Anna sat there in confusion, a lot of thoughts racing through her mind. She was reluctant but she finally made the choice; with a nervous smile, she took Maxwell’s hand and stood up. She tried not to look at Jimmy as Mr. Blackwood led her into the middle of the stage.
He gently placed one of his hands on her waist, while holding up her arm with the other hand. “Watch and learn, Miss Owl. Put your hand on my shoulder.” He requested with a cunning smile.
Anna groaned as she did as he said, “You know you didn’t have to do this,” she whispered to him as they began to move in rhythm.
“Careful or you might miss a step, follow my lead.” He said and he grabbed firmer and her body involuntarily jumped.
“You think you are sleek right? I was here with someone, you didn’t have to do this.”
“Miss Owl, you could have just said no, remember you are not here as my employee so you owe me nothing,” he chuckled at her, the sarcasm in his voice very obvious.
Anna scoffs and rolls her eyes at him, she tries to look away but he craftily pulls her closer to him and she gasps. “Easy!” she growled and he laughed.
The sound of the Violin and Piano and made the hall feel like it was the 90s again, the melody of the duo provided a timeless elegance to the music. But then there were also the tones from the Guitar and Clarinet, providing a charming accompaniment. The guitar's strumming rhythms and the clarinet's playful melodies add a touch of whimsy to the atmosphere.
As the two danced, it was a lovely moment between them. Anna was impressed with his steps and even though she knew not how to dance, she adapted by following his lead.
“How can you dance so well?” she asked with a smirk.
“I spent so many years in Europe, mingled with a lot of people from the classic ages. You can learn a thing or two from old cultures.”
“So that is where you got the accent? Makes sense… You must have a lot of experience from your stay there.”
The smile on Mr. Blackwood’s face disappeared and he brought his lips closer to her ears without halting the dance. “Yes, I do have a history with that place, but I will prefer we don’t talk about it, something about old scars.” He forced a smile.
“Hmm,” Anna hummed and smiled back. However she was curious, who knows what happened to him in Europe that makes him not want to talk about it?
“So… I took your advice and I spoke to my mom, things are better now, thank you.” he said to her with genuine appreciation.
Anna’s lips parted in a smile and she looked up at his face, it was good to see him genuinely happy, maybe he needed more love in his life to create those beautiful smiles.
“I know it was not an easy choice and you needed to reach somewhere deep to make it but I am glad that you did, I hope you find the happiness that you deserve.” She whispered to him as they danced to the romantic tunes.
He looked at her with a bit of surprise. “You think I deserve happiness?” he asked, sincerely eager to know what she thought of him.
Anna chuckled. “Even the devil deserves happiness,” she laughed.
Maxwell didn’t know if that was a good thing or a bad thing, he just huffed and shook his head. He wished he could say other things to her in this beautiful moment but he didn’t have the courage to do it.
Anna had been avoiding looking towards Jimmy since she took Max’s hand as she feared making the situation more awkward, but she summoned the courage to do it. However, as she looked that way, she noticed he was gone and her heart flipped.
Was he mad at her? What if he had left the party? She knew it was a bad choice to dance with Mr. Blackwood but she couldn’t help it, she still said yes to him at the expense of her relationship.
The dancehall was starting to get empty as people were leaving slowly, but it didn’t seem like Mr. Blackwood was going to stop anytime soon, Anna looked at him with pleading eyes but he turned blind eyes to them.
Bringing his lips closer to her ears again, he whispered. “Don’t take any alcohol tonight.”
She wrinkled her face in curiosity, she didn’t plan to but now she was curious to know why he would say that. “Why?” she asked in her feminine voice.
He smiled and looked around, then he turned back to her. “Well you see, the drinks here are all original unlike the fake alcohols you drink back at home, and so they are more effective as well.”
Anna widened her eyes in disbelief. No, he didn’t say that!
“I hate you!” she whispered to him and he laughed.
They danced silently for a few more seconds and Anna could feel a lot of eyes on them. She wondered why Megan didn’t show up for the event today, there were so many colleagues from work and she couldn’t help but imagine the gossip that will spread through the walls of the company tomorrow.
“MB… You did a good thing with your mother, I want you to know that. I know it is a wicked world with the likes of you but a mother’s love is always pure.”
Mr. Blackwood smirked. “You sound like you are speaking from experience, tell me about your mother.”
“There is nothing much to know, I come from a poor family but where there is enough love to go around.”
At that point, Maxwell is tempted to ask her why she is obsessing over a boy undeserving of her if she was that much loved at home, but he chooses not to ruin the mood. Almost everyone had left the dance floor except for the hired dancers and so Mr. Blackwood decided to take his chance…
“Anna… I need to tell you something.” He muttered.
!