A Presented Opportunity

Standing on the west wing parapet of the Hastings Hotel, Sebastian watched the sun set over the Luana bay.

One finding him staring so keenly would think he was drawn to the ambience before him, but not even the balmy spring wind or the flurry of flowers that covered the large lawn of the century old resort had his attention on a grip.

He couldn't stop thinking about her. The image of her in her burgundy suit, her bun wrapped hair and face, she still preferred neutral makeup.

He could still remember the shock on her face upon seeing him, and he knew he wore one just like that. And he was yet to get himself out of it.

It had been four years, two months two weeks and four days since that morning he chased her out of his home.

From the top of her ebony dark hair to the tip of her red Gucci heels, she had looked almost the same. Almost, because of the look in her eyes.

They had been cold and broody and impatient, making him nervous in a way he had never felt before.

"Beautiful sunset, eh?" Nicholas' voice came from behind and he turned to see him standing beside him with two glasses of wine.

Sebastian looked back at the orange sky and sighed. "Yeah." Finally seeing it for the first time.

"Here," Nicholas stretched out a glass to him and Sebastian took a sip.

"Thanks," he said, enjoying the burning grate of the alcohol against his throat.

Nicholas leaned over the balustrade, taking a sip of his own from his glass of Bourbon. "So what had you so focused?" He casually asked. "And please don't tell me it was the sun, because you hadn't noticed it till I arrived."

"And how do you know this?" Sebastian cocked a brow.

A careless shrug cruised over Nicholas shoulders. "I just know. Now tell me. Is it Angelica or the deal with the Hastings? The hotel is worth every penny of it." He said.

"Yes, it is, and the Hastings are only being business people. It's only normal for them to have second thoughts about selling the resort to me when it has been in their family for over a century. But I'm certain our presence here will help expedite their decision, and I'm not leaving here till they sell to me."

"Well, that only leaves one thing. Angelica. You were thinking about her."

Yes, he was. Sebastian agreed, not even seeing the need to deny it. He took another sip of his wine, because he needed it. His mind was clogged and he couldn't clear it out. Not with his own effort of course.

He needed something more. Something stronger.

"Did you know?" He suddenly asked.

"Did I know she's my wedding planner?" Nicholas asked just for clarity.

"Yes." Sebastian answered. He was curious to know, because somewhere inside of him he has his suspicions

Nicholas saw the suspicion in his eyes, and while he could have been annoyed by it, he wasn't. "I had no idea she was the wedding planner. Miranda took care of that. I didn't even know she had the skill set for that kind of job. Didn't she major in business management?"

"Yes, she did." But he also could vaguely remember from one of the dates his grandfather had coerced him to go with her, she had mentioned her interest in planning out the best of weddings if given the opportunity.

As a matter of fact, she had planned out their entire wedding when he couldn't be bothered to be involved in any of it.

Or rather, he had outrightly showed his disinterest in marrying her.

"I never thought I'd see her here. I didn't even think I'd see her anytime soon. I've once and again thought about it, even secretly wanted it, but..." He softly sighed as he trailed off. He turned and gazed at Nicholas. "I'm not ready."

Nicholas keenly peered at him. His eyes observantly guaging the emotions lurking within his eyes. "And how much time do you need to be ready? When will you ever be?"

"I—"

"She was the one who left, but you've been the one hiding. You've deceived her and she's currently living a lie. You're holding her captive while letting her believe she's free."

"It's not like I did it intentionally." Sebastian refuted, and Nicholas looked squarely at him.

"Then tell me why you did it? Tell me how it wasn't intentional?" He demanded. Sebastian parted his lips. He fought for words, but there was nothing to say.

Seeing him in thought and speechless for words, Nicholas sighed. "You've held this off for too long, and I think the universe just presented you with the opportunity to do the right thing. Whatever that is to you."

The right thing? Sebastian mused. The right thing to do was to apologize. Say how sorry he was for the words he said to her. For how badly he had treated her. For pushing and hurting her simply because he hated to make mistakes he'd regret. And also tell her the truth of what he had done.

He had not imagined she'd leave. Yes, he had secretly wanted her to. But when she did, he knew he had failed. Again.

"I don't know what to do." He confessed.

Upon hearing him, Nicholas scoffed with incredulity. "That's strange coming from you, Sebastian Croft. When have you ever not known what to do?"

"Since I said what I said to her. I hate myself. My actions have been eating at me for four years, and every day I keep loathing myself more."

"Then I think it's about time you stopped doing that. You've found her. Not that you were looking." He chuckled when Sebastian shot him a glare.

"There's an opportunity in front of you. I'd say take it. And by taking it, I mean tell her the truth and make things right."

Hell, he wanted to. But how was he to make things right? He didn't even know what was right at the moment. But there was a pressing and overwhelming need for him to do something. And another thing was, would Angelica even give him the opportunity to do so?

He didn't know. She had said she wouldn't, but...

"Do you think she might quit being the wedding planner?"

"I hope not. Miranda would kill me if she did, and that's if I survive her pressing for information about the both of you." He had barely managed to evade her questions earlier, but he knew there'd be more when he returned back to the Priestly manor tonight.

Still seeing that unusual devastated look on Sebastian's face, Nicholas clapped him on his shoulder. "I'm sure everything will be fine, but for now, the Hastings are waiting. Let's have our first meeting with them, then we can discuss if we'd still be having our wedding planner by morning."