Chapter 26

The new hotel in town was in everyone's mouths. An abandoned 19th century country house had been bought and restored by and entrepreneur that was a long-time friend of Walter Peterson. In fact, Walter had been the one to introduce the property to his friend and was also the one who convinced him to keep it as the historical landmark that it was. And so, the opening of the hotel was not only a grand event, but it was also inspired by a 19th century Christmas ball. The fireplaces were lit; the band was playing and while the ladies pranced around in dresses and ball gowns and the men were wearing their most formal suits.

Faith glanced at her reflexion in a huge mirror that covered part of a wall in one of the corridors that led to the dining hall. She was wearing a ball gown that her parents had picked for her; it was inspired by the true fashion of century, but the seamstress had taken some modern liberties. It was in a gorgeous shade of emerald green that matched Faith's eyes, and she had to admit to herself that for once, she felt like a princess indeed.

"Beautiful," Callum whispered kissing her on the cheek.

"Let's just hope I don't trip and fall, rip the dress and embarrass myself."

"Just stay by side and I'll always catch you."

"Promise?"

"I promise." Callum placed a tender kiss on her lips. "Ready to go in?"

Faith nodded and wrapped her arm around Callum's. "You don't look so bad yourself, Sir Callum."

"Really?"

"Yes. You actually look like a proper fairytale prince, which is very disturbing. How do you always look good? I'm jealous." She chuckled.

"Don't be. If only you see yourself through my eyes," he whispered, right before opening the door, making her blush from head to toe. "You're the one who looks straight of out of a fairytale."

Faith took a deep breath before stepping in the dinning all. Around their table everyone was already waiting for them. Mira ran towards her and hugged her, with Richard following right behind her.

"It is indeed very useful being friends with the town's princess," Josh said, showing up out of nowhere holding his camera and snapped a picture of Faith.

"Shut up Josh, or next time you won't be invited."

"I won't say anything else. I promise. But just for the rest of the night, of course."

Faith rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Kyle, Josh's husband, whom she hadn't seen in a while.

The food was delicious, and everyone felt like they were being treated as actual royalty. But even though the night felt magical, Faith, on occasion, would feel a shiver run down her spine and every time she turned back, she would see Ronnie staring at her. This time, he wasn't accompanied by anyone. Instead, he had spent the night in the company of his dad, Walter, and the hotel owner. This wasn't unusual. It was normal for Ronnie to be around them. They'd talked about whatever business deal they were currently dealing with and that was it. Nonetheless, Faith felt nervous about being anywhere in his proximity. She would never be able to look at him the same way after what had happened during their last encounter. Who are you really? And why can't anyone see you for what you truly are? She wondered, immediately looking away as their eyes met.

"Fay, do you want me to do something about that thing?" Josh asked, noticing that something wasn't quite right with her.

"Are you calling him that thing?"

"He doesn't deserve to be addressed by any other name." Josh shrugged.

"No, it's fine. It's not like I can pretend he doesn't exist."

"I'm gathering dirt on him. A lot of dirt."

"You do?" Faith whispered, trying to not catch anyone's attention.

"Not here. I'll call you when I'm done with my investigation on that thing." He winked. "For now, enjoy the rest of the evening with your friends and your new handsome doctor."

"Shut up." They chuckled.

"Just don't be alone with him, got it?" Josh looked serious, instead of his usual mischievous demeanour, so Faith knew that he meant it. Whatever dirt Josh had on Ronnie made him hate Ronnie even more than he already did.

Faith nodded, and a chill ran through her body again.

After dinner there was a ballroom with music and drinks, and everyone felt like they were in a movie as they pranced around the grand hall. As for Faith, she was struggling to find her way back from the bathroom. The corridors all looked the same to her and the only thing guiding her was the increasing sound of the music. She suddenly stopped. Someone was watching her. She could feel a shiver run through her whole body. And an unpleasant knot in her stomach. That uneasiness when we know we're being watched. Ronnie... She thought, right before she turned and saw him standing there, just a few inches from her.

"Fay, enjoying the evening?" She felt sick with the sound of his voice, at the glare in his eyes.

"Very much. You don't happen to know the way back, do you? Everyone must be worried about me. I've been gone a while."

