9. Between Two Worlds

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He stood behind Petal as she sat in front of the mirror, her reflection a breathtaking vision of beauty and fragility. The dress she wore-a soft, flowing gown in his favorite shade of blue-fit her perfectly. The fabric shimmered under the dim light,
enhancing the delicate curves of her frame. Her long hair cascaded down her shoulders, the gentle breeze from the nearby window lifting a few strands, giving her an ethereal glow. She looked like something out of a dream, yet the tension in her shoulders and the nervous twitch of her fingers betrayed
her emotions.

She was nervous-terrified, even-but doing everything she could to mask it. Her eyes darted everywhere except to him, her lips pressed tightly together,and her breathing shallow. But Chase saw it all. He saw the way her hands rested stiffly in her lap, her fingers twisting the hem of the dress, her chest rising and falling rapidly as she struggled to keep calm. And it only made her more mesmerizing to him.

The thought of her being so vulnerable, yet sitting there, beautifully dressed up for him, ignited a warmth inside him. He, too, was dressed impeccably-his blue suit, perfectly matched with a crisp white shirt underneath, harmonized with her look.

As he watched her through the mirror, standing tall behind her, a soft smile touched his lips. He loved her in every way. He held a blindfold behind his back, the silk brushing against his fingers.

He stepped closer, his breath warm against her neck as he leaned in. "Relax," he whispered softly, trying to soothe the tension he knew she felt. His voice, though gentle, held the authority that always made her pause.

Her body tensed as he slipped the
blindfold over her eyes. She shifted, her
hands moving as if to resist, but she
didn't dare speak. Her breath hitched as
the fabric slid into place, shutting out
the world. For a moment, she thought of pulling it off, but his quiet, firm
command, "Don't," stopped her hand
mid air. She froze, obedient under his
gaze, her pulse quicken .

He took her hand, his grip firm but not
painful, and led her out of the room.

They halted. Chase released her hand
and moved behind her again. She stood
still, the blindfold pressing against her
eyelids, waiting. The tension built within her, her breaths quickening. Then, she felt him. His fingers brushed against the knot at the back of her head, and slowly, gently, he removed the blindfold.

Her eyes fluttered open, adjusting to the dim lighting. What lay before her was nothing short of magical. The room had been transformed-soft candlelight
flickered across the walls, casting
golden hues on the array of delicate
roses and flowers that adorned every
corner. Small, sparkling lights hung from above, creating an intimate, dreamlike atmosphere. The scent of fresh roses filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of the meal set on the beautifully arranged table. It was as if the world outside had vanished, leaving only this enchanting bubble of beauty.

Petal stood there, stunned by the scene.
Chase had done this all for her.

He stepped forward, his eyes never
leaving her face. He smiled warmly,
though his gaze held the intensity of his
unyielding love for her.  He reached for her hand, lifting it to his lips and pressing a soft kiss to her fingers. Her hand felt so small and delicate in his grasp, trembling slightly, but he pretended not to notice. He admired her silently for a moment, taking in every inch of her-the way her skin glowed under the candlelight, the soft curl of her hair, the slight quiver in her lips.

He led her slowly into the room, his
hand still firmly holding hers. The soft
melody of her favorite song began to
play, filling the space with a delicate
harmony. Chase pulled her closer, gently placing his hand on her waist, and began to sway. The music was slow, and SO were their movements-so slow that it felt like time itself had paused.
His eyes never left her. He danced with
such purpose, as if every step, every
movement, was a declaration of his
love. He could feel her heartbeat raced,  his thumb stroking her skin through the
fabric of her dress. Her hands trembled
in his, and she couldn't bring herself to
meet his gaze.

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