alright?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
Kyle shrugged, his expression equally concerned. “I don’t know, but there’s something different about him today.”
Harvey nodded in agreement. “Let’s just hope it doesn’t cause any problems.”
They quickly got dressed, their minds racing with thoughts of what might have happened last night. As they finished, the bathroom door opened, and Rowan emerged and quickly got dressed, looking every bit the epitome of confidence and charm.
He wore a crisp white shirt under a perfectly tailored black suit, the fabric hugging his frame in all the right places. His black pants were neatly pressed, and his polished shoes gleamed under the light. His cufflinks caught the light with every movement, and his short dark hair was styled impeccably. Today, Rowan looked exceptionally handsome, his fair skin almost glowing.
Harvey and Kyle couldn’t help but stare for a moment, taken aback by his transformation. He looked even more striking than usual, his presence commanding and almost overpowering.
“Wow, Boss,” Kyle muttered, unable to hide his admiration. “You look… incredible.”
Rowan gave a brief, almost imperceptible smile. “Thank you, Kyle.”
Harvey nodded, still feeling uneasy but unable to deny the truth of Kyle’s words. “You look like you’re ready to steal the spotlight from the groom.”
Rowan chuckled softly, a hint of amusement in his eyes.
As they left the room and made their way to the grand ballroom, Harvey and Kyle silently prayed that everything would go smoothly. They couldn’t shake the feeling that something was different about Rowan today, and they hoped it wouldn’t lead to trouble.