The Forbidden Manual// Denis Stoff

f o r t y - f o u r

"She left us here." He shrugged. "Let's have some fun, come on." He extended his hand towards me and the silky skin on his palm was like it was inviting me to caress it. I took it, even perfectly knowing that I shouldn't have done it. He got me up from my seat and without letting my hand go he drove me where all the couples were dancing, I felt like cinderella when the prince glides her through the multitude of people, takes her by the hand and then takes her to the dance floor, while everyone looked at them lost. I laughed at my comparison, because nobody gave us the minimal attention.

He stopped in the middle of the dance floor, and placed his other hand on my waist, while I put mine on his back; he tightened more my hand and he began to move with delicacy on the dance floor and I followed his steps.

I could see my reflection in his hazelnut colored eyes next to their own glow. He smiled at me, making the interior where my heart was to hammer against my chest loudly. I had never danced to piano music, but now it was like being in my own fairy tale.

He made me lay my head on his shoulder and my cheek graze the fabric of his suite while my nose delightly took in his fragrance so unique and manly. I felt his head against mine and his breathing moved my hair, while we kept dancing. This moment was perfect, although it shouldn't be mine; but Dasha's.

The thought tightened my heart and groan in a sly manner. I raised my head and looked at Denis, who also looked back at me, he smiled an amused smile. His arm pulled me in more, while we kept spinning under the light of the lights, taking us through the soft melody of the piano.

I couldn't avoid lose myself in his eyes due to the distance that was between us, I wanted to ignore the obtrusive beating of my loud heart and only concentrate in what I was doing. A simple dance, only that, this what it meant to me.

His breathing caressed my cheek and the soft touch of his hand on my waist felt like he was caressing it; that made me remember what happened a couple hours ago. Even if I wanted to get away, I couldn't; simply because I wouldn't have the strength too. I laid my head against his shoulder once again, since looking at him so closely freed the illogical thoughts in my mind. I enveloped myself in his fragrance and closed my eyes to transport myself to another place. I kept them closed for a couple minutes, while my feet kept moving to his.

My lips became a smile when I once again felt his head against mine and then I slowly opened my eyes; from afar, Dasha's face appeared in between the crowd and her sight lost on us two. She noticed that I saw her and her lips tensed into a smile, but I know her to well to know something else was going on. I stood still, like if I had seen a ghost. And then Dasha walked into the commotion til I lost her.

Denis noticed the tension in my body and stopped.

"Something wrong?" He asked.

"No" I muttered. "I'll be back" I got out of his arms and I ran to find my best friend.

How dumb can I be, how could I dance with her boyfriend in front of her? I was abusing of my luck. I opened way in between the people, desperate to find her, until I noticed her outside, looking at the sky.

Shit, I had hurt her, and now my heart pounded worryingly.

I went outside with hesitant steps and instantly the cold air grazed my uncovered skin. I got near her.

"Dash, I..." What kind of an apology do I owe her?,I knew I had to give her one but, how?

She turned at the sound of my voice and looked at me oddly. It wasn't a look of resentment, anger or any similar feeling; simply strange. She smiled.

"Do you think it would be a good idea to leave?" She let out and my eyes opened like plates.

Oh no. She'd run away again and all because of my fault.

"Leave?! Dasha, why? Listen, it's not what you think!" I mumbled, running over my words.

"What are you talking about?" She laughed, but the amusement wouldn't reach her eyes.

"I know it looked wrong but, I swear there's nothing between Denis and I" I pleaded.

"What?" She laughed again. "Kenadee, what are you talking about?"

"You saw us dancing and ..." I stuttered, and now confused.

"It was just a dance, Kenadee" she said. "That has nothing wrong in it."

"Oh...then, what are you talking about then?" I asked, feeling very dumb.

"Mr. Vittore wants me to accompany him to the inauguration of the new hospital in Verona. I'm the best nurse que has" he explained.

"Oh" I exclaimed as I understood everything. "But, you'll leave?" I inquired, now capturing her last comment.

"It will only be two days, but I don't know yet" She shrugged.

"Why not? I mean, it's a good idea. Will they pay you?"

"Yeah, it'll be like if I was working."

"Then that's great" I said. "When will you go?"

"Tomorrow night."

"What? That soon?"

She shrugged one more time.

"It's because I haven't decided yet. Especially, it's hard to leave you all; you, Denis, Kir.

I mentally smiled when she considered Kir.

"It will only be two days, Dash. But, do you want to go?"

"I'd like to" She nodded.

"Then go."

"I need to also tell..."

The door opened and from it came out the young dancer that held me in his arms a couple instants ago.

"...Denis", Dasha finished,

"Dasha, here you are" He said, and then looked at me; like if the person he was actually looking for was me since his words had sounded hollow.

"It's good that you have appeared, Denis" She said. "I have something to tell you."

"About what?" He inquired.

"I'm making a two day trip to Verona with Mr. Vittore for the inauguration of the new hospital" He announced.

"When are you leaving?" The question that came out from those pink full lips of his sounded nowhere near nice.

"Tomorrow night."

"Oh. Good."

I stayed silence, I didn't know if it was my imagination or had there conversation held no heat, it was a cold chat, like if there were mad with each other and nobody had apologized. I also had noticed how Dasha hadn't discussed this with Denis, instead she had already made a decision and only let him know about it.

"Guys, let's go inside; it's cold here" I muttered, giving a double meaning to my words.

"Of course" Dasha said.

We went in and instantly took Denis hand, thing that made the little creature, that had disappeared, give signals of life. But this time it didn't seem jealous, even though it was, but it seemed sad. I had to understand the he belonged to Dasha and nothing was going to come between them.

"Shall we dance?" Denis asked her and my heart clenched in pain.

"Of course" She accepted.

"I'm going to sit over there" I said, signaling that place I had once been,

Dasha gave me a smile full of joy while Denis, didn't look at me.

Am I crying because of my period or because of the story? It's definitely both.