Roses and Flames (ongoing)

12. Thea

"…and she was like, oh shit! I forgot to bring the file," Logan was saying about how they got a funny client. I was laughing so much that my eyes became watery. I came with Emma at The Horizon, but she's nowhere to be found now. I didn’t want to start a conversation with someone new, it's stressful. I tried, but all they talked about was how the fashion industry was developing and all. I actually planned to go home until I saw Logan. He wasn’t the only familiar face I saw. But, never mind.

Our attention was suddenly directed to the podium, where the host Marilyn Kane announced it was time for dance. Everyone started pairing up as Logan and I observed everyone finally looking at each other.

"Shall we?" he asked, offering his hand.

I was about to take it when a firm but gentle hand wrapped around my wrist. I turned to see who it was. Tyler Anderson.

Before I could say something he told me something to Logan tapped his shoulders with the other hand and gently pulled me to a more spacious floor. He turned to face me and said, "Dance with me, love."

Stunned, I stood there frozen for a moment. He wants me to dance with him? Why? He came with his so called Not-my-girlfriend date here, why can't he ask her? And why does he always have to call me love? When I entered this hall, the first thing I noticed was him smiling at her while she adjusted his tie. What a wonderful couple they were. And yet, he says they aren't dating.

"What if I don’t want to?" I asked, heart beating frantically suddenly realizing how close we were. Heat crawled up on my cheeks and nose. Can a person blush as frequently as me?

"Don’t lie. Your eyes tell me the opposite," he whispered, sliding one of his hands around my waist, the other taking my hand, keeping it in his chest and then holding my other hand. Electric sparks tingled every cell of my skin, controlling the shiver which came as a result. I'm not gonna give him the satisfaction that I'm affected by him, not visibly anyway.

Knowing our faces would be mere inches apart if I faced him, I didn’t. I gazed at the space which separated us.

The music is soothing and perfect for getting lost in your thoughts.

Brain, constantly reminded me that he was here with a date, where Heart, the fool, wanted to remain in this exact moment. No disturbances, no fear, nothing. Just us, dancing to this tune.

My thoughts were interrupted when he took his hand from my waist and spun in a circle swiftly as the tune went to another pitch. Wrapping his arm around my waist again, except this time, it was more firm, more close, more heat. My heart, beating wildly as my body pressed into his torso. I tilted my head back and looked into his dark brown eyes, our gazes locked. Something in his eyes apart from his customary amused or confident self, made me forget how to breathe. His gaze came to my lips for a split second and back to my eyes. Had I not been looking at him so attentively, I would have missed that. Slowly, his lips curved at the ends, giving rise to a cute smile. This man knew how to pull cuteness from him, where was he hiding all this?

A kaleidoscope of butterflies invaded my stomach at the sight.

A laughter from behind me made that adorable moment break.

Tyler mouthed something grimly to the man behind, understanding I was back to reality as I looked away from him.

What am I doing here?

I excused myself to use the restroom and walked away as his gaze fell on my back.

When I entered the restroom I exhaled a breath which I wasn’t aware I was holding. I pressed my back to the wall thinking the way he looked at me, the way he smiled. What if he is doing all this just for fun? What if it's just a pastime for him? As much as I don’t want to admit it, I am clearly not having fun. I-

I sighed, closing my eyes and resting my head on the wall. This isn't right. He is with his date and I shouldn’t feel these things. I know I'm overthinking,  but I can't help it.

I can't like someone when a possible heartbreak is lurking around. I can't like someone when he doesn’t reciprocate the feelings. I can't like someone because I'm too afraid of this.

"Thea?"

I opened my eyes to see Emma, concern in her eyes. I was breathing too fast, almost panting.

"What happened?" she asked.

I shook my head, breathing deeply and said, "It's okay now." my voice was no more than a whisper.

Emma took my hand in hers and felt the coldness in mine. She squeezed my hand, giving me a reassuring look and made our way to the hall.

At the other end of the podium were round tables surrounded by a dozen chairs looking elegant. We took the ones near the podium. I glanced to see who all were sitting at the same table. No. I can't sit here. Not with this lovey-dovey couple. I took a seat across from theirs.

"Thea. Meet Mila. I told you about her, didn’t I? Our talented photographer." Emma chuckled, pointing at the beautiful woman sitting beside me.

I opened my mouth in confusion. I have seen her somewhere. Mila's face gave the exact confusion as mine.

Wait, isn't she the one from the elevator back from the office?

"The elevator!" we said in unison. Laughing lightly, recognizing each other, we introduced ourselves.

"Mila Anderson," she said.

I looked between Tyler and Mila. Anderson? As in Tyler's…

"Yeah, he is my brother," she said, noticing my surprised face.

"Oh shit. I'm really sorry, about what I said that day. I-"

She laughed and said, "No, no. Don’t be. We both know it's true." whispering the last sentence. I laughed at her reply.

Mila introduced us to the rest of the people sitting at the table. Two of Tyler's friends, Michael Young and Ethan Walsh, and his date, Ana Turner.

After an hour or so, I went back to my usual self, avoiding the frequent stares from Tyler, laughing and talking as Ana excused herself to go home saying some emergency came.

Everyone was immersed in their own conversation as I asked Tyler, "It seems you don’t make a good date, Mr. Anderson. See how Ms. Turner went." I teased him.

"Some emergency," he said, shrugging.

"Typical dumping technique," I quipped.

Tilting his head, he stared at me, not responding to what I said. His gaze was straight into my eyes. My heartbeat rose for the second time this night. I looked away before my mask slipped.

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