Chapter 25 Letting Go
“No, no. Barth, your shoulders are too tense. Release yourself and feel the flow of the music,” Madam Vivenne noted for the upteenth time while we danced.
The ballroom was very spacious, with low, romantic-like lights. The mirrors showed our movements as we danced on the slick floor. My hands were on Barth and his on my waist.
I could feel him everywhere as we moved slowly to the music, his body heat seeping into my body. I avoided his eyes at all cost, trying my best not to melt into his arm.
“Miss Yvonne, your moves are very rigid for a certified dancer that I heard you are. Are you sure you aren’t a beginner?” Madam Vivenne asked with a raised brow.
I swallowed hard, pursing my lips, not knowing what to say. It’s been awhile since I danced but I still remembered the moves, I was only avoiding Barth.
Dancing was all about feeling the emotions both in the music and in your heart and also letting go but I didn’t want to do that, I didn’t want to feel anything.
Suddenly, Barth stopped, making me look up at him. He was glaring at her.
“You don’t get to speak to her like that. You are only here to show us how to make a good performance. Be careful of your words.”
The domineering and harsh tone he used made Madam Vivenne flinch as she hurriedly nodded.
“Yes… yes sir.”
I stared at me, surprised that he would stand up for me. He turned to look at me.
“Are you okay?” He muttered softly, his tone different from the one he had used earlier.
I nodded.
He stretched his hand out to me and I took it. The music came back on. This time, I felt my spirits being lifted as we locked eyes.
We moved. Our movements fluid-like as he lifted me in the air and brought me down softly. He twirled me around, catching me, his hands enveloped around me. My gaze dropped down to his lips and mine parted slightly.
My heart thumped in my chest and I was so sure he heard it.
We kept dancing, our bodies syncing. I was slowly letting go and I could feel him doing the same too. Soon, the music came to an end. And we both stood at the middle of the room breathing hard, looking deep into each other’s eyes, our lips a few inches away from each other.
Claps echoed in the room from a distance and we quickly disengaged. I was practically blushing red as I spotted my mom and Aurick walking in. Mom had a big smile on her face as she walked towards me, giving me a peck on the forehead.
“I’m so proud of you, Bree. You still have it in you,” She whispered only to our hearing.
Aurick parted Barth’s back with a small nod, his silver hair bouncing on his forehead as he turned towards me. “Yvonne, why don’t you go for dance majors? You definitely have that talent in you, don’t let it go to waste. Isn’t that right, Vivenne?”
Vivenne stared at the four of us and nodded. “Indeed sir. I do feel that Yvonne can go further in her dancing career then she will be one of the well sought out dancers in the world. Not flattering, but I really think she should.”
I bit on my lower lip, exchanging glances with my mom. Before I could speak, Barth beat me to it.
“If she doesn’t want to then we shouldn’t force her,” He said, staring at me with his grey eyes and I forced an appreciative smile at him.
“True,” Aurick nodded. “I will see Madam Vivenne out.”
Mum followed them out as well leaving only me and Barth in the silence of the hall. I fidgeted with my fingers not knowing what to say. After a few minutes of silence, I began walking away.
“How was your date with Ryan?” He asked, his question stopping me in my tracks.
“I didn’t go ahead with it,” I responded, looking at him over my shoulder.
His brows furrowed but I could see a smirk on his lips. “Why didn’t you? You seemed happy with him.”
“You think?” I gave out a sad laugh. “You seem to be so self absorbed that you can’t even see when someone is hurting.”
Barth gave out a heavy sigh.
“ I said I was sorry, Yvonne. It won’t happen anymore. I have told Tan off, she will never come to the house again.”
I shook my head. “That wasn’t necessary. You shouldn’t have done that.”
“It was,” He said, lifting my chin, our eyes locked. “It was definitely necessary. I didn’t mean to make you jealous.”
My eyes narrowed, heat creeping into my cheeks as my chest heaved due to our proximity. “I wasn’t jealous!”
“You sure?” An amusing look in his eyes and I nodded slowly even though we both knew I was lying.
“Whether you agree or not, we both know you were and I’m very sure you invited him over just to spite me over it. Don’t do that again, Yvonne.”
“Why do you care?” I blurted out.
“Because—“ His eyes were everywhere but on me.
I could see the reluctance in his eyes to complete his statement as he bit down on his lips and he shook his head.
“I don’t know,” He looked down at me. “When will you tell me why you stopped dancing?”
I chuckled slightly. “Trying to change the topic?”
“No, I’m not. But, I’ve been curious. I would really like to know…”
The sincerity in his eyes almost made me speak out about my past but I held myself back. I didn’t want to remember, I didn’t want to speak about it. I didn’t want my wounds to open up and most importantly I didn’t want to open myself to Barth.
“Forget it,” I said, unclasping myself from his grip and walking away.