Ronnie took one step forward, narrowing the distance between them. Forcing Faith to press her back against the wall. "You sure you don't want to give it another try, Fay?" He smiled. Any other person would've thought that was a charming smile coming from a handsome man, but Faith could see some malicious hiding behind it.

"What?"

"It was so easy between us. No drama. Nothing."

"What?"

"It was so simple. No arguments, no complications, no expectations."

"Because we didn't care, Ronnie. We didn't care enough about each other for anything to truly matter."

"That's not true."

"Yes, it is. I thought we were on the same page about this."

"I had some time to think. We worked. It was mutually beneficial."

"Can you hear yourself talk? Mutually beneficial? What are we? A business deal?"

"What you do think marriage is, Faith? Do you think it's just about romantic walks in the park and roses? Grow up, Faith. We can't live just off our dreams. We need to be realistic about what we can get out of life. And you can't get better than me. Do you think your doctor will stick around for long? He'll eventually throw you out and go back to the city when he's tired of all of this."

Tears started rolling down her face. Who is this? Who is this Ronnie? What is happening? "Please. I just want to go back."

Rushed footsteps started echoing through the corridor, making Ronnie take a step back and keep a safe distance from her. The footsteps got louder and faster, and Faith felt a wave of relief as soon as she saw Callum and Josh.

"Ronald," Josh smiled.

"What do you want, Joshua? Why do you always have to stick your nose in other people's business?"

Josh shrugged. "It's in my nature. I can't help it. But maybe I can help you find the exit."

"Don't bother. I'll see myself out." Ronnie turned around and started walking away.

"What was that?" Callum asked as Faith let herself fall against his chest.

"I don't know," she muttered with her voice muffled by Callum's arms wrapped around her.

"I'll go back and let everyone know you're okay." Josh said, tenderly placing a hand on Faith's shoulder before leaving her alone with Callum.

Callum tightened his grip on her. "Do you want to leave?"

"No." She cleaned her tears and looked up at Callum.

"Do you want me to go after him?"

Faith chuckled. "You know I'm not an actually princess in distress and you don't have to be my knight in shining armour," she joked, but when she looked at Callum's face, she saw something she had never seen in him before. There was a darkness in his eyes, and she realized, that if she had said yes, Callum would've gladly run after Ronnie. "Callum..."

He placed a tender kiss on her head and tightened her even more against his body.

"Callum, if you keep going like that, I won't be able to breathe," she chuckled.

"If he had laid a single finger on you..." What is wrong with me? I didn't know I had me the urge to punch someone this much...

"But he didn't."

"I know," he muttered while tugging her hair around her ears, gently brushing his hand against her face, desperate to feel the softness of her skin. He sighed. "Ready to go back?"

"I just need another minute." Faith took a deep breath. "Has he always been like this?"

"Like what?"

"A narcissistic bastard. I guess I was delusional. How come I didn't see his true colours sooner?"

"Because you see the good in people. You think everyone is as kind and as pure as you are."

"I'm not all that."

"Yes, you are. You have no idea how innocent you are."

"Is that a bad thing? Why do I feel like it's a bad thing?"

Callum chuckled softly. "It's not. Not at all. Please keep looking at the world the way you do. And please keeping looking at me like that, too." Faith blushed and slightly parted her lips, making Callum unable to resist giving her a soft kiss. He couldn't believe that they had found each other. That she was his, and he was hers. How Faith looked at him and how she perceived him made him want to be a better man. Made him want to be exactly the man she thought he was. A man deserving of her love and of loving her.

"I think you're seeing me through rose-coloured glasses, Callum."

"No. I'm seeing you very clearly."

Faith swallowed dry as her heart was thumping on her chest. So, this is what being in love feels like... She couldn't fully comprehend Callum's words or their meaning. How could he think of her like that? She didn't see herself like that at all. But she felt his love, and that was all that mattered. This is what it feels like when you have someone looking at you like you are the only person on the planet... As they stood there glancing at each other, it was everything else around them had disappeared. As they opened the door to the ballroom, everything around them was diffuse and dim, as if everyone had turned into mist and had been carried away by a gust of wind, leaving them all alone in their own fantasy.