The MC's voice rose above the soft hum of conversation...
"Ladies and gentlemen,, please welcome our beautiful bridesmaid and our best man—Rimi and Adrian—for the special dance !!"
Applause followed,, echoing across the twinkling lights and rose-scented breeze. I froze for a moment,, my breath catching as all eyes turned to us... My heart beat like a frantic drum.
Adrian stood before me in his sleek black tuxedo,, hand extended. "May I have this dance??"
There was no teasing in his voice this time—only sincerity... My fingers hesitated for a second before finding his.
"Yes,," I whispered.
He led me onto the open stone floor... The garden lights flickered gently above us,, casting a golden glow that made everything feel ethereal. Music drifted into the air—soft, melodic,, wrapped in longing.
His hand rested lightly on my waist,, while our fingers interlaced on the other side. The moment we began to move,, the world narrowed... Every heartbeat felt like it echoed through my whole body...
"You look… divine,," he murmured,, voice low against my temple. "Like the moon wrapped in stardust..."
"Don't say things like that,," I whispered.
"Why??" His eyes never left mine. "Because it's true?? Or because you're afraid to believe it??"
I didn't answer. I couldn't...
We moved slowly,, every step perfectly in sync,, like our bodies remembered something our minds couldn't explain. The tension between us grew,, pulled tight with every turn,, every breath,, every touch.
From the side of the dance floor,, I could feel Luka watching. His gaze was sharp,, burning. He stood stiff,, jaw clenched,, lips pressed into a straight line,. His hand gripped the back of a chair until his knuckles whitened.
Adrian noticed too. "He's watching us..."
I followed his gaze, heart twisting...
"Does it bother you??" Adrian asked softly.
"No,," I said,, a little too quickly. "Does it bother you??"
He pulled me closer,, his voice almost a growl. "Only because I know he wants something that belongs with me..."
My breath caught. "Belongs?? In your dreams..."
"You... are my reality..." he whispered. "You belong here—with me.... In this moment. In my arms..."
I looked at him... yes... this is reality and maybe I don't belong to you...
The music swelled,, and Adrian spun me gently before catching me again. His hand on my waist tightened just slightly... I could feel the strength in his grip—the need...
From the corner of my eye,, I saw Lily clutching Mike's arm. She smiled with misty eyes,, and Mike leaned in to whisper something. They were watching with soft admiration,, as if witnessing a love story quietly unfolding in front of them... but maybe they are wrong...
But not everyone's eyes held warmth.
Oliver stood farther back,, glass in hand,, half in shadow. His gaze was unreadable—measured,, calculating—but fixed on me like he knew something I didn't. When our eyes met,, he offered the faintest of smiles and raised his glass.
I looked away quickly,, unsettled.
Adrian's hand slid up my back,, anchoring me to him. "Ignore him,," he said. "Look at me..."
I did...
And for a moment,, there was no one else. Just us. Our bodies,, close... Our breaths, mingling. Our hearts,, unsure but daring.
"I've never danced like this before,," I murmured.
"Me either,, " he said. "But with you,, even silence feels like music."
A warmth bloomed in my chest. I rested my head lightly against his shoulder,, just for a second. And he held me like he'd been waiting a lifetime for this...
When the song neared its end,, Adrian tilted my chin up. Our faces were just inches apart. His eyes searched mine,, as if asking a question he couldn't speak aloud.
I didn't answer it—but I didn't pull away either.
Applause broke the moment,, drawing us back to reality. Adrian gently released me,, though his touch lingered as if reluctant to let go.
We stepped off the floor to a flurry of cheers, and Lily ran over,, grinning like she'd just watched a dream come true...
"You two were magical,," she said,, hugging me tightly. "Seriously... The way you looked at each other?? That wasn't acting."
Behind her,, Luka turned sharply and walked away without a word.
And Oliver??
He still watched...
To be continue...