" I will use the washroom." Lisa said to Gladys.
Just as Lisa was walking away, the MC's voice boomed over the speakers, drawing everyone's attention.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the dance floor is officially open! Grab a partner and let's make this night unforgettable!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as couples began moving toward the center of the room.
Lisa hesitated for a moment, the announcement stopping her in her tracks.
Jenny and Richie, still lingering by the side, kept their sharp eyes fixed on Canary.
"Well, this is it," Jenny whispered, her tone smug. "Let's see who he picks tonight."
Richie chuckled softly. "I'll bet it's Bianca. He's already been chatting her up all evening."
They watched intently as Canary stood amidst the growing crowd.
As the music began and the crowd moved toward the dance floor, Jenny and Richie's eyes followed Canary closely.
When they saw him step away from Bianca, their smirks returned.
"Looks like Bianca isn't his pick after all," Jenny said, nudging Richie.
Richie grinned. "It has to be Camilla. She's always been his fallback."
They scanned the room eagerly, expecting to see him approach the elegant Camilla, ready to make their next snide remarks.
But as Canary continued walking, their assumptions began to waver.
Jenny and Richie's smug expressions shifted to shock as they watched Canary bypass Bianca and head straight toward Lisa.
"Wait… is he actually going to her?" Jenny whispered, disbelief lacing her voice.
Richie frowned, her eyes narrowing. "No way. Lisa? Of all people?"
Meanwhile, Lisa, who had noticed Canary leaving Bianca behind, froze in place.
Her heart raced as he walked toward her with purpose, his gaze fixed solely on her. She couldn't move, rooted to the spot as the realization dawned he had chosen her.
The murmurs and whispers around them seemed to fade as Canary stopped directly in front of Lisa.
"Good evening, Lisa," he greeted, his voice gentle but clear over the hum of the crowd.
Lisa blinked, caught off guard by his presence. "Good evening,"
Lisa stared at Canary in disbelief as he stood before her. "What are you doing here?" she asked, her voice low but filled with surprise.
Canary's smile didn't waver. "Looking for you," he said simply, his tone steady and sincere.
Her heart skipped a beat, but she quickly masked her emotions. "You left Bianca to… come here?"
Canary gave Lisa a smile."I was just having a small chat with Bianca," he said casually.
"But now that it's time for the dance, I need to be with my girlfriend."
Lisa's eyes widened slightly, her heart fluttering at his words. "Your… girlfriend?" she echoed, still in disbelief.
He nodded, his tone firm yet warm. "Yes. So, Lisa, may I have this dance?"
Lisa hesitated, pulling her hand back slightly. "I… I can't. People might find out we're together," she said quietly, her voice filled with uncertainty.
Canary stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "Lisa, I'm ready for everything," he said, his words firm yet reassuring. "I don't care what anyone thinks. If it means being with you, I'm ready to face whatever comes."
He held out his hand again, his eyes locked on hers with a mix of sincerity and determination.
Lisa's heart raced, the weight of his words sinking in. She took a deep breath, finally nodding, her fears slowly fading. "Okay," she whispered.
Hand in hand, they walked onto the dance floor.
Jenny and Richie stood frozen, their disbelief palpable as the scene unfolded before them.
As Canary and Lisa made their way to the dance floor, whispers rippled through the crowd.
Most of the employees from Andersons, including Camilla, watched in disbelief.
"Is that… Lisa?" one of the employees murmured to a colleague, his eyes wide. "And Canary? Are they… together?"
Camilla stood frozen, her jaw tightening as she watched them. The surprise was clear on her face, quickly replaced by a flicker of something deeper jealousy.
She had never expected to see Canary choose someone like Lisa, especially after everything.
Lisa, though nervous, couldn't help but feel a rush of relief as they reached the center of the floor.
The curious stares from the crowd didn't seem to matter as much now.
She focused solely on Canary, ignoring the murmurs and the tension in the room.
Canary gently placed his hands on Lisa's waist, pulling her closer as the soft melody filled the room.
Lisa hesitantly rested her hands on his shoulders, her heart pounding as she felt the weight of everyone's gaze.
But Canary didn't seem to care. His smile was unwavering, his eyes locked on Lisa as if no one else in the room existed.
His joy was unmistakable, radiating in every movement and expression.
The onlookers couldn't miss it—Canary's rare, genuine smile, a look of pure affection, directed solely at Lisa.
Whispers intensified, but he paid no mind, guiding Lisa across the dance floor with effortless grace.
Lisa, though still nervous, couldn't help but relax slightly under his steady gaze and reassuring smile.
In that moment, it felt like it was just the two of them, the rest of the world fading into the background.
As they swayed gently to the music, Canary leaned in slightly, his voice low and warm.
"You look stunning tonight, Lisa," he said, his gaze sweeping over her. "I don't think I've ever seen you this beautiful."
Lisa's cheeks flushed, and she averted her eyes for a moment, her grip on his shoulders tightening slightly.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the music.
But Canary wasn't done. He tilted his head, catching her eyes again. "It's not just the dress," he continued, a soft smile playing on his lips. "It's you. Everything about you tonight… it's captivating."
Lisa's heart fluttered, and for the first time that evening, she allowed herself to smile, the tension in her shoulders easing as they continued to dance.
Gladys smiled on seeing her best friend smile like that.