Chapter 16: The Dance
It has been years since someone lent her hand for a dance. It brought back bittersweet memories in her. She stared at the hand for seconds and then looked at the man's face.
"Miss Howard, I mean, Ingrid...shall we?" His smile was charming.
Her face wrote hesitation while looking at his outstretched hand.
'What did I put myself into?' she slowly stood up and didn't take the man's hand; instead, she just walked alone. Clifford narrowed his eyes and stepped on, but when he was on her side, he put his hands on her back, assisting her walk.
She looked at him and motioned to take his hands on her lower back, but Cliff just ignored her and continued walking with her still his hands on her lower back.
"Honey, look at them. Aren't they look lovely?"
"Hmm..." the emcee cleared his throat.
"Let the dance commence!"
The band played the song Love Moves in Mysterious Ways. Cliff and Ingrid faced and stared at each other for a while. Ingrid was lost, looking into those big blue eyes. She felt she would lose control of her emotions if she was not watchful.
"Ingrid, shall we now... dance?" She nodded, took his hand, and followed as Cliff led the dance.
She put her hand on his shoulder, and their hands were intertwined. Cliff rested his other hand on her lower back. She kept her body from his but could still smell his male scent. Everything was new to her, so Ingrid simply closed her eyes. Everything was so foreign to her, even though she had previously danced with men and had never felt anything like this. It made her feel giddy and as if she had butterflies in her stomach.
When Cliff saw her close her eyes, he pulled her closer to him, making her wide-eyed and surprised.
"You are so stiff, Ingrid, come on, loosen up a bit..." his voice chills her. His hot breath landed on her spine, giving her goosebumps.
"Hmmph!" she squinted angrily. Cliff left out a soft chuckle.
"Why are you so...."
"So what?" she snapped.
"Forget it." He smiled. And they just savored the moment, listened to the song, and danced slowly to the melody.
LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
IT'S ALWAYS SO SURPRISING
WHEN LOVE APPEARS OVER THE HORIZON
I'LL LOVE YOU FOR THE REST OF MY DAYS
BUT STILL, IT'S A MYSTERY
HOW YOU EVER CAME TO ME
WHICH ONLY PROVES
LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS...
Ingrid's heartbeat erratically, and she tried to wiggle out of him, fearing he would notice the erratic beatings on her chest.
"Easy, easy, let's enjoy this moment as if it's the last..."
Ingrid flushed even more. Her emotions were in disarray. This was the first time she couldn't say anything because her tongue was tied tightly. She couldn't persuade him, blaming it on the atmosphere, music, and the moment. However, Clifford was more relaxed than usual. Although, in reality, he never let any woman touch or dance with him because he disliked bodily attachment.
Many women crawled to his bed, but none made him feel as warm and at ease as this woman did. So, naturally, his curiosity grows, and he will go to any length to get to know her better, and he has no idea where this curiosity will take him. But, for the time being, all he knew was that he should trust his instincts.
She sighed deeply, knowing she was helpless at the moment. For the first time, she leaned on the man to get some comfort and closed her eyes. She forgot that everyone was watching them. Because of exhaustion, she dozed off on his shoulders.
The amused smile crept into Clifford's lips when Ingrid leaned on him. He felt she was fragile and needed protection; he was the only man who could ever do that. But then he froze,
'What are you thinking?' he became alert. Suddenly he sensed that Ingrid grew heavier on him.
"Ingrid?" he called her gently. He was surprised to see her dozing off when he gently pulled her away!
"Unbelievable!" he mumbled. Suddenly an idea struck him to wake the woman up.
"Do you want me to kiss you?" he whispered in her ears. She suddenly woke up and pulled away from him.
"Huh?!" she was startled. "Oh my gosh! I am so sorry!" her embarrassment made her wish that the floor would open and eat her. She felt like crying out of shame.
On the couple's table...
"Honey, did we succeed tonight?" Liane asked her husband.
"Hmm, I could not tell. It's a lot of work; we've got a lot of effort to exert for these two..." Frank could only sigh and stare at the two dancing.
"Come, let's join them. I miss dancing with my wife..."
Frank stood, took his wife's hands, and went to them. When they were already near the couple, they heard Ingrid apologising to Clifford then Clifford laughed heartily. Frank and Liane gazed at each other with a questioning look and then hastened their steps.
"Sis?" Ingrid jolted in surprise.
"Why do you look so surprised?" Liane laughed while Ingrid blushed.
"Excuse me, Mister Briggs..." the waiter handed Cliff a bouquet of pink Camellias.
"Aww... what lovely flowers, it is fitting to give..." Liane knew how Ingrid loved flowers.
"For you..." Clifford gives the flowers to Ingrid. The audience softly clapped after their dance.
Ingrid has vast knowledge about the meaning of every flower because she is fascinated with it. Looking at the flower, she blushed when it meant 'longing for you.'
"Thanks!" she just shrugged about its meaning, thinking it was only a courtesy from the restaurant.
"Ford, you take care of Ingrid. I'll just dance with my wife..." Clifford just nodded.
However, Clifford and Ingrid exited the dance floor, and immediately the manager approached them, smiling widely.
"Mister Briggs, Miss Ingrid, could we arrange the tour for the both of you at your choice place and date." Ingrid immediately looked for ways to evade the tour.
"Hmm, I don't know if I will take it. I could give it to Mister Briggs' girlfriend... and besides, I'll be swamped these coming days," she said, apologetically.
"I think it's inappropriate to turn down their effort. What do you think, Ingrid?" he said while looking at her coldly.
"You–"
"We'll just leave our contact details. We'll arrange our schedules first. Is it alright?" the manager nodded immediately.
"That would be nice, Mister Briggs. We will just contact your office for the schedule." the manager smiled widely.
"Then, we'll take our leave." Ingrid again felt his hands on her back.
"Take your hand off me." She said, gritting her teeth. Cliff only snorted.
"And I am not coming with you on this stupid tour..." Ingrid said in a hiss.
Clifford ignored her again, and again, her annoyance resurfaced. Finally, when they reached the table, she sat and looked at her watch.
"It's past ten already. I need to take my leave..." when Ingrid stood up, her wrist firmly caught in a grip. She looked at Clifford perplexed.
"Wait for me. I'll drive you home..."
"Thanks, but I have my car."
"I said, wait. Waiter!" She was stunned and tongue-tied. His voice was full of authority, as if she could not defy it.
The waiter went immediately to them; he gave them his gold card and paid for the bill. Then, he instructed the waiter to inform the dancing couple that they'll head out first. The couple then looked at their table, waved goodbye, and grinned widely.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone