CAELUM

CHAPTER 23

CHANYEOL'S POV:

I am currently dancing with Sereia as it's a dance where you keep dancing with different partners till you get to your original partner and it's obvious that our wives are our original partners for the masquerade dance. I see Rhian dancing with Manuel who is at a three feet distance from me. "What's wrong Chan". Sereia asks. "Oh, nothing Sis. Just thinking of something".  "About the fight, you had in the morning". I look at her, she giggles. "How did you know Sis". "Min told me about it while getting ready for the party". "Aah, I see. I really didn't mean to say that to her, just don't know why my rage took over". She pats my shoulder as a reassurance.

"I know Chan. It happens. I mean, when we love a person, we usually tend to be protective towards them and sometimes the other just doesn't take it the way we meant". I pout. "She addressed me as Mr Chanyeol". "Damn. Guess she's really hurt hmm". "Yeah, and I can't see her like this". She smiles and says "I know, hmm what if you try this out. Maybe she can come around". "Try what?". "As in a few mins this dance ends and the slow dance begins, maybe try apologizing and making her feel that was just rage and you never meant those words. She loves you a lot and I think she'll understand it". "Yeah maybe. I'll give it a try". "Yes, keep trying". She says and cheers me up.

While dancing my gaze falls on Rhian who looks uncomfortable while dancing with Manuel. As she's wearing a two-piece black ball gown, maybe that's why. But she's quite comfortable with wearing those as she wears them whenever we go on dates. Lowering my eyes, I realise what's making her uncomfortable. His touch, the look in his eyes. The way he's holding her, the way he's trying to make her uncomfortable by caressing her bare area infuriates me to the core. The way he predatorily runs his hand on her arm makes my blood boil. *How dare you*, Being her husband, I never touched her the way he's doing right now. *I'm going to make him regret*. Even in the morning, he looked at her with a gaze filled with lust. As much as I want to go and beat the pulp out of him, I'll have to control myself. *He's gone once I get him*

"Your time has come. All the best Chan". I smile. "Thank you, sis". She smiles and goes to Minseok while Rhian comes back to me. As it's slow dance now so I pull her close enough such that my arm covers the part that leaves an uncomfortable distance between the top and the skirt. She looks at me and keeps her hands on my shoulders. "Rhiu, you good?". She nods her head in a yes. "I am". "You looked uncomfortable babe when you were dancing with Manuel". As we were standing close, she rests her forehead on my chest. "I d-didn't like the way he t-t-touched and looked at me. It was really bad".

She says even if her voice is breaking. My anger knows no leaps and bounds hearing that. But it isn't the time to think about Manuel, I need to first calm Rhian down. I caress her hair while swaying our bodies to the slow music that's playing. "Calm down, I'm here right". "Hmm, thanks". "For what". "For covering the bare part of the dress I'm wearing".I smile and place a gentle kiss on the crown of her head. "That's what a husband should do am I right?" She hmm's as an answer. We stay silent for some time.

"Babe". "Yeah". "I'm sorry". "I'm sorry too". "I shouldn't have let my rage and emotions take control over me at that time. I didn't mean anything I said at the end of the fight. I'm sorry for that and if possible, please forgive me. I'll never say that ever again". She looks up and pouts. "I should've understood and listened to you when you told me to not wear that top and also this dress. From next time, I'll understand and listen to you. I'm sorry too. Please forgive me". I smile and say "You're forgiven, and what about me".

She raises her eyebrow as if she's thinking whether to forgive me or not. "I thought of not forgiving you but the small yet genuine apology and the love we have for each other, made me forgive you". Hearing those words, a smile appears on my face. She lifts a finger and pokes my chest. I look at her and ask "What's wrong?". "Let's promise that we'll never let emotions of rage or any fight take over the love we have for each other". I rub my nose on hers and we together say "Promise". I'm well aware that we are at a party and our actions will be seen by others, but that doesn't matter. All that matters to me at this moment is Rhian, with her in my arms and our bodies swaying to the rhythm of the slow music.