Bound to Us (Bound Duology Book#1)

The Last Dance

The air buzzed with laughter and music as Emma walked hand-in-hand with Ilario into the softly lit ballroom, where prom was in full swing. This was their night, the night they'd both been waiting for—filled with the promise of all they'd been through and everything that lay ahead. The past few months had felt like a rollercoaster, each twist and turn drawing them closer. And now, under the shimmering lights and among friends, Emma felt a quiet certainty. This moment was theirs.

As they walked further into the room, people around them turned to look, some smiling, some whispering, but all fading into the background for her. She only had eyes for Ilario, who was dressed in a sleek suit, his usual playful grin softened by something deeper. He met her gaze with that same warmth that had crept into their every glance and every touch over the last few weeks. She could hardly believe how far they'd come—from enemies to friends to... whatever they were now.

Ilario's hand tightened around hers as he led her onto the dance floor. "So, Emma," he murmured, leaning close, his voice warm in her ear. "Can I have this dance?"

She grinned, giving him a teasing look. "You don't really have to ask, do you?"

He chuckled, pulling her close as they began to sway to the soft rhythm of the song. "Maybe not. But for you, I'll ask a hundred times."

They moved together, each step in sync as if they'd been dancing like this forever. His arms wrapped around her felt steady and grounding, and the way he looked down at her, eyes bright with happiness, made her feel like she was the only girl in the world. She closed her eyes, letting herself fall into the moment, allowing her heart to soak in every beat, every smile, every unspoken word between them.

After a while, they drifted off the dance floor and found a quiet balcony overlooking the city. The stars twinkled above, casting a gentle glow over the world below, and the soft murmur of the party faded to a distant hum. Ilario pulled her close, wrapping his jacket around her shoulders to ward off the chill.

"I still can't believe you're here with me," he murmured, his fingers brushing a stray strand of hair from her face. "Sometimes, it feels like a dream. One I don't want to wake up from."

Emma smiled, her hand resting on his chest. "If it's a dream, then it's one we're both having. I never thought this would happen, you know. Us."

He gave a soft laugh, his eyes filled with affection. "I didn't either. But here we are. And I wouldn't change a thing."

She took a deep breath, feeling the weight of all they'd been through settle comfortably in her heart. "Ilario... no matter what happens after this, or where we go, I want you to know that you're important to me. More than anyone I've ever met."

His expression softened, and he cupped her face, his gaze locked on hers. "Emma, I—" He hesitated, then smiled, his thumb tracing her cheek. "I think I knew from the first time we argued over that stupid project that you were different. I was too stubborn to admit it, but... you got under my skin, and now you're the one thing I don't want to let go of."

Emma's heart swelled, and in that moment, she knew she'd carry this feeling with her for the rest of her life. They were just two high school seniors, standing on the edge of so much uncertainty, but here, in his arms, she felt a rare kind of peace, a feeling of belonging she'd only dreamed of before.

He leaned down, pressing his forehead to hers, and whispered, "Whatever happens, Emma, I'm here. For real."

They stayed like that, holding each other, until the last strains of music drifted out from the ballroom. Finally, as the night began to fade, they walked away from the balcony, fingers entwined, their laughter blending with the first hints of dawn.

The night had ended, but something bigger had begun—a connection forged through rivalry and friendship, growing stronger with every challenge they'd faced together. And though they didn't know what the future held, they knew they'd carry this night with them, wherever life took them.

The last chapter of this book im so saadd,

Bisou,