Dahlia stumbled as Michael yanked her away from Victor. Her face registered shock and confusion as she was caught in the sudden whirlwind of her husband's rage. The guests at the gala watched in surprise as the harmony of the evening was replaced with a tense, uncomfortable atmosphere.
Michael's grip on Dahlia was unrelenting as he led her away from Victor. She glanced back at the man who had once been her high school sweetheart, their eyes locking for a fleeting moment filled with a mixture of longing, regret, and confusion.
As Michael guided Dahlia away, his jaw clenched in anger, he couldn't contain the surge of possessiveness that had overtaken him. He had allowed himself to believe that he could share his wife, to entertain the possibility of her dancing with another man, but the reality of seeing Dahlia in another man's arms had driven him to an irrational fury.
In the privacy of a corner away from the prying eyes of the gala attendees, Michael turned to Dahlia, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. "What were you thinking, dancing with him like that?" he demanded, his voice low and dangerous.
Dahlia's own emotions were a tumultuous blend of shock and frustration. "I... I didn't expect him to be here," she replied, her voice quivering. "We... we used to be friends. I didn't think it would be a problem."
Michael's anger was palpable, and he couldn't hide the jealousy that surged within him. He felt as if he was losing control over a situation he had thought he could handle. "Friends? That looked like more than just friendship," he accused.
Dahlia's eyes filled with defiance. "What did you want me to do? Shun him? Act like we never knew each other?" She was torn between her loyalty to Michael and her unresolved feelings for Victor.
Their argument was cut short as Michael's mother approached them, her elegant presence commanding attention. She could sense the tension and knew that the evening could quickly unravel into an unpleasant affair.
"Michael, Dahlia," she began in her composed, authoritative manner, "I invited Mr. Crow to this gala. We wouldn't want any problems, would we?" She then turned to Victor, who had been watching the scene unfold.
"Mr. Crow," she addressed him with a warm smile, "I trust you had no objection to dancing with Dahlia as a symbol of peace between two influential tycoons and I hope my son's foolish behaviour did nothing to affect you."
Victor was momentarily taken aback by the unexpected turn of events but quickly composed himself. "Of course, Mrs. Atlas. It was my pleasure, but I do not wish to come in between Dahlia and her...husband, by the way it's already late, I must be on my way now," he replied with a gracious nod.
Michael clenched his fists, torn between his mother's wishes and his possessive instincts. He reluctantly nodded in agreement, though his jealousy continued to simmer beneath the surface.
"Come Dahlia," he said, anger radiating off him, "We're leaving now"
Dahlia could feel his anger and she could understand his jealousy, wishing to not cause anymore trouble she quietly made her way to the car.
Michael turned to face his mom before he left "Happy birthday mother".
***
As the car came to a standstill in the midst of traffic, frustration weighed heavily on Michael's shoulders. He glanced at Dahlia, his irritation clear in his eyes. "This traffic is unbearable," he muttered, his voice edged with annoyance.
Dahlia, her own frustration building from their earlier argument, couldn't help but retort, "Well, maybe we wouldn't be stuck here if you hadn't stormed in like that."
Their argument from the gala still fresh in their minds, their voices escalated as they clashed once again. The tension in the car seemed unbearable, with each passing moment exacerbating the awkwardness.
But as their words grew sharper and more hurtful, Dahlia couldn't bear it any longer. She felt tears welling up in her eyes as she realized that this was not how she wanted their evening to end. Taking a deep breath, she finally let her guard down, her voice shaking with vulnerability.
"Michael, I love you," she confessed, her voice sincere and raw with emotion. "I know it might not seem like it after everything, but I love you more than anything in this world."
Michael, taken aback by the sincerity in her voice, turned to look at her, his own anger momentarily subsiding. "Dahlia..." he began, his tone softer.
Dahlia continued, her voice quivering but determined. "I've made up my mind to be with you. No one else matters, no other man can come between us."
Her confession hung in the air, a powerful testament to her feelings for Michael. As he took in her words, the tension between them seemed to dissipate, replaced by a profound understanding of the love they shared.
Michael reached out and gently took her hand, his anger melting away. "I love you, too, Dahlia," he admitted, his voice filled with genuine emotion. "I'm sorry for the way I reacted. I couldn't stand to see you with someone else."
Their apologies to each other hung in the air, and the car, once filled with tension, now seemed to be infused with a sense of reconciliation. With a shared understanding, Dahlia and Michael leaned in towards each other, their lips meeting in a passionate kiss that symbolized the strength of their love. In that moment, they knew that their connection was unbreakable, and no outside force could ever come between them again.