Chapter 45 A Dance
"They're looking good." Ariadne remarked as she and Mark sat at the bar, sipping drinks.
Their eyes were fixed on Jennifer and Dean, who were dancing on the dance floor with others.
"We will look better." Mark said as he placed his glass of drink on the bar counter after downing the liquor.
Ariadne frowned as she looked at him. Mark rose from his seat and took her glass and placed it beside his own.
"We're going to dance, too." he said as he grabbed her hand.
"What? No." Ariadne was surprised.
"Oh, yes." he forced her to stand up from her seat and dragged her to the dance floor.
Ariadne stopped struggling as everyone was there. Mark took the position, and they began dancing to the music. Jennifer gave them a smile. Ariadne couldn't help but giggle. A romantic song played and Mark pulled her closer, placing his hand on her waist and looked at her eyes.
"Don't try to be romantic with me." Ariadne gave him a funny look.
"I'm just feeling the song." he smirked, causing her to roll her eyes.
"You are drunk." Ariadne said after a while.
"Oh, it's nothing." Mark shrugged.
"Your movements are unstable. How much have you drunk?"
"Okay, okay.. may be a little.. I'll not drink any more tonight. I don't think, I can... anyway." he chuckled.
"Are you uncomfortable?" Ariadne grew concerned.
Mark wasn't a heavy drinker and got drunk quickly.
"It's fine. I'll let you know if I felt bad."
Although they were bantering, they appeared to be a romantic couple. The dance floor was packed with couples, and everyone was enjoying the romantic music. Ariadne felt as if she was being watched, and she looked around.
"At the bar." Mark whispered into her ear, realizing what she was doing.
When Ariadne turned to face the bar, a pair of flaming blue eyes met her's. Xander was drinking, while his gaze was fixed on them. She noticed that he was alone with his men. There was no sign of Crystal. She averted her gaze from him and concentrated on the dance.
After a while, the song ended and Mark let go of her as they stopped dancing. The hall erupted with clapping hands. Some couples left the dance floor, and new couples joined in, while others remained. Ariadne and Mark remained, as did Jennifer and Dean.
"May I have a dance with you?"
Ariadne stiffened at the voice and turned to face the man. She was unsure whether he had asked her or someone else.
"I'm asking you. May we have a dance?" he clarified, and Ariadne's eyes widened.
Grabbing her arm, the man pulled her to himself without waiting for an answer, as if he had every right to do so. She stumbled under the sudden pull, and both men grabbed her at once.
"Careful, Mr. Blake. Women are delicate. You should approach them gently."
Mark remarked, looking at him.
Xander glared at him.
"I'm lending her to you for a moment. Please take care of her." he added before turning to face Ariadne. "I need to use the washroom. Dance with him for a moment. I'll be back shortly."
Ariadne nodded and he left the dance floor, leaving her with Xander. A new romantic song began, and Xander drew her closer, placing his hand on the back of her waist. As they began moving to the music, Xander's gaze was fixed on Ariadne's face while her's was on his chest, avoiding his eyes.
"You can dance?... I didn't know." Ariadne said after a while.
"You know nothing about me." Xander replied, making her look into his eyes.
"I think... you never let me know anything about yourself." she said.
They kept their gazes locked.
"So... you regret marrying me?" Xander asked, without breaking the eye contact.
Ariadne was surprised. She hadn't expected him to ask this.
"Yes. Don't you?" she asked, but Xander didn't answer.
"It did no good to any of us. So obviously... I regret it." she shighed lowering her gaze to his chest. Xander clenched his jaw.
"You're enjoying yourself with him... you always do." he changed the subject.
"Yeah, we met after eight years... You're drunk." Ariadne frowned as she smelled the alcohol emanating from him.
"Ofcourse. Today's a day for enjoyment. I'm enjoying." he chuckled.
Unlike Mark, Xander had a high alcohol tolerance.
"I think we should stop. People are watching us." she said, looking around the place. She felt strange with him.
"So, what?" Xander arched his brow as he asked.
"It may not matter to you, but it does to me. They will point fingers at me and spread nonsense rumours. You should dance with your fiancee."
She wanted to leave, but Xander held her tightly.
"Xander, leave me."
"Why? So eager to go to your Mark?"
"Aren't you eager to go to your Crystal?" She remarked, mirroring his tone.
Xander clenched his jaw. However, he said nothing.
"Leave me, please."
Xander stared at her blankly, while Ariadne tried to break free from his grip. However, she didn't struggle much. Otherwise, she would attract people's attention. She met his gaze and glared at him. After a while, Xander abruptly released her and left the dance floor without a word.
She was stunned by his odd behavior.
