CHAPTER 4: Dance of Desire

"Let me see it, let me see it!" Mom snatched my hand and eyed the diamond ring on my finger as she muffled her screams. "This diamond is worth millions of dollars!"

She began poking Dad's shoulder harshly.

"Pierce, take a look."

Dad stared at it, obviously impressed, but he kept his mouth shut unlike Mom, who has a mouth like 7/11, open twenty-four hours.

"My friends will certainly get jealous of me, my daughter will be marrying a billionaire," she muttered and pulled her phone out from her purse and began taking pictures of my hand.

"Olga, I think you should do that when no one's around." Something I could agree with my father.

Mom didn't listen, as expected.

She captured my hand from every angle.

"Stop moving your hand!" She chided me.

I tried searching for Dad's eyes and ask for help, but he just shrugged his shoulders and sipped his bourbon. Nice. Very nice.

My pores are getting stressed, I need to moisturize my skin, to exfoliate, and take a beauty rest. I have to take care of myself, or I'll lose my fans if my skin shows visible wrinkles.

At this point, my mother never mentioned to me that she's the only one who will be so happy like this when I get engaged. Am I even surprised? No, because at the very beginning, my mother was the only person eager to have me married.

I feel like an item that my family sold for a cheap price, and I feel so wonderful.

"Ugh!" I moaned in disgust as I listen to my inner thoughts.

It hasn't been a week since I start spending a little bit of time with Michael, but his sarcasm is like a communicable disease and I'm exposed to it.

Maybe next time I get too close to him, I would have to wear a mask, sanitize my hands and shower myself in cold water.

"Natasha, how many times do I have to remind you, stop slouching!" Mom scolded me.

"I am not slouching," I defended myself, enunciating my words but still straightening my already aching back.

"Give your daughter a break, Olga. Besides, the Monteros' eyes are very, very wide that they might see you pushing her too hard," Dad butted in, taking another glass of drink from the waiter's tray. "Let her breathe."

Thank goodness I have my dad on my side, sometimes, or else, I've got bruises and wounds coming from Mom's endless sharp reminders.

I glanced at Dad and he gave me a wink.

All lights focused on the center of the venue, giving the dance floor the space needed for all guests to sway.

The host announced a slow dance to show by all couples as per Thalia's request.

My parents left me as soon as the music started.

"Great. How corny," I murmured and tried to entertain myself by watching the old rich married couples dance, but through the crowd, my eyes found Michael walking towards my direction.

Is he going to ask me for a dance?

Squeezing my legs together, I tried to compose myself and lift my chin up, acting as if I didn't see him.

"Don't take this anything serious, Dad forced me to ask you for a dance," I heard him say, extending his hand on me. He cleared his throat when he noticed that I'm not looking at him.

Quiting my acting, I turned to look at him with an eyebrow arched. "Aren't you going ask me something first?"

"I hate waiting, and my hand is getting a cramp," he coldly told me and I had no other choice but to take it.

"Can't you be an ideal man even just for a second?" I asked as we started walking to the middle. I can feel my face getting numb from forcing myself to smile while this jerk kept his poker face on.

Why am I the only one making an effort in this situation? This is so unfair.

"All red get up. Are you the devil of the night?" I mumbled through my breath, referring to his suit that calls for hell to come forth on earth. But still, he rocked it.

As much as I want to wreck his image as a cold-hearted man, the sight of his beauty always takes my bitter words back.

He guided my hands to rest on his shoulders while his hands wrapped around my waist.

I must have developed a disease in my heart and lungs, my body keeps failing from functioning right.

With those eyes staring at me, I feel so insecure with how I look.

Is my makeup fine? I should've retouched.

"What?" I asked, following the side by side step of his feet. I noticed the way his eyes are glued to my face as if I have a noticeable pimple on the top of my nose.

"I don't understand," he began, causing my interest to skyrocket. He had always been composed, what makes him think so deep? Is he starting to recognize my beauty?

"Don't understand what?" I tried to hide the excitement from my tone, hoping so bad that he's got a compliment to tell.

"How are you so okay with this set up?"

My smile fell.

That's it?

Shrugging, I tilted my head to the side a little and made sure that my neck would be exposed. "Well, to put it in your perspective, I'm a gold-digger, I'm a desperate woman, and a user," I answered, putting it the way he might see me.

"I never thought about that," he uttered that caused my butt to clap in enthusiasm.

Biting my lower lip, I leaned closer to him. "So, what do you think of me then?"

"Irritating, childish, reckless," he listed the obvious things about me. "You're the only person who had my patience gone by just having you around."

"You'll get used to it."

I poked the tip of his nose, something he didn't expect. He pulled his head back, frowning at me like I stepped on his toe.

"I noticed, you're not into sweet stuff and skinships, haven't you ever had a girlfriend before?"

"And nosy," he added, making me pout.

