Cursed Love: His Beloved Dancer |18+|

Chapter 1 - An Offer For You

2024.03.19

In a dimly lighted room, only the sound of the Holter monitor echoed.

A thin boy lay on the hospital bed unconscious, numerous tubes connected to his body, while a young lady sat beside him, clasping his hand in hers.

A few tears escaped her eyes as the thought of losing her only family crossed her mind.

"I didn't mean it when I said I hate you. I can't lose you, Arian," she whispered repeatedly, trying to keep her hopes alive.

He won't die. He CAN'T die.

"You can't leave me too," she firmly stated, grimacing at the small boy's bony hands, her grip tightening around them.

When did he turn so skinny?..

The knock on the door caused the young lady to jolt from her seat, as she quickly erased the tears running down her cheeks. She didn't wish to be seen in such a miserable state by the nurses and doctors.

"Diya," a familiar deep voice spoke, causing the light-brown-haired young woman to raise an eyebrow in confusion when she glanced at the familiar manly figure.

"Rudra?..." Diya whispered, her barely audible voice echoing in the small cabin.

Although the man before her looked nothing like the man she once knew, he was undoubtedly Rudra.

His once dark hair was now blonde, and his dark brown eyes were now a deep blue— like the depth of the dark yet clear blue ocean. His sharp jawline and facial features remained the same; his cat-like eyes and his sharp nose along with his long eyelashes Diya could notice even from afar.

"Samuel Arsène," the man firmly spoke, his eyes locked into hers.

Diya slowly shifted her gaze away from his.

"Why are you here?" she demanded in an angered tone.

She didn't want to meet him. Not now, not ever.

Her confused yet angry face expressed the questions popping into her mind. Although Samuel could read her puzzled expression, he chose to ignore it.

"I can pay for the surgery."

Diya scoffed.

Who does he think he is? Some God? Who can fix anything?

"I don't need your help," Diya abruptly rejected, her tone firm and determined as she glared at him, her violet pupil glowing in the dit lightened room.

"Diya."

The tall blonde-haired man approached the young lady hesitantly. As he placed his hand on her shoulder, Diya swatted his hand away roughly.

"Leave, Mr. Samuel Arsène."

Although her voice trembled, her brown eyes remained steady as she looked into his deep blue ones.

Samuel clenched his fist. He wasn't a person anyone could refute, yet Diya rejected him harshly.

"You won't be able to make it. You need money within two days. Surely, you won't go back to that place, right?"

At the mention of that, Diya's expression darkened.

"You—" She halted, swallowing her words.

Screams echoed in her mind as she tried to let the dark memories vanish.

It had already been years.

"Why are you here anyways, Mr. Arsène?" Diya demanded, regaining her composure. "I don't remember contacting you."

"I have an offer for you," the tall man slowly approached her while the short young woman stepped backward.

"What?" she asked, curiously raising an eyebrow.

"A contract marriage. You marry me, and I handle all the expenses needed for Rian's surgery."

"Don't," Diya clenched her fist, suppressing her anger although she dug her nails into her palm.

"What?" Samuel frowned, failing to hear what she had just said.

"Don't call him that." The brown-haired young woman glared at the man who stood before her.

"Why not? I used to call him that after all." Samuel nonchalantly stated, although puzzled by Diya's demeanour.

"Exactly. You USED to," Diya emphasized on the past tense of her sentence. "In the past. You might have the habit of living in the past, but I don't, Mr. Arsène."

Samuel was taken aback at how formally Diya addressed him. At first, he believed she would drop the formalities within a few minutes however her behavior only turned colder as time passed.

He didn't expect four years to weigh so heavily over the memories they had shared together.

"Diya," the blonde-haired man gently pressed his large hand against her right cheek, looking into her eyes. "Just accept the contract and everything will be fine."

"Who are you to fix everything in my life?" Diya locked her gaze into his and gently brushed his cold hand away from her warm skin.

Samuel clenched his fist and remained calm.

Although the circumstances were completely different, it oddly reminded him of the first time he had met her.

A small chuckle escaped his mouth.

Diya couldn't help but wonder what he found funny.

"Mr. Arsene-" Diya was interrupted by the sound of a nurse coughing at the entrance.

It was obvious the nurse was trying to notify the people in the room of her presence.

"Will you step outside of the room? The patient needs rest and I need to perform some tests on him," the nurse stated, curling her lips into a smile.

Without saying a word, Diya stepped outside of the cabin, followed by Samuel.

"Diya, just agree to it," Samuel sighed, brushing his fingers through his hair, and pulling his bangs on the tip of his head.

Diya glanced behind for a second before quickly turning away.

"I can handle this on my own. Just as I have done so far."

"Are you mad at me for what happened four years ago?"

"Mad?" Diya scoffed. "Oh lord, how can I be mad at someone I don't even know?"

Just as Diya spoke those words, a piercing thunder was heard.

Shortly, the sound of rain dripping on the asphalted road was audible as Samuel remained silent due to shock from hearing such words from the young woman.

"We met on a rainy day," Samuel mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Diya shook her head in disagreement.

"We have never met, Mr. Arsène," she forced a smile and hurriedly walked into the women's restroom, slamming the door behind her.

Her back collided against the door, tears escaping her eyes just as a wall fell. She was no longer able to control herself.

She tried her best to her composure and remain strong before that man but he was also the first man who had broken the walls she built up around her, entering her life and heart.