Reality's Illusion

Chapter 10

I was overwhelmed by the number of people I recognized-some beelined toward me to reconnect, and others cowered, unsure of whether to acknowledge me. I welcomed those with the courage to talk and gave a pass to those who were afraid. Suddenly, I was in my comfort zone, discussing mediums, hearing about newcomers in the community, exhibits opening, pieces that had sold. My old friend, art, welcomed me back to the living with a warm smile and a firm handshake. But then a chilled hand landed on my forearm, and I turned away from the group. My sight fell first on the fingers resting close to my wrist-long, thin, delicate fingers. Traveling their length, I found the nails of an artist whom-despite how hard she had scrubbed-was unable to reduce the appearance of clay.

My eyes cast up from the hand to a beautiful face, green eyes twinkling from the lights above. f**k, she was gorgeous. My heart constricted with the sting of Sylvie staring back at me and the warmth of Sera calling my name.

"Bastian." My name on her lips was the sound of a song as it rolled off her tongue.

I took her hand in mine and leaned in to kiss her cheek. "Sera."

She returned the gesture as though we were old friends. And even though I stepped back, I hadn't let go of her while I took her in. From her black heels up, her lean body sheathed in black silk that hugged her curves in all the right places, she was stunning.

I couldn't stop the wide grin that emerged. "This is simply amazing. I had no idea you were this talented. Oh, and before I forget, Tara is looking for you. She has news for you."

"I just spoke with her. I had to come to find you." Her voice trailed off as her eyes filled with tears.

I couldn't handle a woman crying. "Whoa, hey, what's wrong?"

"I just can't believe Bastian Thames bought one of my pieces. I'm overjoyed."

I had no clue what she was talking about. As much as I had wanted to buy something, I had missed out on the piece I had hoped for and never would've been able to afford. "There must be a mistake. While I love your work, I wasn't-"

"Sera, I'm Nate, Bastian's date for the evening." Nate extended his hand to Sera, who appeared perplexed but accepted his greeting with a graceful smile despite his barbaric entrance.

"She raised her eyebrow at me. Your date?"

"Excuse Nate. He's a jackass with no decorum. Nate, this is Sera. Sera, this is Nate. Nate's been my best friend since I was an embryo."

She giggled a beautiful sound, melodious. It wasn't quite like Sylvie's, but I could tell, even from that brief hint, that it could light up my world.

"Well, Nate. It's nice to meet you." She curtsied, which I found endearing as hell. "I can't talk long." Sera glanced over her shoulder at the people behind us, acknowledging she had to mingle. "I'm just blown away, Bastian. I'll have to thank you over coffee sometime. Give me a call, and let's get together soon, yeah?" She waited with eager eyes for my response.

"Yeah, definitely. I'll call you tomorrow."

"Thanks again for coming, Bastian. I think more people showed up for the chance to see you than my work." She winked as she walked away.

Sera glided through the crowd, and I enjoyed the view until I couldn't see her anymore.

"She thinks I bought one of her sculptures," absentmindedly, I spoke to Nate as I stared at the last place I'd seen her. But when I turned back to him, mischief was written all over his expression. "f**k. What the hell did you do?"