L'amour En Rouge

Return to the Rouge

While Tessa was looking forward to seeing Florian again, Ruby left the salon and rushed to the Rouge, eager to tell Florian the news. After she found Florian and told him that Tessa was coming back, Florian got an idea that even the choreographer couldn't believe: although he wasn't one to steal the limelight, they should perform a couple of routines that featured him just for that night. Seeing how happy Florian was to see Tessa again, the choreographer and other dancers agreed to the idea before they worked on a few songs that put the spotlight on Florian, complete with a few surprises. While having a rare moment of downtime, Florian found Tessa's scarf in his costume's pocket and caressed it a little, wondering if he was feeling things for her. He was used to being adored by women, but there was something special about Tessa to him, even though he couldn't pinpoint it yet.

The hours flew by before the doors were open to the public, and after passing through the bag and coat checks again, Tessa was greeted by the same usher as before. When the usher smirked and winked at her again, Tessa blushed a little as she followed the usher to the same table as before, where she thanked him before ordering water from the waiter. When the lights dimmed and the curtain started rising, Tessa started applauding as a smile grew across her face, only for one of her eyebrows to lift in confusion when she didn't see Florian with the other dancers. While watching the dancers, she was pondering if he had gotten sick last minute when the dancers got into a different position than they did last time, and her jaw dropped when she heard an announcement.

"Mesdames et messieurs, pour votre divertissement, permettez-moi de vous présenter la star de l'émission de ce soir: Monsieur Florian Lucien!" ("Ladies and gentlemen, for your entertainment, allow me to present the star of tonight's show: Mister Florian Lucien!")

As a spotlight fell on a moon-shaped swing with Florian on it, Tessa tried not to squeal at the sight of him, especially since he was decked out in a multicolored tailcoat over a white shirt and black pants. His top hat was black with a purple cloth around the trim, and as Florian strolled around the stage while singing, Tessa's eyes widened when she recognized the cloth as her scarf. Seeing his latest fan's eyes widen made Florian smile, and while he was making sure to entertain the whole crowd with his number, he wanted to make sure that he made Tessa smile all night long. After a routine that consisted of him performing many astounding physical and vocal feats, Florian smiled as the crowd cheered before he looked directly at Tessa, who was clapping so much that her hands started to hurt.

Near the middle of the spectacular show, an announcement was made that Florian was looking for someone, and Tessa was so clueless that she didn't notice him approaching her. When she noticed a shadow looming over her table, she looked up before gasping when she saw Florian, who chuckled as he held out his hand for her. After she took his hand, he kissed it as he signaled for her to follow him, which she did before he led her onto the stage. As soon as they made it onstage, Florian looked down at Tessa and smiled at her before starting to sing a song, and she giggled at his charming voice before they began to dance. Their dance ended with Florian whispering a warning to Tessa, and she nodded before holding on tight as he dipped her romantically, much to everyone's applause and cheers.

After helping her get back onto her feet, Florian kissed Tessa's hand again before leading her offstage, where Ruby and the waiter were waiting for her. While the waiter congratulated Tessa for her splendid last-minute performance, Ruby told her that she'd be called onstage during the curtain call, all while Ruby would be holding her purse. After watching and waiting for the curtain call to happen, Tessa smiled as Florian approached her before giggling when he took her hand and winked at her, causing her to still not believe that she was standing beside him. When the time came for Florian to bow, he winked at her before they ran to center stage, where the crowd cheered as she let him bow before she curtsied. Just as she finished her curtsy, the choreographer rushed onto the stage before giving Tessa a larger bouquet than the one she gave Florian, causing her to blush as she accepted it before curtsying again on her way off the stage.

As soon as she was offstage, Tessa was guided to a special area backstage and told that Florian would be there shortly, to which she nodded before asking what was in store for her. After Ruby told Tessa that Florian was going to walk her to her hotel room, Tessa blushed at his modern-day chivalry before Ruby gave her back her purse. It was at that point when Tessa heard someone approaching, causing her to look before her knees weakened a little as Florian walked to her. Donning the same casual outfit that he wore when they met, Florian cooed Tessa's name in his smooth voice as her heart began to melt a little. After linking arms with her like a true gentleman, Florian told Ruby that he would be back later, and Ruby nodded before winking at him and saying goodbye to the two of them as they left the Moulin Rouge.