Shadows of the Spotlight

Chapter 55

We spend the next few minutes just swaying to the music, lost in the gentle rhythm of our slow dance. Arc holds me close, his hand firm yet careful on my waist, while my fingers rest lightly on his shoulder. The warmth of his touch, the way he moves so effortlessly, makes it easy to follow his lead. For a moment, it feels as if the world has faded away, leaving only the two of us beneath the vast, starry dome.

Eventually, Arc slows our movements, his gaze dropping to my ankle. "We shouldn't exert your leg too much," he murmurs, his voice soft with concern. Before I can protest, he guides me back to the table and helps me sit down.

A cool breeze filters in through the slight opening of the glass dome, and instinctively, I wrap my arms around myself. Arc notices immediately. Without hesitation, he shrugs off his jacket and gently drapes it over my shoulders. The warmth of it, mixed with his lingering scent, sends an unexpected shiver down my spine. I glance up at him, but he only gives me a small smile, as if this was the most natural thing in the world.

We continue talking for hours, our conversation flowing effortlessly, shifting from lighthearted moments to deeper ones. Somewhere in between, I forget about time, forget about everything except the way Arc listens, the way he responds with such sincerity. It's only when I catch sight of the clock on my phone that I realize it's already past midnight.

Reluctantly, we decide to leave. Arc takes my hand as we make our way back to the elevator, where the bodyguards are already waiting for us. As we step inside, I pull his jacket tighter around me, still cocooned in its warmth.

Back in the car, Arc doesn't hesitate to pull me close again, wrapping his arm around me as I settle into his embrace. His warmth seeps into me, his heartbeat steady beneath my ear. The city lights flicker outside, casting soft glows through the tinted windows.

I close my eyes, letting exhaustion settle over me, but more than that, I let myself savor this moment—the quiet, the closeness, and the undeniable feeling of being wrapped in the comfort of him.

By the time we reach our hotel, it's nearly 2 a.m. The lobby is eerily quiet at this hour, the only sounds being the soft hum of the elevator as we step inside. The bodyguards remain with us until we reach our floor, but once the doors slide open, they take their leave, leaving just the two of us.

The hallway is dimly lit, the main lights turned off for the night, leaving only the soft glow of floor lights guiding our way. The silence between us is comfortable, filled with the lingering traces of the night we just shared. Arc walks beside me, his steps unhurried, as if drawing out these last few moments before the night truly ends.

When we reach my room, I stop at the door, turning to face him. He doesn't move any closer, keeping himself just outside the threshold, as if the door itself is a line he cannot cross. His gaze lingers on it for a moment before shifting to me.

"Good night," he says, his voice quieter than usual, almost reluctant.

I nod, offering him a small smile. "Good night, Arc."

He waits as I step inside, his presence still strong behind me. It's only when I slowly close the door that he finally turns away.

Leaning against the door for a brief second, I exhale, my mind replaying every moment of the night—the breathtaking view, our conversations, the way his hand had felt against mine as we danced. A soft, almost dazed smile tugs at my lips.

Shrugging off Arc's jacket, I casually toss it onto the couch and head further inside. But the moment I do, I pause, realization hitting me—I never gave it back to him.

Without thinking, I grab the jacket again, rushing back to the door. My feet move quickly across the carpeted hallway as I make my way to his room, my heartbeat slightly unsteady for reasons I don't fully understand.