Rhythm of dance

CHAPTER 1 Loud music could be heard on the 5th floor of the Instep Academy of Dances. A young girl, who is 23 years old, Gracie Davis was seen moving her body gracefully to the music practising her moves. This floor had only one practice room along with the CEO's's office where her best friend, Leah White was working. Though the company belonged to Gracie it was Leah who was managing it as Gracie liked to be low-key. Bryan Stephan Ortiz, CEO of Ortiz entertainment corporation was a cold businessman and now was fascinated by instep entertainment making its name in the industry and had come in person to talk about taking over the company as it was rejected previously when contacted by his assistant, Alan Murray. As he was walking to the CEO's office he could hear the music on the same floor at the furthest corner and bring intrigued followed the sound to the last room. He happened to see the girl dancing like a peacock full of life. He was so mesmerised that he even forgot to breathe for a few seconds. He was standing there looking at the girl when their eyes met in the mirror, the girl was shocked as she had no idea when the man came in nor for how long he had been staying there. Gracie had a good figure with curvy hips, long slender legs, lengthy wavy brown hair, cat eyes, a sharp nose and pearly white teeth with pink luscious lips. She was more beautiful than most celebrities. She looks more alluring with her no-makeup look and drenching in her sweat. She turns around and walks towards him acknowledging his presence. She nods at him with a small smile but doesn't talk much as she is a loner who has only her best friend. She is on friendly terms with many people but not close. She is an orphan who was bullied terribly in school so she likes to keep to herself. She then moved towards her locker without waiting for his response and got her bag out to get her towel to wipe away her sweat before fetching her bottle to drink water. Bryan had been standing there watching her every move with a little daze. She looked exceptionally elegant even wiping away the dampness on her neck and forehead. She had a personalised bathroom in her practice room as she had to freshen up before moving out of that place. When she turned around she was shocked again to see him still standing there not even moving an inch. She walks over to him and asks if he had anything to say. Bryan is at a loss for words. He calms down a little and asks her if the CEO was in her office. Gracie just nods her head and point in the direction of the office thereby turning around and walking away to the bathroom. Bryan stands there until she is out of sight thinking how her voice was like some melody and walks to the office adjusting his pants as he was turned on by her every move and voice alone. He knocks on the door and enters after hearing a get-in from inside. Leah thinks it was her bestie who knocked as it was time to finish her practice and did not raise her head but started rambling about how difficult it is to do things on her own and why she has to keep her anonymous but before she could complete she heard a throat clearing sound and was shocked to see that it was not Gracie and her face became red with embarrassment. She then looks up at her to get a clear view of the person and now she is even more surprised to see Bryan standing there. She quickly gets up and greets him. “Bryan what are you doing here.” “ How come you are here” Leah was indeed his best friend, Joseph Smith’s fiancé and had met a few times but he was never interested in females and hence never listened to their conversation attentively so he had no idea that she was the CEO of this company. “Huh, only you can come over to my office and ask me why am I here.” she buffs. Bryan smiled stiffly and Leah didn’t continue further as she was a little scared of him after listening to her fiancé talk about him not liking much interaction with any women. Then Bryan sat down on the sofa like he owned the place. Then he remembered that she was lamenting something about not being the owner and questioned her about the same. “So whom does the company belong to and why are you working here when your father owns his own company.” She looks at him for a second not knowing if she should tell the truth then she decides to come clean as she had already spoken without knowing “Oh this is my best friend Gracie’s company I help her manage it. she is the person because of whom am alive today so trying to help her like this.” He just nods then he thinks about the beauty he saw earlier and was contemplating whether to ask about her finally his curiosity won over him and he questions her about it. “Oh, that’s my best friend I mentioned earlier she is a professional dancer. Wait why are you asking about her? Did she annoy you? She is very soft and doesn't like any interaction with people around here, especially unknown people. She likes to stay to herself and enjoy dancing.” she continues pleading on her friend's behalf but is cut halfway through by Bryan bemusedly. “She didn’t do anything relax I just happen to see her dancing before coming here so I asked” “ Thank god” Leah heaves a sigh of relief. Bryan wanted to ask more about Gracie but had no idea how to start so he just stands up ready to leave. While near the door Leah suddenly realizes that he never spoke about his intention of coming here though she has a hunch about it. So she asks him the reason he had come over but he says that he will come some other day to discuss and left the office leaving behind the confused Leah blinking her eyes. As Leah was deep in taught Gracie comes in to say her goodbye but sees her in a daze. “Hey girl what’s happening? don’t tell me you are dreaming of making love to Josh now” Leah comes out of her daze and her cheeks are beet red as she begrudgingly shoos her away. Before Gracie walks out she calls her out and asks her to go on a shopping spree with her the next day. “Okay this time even I have to buy a few costumes so we shall go” she agrees readily which in turn shocks Leah. She just smiles cheekily and asks her to be ready before 10 the next morning. CHAPTER 2 The next morning Leah comes over to Gracie’s condominium at 10 am. She walks into her living room with a spare key only to find Gracie still in bed soundly asleep in a rather odd position where her leg is folded towards her head on the right side and her other leg bent backwards. Seeing this Leah shook her head and makes her way towards the bed then puts on the sound of dogs barking. Gracie is so shocked that she stumbles and falls on the floor with a huge thud. Then opens her eyes to see Leah there laughing her ass off. She shoots daggers at her friend and asks what she was doing early in the morning in her condo. Leah rolls her eyes and asks her to check the time before shouting her ears off. Then Gracie looks at the clock on the bedside table and realised she had overslept due to her exhaustion. She smiles sheepishly while mumbling under her breath saying she would be ready in 15 minutes and rushes to her bathroom. After finishing her morning business, she walks out and wears a wrap-around dress with a little lipgloss and mascara holding a handbag and walks out to wear her heels. “You are on time not bad. We will have breakfast outside, hurry up” Leah pulls out Gracie and walks towards her car locking her door behind her. They arrive at the mall in 20 minutes and go straight to the food court for their breakfast. They get their food and sit by the corner to eat. While eating they hear a shrill voice and turn around to see whom they instantly recognise as their classmate from high school Karina Simons and her high school boyfriend Lucas Brown. Lucas first was interested in Gracie and persuaded her for a long but later he was seen kissing in the corridor of school with Karina though he said that it was a mistake and Karina initiated it nevertheless the trust was lost and Gracie never bothered because she had no feelings for him. Karina had done all that purposely due to jealousy. “Oh oh look who is here, I’m shocked that you are still with this pauper. I thought you were just being good to her to sit with her but never expected that you still stick to this b***h” Karina says to Leah. “ oh look who is the one talking, a third wheeler one who can’t keep her hands off other people’s boyfriends? Oh, you call her pauper but you are the one with zero values” Leah retaliated. Karina was gritting her teeth with hatred and Lucas couldn’t bear it any longer so he tried to pull her away. “ Oh yes look he is my husband now and is working as a manager in Ortiz group. You are still the same lousy person who knows nothing but dancing” she says to Gracie. Gracie stares at her with cold eyes that sent shivers down her spine. At the same time, Bryan who had come over to check on a few things in the mall happened to witness all this and was shaking with anger. He walked towards them with a cold face and asked why were they creating a scene in a public place. “Mr Ortiz it’s nice to meet you here. I hope you remember me I’m the daughter of your client Ian Simons. This lady here is disrupting our time here” She was interrupted by a cold snort from Bryan then he looked at Lucas and asked what he was doing there. “We came here for some weekend relaxation Mr Ortiz” Lucas replied. “ Don’t you know how to control your wife’s mouth in public? Is this how you behave in the company as well don’t you have any conscious?” Bryan asked. “ Mr Ortiz they were the ones that created problems why are you pointing us? You don’t know about them they have always been outspoken even during high school.” Karina says “ shut up enough. I have heard everything you spoke no need to act righteously here and I know about them better than you do so just don’t make a scene here no one is blind nor deaf. Apologise to them and leave.” Bryan says Looking at all this Gracie is grateful for the support and also shocked to see Bryan stand for them righteously. She just stares at him for a minute before she hears the word apology from him. She is very happy to see someone other than Leah stand up for her. Lucas was so ashamed and pinched his wife for the ruckus she created and stared at her to tell her that apologising is the only solution. Karina