BOUND TO THE BILLIONAIRE BY CONTRACT

THE FIRST DANCE

Chapter 17 – The First Dance

Nearly two weeks had passed since Ethan and Olivia were married.

What had begun as a simple contract was slowly becoming something neither of them could explain.

Every morning they shared breakfast.

Every evening they looked forward to seeing each other.

Even the servants at Carter Manor had begun noticing the change.

"They smile more now," Anna whispered to another maid.

"And Mr. Carter comes home earlier almost every day."

"I've worked here for twelve years," Mr. Harris said with a gentle smile. "I've never seen the manor feel this warm."

That morning, Olivia was arranging fresh lilies in the living room when Ethan walked downstairs.

He stopped for a moment, watching her.

She was humming softly as she carefully placed each flower into a crystal vase.

The sunlight pouring through the large windows surrounded her like a gentle glow.

For some reason...

He found it difficult to look away.

Olivia suddenly turned and caught him staring.

She smiled.

"Good morning."

Ethan cleared his throat.

"Morning."

"You've been standing there for a while."

"I have?"

She nodded with a teasing smile.

"Were you watching the flowers..."

"...or me?"

A faint smile appeared on Ethan's lips.

"You."

Olivia immediately felt her cheeks grow warm.

"You've become very honest lately."

"I'm trying."

She laughed softly.

"I like this version of you."

William entered the room just in time to hear the last sentence.

"So do I."

Both Ethan and Olivia looked toward him.

William chuckled.

"Don't mind me."

"I'm only enjoying the view."

"The view?" Olivia asked.

"Two young people pretending they don't know they're in love."

"Grandpa!" Olivia exclaimed, blushing.

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck.

"It's not like that."

William simply smiled.

"If you say so."

Before anyone could continue the conversation, Daniel walked in carrying a black envelope.

"Sir."

Ethan accepted it.

"What is it?"

"It's an invitation."

He opened it and quickly read the contents.

Olivia looked curious.

"Anything important?"

Ethan nodded.

"The Whitmore Foundation is hosting its annual charity ball this Friday."

William smiled knowingly.

"They've invited both of you."

Olivia looked at Ethan.

"Another gala?"

"This one's different."

"How?"

William answered before Ethan could.

"Every year, the evening ends with a traditional ballroom dance."

Olivia's eyes widened.

"A dance?"

William nodded.

"The chairman and his wife always open the dance floor."

Olivia immediately looked nervous.

"I don't know how to ballroom dance."

William smiled.

"Then Ethan will teach you."

She quickly turned toward Ethan.

"You know how?"

"I've had lessons since I was a teenager."

She sighed dramatically.

"Of course you have."

William laughed heartily.

"Looks like the two of you have plans."

That afternoon, one of the largest rooms in Carter Manor was cleared.

The furniture was moved aside, leaving only polished wooden floors beneath the sparkling chandelier.

A professional dance instructor stood waiting.

Olivia looked at Ethan.

"You actually hired an instructor?"

"You said you couldn't dance."

"So this is your solution?"

"It seemed practical."

The instructor smiled warmly.

"Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Carter."

"My name is Mrs. Bennett."

"It's a pleasure to meet you."

Olivia smiled politely.

"I'm afraid you'll need a lot of patience."

Mrs. Bennett laughed.

"I've taught people with two left feet."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine."

She clapped her hands together.

"Let's begin."

For the next twenty minutes, Olivia tried her best.

Unfortunately...

She kept stepping on Ethan's shoes.

"Oh!"

"I'm sorry."

"It's alright."

A few seconds later...

"Ouch."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine."

Mrs. Bennett covered a laugh.

"Relax, Mrs. Carter."

"The more nervous you become, the more mistakes you'll make."

Olivia sighed.

"I'm trying."

Ethan looked down at her.

"Stop thinking."

"That's impossible."

"Then think about me."

She looked up.

"What?"

"When you dance..."

"...don't think about the steps."

"Just look at me."

For a brief moment...

The room became completely silent.

Olivia met his eyes.

The nervousness in her heart slowly began to fade.

She smiled.

"Okay."

Ethan gently placed one hand around her waist while taking her other hand in his.

"Ready?"

She nodded.

"I'm ready."

As soft piano music began to play through the speakers, Ethan slowly guided Olivia across the polished floor.

This time...

She didn't step on his shoes.

Instead...

She found herself smiling as she moved effortlessly with him.

And for the first time since they met...

Dancing together felt as natural as simply being by each other's side.

The soft melody continued to fill the ballroom as Ethan guided Olivia across the polished wooden floor.

"One... two... three," Mrs. Bennett counted gently.

