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I stood there, frozen, an icy sense of disbelief coursing through me. It wasn't just that he was on stage, but it was what he said next.
"Good evening, everyone! As most of you know, I'm Austin, your ever-so-charming mayor." Another ripple of laughter. My jaw might as well have hit the ground. Mayor? Austin, the mayor?
He continued. "Now, don't let the youthful good looks fool you. I've been at this mayor gig for a while now." The audience laughed. Damn, he was good at working the crowd.
"I know, I know. Youngest mayor this town's ever seen. Frankly, I'm just as surprised as all of you." He gave a theatrical shrug, which sent another wave of chuckles through the people.
"But, in all seriousness, it warms my heart to see everyone gathered tonight. From wine lovers to pastry aficionados, to those of you who just came for the crafts—okay, okay, and those who just wanted an excuse to party—we've got something for everyone."
Shaking my head slightly, I tried to process what was happening. He was the mayor. This charming, flirty guy I'd been seeing was the goddamn mayor. And not just that, he was apparently quite loved and revered. How the hell did I miss this?
His voice flowed smoothly, punctuated with jokes and playful jabs at various townsfolk. "Shout-out to Mrs. Henderson for her mulled wine. If you see people dancing weirdly later, you know they've had one too many of her concoctions."
Another laugh. "And speaking of dancing, I've heard rumors of Councilman Roberts planning to break out his 'legendary' moonwalk. Be afraid, folks, be very afraid."
My emotions swirled in a chaotic storm. On the one hand, he was magnetic on stage, showing a side of himself I hadn’t known. And, if I were honest with myself, it only added to his appeal. But, the bitterness of betrayal lurked too.
He concluded his speech with a more sincere tone. "In all seriousness, it's a privilege to serve as your mayor. It's nights like these that remind me of why I took on this role. Let's celebrate our community, our friendships, and the bright future ahead. Enjoy the festival!"
The applause around me was deafening, a collective roar of appreciation for Austin—the mayor. The man I thought I knew. But amid that roar, there was an eerily poignant moment of silent connection. Austin's eyes darted around the crowd, and they locked onto mine. The weight of that eye contact was unmistakable. It was as if, for a brief second, the noise faded, the crowd blurred, and it was just him and me.
His eyes widened, the jovial gleam that had been there moments ago replaced by sheer panic. His skin lost its warm hue, turning a shade paler, as if he'd seen a ghost.
And maybe, in his eyes, he had.
To say I was angry would be an understatement. I felt betrayed, deceived, played. Every secret smile, every whispered word, and every touch seemed tainted now. The man on the stage was a stranger. And yet, I still felt that pull, that damned magnetic attraction that refused to be ignored.
But I had to gather my wits. I couldn't let my emotions run rampant. Not here, not now. I pivoted, my heels clicking against the cobblestone path, desperate to put distance between me and him, to get away from this confusing turmoil.
"Mr. Mayor! Fabulous speech as always," a portly gentleman, with a balding head and an air of importance, approached Austin. I halted for a moment, hidden behind a vendor's stall, my curiosity piqued.
"Thank you, Councilman Roberts. I hope you enjoyed the festivities." Austin's voice was cordial, a hint of tension underlying his words. His gaze frequently darted in my direction, trying to find me in the crowd, but I stayed hidden.
"Oh, absolutely!" the councilman chuckled. "And speaking of enjoyment, I must commend you on your wine selection's success. Your special label—truly exquisite!"
My heart raced. Special label? His wine? The truth struck me like a ton of bricks. He wasn't just the mayor. He owned the vineyard too—the very place I had been working, the place I had come to love. The realization was a bitter pill to swallow, and I could taste its acrid flavor at the back of my throat.
Austin cleared his throat, the unease evident in his demeanor. "Thank you, Councilman. We've put a lot of effort into it."
The councilman slapped him on the back. "And it shows! You're a credit to this town, young man. Keep it up."
With that, the councilman ambled away, leaving Austin alone on the platform. He looked lost for a moment, vulnerable even, before regaining his composure and stepping down.
Tears blurred my vision and a nauseous feeling settled in my stomach. The man I'd shared intimate moments with, laughed with, and begun to fall for, was the very man whose life was intertwined with mine in more ways than one.
Dizziness threatened to take over, and I leaned against a nearby tree for support, trying to steady my breathing.
The festival around me became a haze of noise and color. Couples danced, children ran with balloons, and wine flowed. But all of it felt so distant, as if I was in a bubble, disconnected from reality.
Tears streamed down my face, and I let them flow. The weight of the evening's revelations threatened to break me. How could I have been so naive, so blind?
I didn't want to confront him, not yet. I needed time, space to process everything.
Clutching my scarf tighter, I made my way out of the town square, the festive sounds fading behind me. The night had taken a turn I could never have anticipated, and the path ahead was uncertain.
26
AUSTIN
