I was so happy to see that beautiful scene that I didn't even notice someone next to me, leaning against the wall.
— I didn't know you danced when you were excited, he said, laughing.
I let out a little scream when I heard his voice. My heart felt like it was about to jump out of my mouth. I took a deep breath and composed myself.
— Dante! You scared me, I said, turning to face him.
Dante was laughing. I looked at him with wide eyes.
— Were you laughing at my scream? I asked innocently.
Dante stopped laughing, took a deep breath, and said:
— Yes, it was too much for me. I almost cried from laughing so hard.
— Haha, that's funny, I said, pouting.
— What have you been up to while I left you alone at the table for a short time?
— Me? Up to something? You're completely mistaken, I said, pretending that nothing had happened.
— How can you say that? That scene over there is real, right? Dante said, pointing at Diana and Dominic.
— Where? I don't know what you're talking about, I said, smiling and giving myself away.
— It could only be your doing.
— Did you know that they liked each other? I asked, wanting to know the truth.
— Dominic had already told me, but I realized years ago that he liked her. I just never asked Diana. At the time, I told him to talk to her, to try something, but he was afraid of being rejected.
— I understand him. We're afraid of the unknown, but if we never try, what's the point of living? I said, looking at the magically starry sky.
— If you were in Diana's place, would you have the courage to tell the person you're interested in that you're in love?
— Maybe yes, maybe no.
— What do you mean? Dante asked curiously. He even pushed away from the wall and stood right in front of me, lowering his face close to mine, looking into my eyes.
— It would depend on the person and the reason. Why are you so close? I said, pulling back.
— You didn't answer my question, and besides, we're in public. It's perfectly normal for me to get close to my girlfriend whenever I want, right?
Damn, he really got to me, I have to admit. I took three breaths before responding.
— What do you want to know? I asked.
— If it were me, would you confess your feelings? He was still close.
— No, I said, staring at him.
He furrowed his brow and continued with that closeness that was getting on my nerves.
— No? Well, I'd like to know the reason for that, he seemed genuinely bothered by my denial.
— It's very simple: first, you're not in love with me, second, there are many prettier girls who want you and are all over you, third, it would hurt me.
— Are those your objections regarding me? How can you make such claims? You don't know how I feel.
— I shouldn't have to, right? Would you be ready to take the risks, like dating a college student?
— And why wouldn't I be? If, in fact, I were in love, what would be the problem? he said a few inches from my face.
— The problem would be exactly that, you're not in love.
He put his hands on my waist, and I couldn't step back or people would think something was wrong between us. "He must be acting, it can't be real. This is torture, I can't believe he's bothered by the situation, but even if I loved him, he wouldn't know unless I got some sign," I thought.
He seemed to realize that he was causing some confusion in me because of my furrowed brow, so he lowered his head, gently touched his lips to mine, and kissed me. My first reaction was to put my hands on his chest and push him away, but he held back my push by holding my hands with his left hand and pulling me closer with his right hand, which was already on my waist. I had no choice but to kiss him. I knew it was a mistake, and my heart would pay the price. The kiss was long; I went to heaven in a matter of seconds and stayed there until he finally pulled away, and I came crashing back down. My legs were trembling and weak; if it weren't for his embrace, I would have fallen to the ground.
— Shall we go home? he asked.
— Let's. I agreed, trembling.
Dante was heading towards the parking lot, and that's when I recovered, realizing that he hadn't said goodbye to anyone.
— Dante, aren't you going to say goodbye to anyone? I asked, stopping with a look of confusion.
— There's no need, I did it before I found you here.
— You said goodbye to everyone already? Wow. I said, surprised.
— Yes, I just didn't say goodbye to Dominic and Diana because I don't want to break the mood. They took 10 years to get together, so they should enjoy it. he said, winking at me and smiling.
— Okay. I agreed and followed him to the car.
We got into the car, and I started looking at the stars in the sky, thinking about how beautiful they were. I loved nature and was using it as a way to escape from the memory of the kiss. I decided to stay quiet; the situation was already quite awkward, and Dante was the reason. By that point, I already knew that I was falling for him, and there was no denying it. My heart felt like a samba school pounding in my chest. I didn't know how to react to all of this. I tried to ignore it as much as I could, but it wasn't enough. "What a cruel fate! I know I'll get hurt, and you up there are playing tricks on me. What am I going to do when he leaves?" I thought, still gazing at the sky.
— Am I the reason for your thoughts? Dante asked, looking ahead.
— Does the silence bother you? I retorted with a question.
— You're excellent at avoiding questions you don't want to answer.
— Wow, you read me so well, I said sarcastically.
— Were you uncomfortable with the previous situation? he said with a small smile on his lips.
— Yes, I met Dominic's date, and let me tell you, she was a Lola look-alike. I changed the subject he was trying to get at (the kiss).
— Veronica? he asked.
— Exactly.
— She wasn't polite to you, was she?
— Not at all, I made a face.
— How did you end up talking to her? Dante asked, confused.
— Well, I wanted to keep her busy in the bathroom while Diana tried to confess her feelings to Dominic, I said, embarrassed.
— I assume that was your plan, right?
— Yes, I needed to buy some time.
— What did she say to you?
— That Dominic wasn't for her, but for you. At first, I celebrated knowing that she wasn't Dominic's girlfriend and that Diana had a chance.
— But?
— She said you were handsome, that she came to the party just to win you over, and that I wasn't attractive. She didn't understand why you would be with a student like me, well, that I didn't know about expensive cosmetics, and she asked what I did to win you over.
— What did you say? he asked, curious.
— I asked for her name because until then, I didn't know.
— She introduced herself, I presume.
— Yes, and then I introduced myself. I shrugged my shoulders and raised my hands to indicate that I didn't know much.
Dante started laughing. I didn't understand why; it came out of nowhere.
— What's so funny? I asked, not understanding anything.
— She came to talk to me after she spoke to you in the bathroom.
— Ah yes, she wastes no time. I said, irritated, with my eyes closed.
— No, she definitely didn't waste time. She came on strong. I already knew her from some other events, but I never paid attention to her presence.
— Doesn't she catch your attention? I asked, furrowing my brow.
— No, in fact, I'm tired of shallow women who only want status and material possessions from me. I had Lola as an example, and I don't want that in my life anymore.
— But she is quite beautiful. I sighed.
— I agree that she may be more mature than you because she's older and more experienced, but she's not more beautiful, as I told you the other day, you made me see the world differently.
I blushed instantly. "Kyraaaa, wake up, this is going to hurt you," my mind kept trying to bring my common sense back.
I didn't even notice the journey coming to an end, and we were already in front of Dante's apartment.
— Kyra, do you mind staying here tonight? I'm too tired to take you home. I'll drive you to college tomorrow.
I looked at Dante, searching for sincerity. His expression truly seemed tired, and he didn't seem to be lying. "Well, since I came straight here, I have my backpack, study materials, and everything for tomorrow."
— That's fine. This way, you can rest, and I don't want to inconvenience you.
— That's good, I'm grateful for that, he said, parking the car. Let's go up then.
I got out of the car and followed him to the elevator. I was quite tense because I didn't know how he would behave, and I didn't know what to do, so I just remained silent. The elevator stopped on the right floor, and we walked down the hallway until we reached the apartment. He opened the door, threw his blazer onto the sofa, barely waited for me to leave the doorway, and closed the door. It seemed like he was trying to provoke me, but then he came out of his room and went towards the living room, where he saw me leaning against the door.
— Are you okay? he asked, concerned.
I looked at him, noticing that his shirt was almost completely unbuttoned, revealing his chest. I swallowed hard, what a beautiful sight.