Olivia focused on Ethan's face just as he had told her.

To her surprise...

The steps became easier.

She no longer worried about making mistakes.

She simply followed his lead.

Mrs. Bennett smiled proudly.

"Excellent."

"I told you."

"You were only thinking too much."

Olivia laughed.

"I think Mr. Carter deserves the credit."

Ethan looked at her.

"You did the hard part."

Mrs. Bennett clapped her hands.

"Now let's try a full dance."

The music changed to a slower, more elegant waltz.

Ethan placed one hand gently around Olivia's waist.

She rested her hand on his shoulder while their fingers intertwined.

For a moment...

Neither of them moved.

"You look nervous again," Ethan said quietly.

"I am."

"Why?"

She smiled shyly.

"Because you're looking at me."

He smiled.

"I've been looking at you all morning."

She laughed softly.

"I noticed."

The music began.

Ethan led confidently, taking slow, graceful steps across the floor.

Olivia followed with surprising ease.

Her dress swayed gently with every movement.

Soon they were moving together effortlessly.

Mrs. Bennett stopped counting.

She simply watched them dance.

"They're perfectly in sync," she whispered.

From the doorway, William had quietly arrived with Mr. Harris and Daniel.

None of them wanted to interrupt.

William folded his arms with a satisfied smile.

"They don't even realize it."

Mr. Harris nodded.

"They're dancing as though they've known each other forever."

Daniel chuckled.

"I've never seen Mr. Carter this relaxed."

As the music continued, Ethan gently twirled Olivia beneath his arm.

She spun gracefully before returning to him.

She laughed happily.

"I did it!"

"You did."

"I'm getting better."

"You are."

Mrs. Bennett smiled.

"Now stop thinking about the steps."

"Just enjoy the music."

Olivia looked at Ethan.

"May I?"

"You don't need permission."

She smiled brightly.

Together they continued dancing.

This time...

They weren't practicing anymore.

They were simply enjoying each other's company.

When the music finally ended, neither of them stepped apart immediately.

They remained standing close together.

Their hands still joined.

Their eyes locked.

For a long moment...

The room was silent.

William quietly cleared his throat.

"Ahem."

Both Ethan and Olivia jumped apart.

Olivia's cheeks turned bright red.

"Grandpa!"

William laughed heartily.

"I've been standing here for five minutes."

"You looked so happy that I didn't want to interrupt."

Olivia covered her face in embarrassment.

"You saw everything?"

"I certainly did."

Daniel smiled politely.

"You danced beautifully, Mrs. Carter."

"Thank you."

Mrs. Bennett walked over.

"I don't think you'll need much more practice."

Olivia looked surprised.

"Really?"

"You already trust each other."

"The dance is simply a reflection of that."

Her words made both Ethan and Olivia fall silent.

Did they trust each other?

The answer came almost immediately.

Yes.

Without realizing it...

They did.

Later that evening, after Mrs. Bennett left, Olivia stepped onto the mansion's balcony to enjoy the cool night air.

The stars sparkled above, and a gentle breeze carried the scent of blooming roses from the gardens below.

She heard footsteps behind her.

Ethan joined her.

"You've been quiet."

She smiled softly.

"I was thinking."

"About the dance?"

She nodded.

"I never imagined I'd enjoy ballroom dancing."

"You learned quickly."

"I had a good teacher."

They stood side by side, looking at the stars.

After a few moments, Ethan spoke again.

"When I was younger..."

"...I hated dancing."

Olivia looked at him.

"You did?"

"I thought it was a waste of time."

"What changed?"

He turned to face her.

"I found the right partner."

Olivia's heart skipped a beat.

She lowered her eyes, unable to hide her smile.

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then, without saying a word, Ethan reached for her hand.

She looked down as their fingers intertwined once more.

This time...

It wasn't because they were practicing.

It wasn't because they were pretending to be a married couple.

It was because holding her hand had begun to feel... natural.

Above them, William watched quietly from his study window.

A warm smile spread across his face.

"They've already fallen in love," he whispered.

"The only people who haven't realized it yet..."

"...are the two of them."

Far away, in another part of the city, a man sat alone in a dimly lit office.

Newspapers featuring Ethan and Olivia were scattered across his desk.

He stared coldly at one of the photographs.

"So..."

"They're becoming the city's favorite couple."

His lips curled into a dangerous smile.

"Enjoy your happiness while it lasts, Ethan."

"Very soon..."

"I'm going to destroy everything you've built."

He crushed the newspaper in his hand.

For the first time in weeks...

The name Victor Hayes returned like a dark storm gathering on the horizon.