is aggrieved that Lucas didn’t support her and also because all good people would fall for Gracie’s charm back in those days as well as now it has never changed. Gritting her teeth she apologises to Gracie and turns around to leave when she hears Bryan’s voice again. “You are blacklisted from this mall and Lucas is demoted from his position meet my assistant when you come for work” Lucas and Karina’s face is ashen as they were never humiliated like this before. They couldn’t stand it anymore and walked away with shame lowering their heads. Gracie and Leah stare at him like they have seen some alien. Then Leah asks him if it was necessary to be harsh on Lucas for Karina’s doing. “You are Joseph’s fiancé how can I let you be humiliated under my roof,” he says as he glances at Gracie who is staring right back at him with a thankful smile. And at this Bryan is mesmerised once again. He is always captivated by her eyes which can suck him deep and convey things that words cannot express. Leah laughs and says who are you trying to entice to do all this. Bryan turns to glare at her and Leah stifles her giggles and makes a sign of zipping her mouth. “Thank you for interfering just now though we could solve it ourselves Mr Ortiz,” Gracie says. “No need to thank me, you are her friend and I have to do the rightful. Also, you can call me Bryan no need to be a third person,” he says looking at her affectionately. Alan standing next to him was shell-shocked and his eyeballs seems to come out of the socket. This is the first time his boss intervened in another's business and was also the first time he saw an affectionate look on his boss's face. He blanked out for a moment unable to accept that as reality. “Okay,” Gracie says with a small smile. Seeing that Bryan is yet again captivated and his mouth twitches to a so-called smile. Then he initiates a conversation with her asking what she wanted to do now. “We planned to come shopping but I lost my interest now so no plans,” Gracie says “You shouldn’t be affected by others so easily,” Bryan says. “ No I’m not it’s just that I have a mood for ice skating now” She looks at Leah who is instantly impressed by the idea and says it’s been so long since we went skating so let’s go. “ I own an ice rink nearby I’ll go with you girls,” Bryan says. All people around them were shocked, to say the least. Alan had a somewhat unnatural expression on his face looking at his boss who was doing everything out of the ordinary today. Then he looked at Gracie and had a knowing look on his face as the realization dawned on him. This was the same person his boss had asked to investigate thoroughly the day before. Leah and Gracie were not thinking of all that and so they just said that he would be busy and there was no need to tag along with them but Bryan was ready to go so he said I’ll ask Joseph to join us as well. As it has been a few days since I met him. Then he turns to his assistant and asks him to continue with his work as he need not have to follow them. CHAPTER 3 He sent a text to Joseph shortly called Jose or Josh to join them at the rink and went out in long strides while the girls followed behind looking at each other in confusion not knowing how to reach this situation. In the parking lot, he asked them to follow him though he wanted Gracie to come with him he couldn’t say it out loud. After 30 minutes they reached the ice rink. They were quite a lot of people as it was a weekend. As they walked towards the entrance they saw Jose standing there waving at them. As soon as Jose saw that Leah along with Gracie was there and was shocked as Gracie never joined them. Then he walked to Bryan hugged him then walked to Leah and pulled her into a bone-crushing hug as they had not seen e lacy other for a week and had missed each other dearly. Then holding her hand he looked at Gracie and smiled saying it was finally time for her to meet him again after a year or more along with his friend. Gracie smiled and they walked inside. Gracie had no choice but to stick to Bryan as Leah and Jose were in their world. Bryan was happy to have been available to spend time with her so they walked alongside each other. They didn’t speak much but the silence was not awkward. As they went towards the rink Leah came back to Gracie and pulled her to the changing room to change and put on protective gear. Outside Bryan and Jose were waiting for them and Jose couldn’t help but ask what was it that he came here along with them which was not at all his style. Bryan just looked at him but didn’t bother replying. Jose then realised that it had something to do with Gracie so he kept quiet and thought that it was better to ask him after observing him. When both were preoccupied with their thoughts both girls walk out and started towards the rink. The men followed them. The girls walked into the ice and started skating along with others. After some time they stopped at a corner and did some stretching exercises. They looked at each other and nodded in silent agreement. Skating hand in hand towards the centre of the rink they started figure skating looking at them all the surrounding people walked