"Hey, are you okay?" Jennifer asked.
"Yeah. I'm fine. You two carry on. I think I need a drink." she gave her an assuring smile.
She looked around, but there was no sign of Mark. She left the dance floor and went to get a drink. Sitting in the bar, she drank her juice while reflecting on the dance with Xander. This was the first time they had danced together. In fact, she had never seen him dance with anyone.
"Hey." Mark's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
"Hey." she smiled as he took the seat next to her.
"So, how was the dance?" he grinned mischievously.
Ariadne rolled her eyes.
"Don't ask."
"His gaze has been fixed on you since he saw you in the party. You're looking breathtakingly beautiful, though. I can't blame him."
Ariadne shook her head, ignoring his comment.
They continued their bantering. Jennifer and Dean also joined them.
After a while, Mark became uncomfortable. He loosened his tie as he felt nauseated.
"Are you okay? You're looking pale." Ariadne noticed his discomfort.
"Ah...Not entirely. I think you were right. I drank a bit too much." his face started sweating.
"Omg. You're not looking good, Mark. Let's go to your room." Ariadne said, growing concerned.
"I am thinking the same. But you stay... The party is not over... Jennie will accompany you." Mark rose from his seat.
"No, I've had enough fun today. I'll go accompany you... You don't look good." Ariadne persisted.
Mark sighed in defeat and nodded, not in the condition to argue.
"Are you sure you can handle him alone? We can accompany, too." Jennifer proposed.
"No need. She would be enough. You two enjoy yourselves. See you tomorrow. Good night." Mark denied them.
"Okay, call me if you need help." Jennifer said to Ariadne, who nodded and left with Mark.
As they moved through the crowd, Mark's situation worsened. He couldn't walk steadily. Ariadne supported him and went towards the elevator. In the way they collided with someone. When Ariadne looked at the person, she realized it was Xander.
"I'm sorry. He's drunk."
Xander frowned when he noticed their position. Without waiting for a response, Ariadne led Mark to the elevator. Xander stood there, looking at them as the elevator door shut behind them. A drunken man with a beautiful girl... a thousand thoughts raced through his mind about what might happen between the two in their room and he became enraged.
"What're you doing here? I was looking for you." Crystal appeared from the hallway.
She didn't see Ariadne and Mark as they had already left.
"I went to the restroom." Xander replied.
"Let's go have a drink." Crystal dragged him towards the bar.
.
After a few shots, Xander was completely wasted.
"You shouldn't drink anymore." Jose tried to remove the glass from his grip.
"Get lost. Don't disturb me." Xander yelled as he pushed Jose, drawing the attention of those nearby.
Toby looked around and said. "He's completely drunk. We need to take him to his room."
"Yes. Let's bring him to his room." Crystal said, getting up from her seat to help Xander.
"You can't handle him, Miss Miller." Jose said politely, while Toby rolled his eyes.
Crystal glared at them before stepping aside. Toby and Jose forced Xander to stand up and dragged him towards the exit. Most of the people were heavily drunk and in the same condition as Xander, so no one paid attention to them.
.
They arrived at Xander's room and made him lie on the bed while he was babbling nonstop. Toby removed his jacket and shoes.
"I'll stay with him. You two can leave." Crystal ordered.
"I'm sorry Miss. But we can't allow you to." Jose said, causing her to frown.
"What? What do you mean by 'can't allow me'?"
"It's a matter of safety. We can't allow anyone to be alone with him as he's not in his right mind." Jose explained.
"Nonsense, I'm his fiancee. Why can't I stay with him?" Crystal yelled, enraged.
"You're not his wife. It's a rule that we must follow... Coming from an elite family, you should know this." Toby answered this time, meeting Crystal's glare.
"What the hell..." she tried to intimidate them. However, they remained firm in their words.
"You should leave now. Jose will escort you." Toby said before turning and focusing on Xander, indicating that the conversation had ended.
Crystal was furious and frustrated. However, she said nothing and exited the room. Jose trailed behind her. Toby tucked Xander in and checked the room. When he was certain, he left the room and closed the door behind him. He remained in the corridor, calling his wife.
.
Inside the room, Xander sat up on his bed. He felt hot... very very hot. He stood up from the bed and entered the bathroom. His steps were unsteady. He washed his face before exiting the bathroom and drank some water. However, the hot feeling didn't go away. He felt horny and sweat covered his face. He felt a sense of urgency to do something.
With his unsteady legs, he approached the door, opened it and exited his room. He stumbled and almost fell to the floor. However, he took support from the wall and went to the door on the other side. He rang the bell and slammed the door with urgency.
After a while, the door opened, revealing Ariadne.