The brightest flames leave the deepest scars within you, yet true love burns the brightest.
~Zoey Anderson.
"Shall we dance?" Adrian asked, getting on his knees.
"Do you want to humiliate me? You know I can't even walk on heels, now dance?" Aurora asked.
"You don't need to be perfect. I'll be there to help you up if you fall…" he cupped her chin, watching her smile. "But only when I'm done laughing," he added. "You are so mean," she rolled her eyes.
"Shit! I'm still on my fucking knees. Just give me your hand. Everyone is waiting," he said."I can't believe I'm doing this," she said, placing her right hand in his, then she got on her feet. Together, they walked over to the dancefloor, joining Jasper and Zoey. The couples seemed to have no fight.
The applause of the audience died down as the soft flow of music began. Aurora tried to ignore the stares they received and forced herself to adapt to the environment. She wasn't used to standing out in crowds or facing the paparazzi. She hated unnecessary attentions.
She put in efforts to make sure her steps were accurate; he twirled her into his arms, then she wrapped hers around his neck. His hand lingered on her waist, drawing her close to his chest. Their free hands met as they circled each other, their gaze remained locked.
Uncontrollable feelings surged through her heart as they fell in step, allowing the slow rhythm to control their movements. He turned, his body syncing with the music. He was perfect in her eyes. There was no form of awkwardness as they danced.
The warmth between them grew more powerful by the second. Her heartbeat was growing along with it. Their dance was perfect, except a few times her heels crushed his toes, but he just had to act okay. He didn't care because he never expected perfection from her.
"Why do you keep missing your steps?" Adrian asked in a whisper. "I hate dancing, don't you see?" she said, almost missing another step. "We'll soon be over, okay?""My heels are hurting. I wish I could take them off now, and walked with my bare feet."
"Less talk, blondie," he said, advancing in the dance. She was sad to be away from him, but they had to switch partners. Aurora swirled into Jasper's arms, and Zoey into Adrian's. Adrian had waited for his last dance with the girl he loved.
"The red lipstick–"
"What about it? And why do you care, huh?"
"It's nothing."
"Does it hurt, amore?"
A small smile formed on her lips. "Why should it? I'm happy for you."
…
The dance lasted longer than the first. She smiled as she looked back at the years they had spent together. She smiled not because she was happy, but because she couldn't do anything else. The memories were beautiful, but all ruined.
"I still love you, and always will. Never stop believing that." Those were his words. Perhaps he… he lied, and that was the peak of his lies. She felt that if he actually loved her, he wouldn't have chosen to hurt her. Merely, she could have sensed everything from his late replies, no texts, no calls before he finally opened up to her. But love blinded her.
"My baby–" she screamed in pain, clutching his arms tightly.
Adrian tensed up, disengaging the dance. "Amore, what's happening?"
"I'm fucking bleeding."
"This isn't a good sign for your pregnancy."
Jasper left Aurora in the middle of the dance and ran towards them.
"Zoey, I need to take you to the hospital right now," he said.
"No, stay away from this. That's my responsibility. She's carrying my unborn child."
"And I'm her fiance."
"Here I am, dying in pain. Can you both just stop arguing?" Zoey yelled.
"I'm sorry," they apologized simultaneously. At last, Zoey's parents gave Adrian the permission to fulfill his responsibility. Then they sealed up the engagement ceremony.
Jasper kissed her goodbye before Adrian carried her to his car in his arms. Fleets of cars followed behind them; his convoy, Jasper, his parents and her parents. He was really worried about her, so Regan drove to the hospital while he sat at the backseat, watching Zoey closely. She remained calm the whole time in silent tears.
"Don't panic, okay?"
With her last ounce of strength, she rolled her eyes. "Stop being pathetic."
"Wait. You aren't scared?"
"Scared of dying? Nah. If I was, I will only wish to die in your arms."
"Never. Stop these death talks, amore. "
She didn't utter a single word again. Her eyelids weakened, so her eyes automatically closed. The bleeding worsened by every second. Adrian heartbeat skipped when she stopped responding to the environment. "… I will only wish to die in your arms," her voice echoed in his head.