Dancing with Artem Chigvintsev: Part 1

23

The next few weeks were the best weeks of my life. Artem and I were on top of the pack of professional dancers competing on the show. Val and Jenna were eliminated last week and so it is Artem and I, Julianne and Derek, Whitney and Keo, and Maks and Peta going to the semi finals. We have had three dances to choreograph this week and we all are tired and beyond stressed but I couldn't be more grateful for getting to share the spotlight with my wonderful fiancé.

Other than dancing for all hours of the day nonstop and tiring ourselves out, Artem and I invited the semi finalists over for dinner at our house before the big show tomorrow. We were all nervous and knew that anything could happen because of the immense talent in the room.

As we were chowing down on the amazing steak and potatoes that Artem cooked up, Maks spoke.

"So have you two set a date yet?" He asked

Maks and I have not spoke again about our conversation the night of my engagement, we actually haven't talked much about anything at all. I was letting our friendship down by spending every waking moment that I could with Artem. I could tell that he was still bitter, still missing out on the same memory he wanted to have with me before our relationship had ended.

"No." I said "we have nothing planned yet but we know we want a small wedding and for it to be sooner than later. We have a few dates to check and see if they work."

"How soon are you talking?" Peta asked

"We are thinking this spring." Artem said.

"Why don't you just get married now." Whitney suggested. "Like I have said before, you guys don't need to wait.."

Maks tensed up. "Next weekend we are heading back home." He said "what are you going to do being on opposite sides of the country."

"..I'm staying here." I hesitated to tell him. I knew he was going to be upset and wants me back at his studio.

"Oh boy." Peta said ready for Maks to start exploding. To all of our surprise, he kept his composure at first.

"You've changed in the last few weeks." He said "what happened to the New York girl who wanted to be back in her city, what about Tony and our tour this holiday season."

"I'm sorry, Maks." I said "I just can't make Artem leave this wonderful house and his Harley and the beautiful weather here just to go to a brutally cold winter in New York."

He rolled his eyes.

"Have fun Emma." He said "I guess I will see you in what two years?"

"Maks!" Peta said trying to stop him from causing any trouble.

"You know what? This is all your fault, you're an arrogant Russian." He spat at Artem with his words.

"Woah woah woah, don't attack my integrity." Artem fired back. "I got the girl, I love her and she's going to be my wife. You lost."

"Artem!" I said. The girls were all keeping their mouths shut, afraid to get in the middle of the argument.

Maks swung at Artem and Artem swung back, then they were wrestling on the floor in the corner of the dining room.

"Stop it!" Peta and I were yelling.

Keo and Derek stood up to pull them off of each other.

I was so disappointed in Maks for instigating that fight. Why is he so against Artem and I getting married? At this point I don't even know if I want that kind of negativity in my life. It's funny how fast things change. One day you're sitting in Central Park with your best friend and the next you are wondering what went wrong to make you never want to speak to them again.