*****
After lunch, Anita took her wine out onto the balcony. She loved the view from here, at the top of the hill, looking out over the wild countryside and river below. She would love to live up here; the house was spectacular, set just outside of Empire. It was prominent and modern yet not overpowering, with clean, angular lines. If only she were in love with Bas in the way he was in love with her; life would be divine. Bas slid the door closed behind him as he joined her on the balcony and came to stand next to her, leaning on the wooden railing, their arms touching.
‘You’re one lucky guy Bas,’ she said.
‘How so?’ he asked, bemused.
‘You can wake up and look at this wild, beautiful view every morning, then go to the Observatory and stare out over Empire to your heart’s content.’
He laughed. ‘Yep, I’ve got to admit it, I’m exceptionally lucky when it comes to good views. I can’t argue with you there.’ They stared out in silence, taking in the view for a few moments, before Bas said awkwardly, ‘the ball.’
Anita looked at Bas, anxiety screwing up inside her. Don’t do it, Bas, she silently pleaded. ‘Yep,’ she replied, as calmly as she could.
‘I know you said you weren’t going before, because it wasn’t your thing, but now that you have to go…well, I’ve asked this girl called Missy, but only because her father is a friend of Dad’s and I said I’d do it as a favour…’ he paused, taking what looked like a difficult breath, ‘…but if you would want to go with me, I’ll tell her there was a misunderstanding or something,’ he rushed the words out, presumably in case he bottled out at the last minute. ‘I’d hate for you to have to do the first dance on your own,’ he joked, shoving her arm playfully.
Anita took a long inward breath. ‘Bas,’ Anita turned to look at him, barely bringing herself to hold his gaze when she saw the hopeful look in his eyes. ‘Any girl in this town would jump at the chance of going to the ball with you. You know that. And I’m sure Missy is really looking forward to going with you…’
‘…yes, but…’ Bas tried to interrupt, and Anita put a hand on his arm to silence him.
‘You know I love you Bas, but I love you like a brother. I wish I loved you as you love me, it would make it so simple…but I’m sorry, I just don’t see you that way.’ She paused, racked with guilt at Bas’ crestfallen face. ‘You should go to the ball with Missy. I’m sure she’s great.’
Bas turned back to look down at the river below. He sighed and eventually nodded, looking deeply hurt but resigned to accept what Anita had said. ‘So, who are you going to the ball with then?’
‘That’s not yet confirmed,’ she said, moving towards the door, ‘we’ll both just have to wait and see.’ Bas thought about pursuing it, and ordinarily probably would have, but given the circumstances, he decided it might be best to just let it go. Silently he turned and followed Anita back inside, feeling like a shining light inside of him had been brutally extinguished.