When All Is Said And Done

Chapter Three: May I Have This Dance?

The ballroom thrummed with energy as the party reached its peak. Frida and Görel made their way back inside, the noise and lights a stark contrast to the quiet contemplation of the terrace. Frida's eyes instinctively sought out Benny, and she found him across the room, still engaged in conversation with Lydia. The sight of them together stirred a mix of emotions in her, but she took a deep breath, reminding herself of Görel's words.

Görel squeezed her arm gently. "You got this. Remember, you're in control."

Frida nodded, giving her friend a grateful smile. As if sensing her presence, Benny looked up and their eyes met. He said something to Lydia, who glanced over at Frida with a slight frown. Lydia's grip on Benny's arm tightened, but he gently disentangled himself and started making his way toward Frida.

Lydia's displeasure was palpable, her expression hardening as Benny left her side. She didn't move to follow him, instead choosing to remain where she was, her gaze fixed on them.

"Frida," Benny said as he approached, his voice soft yet filled with a mix of hope and apprehension. "May I have this dance?"

Frida hesitated for a heartbeat, then nodded. "Yes, I'd like that. But wait... What about-"

Benny took her hand, stopping her mid-sentence and started leading her onto the dance floor. The music shifted to a slow, romantic melody, perfectly suited for their reunion. As they began to dance, Frida could feel Lydia's eyes on them, but she focused on Benny, trying to read the emotions playing across his face.

"I'm glad you agreed to dance with me," Benny said, his voice low as they swayed to the music. "I've missed you, Frida. More than I can put into words."

Frida looked straight at him, her eyes searching his. "I missed you too, Benny. But tonight has brought back a lot of memories, and not all of them are so easy to deal with."

Benny's grip tightened slightly on her hand. "I understand. I know I hurt you deeply, and I don't expect you to forget that. But seeing you again, the first time in such a long time, it makes me feel like we have an opportunity now to get to know each other again. I want to make things right, if you'll let me."

Frida's heart ached at his sincerity, but she kept her guard up. "It's not that simple, Benny. Trust doesn't come back overnight. You can't take my hand for one simple dance and expect things to magically get better. It's been ten years! Ten whole years since we've even had a proper conversation. And don't you remember how that last conversation played out?"

"I know," he said, his expression earnest. "I know that so much time has passed since then... but I want to get to know you again. Seeing you here, tonight, it stirs a feeling inside of me that i can't explain. But hear me out, we could do something together! Starting with something small. Like coffee. Would you be open to meeting me for coffee tomorrow? We could catch up, talk about anything and everything."

Frida considered his offer, the desire to understand his side of the story warring with her fear of reopening old wounds.

She looked at him and said with an apprehensive tone; "Won't your friend Lydia mind? You two seem awfully close."

Benny sighed, looking over his shoulder he saw Lydia by the bar. Her attention was now with one of the wealthy Swedish politicians he had been chatting with himself earlier that night. He enjoyed her company, there was no doubt about that. Lydia had been introduced to him by one of his many music industry connections. He was told that she was going to be "the greatest voice to come from Sweden in decades"... so Benny took her on. She had recorded a couple of songs for a new album project that Benny was working on, but still, he knew the truth. There was one voice of Sweden and it would never be Lydia. He had felt some kind of attraction to her, he couldn't deny that either. Perhaps he found her flirtatious nature alluring. He had to admit she was attractive, but again, Benny knew the truth.

He turned his attention back to Frida, the woman he had once held this close when he could call her his own. Her beauty was incomparable. Her talent was unmatched. Frida was more than some talented singer, she was, and is, a goddess. Even through the years and a few failed relationships later, Benny never lost sight of that. He was still dazzled by her beauty and the power of her presence. The power that she held as a singer, as an artist, as a woman... that power hadn't diminished one bit since he last saw her. He knew he wanted a chance with her again and he had to work for it. With a look of confidence in his eyes, he looked Frida in the eyes and said,

"I think Lydia, my friend, is currently being entertained by one of our next, bright, hopeful leaders" Benny said with a hint of sarcasm. Frida turned to look at Lydia who had her hand on the arm of that man that Benny referred to. She looked back to Benny as he said, "We are just friends and nothing more. It's none of her business to "mind" or not. The only thing that matters to me, Frida, is to take this opportunity to catch up with you. Can we do that?" Benny looked into her eyes with such a hopeful expression.

Finally, she nodded. "Coffee sounds nice. But let's take it slow."

Benny's face lit up with a smile, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes.

"Thank you, Frida. I'd really like that. And actually, I have an idea. Why don't you come to my studio in Skeppsholmen tomorrow evening? It's quieter, more private. We can talk without any interruptions, and maybe even take a walk by the water just like we used to. It would be... well... Just like old times."

Frida felt a pang of nostalgia at his words. The thought of being in a studio with Benny, surrounded by music, was both enticing and daunting. "Okay," she agreed after a moment. "Tomorrow evening at your studio."

As they continued to dance, the tension between them began to ease, replaced by a tentative connection. For a few moments, they allowed themselves to simply enjoy the music and the closeness, the past and future suspended in the present.

When the song ended, Benny reluctantly let go of her hand. "Thank you for this dance, Frida. It means more to me than you know."

Frida offered him a small smile. "Thank you for asking me."

With a smile just as charming as always, Benny walked away. He walked straight past Lydia, not even giving her a moment of attention as he started towards the doors leading out of the ballroom and headed to retrieve his coat.

Görel appeared at Frida's side, her eyes following Benny as he left. "Well, that was interesting... seeing you two dance again... it felt like a moment from the past! How are you feeling?"

Frida took a deep breath, her emotions still a swirl. "Hopeful. Scared. Maybe a bit excited. We're going to meet at his studio tomorrow evening to talk. I just hope I'm making the right decision."

Görel smiled, her eyes filled with encouragement. "You'll never know unless you try. And whatever happens, I'm here for you."

Frida nodded, her heart a mix of apprehension and anticipation. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of a new chapter in their unfinished melody.