Episode 12
613 Words
One Dance, One Heartbeat
The ballroom erupted into thunderous applause.
Kyle Larson and Jade Jordan stared at the host in disbelief.
"There must be a mistake," Jade said.
The host smiled politely.
"I'm afraid there isn't, Miss Jordan. According to the charity gala tradition, our highest bidders must share the opening dance."
Jade glanced at Kyle.
He looked just as unwilling.
"I don't dance," Kyle said.
The audience laughed, thinking he was joking.
The host chuckled.
"Tonight, Mr. Larson... you do."
Verona leaned toward Kyle and whispered,
"Go."
He sighed.
"I don't take orders."
"You do from me."
For a brief moment, Kyle was speechless.
Verona smiled triumphantly.
---
Across the room...
Diana gently nudged Jade.
"It's just one dance."
"I'd rather negotiate with stubborn investors."
"You do that every day."
"Exactly."
Diana grinned.
"Then this should be easy."
Jade sighed in defeat.
"Fine."
---
Soft violin music filled the ballroom.
Kyle walked toward Jade.
He extended his hand.
Without saying a word, Jade placed her hand in his.
A strange silence settled between them.
Kyle placed one hand gently around her waist while Jade rested her free hand on his shoulder.
The music began.
Slowly...
They moved across the polished dance floor.
Guests watched in admiration.
"They look perfect together."
"They're made for each other."
Neither Kyle nor Jade heard the whispers.
They were too busy trying not to step on each other's feet.
"You dance better than I expected," Jade admitted.
Kyle raised an eyebrow.
"You expected me to be terrible?"
"I wasn't sure."
"And you?"
"I've had lessons since I was young."
"I can tell."
A faint smile appeared on Jade's lips.
It was small...
But genuine.
For the first time...
Kyle smiled back.
It wasn't the cold, polite smile people occasionally saw in business meetings.
It was real.
Verona noticed immediately.
"So he does know how to smile," she whispered.
Diana gasped.
"I need a picture of this."
---
At the edge of the ballroom...
Brian watched them dance.
His heart sank.
"They look... happy."
Layla stood beside him.
"Jealous?"
Brian ignored her.
"You've already done enough."
Layla's eyes narrowed.
"You still love Jade, don't you?"
Brian didn't answer.
His silence was all the confirmation she needed.
---
As the music came to an end, Kyle and Jade stepped apart.
For a few seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Then Jade smiled politely.
"Thank you."
Kyle nodded.
"The pleasure was... unexpected."
Before Jade could reply, a waiter accidentally collided with her.
A glass of red wine slipped from the tray.
Without hesitation, Kyle pulled Jade toward him.
The wine splashed harmlessly onto the floor.
Their faces were only inches apart.
For one breathtaking moment...
The world around them disappeared.
Jade could hear nothing but the steady rhythm of Kyle's heartbeat.
Kyle found himself lost in her emerald eyes.
Then...
Flash!
A camera captured the moment.
The bright light brought them back to reality.
Both stepped away immediately.
Reporters rushed forward.
"Mr. Larson!"
"Miss Jordan!"
"Are the rumors true?"
"Are the CEOs of Larson Automotive and Emerald Motors in a relationship?"
Jade's cheeks flushed.
"What?"
Kyle remained calm.
"You're mistaken."
"We're business partners. Nothing more."
Even as he said the words...
Something inside him questioned whether they would always remain true.
Standing in the shadows, a mysterious figure lowered his phone after taking another photograph.
He smiled.
"The pieces are finally falling into place."
Far away...
On a shelf inside Larson Mansion, the old bracelet slipped from its wooden box and landed on the floor.
Verona picked it up gently.
She looked at it thoughtfully.
"I have a feeling..."
"...its owner is closer than you think, Kyle."
End of Episode 12
- Writer
