Back to Black

Party Time

I spent the night dancing with Gabriel and Sean, enjoying the band's music, my body buzzing, making me think back to that glass of champagne Gabriel had given me. Gabriel had picked out a simple A-Line dress in a soft blue satin, made more sophisticated by the beautiful embroidered flowers across the skirt and sequin and bead embellishments artfully added on in places that made the dress shimmer. He had paired it with some stylish metallic silver ballet style pumps, so the look was effortlessly classy and young.

I twirled around to the beat, my hand in Sean's and my skirt flared out like a parachute. I threw my head back to laugh in glee, and beamed at him. It was moments like these with the boys that made everything worth it, and made the imprint of my stepmother feel like a distant memory.

I glanced over at Victor on the other side of the room, talking to men in suits and women in cocktail dresses and heavy make up, and noticed his arm was linked through his mother's Jasmine. It looked uncomfortable, like she was pinning him to her side. Sang felt bad. It wasn't fair that Victor didn't get to enjoy his own birthday. From what she saw of his face, every time the person looked away from him, his smile dropped and he looked miserable.

"It's a shame I haven't been able to dance with Victor tonight" she thought aloud, looking back at Sean's face.

He smiled at her and leaned in to talk, "True, but that means I've got you all to myself" Sean teased, winking. The action revealed Gabriel behind his shoulder, dancing with a young girl in a yellow dress who was standing on his feet.

I smiled. Both Sean and Gabriel were so cute sometimes!

Before I could respond, a gentle squeeze on my shoulder interrupted our next step, and I glanced at Sean's face to ascertain who it might be in that millisecond instant.

His eyes though, were directed behind me, and wore a sparkle of amusement. I pulled away to turn and look and Mr Blackbourne stood there, looking drop dead gorgeous in a black tuxedo.

"Well don't you look dashing Owen" Sean quipped with a smile, "It almost as if you are trying to impress someone..."

"Don't be silly Dr Green, this is a black tie event and I have dressed accordingly." Mr Blackbourne looked pointedly at Sean and glanced over his clothes scrupulously, his eyebrow raising slightly. The action made him look less serious and peculiar. I giggled behind my hand.

He turned to me and took my hand away from my face by my fingers, before pulling it towards his own. My heartbeat slowed as he kissed my knuckles softly while looking up at my face, his eyes pearing over the rim of his polished glasses.

His steel grey eyes held a heated gaze towards my face and the entire action sent a spark from my knuckles all the way down to my core, and butterflies to my stomach making me have a physical reaction that I covered by straightening up my posture.

"I...." I stuttered, distracted by the lingering caress of his lips.

"I'd love too"

In a movement I couldn't comprehend, Mr Blackbourne straightened up like a poker while pulling my body to his with the scant grip he had on my hand, so that we adopted the pose of a ballroom style dance. From this close I had to look up to see his face and found an expression full of emotion, his eyes appearing like car headlights shining with happiness. I could stare at him all day. There was always something to discover if you looked hard enough.

For a second he held my gaze and softly whispered, "Beautiful." So quietly, I barely caught he had said it over the music.

As he registered me staring he reigned in whatever he was feeling so the steely gaze he so casually adopted was back in place. I was left flushing from the compliment, so that my cheeks, chest and neck felt warm.

"I wanted to tell you in person that from this evening I will be away for a week on a side mission". His words jolted me out of my reverie and I registered what he said.

"What?" I looked at him in shock.

"What for??? And why so long?"

The boys hadn't been on a mission this long before, so the news had completely surprised me.

"Do you have to do it? Why would the academy make you do an extra mission on top of what you're doing with the school?" I rambled, stressed at the news.

"Miss Sorenson." Mr Blackbourne addressed me calmly. My eyes searched his face for answers and I stopped asking questions.

A look of approval was shot my way, and I vaguely registered we were still dancing, my attention completely on him. "I can't regale any of the specifics unfortunately, but, it is to my understanding that no one else can intervene that has the required skillset to help. Also, I believe the matter is urgent and of a delicate nature which explains the timing. As for the mission at the school, and let's not forget you, Miss Sorenson, as both are important to me, I feel sure that each will be in good hands."

I blushed at the compliment and looked down at his chest to hide it slightly. Mr Blackbourne thought I was important and beautiful???

I continued to listen, "Kota is more than capable as team lead to guide things for a week and Mr Buble has been appointed as your manager for this very reason. So you see, as long as you behave there should be no issues."

Looking up in shock, I found a millimetre smile staring back me. Did Mr Blackbourne just make a joke?

"I'll try if you do." I quipped, mirroring his joviality, winking.

His millimetre smile stayed in place and I relaxed in his arms, which had been leading me around the dance floor to a classical piece. Despite never dancing so formally before, in his arms I had not once even thought about my feet. I felt like Eliza Bennett dancing with her Mr Darcy, from Pride and Prejudice.

The band changed tempo indicating a transition into another song and he led me off the dancefloor, holding my hand, towards a circular table dotted with empty glasses and rose petals.

"Will we still be able to talk over the phone?" I asked him, thinking back to his offer of support at all times and glanced to my left to watch him.

His smile dropped.

"Ah, that is a valid point Miss Sorenson. While my offer to talk is always available I must clarify that I should not be taking any calls that aren't an emergency as they could compromise my position or safety. I will have to ask you to redirect any queries you have to Dr Green or any of the boys, unless it is only something I can answer. I'm deeply sorry about this."

He guided me to a seat and poured me a glass of water.

"Oh, it's okay I guess" I softly spoke, my stomach dropping at the news. I picked up my glass and sipped some.

"Take care of Victor." He replied, and I looked up to see him walking away, squeezing through the crowds.

He was leaving already!!!? This was terrible!

Could I survive a week without Mr Blackbourne?

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
AUTHORS NOTE:

Hey guys! I hoped you are enjoying the story so far because it's about to become so much juicier!!

I know I posted a short chapter yesterday, but it was written at 3am as I couldn't sleep! Anyway I realised, I didn't want to leave it there so.... voila! Bonus chapter!

If you like what you have read so far please don't forget to vote, as despite writing this more for myself than others, I really appreciate your support and constructive feedback.

Anyway take care, and remember to stay original 😘✌️