Whispers of Passion | (18+)

50 | A Night of Revelations (Part Two)

DIANA
***

As Alessio spun me swiftly, my surroundings seemed to blur into a vibrant display of colors and movement. All around me, masked women twirled and laughed merrily with their dance partners, creating a lively and festive atmosphere. The beauty of the scene was undeniable, and it helped to distract me from the events of the earlier part of the evening.

The sweet sounds of Sicilian music filled the air, transporting me to a different time and place. As I danced with Alessio, I couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and belonging wash over me. The cheerful laughter of the women around us added to the joyful ambiance, making me forget the previous feeling of not belonging and simply take pleasure in the moment.

Once I returned from the twirl, Alessio leaned closer to me, his mouth next to my ear. "I thought you said you couldn't dance."

His long fingers intertwined with mine and his hand sat on my waist as we swayed amidst the other dancing couples on the ball floor.

"I can't." I fought back a smile as I looked into his eyes, dancing between mine as I spoke.

"You're not too bad at it." One thing I had noticed about Alessio was his easy charm, it was subtle but witty and sharp and never failed to put a smile on my face, I liked it.

"Thank you."

Alessio's dancing was effortless and refined. His eyes followed every movement I made making skittish heat disperse throughout my body.

However, from far away, I felt a gaze on me. I've been ignoring it the entire time and Alessio and I have been dancing, trying to enjoy the night as best as I could but my relentless curiosity gnawed at me, telling me just to look. As Alessio spun me once more, I looked over his shoulder into the direction I felt the gaze on.

A set of piercing hazel eyes met mine.

"Dante." I breathe out.

His eyes held an indecipherable emotion. The usual softness in his gaze was no longer. His jaw clenched. Several Italian men surrounding him spoke to one another seemingly enjoying themselves. All except for Dante.

"What's wrong?"

I matched his unwavering gaze, though my heart pounded at my chest. Our staring didn't stop until he rose from his seat and began his path to me. My grip on Alessio noticeably tightened.

"Nothing," I lied, my voice just above a whisper as I shook my head.

As the music dies down, it signals to us that it's time for the next dance. Excusing myself from the dance, I turned to walk away only to bump into a hard chest.

Looking up, I locked eyes with a pair of hazel ones.

"Dancing with Alessio I see." He remarked, a hint of envy apparent in his tone.

"Why does it matter?" I narrowed my eyes, feeling a surge of frustration bubbling within me. "Are you jealous?"

"Of course not, I just want you to dance with me instead of him." A simple smirk played on his lips that itched at my bitterness toward him.

Deciding to take the high road, I scoffed and pushed past him, only to be caught by my wrist and brought back to him.

I ripped my wrist from my grasp. "Dante, what do you want from me?" I snapped.

My eyebrows furrowed as I struggled to comprehend Dante's distant behavior, the ache in my chest resurfacing with a pang of sadness. Despite his attempts to explain, there was still a lingering sense of uncertainty and unease between us. The distance that had grown between us weighed heavily on my heart, casting a shadow

As I looked into his eyes, I noticed a slight softening of his gaze. For a moment, I almost felt bad for him, but then I remembered all the hurt and pain he had caused. The memory of his actions quickly brought me back to reality, and I realized that his regret was too little, too late.

The silence between us lingered as he looked as if he wanted to say something but couldn't get it out.

"Dante, you've been distant all night," I voiced, frustration lacing my words, the ache in my chest palpable.

"Diana-" His voice trailed off, but I couldn't let him evade the issue, not this time.

"How can you say you love me but act like this after a simple question about who you really are?" The hurt in my voice was evident, echoing through the tense silence between us.

He sighed, his gaze darting away before reluctantly meeting mine again. "Diana, it's complicated," he admitted, his voice tinged with shame.

"Complicated? What does that even mean?" I demanded, my voice firm fueled by the overwhelming feeling of my frustration.

"I don't want to drag you into it. I'm not the man you think I am," he confessed, his words hanging heavy in the air.

"Then show me, Dante. Let me in," I pleaded, the desperation clear in my voice.

He whispered, "Give me time, please. I know I pushed you away and for that, I am sorry. I care about you more than anything else in this world, and that terrifies me. The mere thought of losing you makes my heart ache." His words hit me hard, and I could feel the intensity of his emotions. It was clear that he was struggling to come to terms with his feelings, but his sincerity and love were unquestionable.

"Dance with me, Diana," he pleaded, a familiar vulnerability swirling in those hazel eyes that I loved so much. "Just one dance."

• • •

As we moved to the music, we shared glances at each other. Dante guided me effortlessly through the ballroom floor.

In Dante's comforting embrace, the scene around me vanished, leaving only the two of us. The subtle dimness of the lights made his amber eyes glow.

"I never realized how much of an asshole I was being until I saw you with Alessio." He began, "I wanted to protect you from what I was born into, there are things that hold me back from getting what I truly want which is you."

His words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken truths and hidden vulnerabilities. I listened, captivated by the raw honesty in his voice.

"I need you to understand, Diana," Dante continued, his gaze searching mine for understanding. "There are parts of my life that I can't easily share, things that haunt me and hold me back."

He leaned back, searching in my eyes.

As I stood there in front of him, my lips remained tightly pressed together, and my eyes locked onto his. I desperately wanted to speak up and say something, but I just couldn't find the words. The weight of the situation was starting to take its toll on me, and I could feel my energy levels gradually depleting. It was as if I had been fighting a losing battle for far too long, and I was ready to throw in the towel and surrender to whatever outcome was in store for me.

"In all the mess of tonight, one thing remains clear," Dante began, his voice barely above a whisper. "I love you, Diana. More than words can express."

His words hung in the air, lingering between us like a promise of hope and redemption. As our eyes continued to gape into one another, I felt a surge of emotion wash over me, filling the empty spaces in my heart with warmth and longing.

Just three simple words echoed in my mind that I had not yet voiced. "I love you too, Dante."