One Dance
577 Words
Chapter 9
Soft violin music filled the grand ballroom as couples made their way to the dance floor.
The host smiled into the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, it's time for the first dance. We invite Mr. and Mrs. Black to open the floor."
Applause echoed through the hall.
Amara's eyes widened.
"What?"
She looked at Damien.
"I... I don't know how to dance."
He smiled faintly.
"Neither did I."
She laughed.
"I don't believe you."
"It's true."
He extended his hand.
"May I?"
Amara hesitated for only a second before placing her hand in his.
The crowd cheered as they walked onto the dance floor.
The music slowed.
Damien placed one hand gently on her waist while holding her other hand.
"Relax," he whispered.
"I'm trying."
"You look terrified."
"I have hundreds of people watching me."
"You only need to look at one."
She raised her eyes to meet his.
For the first time since they met, Damien wasn't wearing his usual cold expression.
His eyes were warm.
Kind.
She found herself smiling without realizing it.
"You know," she said softly, "you're different from the man I met in the rain."
"And is that a good thing?"
"I haven't decided yet."
He chuckled quietly.
"You'll let me know when you do."
As they moved across the dance floor, the guests watched in admiration.
"They look perfect together."
"I've never seen Damien smile like that."
Across the room, Vanessa tightened her grip on her champagne glass.
Her jealousy burned.
"No," she whispered.
"This wasn't supposed to happen."
---
When the dance ended, the audience erupted in applause.
Damien leaned closer.
"Thank you."
"For what?"
"For saying yes to the dance."
Amara smiled.
"It wasn't as bad as I expected."
"May I steal my wife for a moment?" Damien asked.
She nodded.
They stepped onto the quiet garden terrace outside the ballroom.
The cool evening breeze carried the scent of roses.
"It's peaceful here," Amara said.
"It is."
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Damien broke the silence.
"When this contract ends... you'll be free to leave."
Amara looked at him.
"And you?"
"I'll be fine."
Something about the way he said it made her heart ache.
Before she could answer—
Bang!
A loud crack echoed through the night.
A flowerpot behind them exploded into pieces.
Guests screamed.
Damien reacted instantly.
"Get down!"
He pulled Amara to the ground just as another shot rang out.
Glass shattered.
Security guards rushed toward the terrace.
"Protect Mr. and Mrs. Black!"
Damien covered Amara with his own body.
"Are you hurt?" he asked urgently.
She shook her head, trembling.
"No..."
Only then did she notice something.
A thin line of blood ran down Damien's left arm.
"You're bleeding!"
He looked at the wound.
"It's just a scratch."
"No, we need a doctor!"
Before anyone could move, a black card floated onto the terrace.
One of the guards picked it up and handed it to Damien.
On the front was a single white rose.
On the back were five chilling words.
"Next time, I won't miss."
Damien's expression hardened.
He slipped the card into his pocket.
Then, despite the danger surrounding them, he turned to Amara and gently held her trembling hand.
"I made you a promise."
His voice was steady.
"No matter what happens..."
"I won't let anyone take you away from me."
Amara looked into his eyes.
For the first time...
She believed him.
End of Chapter 9
- Writer
