The restaurant exudes sophistication with dim ambient light casting a warm glow over the marble floor.
The subtle scent of culinary masterpieces wafted to meet them as the soft tune from the pianist reached their ears.
They took their seat at a favorite spot of theirs, overlooking the city dim lights and nightly activities.
"What shall we have?" Karma asked, her voice bright. She examined the menu critically, though she knew the content by heart.
This is her favorite restaurant for a reason. Seraphina said something that made Ethan chuckle, his face relaxed and glowing from the orange light.
Karma gently cleared her throat to gain their attention, she smiled and pointed to the menu.
"Is mushroom pasta okay for you?" She directed the question to Seraphina.
Mushroom pasta was a favorite of hers, and Karma knew her sister's preference.
"I'll have medium rare steak with some peas and mashed potatoes." Ethan announced.
Seraphina's eyes brightened, "I'll have the same thing as him."
Karma smiled off her confusion and informed the waitress of their order. Her sister always had the same thing whenever they came to this restaurant together, which was once every month.
"I think a change in taste is called for. Especially considering what we're celebrating." Seraphina answered her stepsister's unspoken question.
Seraphina chuckled, her fingers inching close to Ethan.
"Well yes," Karma hurriedly replied.
The waiter came back with their food and a bottle of vintage wine.
"To Seraphina's promotion!" Ethan raised a toast and they all clinked their glasses.
Conversation rose and fell, with Seraphina carrying most of it. Karma wondered if she was coming down with a cold, or perhaps it was just the knot tightening in her stomach.
"Oh its right beside my new apartment!" Seraphina was saying, "you should come."
Karma realized she'd missed an important part of the conversation and asked sharply.
"What is that?"
"Ethan was just telling me about his new acquisition. The building right beside mine," she squealed, delicately covering her mouth with her fingers.
"You did not inform me of this," Karma accused in a gentle voice.
Ethan looked chagrined and he flashed her a small smile, "It was a really good deal. I couldn't pass it off. We just finalized the process this evening and I was planning to tell you."
Karma nodded and smiled. She felt her face pulled taut. Something was wrong, she just couldn't get her hands on it.
"Really?" Seraphina muttered, her eyes enraptured.
Ethan chuckled at his own cleverness, and explained how he had tricked a demon into believing the deal was better.
"I don't think that's…" Karma started to say.
"That is absolutely perfect! Do you know how hard it is to find loopholes with demonic contract? You're possibly the most intelligent person I know." She whispered in awe.
The dinner ended and they got up to leave. Karma was already booking a taxi for her stepsister, when suddenly she heard a light thud.
She swiveled her neck hurriedly to see her sister leaning on the pillar, her fingers fanning her face.
She rushed to her side at once, but Ethan was already there. His hand wrapped around her waist to steady her.
"What's wrong Rina?" Karma asked worriedly.
"I actually forgot to take my medications today. I thought I was getting better. The alcohol must have triggered it." Seraphina said mournfully.
Her voice had gone low and misty, and she swayed gently like a leaf in the breeze.
It was at the top of Karma's tongue to ask her sister why she's been taking medications and for what exactly, but her safety first.
"Let's go to the hospital." Ethan grunted, hefting Seraphina like a doll.
Seraphina fell limped against his broad chest but she shook her head in negation.
"No no. I…I don't want to go the hospital. I just need to get some rest." She whispered weakly.
Perhaps it was a trick of the dimming light, but Karma thought she saw a smug smirk curving Seraphina's lips.
But she must have been mistaken of course.
"I already ordered you a taxi," Karma patted her on the back to reassure her. "The taxi will be here in ten minutes."
"I feel so faint." She whispered, her eyes drooping.
"I'd better take here home. She's getting worse by the minute." Ethan suggested.
"But what about me?" Karma said softly.
Ethan's face scrunched up with anger and he sniffed with disdain that sent shrapnel into Karma's heart.
"Your sister is sick Karma. For God's sake, try to be less selfish sometimes."
"I…I.." the words were stuck to the roof of her tongue.
The silence that descended was uncomfortable, like a balloon filled tightly with water. Everyone is expecting it to burst any moment.
"You should take her home. It'll be faster." Karma said, her head board, fist clenched beside her.
Her tone was subdued.
"Im so sorry for the inconvenience sister. I know I'm always a burden." She smiled, in the dark light it looked so much like a sneer.
"Don't ever say that again. You're never a burden," Ethan sharp voice cut her off.
And they were off, Seraphina sprawled across Ethan's chest as he hurriedly opened the car and gently deposited her there.
Seraphina looked back, a wide smile on her face.
Karma rubbed her chest and unclenched her first. Ethan was right. She needs to be less selfish. Seraphina was sick for God's sake!
Why did it matter if her fiance took her home?
She rubbed her eyes and it came back wet with tears. She sniffed and raised her head up, viciously berating herself for acting like a ninny.
She glanced down at her phone, grateful that the taxi was only three minutes away. A red droplet landed on the cracked screen of her phone.
Followed by another. She touched her nose and her finger was stained with blood.
Panic rose in her chest like a hot oil fume
, she reached blindly for the air, intending to call her fiance back when suddenly, red dot dotted her vision.
And she tumbled into oblivion, where everything was blissfully dark.