The Miracle of You

After reluctantly taking his hand, the two of them walked to the dance floor.

The grand ballroom shimmered with the soft glow of chandeliers, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the room. The guests, dressed in elaborate costumes and mysterious masks, swirled around the dance floor, gazing into their partners’ eyes as if they were the only people in the room.

The hall was filled with a soft, beautiful melody that drew everyone into an alluring atmosphere.

“Do you know how to dance?” Christian asked.

“I do,” Camille said flatly. “I learned it when I was a teenager.”

“That was years ago. What about now?”

“I can still dance. Don’t patronize me.”

“All right, fine. Just don’t embarrass me.”

Camille really wanted to kick him at least once.

Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they reached an area that wasn’t too crowded and started going into position.

‘Let’s show him,’ she thought to herself.

Their movements were tentative at first. He reached out and pressed his hand against the curve of her back while her fingers rested on his shoulder. The scent of his perfume drifted into her senses, now more distinct because of their proximity, and she couldn’t seem to shake it off.

“You’re tense,” Christian said in a low voice. She couldn’t read his tone, but the observation threw her off nonetheless.

“I am not,” she said, forcing her body to release all the tension from her muscles. She shouldn’t feel nervous about something like this. It was just a simple dance. A waltz.

She had learned to dance when she was a teenager, but had never practiced in her older years. She felt a little rusty, but as they danced in harmony with the music, she felt the skill slowly returning to her.

Surprisingly, Christian was considerate enough to lead her with confidence, guiding her through the intricate steps of the dance. With no other choice, she followed, her movements mirroring his.

She did not look at him, but at the place where her feet should be. Unfortunately, they were perfectly covered by her dress. She could only hope that she wouldn’t stumble and embarrass herself in front of this jerk.

Unbeknownst to her, Christian watched her the entire time.

“You look like you’re trying too hard,” he remarked.

“Oh shut up,” she hissed.

“Why do you continue to be so hostile to me? I am merely providing constructive criticism.”

“As long as it comes from you, it doesn’t feel so constructive or sincere.”

“Ah, that hurts my heart, my dear.”

“Stop calling me that.”

Christian’s lips were curved into an amused smile. “You know what I think about you, Miss Parker?” he began calmly. “You’re like a fierce little kitten who pretends to be a big cat.”

Camille scowled at him. “What the hell? Are you comparing me to a kitten right now?”Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

Even though they were bickering back and forth, their legs and bodies never wavered. They continued to dance gracefully on the floor, swirling amongst other couples, seemingly in their own little world.

“Are you not a kitten?” he provoked. “Honestly, I’m getting tired of your animosity that’s directed towards me all the time. Can’t we be friends instead?”

“Friends?” she squawked. “How-How can you even suggest that? No, how dare you? After threatening and blackmailing me into being your wife?”

“I would not call it blackmail, per se. A tiny bit of persuasion, actually.”

“No, that was not persuasion at all. And it wasn’t even a tiny bit!”

“Please stop getting riled up. You’ll only catch unwanted attention at this point. ” He narrowed his eyes dangerously. “It would seem that you’ve grown too used to my kindness in letting you say and do whatever you want with me. If you keep at it even after I point it out to you, I will not be so gentle next time. Understood?”

Camille visibly swallowed. She stared at the man in front of her as they danced, watching his eyes glow menacingly from behind his mask. She knew from his tone and his expression that he had had enough, and that scared her.

It was true. In the past, he didn’t care how she behaved. In fact, he even expressed a few times that he liked this side of her, this honest side that allowed her to treat him the way she felt about him.

Had she gone too far? But she couldn’t let go of her hatred for him just like that. It would just be fake of her, and she would be lumped into the category of his other women. She would just be someone with no personality, with no autonomy. She would be reduced to someone who would do whatever Christian Callahan told her to do, and the thought made her sick to her stomach.

She had never liked being tied to anyone, let alone following someone else’s orders, especially when it went against her own morals and principles.

But she also had to consider the possibility that if she offended him in any way, he would make her loved ones pay for it. She didn’t doubt her family’s power and influence, but they were so far down the ladder compared to Christian Callahan.

Still…

“What difference would it make?” she shot back. “If I became polite with you from now on, what would it change?”

Christian paused in his movements, causing her to stop as well.

In the middle of the dancing guests, they were the only ones standing in place, almost as though time had stopped only in their space.

“What would it change?” she repeated. “You know how much I loathe you and your wicked ways of manipulating people into doing what you want. You know how hard I’ve been trying to protect my family from getting ruined thanks to your blackmail. You know how hard I’ve worked to ascend to the position of being your secretary and personal assistant without getting even an ounce of your help. If I pretend to like you and be your friend, you’d still know that it’s fake. In the end, it’s still meaningless, isn’t it?”

Christian continued to stare at her, not saying a word.

She continued on. “I thought you were a logical person. You have never been negatively affected by my words and actions before. In fact, you embraced them. You told me that it was refreshing for me to be honest. And now you’re going back on your words? Are you that fickle?”