83 DANCE WITH MEARIEL’S POV “You’re right,” I told Luke in hushed tones. “I am going to add it to the bitter memories.” “That’s a good thing then,” Luke said, and turned his face away, looking in the server’s direction. “Hey, can I get another bottle please?” Luke turned to me headlong. “I told you one bottle wasn’t going to get me hammered.” “Luke Reynold,” a lady said, and I turned to look at her. She was a stunning blonde, with a bold sense of style. Her nose and lips were both adorned with piercings, adding to her edgy appearance. What she had on was a form–fitting blue dress, with her ample bosom on full display, drawing attention to the intricate tattoo etched on her chest. “Luke Reynold,” she repeated his name, and Luke gave her his attention. I could see how he was captivated by her looks, and that made me, kind of irritated. “Uhmm, do I know you?” Luke aksed her, raising an eyebrow. The blonde giggled. It wasn’t like anything was funny. “Oh silly,” she laughed, moving closer to Luke and playfully hitting his arm. He gave her a confused look, and so did I. But mine was mixed with anger, for some reason.“I’m Bethany, daughter of Manuel Elviro. I’m the one who sent you an invitation, she introduced herself, grinning at Luke. 11 Her smiles and that expression on her face were like a flashing neon sign that screamed “I’m into Luke!” But she shouldn’t be. Yeah, she shouldn’t. Not that I had anything against her, but it was just one of those things that didn’t make sense. Like putting pineapple on pizza or wearing socks with sandals. It just shouldn’t be done. But there she was, grinning like a complete idiot. And there must be a valid reason for this thinking of mine. But I couldn’t grasp it. I couldn’t care less anyway. “Bethany?” Luke uttered, still looking at her, trying to recall if he actually knew her before. But with that look on his face, it was clear they hadn’t crossed paths. “You’re still trying to crack your brain?” Bethany kept on with her intense smile. Which was literally irritating. “I sent you a pic. Didn’t you take a look at it?” “A pic?” Luke uttered, still looking puzzled. He brought his phone out of his pocket, and he gazed at it for quite some seconds. I guess he had seen whatever she was telling him about. “Ohh I see,” Luke said, and dropped his phone on the table. “So you’re the daughter of Manuel Elviro.” “Yes, I sure am. The beautiful daughter of Manuel Elviro,” she responded, with a huge smile, feeling so proud of herself. Beautiful daughter? Did she really have to include that? It was obvious she was trying to captivate him. “Well it’s nice meeting you.” Luke offered her a handshake. Bethany looked at his hand for seconds. “You know, there’s a better way for a perfect greeting.” Luke stared at her for a moment. “And what’s that?” “You’ll need to kiss my hand.” She smiled, stretching her hand over to him. Luke’s eyes met mine, and the expression on my visage was telling him not to follow through with that. But he did it anyway. He slowly took her hand, and kissed it. And the fool had to smile like an idiot. “Are you happy now?” Luke asked her. “Sure,” Bethany replied, with a nod. “You want to dance?” She gestured toward the dance floor. “I guess I’m not needed here anymore,” I said, standing up. “I’ll be leaving.” “Wait!” Luke spoke loudly, just when I was about to walk away. I turned to him. He stood up, moving closer to me. “Let’s dance,” Luke whispered, looking into my eyes. I couldn’t understand what was happening. How his thoughts about us kept on changing every minute. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was joking with me at the moment. But this actually felt nice. I think it did. “I was the one who offered you a dance,” Bethany reminded Luke. “I know, but this is my wife, standing right here in front of me,” he replied, still gazing at me, and not sparing Bethany a glance. He eventually turned to her. “If you were in my position, what would you do?” “So, are you just going to ditch me?” Bethany asked, crossing her arms. 33 DANCE WITH ME “You didn’t give me an answer to my question.” Luke smirked at her “I think you already know the answer.” She shook her head after that, and took a deep breath. “Guess we’ll hang out some other time.” “I hope so,” Luke told her, and girthed his hands around my waist. Bethany had no other option but to walk away. I was just speechless, and had no idea what to say. I felt so vulnerable at the moment, which I didn’t like. The feeling of his hands around me was ideal, and staring into his eyes made the moment more blazing. When Luke’s face got closer to mine, the feeling became intense. It was like a gleam of fervor had emblazed up our world. And the stare went on for moments, till his forceful thrust on me, got me closer. I gasped while he did that. “Don’t you want to dance?” Luke aksed in a whisper. His hand stirred a strand of my hair, and his fingers trailed down to my face, the slow movement ending on my lips. I didn’t even know what to say. Because at the moment, I was filled with surprise, and bafflement. But sensitive, and prostrate to do anything. And then our gaze spoke more things I couldn’t understand. If perhaps this was supposed to be a moment of delectation, or a time that was supposed to be brimful with dolefulness. “What are you doing?” I asked softly, after he had fixed his hands on both of my cheeks. His touch was quite magnificent. “I’m just doing what you wish for,” he whispered, his lips curving into a fragile smile. The music seemed to have stop, or maybe it was just my imagination, living in my own world. “I never wished for this,” I answered him inaudibly. “You didn’t. But your eyes did.” Luke began to caress my hair. “Your face said it all, Ariel.” “But then why are you doing this? Aren’t you the one who said you hate me?” I questioned him, my tone still hushed. “Of course, I hate you. But you are my wife after all. And I want you to enjoy this moment.” “That doesn’t make any sense,” I spoke softly. His gentle movements on my stopped, and his grip on me was broken. But his gaze was still there. hair “I know it don’t. But you don’t have to question me about my actions. I have reasons for the things I do. Right now, you just have to enjoy the moment.“ I furrowed my brows and shifted back a little. “Sorry, but this dance won’t take place. You need to understand, Luke; that I’m not your puppet. You can’t just treat me the way you like.” Forget about the revenge stuff and the bullshit at the moment. This man had me infuriated, and if he thought I was going to be his slave, he was sick in the dead. “Goodbye,” I told him, and wanted to move away. But he went ahead to hook my hand. And I had to desist from taking another step.
