Petal's POV

The afternoon breeze carried the aroma of freshly prepared spices as I stood by my mother in the kitchen. Her soft hums filled the room, blending perfectly with the rhythm of chopping and stirring. I couldn't believe it when she told me Sebastian would be joining us for dinner. Sebastian—so polished, so perfect—was coming to our humble home. The news had left me in a whirlwind of emotions, ranging from excitement to an inexplicable nervousness.

I had offered to help with the preparations, wanting everything to be flawless. From slicing vegetables to stirring sauces, I immersed myself in the tasks, careful not to let my mind wander too much to thoughts of him. For two straight hours, we worked tirelessly. By the time the dishes were done, I was sweaty, exhausted, and, honestly, smelling like the very food we’d made.

"Go freshen up, Petal. You’ve done enough," Mom said with a smile, patting my cheek.

I nodded and headed to my room. The first thing I did was take a long, soothing shower. As the warm water cascaded over me, I tried to shake off the fluttering in my stomach. It’s just dinner, I reminded myself, just a casual dinner.

After drying off, I rummaged through my wardrobe. My fingers lingered over a few elegant dresses, but something about them didn’t feel right. Tonight wasn’t about impressing anyone—or so I told myself. I finally settled on a simple gray skirt that ended just above my knees and paired it with a black full-sleeve top. A quick glance in the mirror confirmed that my outfit was modest yet presentable. I tied my hair into a neat ponytail and applied some lip balm. Makeup was never really my thing; I preferred keeping it natural.

As I finished getting ready, the clock on my nightstand read 7:45 PM. Fifteen minutes to go. To pass the time and calm my nerves, I grabbed a comic book from my shelf and sprawled out on my bed, lying on my stomach. The vibrant illustrations and light-hearted humor were exactly what I needed to distract myself from the anticipation bubbling within me.

Just as I was getting engrossed in the story, a sudden knock at the door startled me. My heart skipped a beat, and I sat up abruptly. In the process, my skirt rode up slightly, exposing more of my thighs than I was comfortable with. Before I could adjust it, I looked toward the door and saw him.

Sebastian stood there, his broad frame leaning casually against the doorway, his piercing gaze fixed on me. But not my face. My cheeks flushed as I followed his line of sight, realizing he was staring at my thighs. Embarrassment surged through me, and I quickly pulled my skirt down to cover myself.

"Sebastian!" I blurted, my voice tinged with a mix of surprise and indignation.

He blinked, as if snapping out of a trance, and finally met my eyes. His expression softened, and he smiled—a small, almost sheepish smile. My heart betrayed me, fluttering at the sight of it.

"Your mom is asking you to go downstairs," he said, his voice low and husky, sending a shiver down my spine. "Come, let's go."

I nodded, still trying to compose myself. As I stood, I felt his eyes on me again, observing my every movement. His gaze wasn’t predatory, but it was intense, as if he was trying to memorize every detail about me. It was overwhelming, yet oddly comforting.

Walking past him, I felt the warmth of his presence lingering close. The scent of his cologne—a mix of musk and something woody—invaded my senses, making my pulse quicken.

"You look... nice," he said softly as we made our way downstairs.

I glanced at him, startled by the compliment. "Thank you," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper.

When we entered the dining area, Mom and Dad were busy setting the table. The aroma of the dishes we’d prepared wafted through the air, adding a cozy touch to the evening.

"There’s my girl," Dad said, beaming at me. He then turned to Sebastian. "I hope she didn’t take too long. Girls, you know how they are."

"Not at all," Sebastian replied smoothly, his eyes briefly meeting mine.

Mom gestured for us to take our seats, and soon, the four of us were gathered around the table. Dinner was a blend of laughter, stories, and the occasional teasing from my parents. Sebastian, with his charming demeanor, fit right in, yet I could feel his attention lingering on me more than anyone else.

As the meal progressed, I found myself stealing glances at him. Dressed in a white V-neck T-shirt paired with black trousers, a jean jacket, and a scarf, he looked effortlessly handsome. His hair was slightly tousled, and there was an ease in his posture that made him seem more approachable than ever.

Little did I know, tonight was just the beginning of something much deeper, something that would forever change the course of my life.

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