a dance?

Thirty-One - Renee

Thirty-One - Renee

The amount of times he made my heart skip a beat is innumerable. There's just something about Valerio that makes me sparkle like I am a diamond. Maybe I am a diamond and he's just made me realize that. While we were in the metro, my mind couldn't help but replay everything that had happened at the park, it all happened so fast- I am not sure if that's a good thing or not. As much as I tried to avoid the little things, like holding hands and/or laughing like you're in love (which I am) I just can't help it, he always knows how to reassure me and I am over the stars for the warmth he radiates.

I save myself from not thinking about it too much. My confidence is like a transverse wave that strikes high and then has its little troughs. When it strikes high, it comes at a moment where it may be wrong... The streets. I completely forgot about my little anxiety at the metro and found myself super close to him that I squealed internally. The streets aren't a place to have such an intimate tension, but I moved on like none of that ever happened. We're like high school sweethearts who have their inner children get the best of them, but this architecture tells me otherwise.

One minute we're running like we've broken free, and the next minute, Valerio and I are breathing heavily inside a room. My laughter echoes around the room, my knees jiggling in tune with it. It takes me a minute to figure out where we exactly are, but I have given up instantly. He teases me as we leave the space. I could get used to this pace, the pace that always keeps me more and more curious about his world. Faces are looking at me, and I can't distinguish whether it's the "who?" or "ooh" in their expressions. It could be even in between, however, surprisingly it leaves my mind faster than it entered.

Valerio nods at someone who's the receptionist, her smile is so warm it makes me like her instantly. I realize that I am behind him, so I move next to him and watch the elevator ring. I watch two men come out of it. One of them has this hero-like aura like he's on a catwalk and the entrance is slowed down, while the other man looks a bit more professional than the hero-like aura guy. The hero-lie guy shares a fist bump with Valerio, and instantly I think he must be one of Valerio's closest friends. The other guy's eyes make me stand out, and I try to suppress my laughter, instead of cracking a smile. He returns it and I almost miss him raising his eyebrows at Valerio. I snort, and the three faces are looking back at me, and I chew my cheeks in like they heard nothing.

Moving on, the four of us get inside the elevator- the hero-like guy bends down a little and tells me "Introductions at his studio," I try not to snort again, at his little point at Valerio. I am glad I nodded. "I am going to pretend I didn't hear that!" Rio exclaimed right in front of us, and here comes out a sudden burst of laughter. The other two guys laugh along, and I can imagine Rio rolling his eyes. The elevator dings as Valerio takes the lead to his studio.

"Ladies first," The professional guy says, and this makes me feel like I am on the road of the CEO's office and the CEO might just come at me for not doing well at work. In reality, the man I love is just showing me a piece of his world, aka his studio and I am still not over this privilege. Love has its luxuries and I am glad I get to be a part of his world. Not just a fan, but his girlfriend. I scrunch my nose satisfyingly when my head says the word 'girlfriend.' It's so quiet, or my mind is seriously loud and I keep looking to see if anyone else is hearing them. My eyes turn slightly back to see any change in expressions, but the two men are just talking amongst themselves, so I am saved.

"You okay?" Valerio's honey voice brings me out of it anyway. "Huh?" I say, and he gives me a 'you-okay?' sign. I give him a great smile, but he isn't convinced. His eyebrows furrow and I know that I can't turn back, not here, not now. I sigh and tell him that it's just me squealing at how lucky I am to be a part of his life. It's the truth, I haven't been overthinking and I am just grateful for my emotions about all of this. He wraps his arm around my shoulder and grins "I should be telling you that I am lucky," This makes me slap his chest.

It was unintentional, but we both don't say anything anyway. His smile tugs at the corner, notifying that he secretly loves it. I watch the door open in front of me and instantly throw confetti in my head. "It looks immaculate," I say with astonishment. When I turn around for the gentlemen, they all look at me with soft eyes. The hero-like guy scoffs making Rio chuckle as the guy says "I am surprised you find Rio's studio immaculate," He walks around me, faces the studio then faces me, and lends his hand out. "Joan's the name!" He widely grins, making me shake his hand without hesitation. "Renee's the name!" I try his style, grinning as well. "I have a feeling you two are going to get along really well," The other guy says, Rio nodding in agreement. "This is Raph-" Rio says, introducing the young man. Raph cuts him just to say, "Raphael,"

Turns out these two personalities are filled with mind-boggling ideas that actually would be hit if they did music as a trio, however, Raph's and Joan's passions are not the same as Valerio's. When you have these two with Valerio, they're child-like shenanigans that admire music but also make me feel like I am part of their lives. It's amazing how they just made me feel like we've been friends for a long time but now we had the opportunity to catch up.

"You look so familiar from four years ago," Joan casually says, resting his chin on his index finger and my curiosity plays along asking him in what ways. "You're posture, body language- Valerio knows his words when it comes to describing someone." He admits, as I half-glance at Valerio and see him scratch his neck. Raphael nods "I agree." After a few seconds of silence, Rio and I speak at the same time, while Raph and Joan exchange a giggle. Rio motions me to go ahead and I ask about the album.

There's a cheerful smile from Joan, as Raph has the exact opposite. I look at Rio for anything different, but his face is neutral. Has he made no progress?

"Valerio sent me some of his music with the lyrics, together we modified some words and I added some tunes to his liking. So far it's better than I anticipated, however, these two don't seem convinced." Joan confesses, and I sit back on my chair; relieved. Raphael does the opposite of me and says "I have to admit Joan's right. There are a few songs that do hit the album, however, there's one that none of us can quite get the head around," He clears the gap, making me nod. Now I don't know who the manager is. I slightly giggle and the faces in front of me are puzzled. "I have been there before; feeling creatively burnt out," I say, as Rio nods and Raph looks at me like I might have something.

"She's a keeper mate," Joan nods, smirking at Valerio and all I do is cover my face in my hands because I can't handle the amount of humor in this room. "On a serious note," Raph says, glaring at Joan, as he shrugs and turns to Valerio. "Okay boy, we might need to postpone your album."