Words I Was Afraid To Hear

Riley Adams looked at the lady in his arms . She was wearing a black halter jersey dress with neckline beadworks and half-open back, in a mermaid silhouette . Her hair was done simply with a headband braid with the rest of the straight strands falling at the level of her scapula . She has a pretty face, with makeup just enough to highlight her features . Her black lace mask gently clings onto her face to give mystery to her dark eyes and long lashes . With heels on, she stood at the level of his eyes .

"Uhmm . . . hi . " he said awkwardly .

Mich.e.l.le Park landed hard on a stranger"s chest . Luckily, she managed to keep some distance using her hands . She looked up at the baritone voice .

In order not to "look like a pet," Riley is in a black tuxedo and pants with matching vest, white shirt and thin black tie, all going with a new pair of oxfords . His blonde hair was styled neatly without looking stiff and his face was shaved . His features consisted of gray eyes, full lashes, tall nose and thin lips, with cleft chin .

Mich.e.l.le was about to speak when the music changed . "Uhmmm . . . I can"t dance this . " She looked up with pleading eyes .

Riley was singing hallelujah in his mind . "Then let"s go get drinks . " He helped her stand up steadily and led her away .

On the dance floor, after catching her in his arms, Dan held onto their position for a while longer . The frozen Midori helped his case . As she regained herself and pushed away from him, the music played .

Dan placed his hand against her back, the other holding up her hand . It was a paso doble stance .

She frowned while he flashed his pearly whites . He seemed to be enjoying her reaction .

He started leading her, so she had no choice but to go along with it . He peculiarly started with a la pa.s.se, then proceeded with a coup de pique then to the easier promenade and counter promenade . They continued with a set of travelling spins . By the time they were doing fregolina and farol steps, Midori"s frown had transformed to a smile . She was enjoying herself .

They ended the dance with a cla.s.sic pose of opposite legs parallel in an outstretch, as Midori"s slit revealed her flawless leg and thigh being held up by the partner . Their noses were touching each tip as warm breaths were wafting to their faces .

It has been long since they danced . The applause from the audience snapped them out of their trance . They reverted back to a steady posture and bowed accordingly .

To her surprise, Dan has never let go of her hand, dragging her out of the ballroom . They kept walking past the swimming pool until they reached the open-air terrace .

Midori was still exhilarated, smiling as they catch their breaths . The salty sea breeze brushing hairstrands off of her face . Her braided low bun and silver drop earrings revealed and complemented her slightly sweaty neck .

She stood looking out to the sea as she grasped the railing .

Dan was looking at her back with a pained expression . All these years, he did not understand why she had to leave . He was at his most vulnerable moment when she suddenly disappeared . With his father"s accident, there was a huge pressure to take over the company as soon as possible . Midori"s absence greatly affected him, to the point that his family blamed and despised her . He himself questioned her feelings for him many times .

Now, he does not even remember how he cheated on her, or if it was just a big misunderstanding . How could he explain himself if even he is uncertain of what actually happened?

When he met her again with Manta, his world spun . He wanted to be with her again . . . to be with them . All his uncertainties were swept away . He just wanted his woman back . But with the new information, he then doubted if he"s even worthy .

Midori, still elated, turned around to face him with her bright smile . "Hey, look! There"s a . . . "

Before she could spill out her words, a thud sounded on the deck .

Dan kneeled abruptly before her . "Dori . . . I"m sorry . "

Midori"s smile turned to a face of worry as she saw him pathetically cry in front of her .