Chapter 247

Chapter 247

Iris's POV

I stood in the hallway outside our bedroom, looking at Sebastien's face. Those grey eyes of his had transformed into the puppy-dog look I found increasingly difficult to resist.

"Really? You can't stay with me tonight?" His voice dropped to that husky whisper that never failed to make my skin tingle. His fingers traced lightly up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps.

I swallowed hard and shook my head. "I promised Rachel I'd stay with her tonight. She seemed upset about something, and I need to be there for her." Despite the warmth spreading through me at his touch, I knew my friend needed me more right now.

Sebastien sighed, his shoulders dropping slightly. "I understand." He didn't argue or try to persuade me further, which honestly surprised me. The old Sebastien would have demanded I stay, or at least made his displeasure crystal clear.

I reached out and gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Thank you for understanding." My lips curved into a grateful smile, and I watched his expression soften in response.

As he walked away down the hallway, I couldn't help but marvel at how much he'd changed. The man who once considered any form of rejection a personal affront now respected my decisions. It was a small thing, but it meant everything.

"Let's clean up the gifts before you go to Rachel," he called over his shoulder. "There's too many for the staff to handle alone."

I followed him downstairs to the living room, where piles of gift boxes and bags covered nearly every surface. The aftermath of the full moon celebration looked like a high-end department store had exploded.

"This will take forever," I groaned, surveying the chaos.

Sebastien was already sorting packages by size. "Two people working will make it faster." He was methodical and focused, reminding me of the dedicated CEO I'd first met.

I knelt down and opened an elegant box with gold trim. "Look at this—pure gold baby bracelets from Frank. When did he develop such good taste?"

We worked in comfortable silence, occasionally brushing hands or shoulders as we reached for the same gift. Each accidental touch sent that familiar electric current through me. Even doing something as mundane as sorting presents, there was an intimacy between us I'd never thought possible again.

The clock struck midnight by the time we finished. I stretched my arms above my head, trying to work out the stiffness in my shoulders. Sebastien moved behind me, his warm hands gently massaging the tense muscles.

"You're tired," he murmured, his breath tickling my ear.

"Mmm," was all I could manage as his fingers worked their magic.

As we walked back upstairs, Sebastien held my hand, his thumb drawing lazy circles against my skin. I didn't pull away, savoring the simple contact.

At my bedroom door, he pulled me into a gentle embrace. "Last chance," he said with half a smile. "Sure you wouldn't rather spend the night with me?"

"Don't push it," I warned, though I couldn't help smiling. I reached up to touch his cheek and leaned in for a quick kiss.

Just as our lips met, I heard Rachel's voice from her room, sharp with frustration: "Enough, Bob! I've made myself perfectly clear. I'm not wasting any more time on this."

I pulled back and exchanged a look with Sebastien. He nodded in understanding—my friend needed me. Without another word, he stepped away, allowing me to go to Rachel.

I knocked softly before entering her room. Rachel stood by the window in her pajamas, her posture tense. The light from her phone illuminated her troubled face before she switched it off.

"What's wrong?" I asked, crossing the room to join her.

"Nothing important. Just Bob being Bob," she said with a forced smile, but her voice betrayed her.

I glanced out the window and spotted a car idling in the driveway. "Is that him? Is he actually sitting outside the house?"

Rachel sighed heavily, stepping away from the window. I quickly pulled the curtains closed. "He says he's going to wait until I forgive him. Like that's going to happen."

She sat on the edge of the bed, shoulders slumped. This wasn't like the confident, decisive Rachel I knew.

"Tell me what happened," I said, sitting beside her.

"It's stupid, really." Rachel stared at her hands. "I know this sounds cliché, but I never believed in love at first sight until I met Bob. One look across that crowded gallery, and I just... knew."

I nodded, remembering that instant connection I'd felt with Sebastien years ago, though I kept that thought to myself.

"But after we started dating, I noticed things—like how he barely responds to my messages, and when he does, it's just a few words. Like I'm not worth the effort." Her voice cracked slightly.

I watched her face carefully, noting how her usually sharp eyes had softened with hurt.

"So I ended it. Why waste time on someone who can't even text properly, right?" Rachel gave a small laugh that didn't reach her eyes. "Life's too short to chase someone who doesn't seem to care."

I thought carefully before responding. "You know, when relationships first start, we rarely find our perfect match immediately. Understanding each other takes time. Learning to compromise takes time too."

"But if it's this difficult from the beginning, isn't that a red flag?" Rachel looked at me directly.

I squeezed her hand. "Let me ask you something—if you're truly over him, why does seeing his car outside make you look so conflicted?"

Rachel fell silent, her gaze dropping to our hands.

"If you're certain you don't want to continue, then be honest with him. But if there's even a small part of you that's hesitating," I said gently, "maybe consider whether it's worth having a conversation about what you both need."

"I've always been all in or all out with relationships," Rachel admitted. "It's easier that way."

"Easier isn't always better," I replied. "I know you, Rachel. The fact that you're not your usual decisive self about Bob tells me something."

Later, in the bathroom, I was washing my face when my phone chimed with a voice message from Sebastien: "The abandoned husband is counting ceiling flowers in boredom and wondering if the beautiful lady might spare him even a glance tonight."

I laughed and replied: "The beautiful lady is fulfilling her friendship duties. The abandoned husband must learn patience."

I was still smiling at our playful exchange when Rachel knocked on the door. "Iris? You've been in there forever. Everything okay?"

Before I could answer, Sebastien's voice played from my phone: "I'm dying to kiss you. First thing tomorrow morning, I'll—"

I frantically silenced the phone, but from Rachel's wide-eyed expression, I knew she'd heard enough.

Back in her room, Rachel dramatically clutched her chest. "My God!" Her voice was half teasing, half genuine surprise.

"Sorry you had to hear that," I mumbled, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.

We lay side by side in the darkness, and Rachel suddenly said, "Watching you guys together... I don't know whether to be jealous or inspired."

"Remember our college nights, staying up watching rom-coms and listing our ideal boyfriend traits?" I asked, memories flooding back.

"You said you wanted someone strong yet gentle, who would support you without controlling you," Rachel recalled. Then after a pause, she added softly, "Looks like you found him."

I turned to respond, but Rachel's breathing had already evened out in sleep. I gently pulled the blanket over her shoulders, silently wishing her the happiness she deserved.

Morning light filtered through the curtains when I woke. Rachel was already up, stretching and complaining: "Back to work today. I really don't want to move."

I smiled at seeing this normally unstoppable workaholic showing her lazy side. "Life goes on," I said, helping her pack her overnight bag.

"I should change before heading to the office, or the gossip mill will have a field day," she groaned, fixing her messy hair.

As I walked her to the door, we were both startled to find Bob standing outside, clutching a bouquet of flowers, his expression a mix of determination and hope.