out making room for them. The girls were dancing like a professional. They were doing the smooth twists and turns hops and gliding. Everyone’s attention was on them. It was like a bird flying freely.No one could move their eyes away from them. Bryan and Jose were dying of jealousy they just wanted to take their girls in their arms and cover them so no one could see them. They were grinding their teeth very hard. One could see that the veins in their body could be seen from outside that was the amount of pressure they applied. Not knowing how they were affecting people around them both of them were lost in their dance oblivious to very jealous Bryan and Jose. After performing continuously for 15 minutes Leah stopped and walked out as she was feeling tired but Gracie continued. Now that she was alone in the rink she used the whole rink wisely. And people were so engrossed in it that they didn’t even bother that the other one left. As she walked towards Jose he gave her a disapproving look. So Leah just smiled cheekily then winked and pulled him into a scorching kiss. After the kiss, Jose was back to normal and turned to look at Bryan who was intensely staring at Gracie without blinking his eyes. There was a look of severe covetousness and was on the verge of exploding. Jose then looked at Leah and gave her a knowing look. They smiled at one other already planning to hook them up together. They had this in mind for a long time but couldn’t help as both were not ready to join them. Now that they have seen them and Bryan’s showing signs of interest they would help him. After another 30 minutes, Gracie stopped and then looked around to find everyone staring at her. So she just bowed at them receiving thunderous applause and walked towards Bryan and Leah with a smile forgetting everything that happened previously. Bryan gave her a towel to wipe her sweat and a bottle of water. Though he had the urge to clean her himself and pull her out of there at the very moment he couldn’t do anything except for staring at her sharply. Gracie thanked him without bothering about his predicament and takes the towel and bottle from him. Due to her exercise now, she had a tinge of pink on her cheeks making her more alluring. Bryan was completely hooked by that look. He felt the urge to cover her face by hugging her tightly to his chest so no one could see her like this but it was very hard to control himself. Seeing all this variation of emotions on Bryan’s face Jose was excited as he had never seen so many emotions on that face. He walked to him and squared his shoulder giving him a look that said control dude you are hooked. The person who caused all this has no clue about it and is drinking water as if it’s the most important thing to do. Then Jose says as it is already past lunch time we can go have some lunch in the restaurant nearby I have already booked a table. They all agree on that and after changing into their clothes they walk out of the rink. While they went for changing Bryan calls the manager to inform him that the next time the girls come to the rink he wants the space cleared so no one is allowed inside. Hearing the conversation Jose laughs out loud and pulls Bryan’s leg saying you are completely lost man you are head over heels for her. It is better to express yourself quickly so that no one else takes her away as she has many suitors. Bryan glares at Jose when the girls walk out Leah sees Jose laughing out loud and asks him what’s the matter he just eyes Bryan and says nothing. Leah tacitly understands and keeps her mouth shut. Leah and Jose walk hand in hand while Bryan and Gracie follow behind them. As they walk to the parking space Leah purposely gets into Jose’s car and looks at Gracie who is staring at her. She fakes an apologetic look and asks her to come in Bryan’s car. Without waiting for her reply she closes the door. Gracie sighs and without having any other options walks towards Bryan’s car and sits in the passenger seat. Seeing that a girl was sitting in their boss's car both the assistant and the driver were shocked as it was the first time a lady was sitting in the passenger seat of the car. Gracie apologises to him for the inconvenience but Bryan cuts her off saying there is no need for any such formalities among friends. She just smiles at him. Bryan looks at his driver and assistant and signals them to depart. At that same time, Bryan received a message from Jose saying that he has changed the location and needed 40 minutes to reach hoping to give time for him to make some conversations with Gracie. Reading the message Bryan’s mouth twitches and he says to Gracie that Leah has been feeling like eating in a Chinese restaurant so they will be driving there. He then starts the car. Gracie just hmms casually without making any assumptions. CHAPTER 4 As they start their journey silence envelops the car. After some time Bryan breaks the silence. “So when did you learn figure skating?” “ I started when I was 5 as my mother used to bring me on weekends” “ you are too good at it. It was mesmerising to see you on the ice.” Gracie blushes and says thank you and turns around to not