𝐄𝖙𝖊𝖗𝖓𝖆𝖑 𝐋𝖎𝖒𝖊𝖗𝖊𝖓𝖈𝖊

【 Ｃｈａｐｔｅｒ ８ 】

       "Leaving so soon? I haven't even gotten the chance to dance with you yet," A smooth voice says from behind me, giving my wrist a tug and turning me to face him.

I frown slightly, looking him up and down while observing his outfit. "Ah, so this is why you insisted on taking me dress shopping the other day. You couldn't stand the fact that I'm here with JoJo so you planned my outfit to match yours perfectly, making it look like I'm actually here with you." I press my lips together, making a slight frown. "How clever of you."

       He raises an eyebrow in response, smirking in amusement. "How bold of you to assume such a thing. I, Dio, jealous of him? Absurd."

I pull my wrist away, giving him a frustrated look. How will I be able to investigate him now? Coming up with an excuse to leave is tough enough, now I have to get past Dio too?

"I'm afraid I was just on my way out, maybe we'll dance later?" I suggest, hoping he'll let me off the hook.

"No need to be in such a hurry to leave, the music's just begun," He insists. He then holds out his hand to me. "May I have this dance?"

I avert my eyes, mulling over whether I should accept his offer to deter suspicion or to refuse it and investigate his room instead. He waits expectantly for my answer.

"Come now, you wouldn't deny a gentleman such as myself this simple request, would you?" As his eyes find mine, I see a hint of something foreign, though I can't place exactly what it is. Somehow it compels me to say yes, even if I know this may be the only chance to discover who he really is.

I rest my hand in his outstretched one, allowing him to pull me closer to him as a new song begins to play. He tilts his head up, seemingly recognizing the music, then brings his gaze back down to me, "I have a certain dance in mind, but you probably won't know it."

       "I catch onto things quickly, remember?" I remind him. "I'm sure I'll figure it out."

     I can tell this pleases him. He ushers me back to the center of the ballroom, placing a hand on the small of my back. Deciding that the area is open enough, we come to a stop. He takes my right hand in his, and places his other on my waist.

Somehow I feel a little more anxious than when I danced with Jonathan. I rest my left hand on his shoulder.

"Are you ready?" He asks.

I give a small nod as a response and we begin. With my basic knowledge of dancing, I know the woman usually steps back first, and the man leads her in the dance, so using this I follow his movements to the best of my ability.

It takes a bit for me to get the right rhythm, but soon my feet move in sync with his, almost as if my body somehow already knows what to do without me having to tell it.

       He eyes our linked hands, and gently brings them closer to his face to examine my glove. He traces his thumb over the embroidered pattern, admiring the amount of detail.

       "These are roses, how befitting. After all, you are a Primrose," he thinks aloud. "Would it be alright if I called you that from time to time?"

       "Huh? What do you mean?" I ask.

       "Rose," he replies, "JoJo gets to call you Annie, I'd like to give you my own special nickname as well. Would you be fine with that?"

       "Yes." A small smile becomes present on my face, "I suppose that would be nice,"

       My nerves slowly calm down, relaxing into the dance I even find myself enjoying it. Maybe I'm too mistrusting. Jackson is a stupid guy so he'd probably make up anything to get my blood boiling.