PROLOGUE

PROLOGUE

HE WHO ASKED ME TO DANCE

TEN years ago.

“Luxy. Will you dance with me tonight at the freshmen night?”

Luxy felt her cheeks burning in embarrassment when Melody, her friend, read aloud what was written on the sticky note attached to the door of their next subject. She could bet that her blush on makeup was defeated.

She was known to be bold and brave because of the way she dresses up. Miniskirts were her pet faves on her every single day. She has a bunch of stilettos that could stab like knives if used as a weapon, and she can use them like a model walking in a runway.

Some of their university schoolmates even gossip about her being a slut because of how she dresses up. And she never gives any damn thing about those. She will never let those things behind her back to ruin her college life. Besides, no one knows the real her, aside from Melody and Adela who have been her friends since high school.

Her hands simply lowered the skirt and adjusted her high heels before walking toward the door to grab what was attached. Along with the note was a fresh red rose. She was surprised to find out that she has a secret admirer. No guys even attempted to talk to her ever since she step on the university.

It is not that she was happy but rather curious. It was the third rose she received that week. One was at the library and the other one was given by Bron with a canned soda. He said that someone wants to give it to her but does not want to introduce himself. Bron was one of the guys she hated for being too good on debates in their classes.

“Who would even dare to ask a slut for a dance in a romantic way?” she uttered.

“So, you find it romantic?” Melody teases her as she clings on her arms. “And stop calling yourself a slut. We know you’re not,” she said as she looked at Adela who was tapping her foot while listening on her earphones.

Shaking her head, Luxy put the note inside and clipped the rose on it. She was careful not to ruin the beautiful petals.

“So, you are going to dance with the secret admirer?” Melody asked as they entered their next class.

“Several guys will probably dance with me tonight. Can I possibly find out who among them was the guy?”

Her eyes landed on Adela who sat next to the window. She just shrugged her shoulders.

Luxy cannot contain the thumping of her heart. She felt nervous, at the same time excited. She had always thought that high school were the most intense when it comes to feelings of infatuation or crushes. College came and she is just experiencing it the first time. She was never in that boat in high school for her parents were strict.

It was just her college life that she was separated from her parents’ eyes. She was allowed to rent an apartment with her two friends. What could she expect? She was from a line of politicians and she was expected to act accordingly.

“This is fantastic!” Melody squealed upon stepping on the venue of the freshmen ball night.

They were immediately greeted by loud and bouncy music inside the big hall. The place was pack with students from different departments. There are college students like them who are already inside, enjoying themselves. Some were eating, dancing, talking, and others are just sitting quietly because they probably didn’t know anyone yet.

Melody excuses herself for a while because she was asked to sing in front. She was a singer and was even scouted by few music industry agents.

“Can I borrow you for a dance?” asked a guy behind them.

She and Adela looked at him. Luxy somehow felt sad that the hand was not for her. She was expecting that the secret admirer would actually shows himself that night.

Adela looked at her and she just nodded. “Go on. Take it.” She smiled as she looked at her friend talking to the guy. Besides, her friend needs to mend a part of her social life.

While her eyes looked around. She was now left alone and wonders if this suitor will be there any minute.

Melody just finished a song when the place totally black out. All the lights for the event turned off and the only thing that lit the place were the phones’ screens of the students. They even shrieked at the sudden turn of events. They were about to feel sad when a soft romantic tune suddenly played on the speakers. That definitely calms everybody.

It was announced on the microphone that there was a minimum problem and it will take a minute or two to fix it.

It was dim and she was trying hard to see where could he take a seat while waiting.

"Will you dance with me Luxy?"

The question almost made her jump. A voice of a guy came behind her. This is it! It was the guy who keeps giving her flowers. She turned around and saw that someone tall is standing there. He was wearing his best suit but the shadows were covering his face. Well, the lights will be back later and it will be the time to see for herself the face of this secret admirer of her.

Of course, she does not want to use her phone to see him that time. Might give the suspense a chance.

Unconsciously, she bit her lower lips to calm the nervousness she is feeling at that time. Her toes were feeling icy and the tip of her fingers started to feel shaky.

“Shall we?” He lends his hand and she accepted it.

A whispered gasp escaped her heart-shaped lips when he held both of her hands to put it on his shoulders. Next, the guy grabbed her waist and began to step his feet in the rhythm of the music. He was driving her expertly, enough to drive her sanity crazy.

“You look beautiful this evening,” he whispered on top of her ears.

His sexy voice was familiar to her, but does not know where or when.

“Thank you. You can see my face clearly in this darkness?” she asked, frowning her brows. “You were a student here? From what department are you?”

“I saw you just before the lights went out.”

She waited for him to give her more answers to her questions but failed. He was very cautious about uttering his words.

“How did you know my name?” she asked again.

“Who will not the name of the only daughter of the mayor? Everybody knows you, Luxy.”

He even let out a small chuckled.

Her eyes landed on his lips just across her eyes. She could see it a little. It looks so soft and sexy with that laugh. She does not know what made her pulled him towards herself. Curiousity drive her crazy as she did what she did not expect to do. She pulled him the closest and his lips landed on hers. It lasted for coupe of seconds to confirm it was really soft.

“Sorry. I was just – ahmm,” she uttered, unsure of what to say.

And there again the chuckle that made her crazy.

“You’re cute,” he stated. “You say sorry after you just kiss me? Sweetheart, there’s no need to say sorry for that.”

She was thankful that it was dark at that time. With that, she can conceal the redness in her cheeks. And she bet this guy she was dancing with has a smirk pasted on his lips.

Disappointment embraced her when the guy let go of her hips. But he recovered when he touched her cheeks and brought her face closer to him.

She could feel her cheeks getting hotter because of that. Is he going to kiss her too?

She never experienced these kinds of things before. It was all new to her. This thrilling emotion is making her heart beat in a wild way. Her parents have been keeping that emotion from her, but there she is, kissing a stranger in the middle of darkness.

It was not the lips that landed on her. His forhead bumped on her forehead, making her smell the mints in his breath.

“If I will ask you for another dance, will you give me a chance?” he asked in his saddest voice.

“Another dance?” she repeated, confused.

“Tell me Luxy. Will you dance with me again?” he asked again.

“Well, yeah. But I hope the lights were on by that second dance,” she answered.

She can see that he smiled at what she said.

When the music is almost at its end, he gradually loosened his grip and took steps away.

“Wait. Why are you moving away?”

Something is telling her that he was leaving so she took a step towards him.

“Sorry, Luxy. ‘Til our next dance,” he whispered.

“Where are you going? Wait! Your name. Can I at least know your name?” she asked desperately.

“Aries,” he said.

The music stopped, the lights went on, and the guy named Aries is now gone. She just closed her eyes for a second when the lights turned on because of the brightness, and when she opened her eyes, the guy she danced with is not there anymore.

“Hey. You are looking for someone? Your secret admirer? Will he be here tonight?” Melody asked when she came back from the stage.

Adela also returned. “Sorry. I can’t see well in the dark.”

“It all the lights fault! Oh, I bet that was on purpose. I am pretty sure many students flirted in the dark,” Melody said with no brakes.

She felt her cheeks in heat as she looked away. “He came here a while ago,” she mumbled.

Her friends gave her a questioning look, waiting for her to elaborate what she just said.

“We danced.”

"Oops! Oh my! So flirty, huh? And in the dark?" Melody squealed. "So, where is he now?"

She shook her head as she looked at the way Aries disappeared.

Why did he not wait until she could see his face? Why did he leave in urgent? If they are going to dance again, why did he disappear? There are just too many questions in her head and she does not know when will these be answered.