show her face. Bryan sees through her and is satisfied that she is affected by him. “Have you ever thought of competing in figure skating?” “No, I’m not interested in that.” “Why so? You are talented and could dance for literally 45 mins.” “ It’s just a way I vent my frustration and not thought of it as a career. I’m happy dancing on stage.” “Hmm. I heard that you are the owner of the instep academy of Dances?” “How did you know?” “The other day when I came to your office I heard it by chance and later your friend told me so.” “ Oh.. yes. Why do you ask?” “ No, I was just shocked. I thought it was Leah’s company as she was the CEO and her dad is in business as well but working for someone else when she has her dad’s company is astonishing. “ Yes. She is like a pillar of strength to me though she was not obligated to do it she wanted to help me with all she could so she spoke to her dad and until the time he retires and she marries she will manage the company. “ It’s good to have such friends she is more like Jose that is why they make an ideal couple I suppose.” Hmm, like that she drifted off to sleep in the car and again silence returned. Looking at Gracie sleeping peacefully a smile tugged on his face. And his eyes looked more gentle. He slowed down the car so as not to disturb her as he knew that she would be drained out after that performance. For that, a 40 minutes drive turned out to be a 1-hour and 15 minutes drive. When he parked his car she was still sleeping with no care in the world. After unbuckling his seatbelt Bryan slowly leaned over to get a better view of her face. He was so mesmerised and slowly moved a strand of hair from her face then unable to control he planted a kiss softly on her forehead. With that Gracie stirred and looked up to see that the car had come to a stop. Then she realised she had dozed off while talking to him and was embarrassed. So she promptly apologised to him I asked while he had not woken her up even after arrival. He simply replied that he just arrived and was about to wake her up. Then he walked out followed by Gracie. Gracie had a feeling that something soft touched her to wake her and she touched her forehead but didn’t know what it was so she just moved on inside. Bryan who had seen her every movement was thrilled that she knew of the kiss and smiled gently before going back to his stoic self. As they entered the restaurant they were ushered to their private room. They went inside to see that they were a lot of food on the table and Leah was enjoying it when they heard the noise they raised their eyebrows at them and asked what took them so long. Bryan said that Gracie had slept so he drove slowly which in turn made Gracie embarrassed. Leah and Jose had a smirk on their faces. Then they asked them to sit and have lunch as they has already started unable to wait. Bryan and Gracie sat down and started eating. They had light conversations about random kinds of stuff. Then Leah asks Gracie what she wants for desserts and Gracie’s eyes light up instantly. Seeing this Leah says “You and your sweet tooth god save your husband” Then she slightly winks at Bryan for which he coughs but this little interaction went unnoticed by Gracie. Then she orders different flavours of cakes and starts enjoying them without a care in the world. All others look at her and are bewildered. Then Jose comments “Lucky that you are a dancer so you are still in shape or else you would have been a mini elephant” “How can you say that I don’t put on weight with merely a little sweets” she pouts sadly. “Then many would envy you for eating so much without gaining weight,” Bryan says. “I wish I had such appetite,” Leah says dreamily. “ stop staring at my food all of you have your own.” Gracie pulls all her plates to herself. Everyone laughs at her for being possessive of her desserts. Then they all have their share of desserts except Bryan who doesn’t eat desserts. They settle their bill and walk out. Bryan and Jose follow the girls and Jose asks him if he is seriously interested in Gracie and warns him not to hurt her as she is a sister to him. Bryan grins and says nothing. The taste they walk out they hear girls plan to go shopping the next day as they could not do it that day and they fix their time and get into their respective cars. Gracie gives Leah a stingy eye and settles in Bryan’s car. As they get started Gracie dozed off yet again. Looking at her like that Bryan feels that she is too ignorant to sleep in someone’s car so soon. He also feels good as she feels at home sitting there. After around an hour they come near her condo and he stops his car. Looking at her peaceful form he couldn’t stop a smile from forming then he leans in and kisses her forehead lightly again. It seems to be like an addiction to him as she sleeps too well. Then he calls out her name but she turns around and sleeps again. Seeing this he laughs and gets down from the car walks to the passenger seat he carries her to her condo. Searches for her keys and opens the door then walks in to smoothly place her on the bed in her room then removes her shoes and wipes her face with some wet tissues.