"Why not answer the question?" I squinted my eyes, noticing the way he dodged the question. "Are you gay?" I asked in a slow manner.

He stayed stoic.

"Because you know, I read this article on the internet saying you were spotted in a gay club. I mean, I don't really judge people by their gender identity, but if you are part of the rainbow flag, I don't mind," I chuckled. "So, are you gay?"

"Say that one more time, you'll regret it," he threatened me with his gravely voice.

"What are you gonna do then? Cancel this engagement before it lasts the night?" I laughed softly. "Whatever floats your boat, Michael. I'm just telling you, I don't really mind if you're gay--"

My words were cut by a gasp when I felt his hand behind my head and closed the distance of our faces.

Our lips met.

All my wonders about how his lips felt like, how they tasted, were all answered.

They felt soft, he tasted like wine and gold.

When he pulled back, I was left in the void. I wanted his lips more.

My eyes were wide. I think I needed to pick up my jaw that I dropped on the floor.

He just kissed me. Michael just kissed me!

"Way to make you shut up, huh?" He chuckled.

"Did you just--"

"What? You want some more?" He asked, and I was very tempted to nod my head. "Not a chance, princess."

And my hope broke to pieces.

My brain couldn't function after what just happened. My lips forgot how to speak.

All of these feelings were rambling inside of me, I just hoped that the paparazzi did their job right and captured that most precious moment of this night.

The night continued and, still, I was held captive by the ghost of his lips that I couldn't make myself speak a word.

"Natasha, I am so happy to meet you again, dear," Thalia's voice woke me up from spacing out. "You look even more beautiful!"

If only I wasn't professional, I would've thrown up from that tone of compliment.

"And it looks like you're going to be the most beautiful bride. Look at you! This dress really foreshadows the upcoming wedding!" She looked at me from head to toe as if she didn't see me when they first arrived here.

"Auntie Thalia, thank you, but we both know that I can never level your beauty." Standing at the same level of her floor, I beamed at her.

"Flatterer!" She waved her hand gracefully in the air. "So, I was hoping that you might be able to join us for a simple dinner some day."

With the best I could, I twinkled my eyes. "That is if Michael's okay with me there," I replied.

"He would love that."

No wonder why she's successful in life, she always looks at the bright side.

"Actually, it was his idea!"

My eyebrows arched and my gaze immediately scanned the whole place and found Michael chatting with Dad at one table while Mom was trying to fit in, obviously bragging about my best side.

"He said that he wanted us closer," she said, scooting closer while her hand held a chardonnay while the other was placed before her chest. "He asked me if I could discover what things you like and the things you don't."

"Really?" As much as I want to assume, I just can't believe that he asked her mother to do it. Or is it that Thalia's just creating a buzz for me.

"My son can be laconic and loving mysterious and all, but I'm telling you, he's the sweetest guy you'll ever meet."

I've heard that from her lips before, and up until now, I can't see the sweetness in him aside from his scripted chivalry and forced character. He's a brute!

"Once you get inside his heart, you'll be comfy."

"I hate to ask this, Auntie, but uh--" this is the start of girl's gossip, or should I say a gorgeous woman, me, and a wealthy soon-to-be mother-in-law's gossip. "Has Michael been in a relationship before?"

My voice must have reached the highest octave in cuteness as I asked that question. My curiosity kills me.

When I asked him about having a past, I saw an emotion flicker in his eyes. And right now, while I'm waiting for an answer, it looks like Thalia has a lot of beans to spill.

"I'm sorry, dear. I've already gotten into my son's life when I asked him to marry you, but I think that this kind of question should be asked directly to him," she sweetly replied, offering me her apologetic face.

"Oh, no, that's okay, Auntie. I don't mind that," I chuckled, covering my mouth with my hand. "It's just that I noticed how distant he is, so I thought that we might not end up the way you want."

"Give it time, dear. This relationship has just started, and I do hope for a good outcome." Hinting me something, she gestured something from behind me with a nod of her head, and I followed her gaze.

It was Michael.

God, why did you create him so perfectly?

"Can I borrow her for a second?" He asked Thalia and grabbed me by my wrist even before she could answer.

"This is the second time you dragged me here," I complained when I experienced deja vu. We're standing at this same balcony once again, but this time, he's looking at me straight in my eyes.

"And this is the second time you let me," he retorted, guiding me to the corner where half a chance of eyes could ever see us.

"Michael, what-- what are you doing?" I stuttered and low-key anticipating him to do something.

"A bit of spice for the news." He leaned close. So close that I forgot to breathe. "Don't presume that this means something," he reminded me before reaching for my chin.

"Are you assuming that I'm that easy?" Feeling degraded as always when I'm with him, I leaned closer, fighting the way he's teasing me.

"Aren't you?"

I was about to start ranting, but he claimed my lips for the second time tonight, and all I could do is get lost in the world where levitation is possible.

But this time, he doesn't just taste gold and wine, he hinted this kiss with... lust.