Entangled Steps and Hidden Emotions...
The music began with a soft,, lilting rhythm that echoed through the practice room like a gentle breeze. Adrian and I stood facing each other, hands poised,, feet aligned—ready for the next round of rehearsal. As we moved in synchrony,, each step drawing us closer,, I felt the rhythm wrap around me like a dream. The harmony of the notes and,, the warmth of Adrian's presence blurred everything else.
I found myself sinking into the softness of his gaze. His deep brown eyes,, warm and unreadable,, pulled me in like a tide pulling a helpless shell back into the ocean. My heartbeat lost sync with the music and began dancing to its own rhythm—one,, that matched the way his eyes locked onto mine...
Then,, in a fluid and unexpected move,, Adrian swept me off my feet—literally. He cradled me in his arms like a bride,, his smile radiant and boyish. My breath hitched as I gazed up at him,, our faces inches apart. His grip was steady and sure,, yet tender,, as if I were something precious,, he was afraid to break.
Before I could even process the sudden intimacy of the moment,, a voice broke through.
"Excuse me,," Luka called out,, his tone sharp. "That's not part of the practice."
Adrian's smile faded as he turned his head toward Luka. His jaw clenched,, and I could feel the tension in his arms as he gently lowered me back to the ground. "It's a new step,," Adrian said coolly... "Something I added myself."
Luka raised an eyebrow. "Why?? You can't just do something different. This is a choreographed routine."
"We're dancing in the middle of the act,," Adrian replied,, his gaze flicking to me. "Something unique keeps it interesting."
I blinked,, suddenly realizing I'd been staring at Adrian this entire time. Embarrassed,, I quickly turned my face away.
Luka crossed his arms. "Whatever,, But if Rimi falls,, don't blame me."
Adrian leaned in closer,, his lips brushing near my ear. "Rimi will definitely fall,," he whispered, his voice low and playful,, "but for me."
I turned sharply toward him,. "In your dreams," I snapped,, trying to sound composed even as heat rushed to my cheeks.
He put a hand to his chest,, dramatically wincing. "Ouch,, That hurt. But every word from your mouth is so sweet... I wonder how sweet you must be."
My eyes narrowed,, and he caught my reaction,, chuckling. "I'm joking,, I'm joking!!"
"I don't like jokes,," I muttered.
"Alright,, sorry,," he said quickly,, his eyes softening.
Then Luka interjected again,, clearly annoyed. "Excuse me,, I'm still here."
Adrian turned to him with mock surprise. "You're still here??"
Luka shot him a glare. "I'm not going anywhere,, Just finish your practice already."
"Thanks,," I cut in,, trying to defuse the growing tension.
As I turned back toward Adrian,, I noticed both men were glaring at each other,, a silent war of unspoken emotions between them. I sighed and stepped between them,, realizing my height wasn't quite enough to reach Adrian's eye level. I raised my hand and waved it in front of his face.
He laughed quietly. "I can see you,, no need to wave your hands."
I frowned playfully,, and he leaned in. "Let's go for the final practice."
He gently took my hand in his,, his fingers warm against mine. "You're cute,, you know that??"
I looked down quickly,, blushing... He smiled, clearly enjoying the effect he had on me.
"Let's go,," Luka called from the corner, clapping his hands. "Positions!!"
I nodded,, took my place beside Adrian,, and the music started again.
As the melody filled the room,, we moved together like reflections—mirrored,, graceful,, yet with hearts not quite in sync. I tried not to look at Adrian,, but his deep brown eyes kept pulling me in. They were like endless wells,, unreadable yet comforting.
Near the end of the piece,, Adrian lifted me again, effortlessly. My heart raced as he held me in his arms once more,, our eyes locked. I tried to look away,, to shield myself from the emotions stirring within,, but he kept looking at me—unmoving,, unwavering.
The music stopped...
Luka clapped. "Rimi,, you were perfect. Amazing!!"
I turned toward him and smiled. "Thank you..."
Adrian gently placed me back on my feet. "Yeah,, Rimi is perfect."
I looked up at him,, cheeks warm. "You did great too."
He smiled at me with a spark in his eyes. "Thank you..."
Then he bent down and scooped up our little kitten,, cuddling her close. "Rimi,, let's go. Time for lunch."
"Let's go,," I said softly.
But as we began walking,, Luka called after us,, "Hey,, wait!! I'm coming too."
Adrian stopped,, turning to him with an amused smirk. "No,, Your sister is looking for you. Go to Lily..."
Luka frowned,, then looked at me. "Okay… see you soon."
I gave him a small wave,, and then Adrian took my hand again,, lacing his fingers with mine. "So,," he said,, "let's go."
We reached the lobby,, and Lily was already waiting by the elevator.
"Your practice is done??" she asked,, arms crossed.
"Yeah,," I nodded.
"Good. Now go eat and get ready... We're meeting guests later."
Adrian nodded. "We remember..."
"Don't be late,," she said,, already walking off.
In the dining area,, Adrian and I sat side by side. We ate in silence for a while,, the air between us soft and full of unspoken thoughts. Then he broke it.
"Rimi,, we should name her."
I looked at him and smiled. "Yeah,, suggest something."
He grinned. "Let's name her Bella."
I turned to the kitten and whispered,, "Bella. Isn't that a beautiful name??"
As if she approved,, Bella jumped out of my lap and onto Adrian's. He picked her up and cuddled her. "Yeah,, come to daddy... Daddy will give you treats..."
He looked at me playfully. "Dear Bella's mom,, you don't play with her enough. That's why she came to me."
I blushed again and muttered,, "Whatever. She's bad... She always runs from me."
Adrian burst into laughter,, and I glared at him. "Hey!! Stop laughing at me!!"
"Okay,, okay,," he said,, chuckling. Then he reached across the table and held my hand. "You're sweet..."
My blush deepened. "Thank you…"
He smiled,, his thumb brushing against my knuckles. "Eat quickly... We've got a long evening."
"Yeah,," I nodded.
Just as we were finishing,, Lily approached again.
"Party starts at 6... Come down to the VIP room. Don't be late."
"We'll be there,," we replied in unison.
Then Lily paused,, staring at us.
I blinked. "We're listening…"
"Oh, really??" she teased. "Then,, Adrian,, tell me what I said."
Adrian smirked. "You said to rest and get ready for the party..."
Lily raised a brow. "Hmm... Don't be late,, you two lovebirds."
I flushed,, and Lily turned to me. "Can you please stop blushing??"
"I'm not blushing!!" I protested.
"Yeah,, sure,," she said with a grin before heading off toward Mike.
Adrian kept smiling at me,, and I crossed my arms. "I wasn't blushing. She was lying..."
"Hmmm,, I know,," he said,, eyes twinkling.
"Stop teasing me. I was not blushing..."
"Okay, okay. Sorry,," he said,, laughing.
I stood up quickly. "I'm going to my room. Are you taking Bella??"
He nodded. "Yeah. I'll feed her,, See you in the evening."
I nodded,, turning away and rushing to my room. Once inside,, I locked the door behind me and flopped onto the bed,, grabbing a pillow and covering my face.
"No,," I whispered into the fabric. "I can't fall for him. Please, brain,, help me. If I fall in love again and he leaves... I won't survive it."
My chest ached with the truth I was trying to bury. I closed my eyes and repeated to myself,, "It's not real. I don't have feelings. It's just... practice,, Nothing else."
But no matter how many times I said it,, my heart kept whispering something else.
Something that sound
dangerous like love...
To be continue...