A Few Minutes Before
Arthur went down from his VIP room to the dance floor. His eyes set to Gwen who was dancing energetically with Helena.
He walked to the DJ's table but he paused shortly to make sure that Max was already on his way to take Helena away from Gwen.
When he saw them dancing together and Gwen was alone, Arthur talked to the DJ, "Could you please change the music into the slow one? I'll pay more for it."
The DJ then exchanged glances with some people from the management and they agreed to fulfill Arthur's request. "Is it okay if I play it after this song? Around 5 more minutes?"
"5 minutes? okay noted," Arthur quickly processed his transactions before moving towards Gwen who realized that Helena was gone from her sight.
—
"T-That's my friend! And the guy…wait…Isn't he–"
"Should we dance too?"
"Huh??" Gwen quickly turned back to Zach before she realized too much that the guy who was with Helena was Max.
"Should we dance too since you've found your friend?" Zach opened his arms, trying to reach hers.
—
"B-But she–"
"She'll be fine I guess?" Zach signals Gwen to turn around so she can look at Helena. She looked like having a great time with someone else, like she was forgetting that she came here with her.
Gwen turned back to Zach and he opened his arm again. After giving some thoughts, Gwen reached out to him and he pulled her closer slowly.
"Can I touch your waist?" Asked Zach while holding her hands because he did not want to touch her without her permission.
Gwen nodded shyly until she felt his hands slowly moving to touch her waist while she was putting hers on his shoulders. They moved closer to each other and swayed along with the music.
"What are you doing here?"
"Having fun? I just finished some work and I need to refresh myself. My cousin asked me to come with him."
"Are you a regular here?"
"Kind of."
"How's the girls here?"
Zach let out his warm chuckles due to the unexpected question coming from Gwen, "How am I supposed to know?"
"You said that you're a regular here."
"I just came here for drinks. Alone sometimes."
"Really?"
"Do I look like a liar to you?"
"I'm just asking though. Whether you're lying to me or not, It doesn't matter. We're strangers."
"Why do I feel sad to hear that?"
"Why are you sad?"
"I'm trying to get to know you better. But it seems like you built such a thick wall for me."
Gwen looked up to Zach's tall figure. His eyes resonated with his statement; he looked quite sad because of what she said before, "Are you that sad?"
"I am."
"Why do you want to get to know me? I'm just a nobody."
"And so do I. What do you think I am?"
"I don't know. A Prince, maybe?"
Zach laughed in disbelief. He was a bit taken back but also kind of wanted to play along with her, "What if I am?"
"What?? ARE YOU REALLY–" Gwen covered her mouth with hands once she realized that they were in public place. "Are you really him??" She toned down her voice to a whisper.
"If you want to think like that, Then let it be…I'll just act like a prince for you."
Gwen's expression quickly changed from excited to annoyed and Zach found it adorable, "I hate you."
"Pftt–Why are you suddenly interested with the prince? You said you didn't want to be trapped inside the huge castle."
"Well, It's still a jackpot and honor to be able to dance with him anyway…"
"Including if he asks you to be the queen of Astoria?"
"Eum…I'm still not sure about that. Leading a country is not easy. I'm afraid I can't do that well…"
Zach let out a small huff. The atmosphere suddenly turned serious, "Let's talk about something else…"
"What is it?"
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"Is that a question? Why would I be dancing with you if I have one?"
"Tch–Ah…it's tough to talk to you…" He laughed in disbelief.
"I'm such a pain in the ass, you know? That's why I'm not so into relationships."
Zach raised and moved one of his hands to Gwen's neck, "It's such a pity that a pretty face like this chooses to stay single."
For a moment, They stopped moving to the on-going music. Their eyes locked to each other, Ignoring everything surrounding them, "Is it a mistake to stay single?"
"It's not," Zach's thumb caressed her cheek softly, sending shivers down her spine. "But it makes me want to change that mindset of yours…"
Zach leaned in closer to her and Gwen could not stop herself from staring at his lips until she slowly closed her eyes and held her breath when she felt the tip of his nose touch hers.
"HELEN!!"
"Huh?" Gwen and Zach quickly opened their eyes and turned around. They saw Max crouched down while holding Helena who was suddenly unconscious.