Romance on the Dance Floor - Ch. 10

I turned around and found Michael standing next to me.
"Oh, hi Michael" I greeted him with a hug and we quickly started dancing. We had a great time together. And I even forgot about Sean for a while.

At the end of the night, after receiving a text message from Sean telling me to meet him at his car, Michael insisted on walking me there. He was acting strange. I had the feeling he was trying to say something. He stopped walking and came to stand right in front of me.
"Look Layla, there is something that I have been dying to ask you but I don’t know if…."
"What are you trying to say, Michael?" I asked.
"I would like to take you out sometimes. And I mean just the two of us, like…"
"A date?" I finished for him.
"Yes, a date" he was looking at me like he was searching for the answer in my eyes.
I took a deep breath, not knowing how I could reject him. I knew this day would come but I was kind of hoping it wouldn’t be today.
"Look, Layla, it’s just a date, I assure you, you won’t regret it."
I was ready to say that I couldn’t but then I saw Sean next to his car kissing that girl intensely. He was clearly enjoying it. Why wouldn’t I enjoy some fun with the opposite sex? Besides Michael was a very attractive guy and nice too. Maybe dating him would help me forget about Sean.
"You know what. I would love to" I said. I saw a smile slowly appear on his face making it reveal his dimples.
"So how does tomorrow sound for you?"
"Great" I replied.
"You just need to give me your address, so I can pick you up."
"I prefer to meet somewhere. I live far away from here and it’s kind of difficult to explain where it’s situated." I couldn’t give him Sean’s address or mine. He didn’t know my story and I preferred it stayed this was. It was already complicated enough.
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah, it’ll make things easier for both us" I replied, hoping he wouldn’t ask questions.
"Okay, whatever you like. I’ll send you a text message tomorrow with the details" He then gave me a soft kiss on my cheek.
"I’m really looking forward to it" he said softly.
"Me too, see you tomorrow then" I said. He nodded and walked away.

I walked towards the car were I found Sean leaning against his car. The girl wasn’t there anymore.
We both got in the car and drove away. It was quiet for a while.
"Nice battle" he said. I had the impression he wanted to know how I felt about losing against him.
"Yeah, it was. Guess I couldn’t compete with your endurance." I smiled, wanting him to know that I was a good sport about this.
"Well the early morning runs really pay off" he answered.
It was quiet again. I looked at him quickly and saw him frown his eyebrows while watching the road. He looked like he had something in his mind.
I looked away again.

"You were talking to that Michael guy, right?" Sean asked with his gaze still on the road.
"Yes" I answered.
"So he asked you out on a date" I quickly turned to look at him.
"How do you know that?" I asked.
"It was obvious, the poor guy looked so happy about your answer"
"You were observing us"
"I wasn’t observing. I was waiting for you and I just happen to notice it. That’s all" he said with a lot of self confidence.
"So you chose to settle for less" he said.
"Excuse me?" I was shocked by his remark. "First of all, I’m not settling at all. And Secondly, Michael isn’t ‘less’. He happens to be a great guy".
"I didn’t say he wasn’t, I’m just saying that if you were actually interested in him, you would’ve dated him a long time ago." He was right, I wasn’t fully interested in him and maybe I did agree to date him for the wrong reasons, but how dare he criticize my love life, while he was the one jumping from a girl to another. I felt my blood rise.
"Can you stop criticize everything I do."
"I’m not criticizing" he sighed. "You know what, just forget what I said. I don’t know why I even bother" he said. We didn’t say a word for the entire road.

*********************

The next morning I joined Kate in the kitchen who was preparing breakfast. She wasn’t wearing a suit this time.
"Well, well, not working today?" I asked while standing next to her at the kitchen island.
"Nope, today is my day off so I thought we should have breakfast together" she replied.
"You need some help?" I asked
"You can set the table if you want?"
"Sure" I replied
Sean came in. "Good morning" he said, without looking at me. I guess the ‘good morning’ wasn’t meant for me.
He helped me set the table. His distant behaviour made me wonder what I did wrong. I had the right to say what I said last night. He was the one criticizing me. And why was he so mad about that. It’s not like we never argued before. Actually it’s all we ever did. But this time it was different.

We were sitting at the table when I suddenly received a text message.
"I’m sorry" I said while grabbing my phone out of my pocket. It was Michael, giving me the details of the date. I smiled. I looked up and saw Sean looking at me. He then quickly lowered his gaze to his plate.
"So Layla, any plans for tonight?" Kate asked.
"I’m going out on a date" I replied.
"Ooh, really, that’s nice" She had a big smile on her face while moving her chair closer to mine. "So who is it? Is he hot?" she asked
"You got to be kidding me" Sean said while looking at his mother.
"What? I miss having a girl talk. You don’t mind, Layla?"
"No, of course not" I was actually happy to see her so interested in my life. It’s not like I had someone to talk to about these kinds of things.
"So, he’s a friend of mine and yes he’s very cute." I continued. Sean was leafing through a men’s magazine, ignoring our conversation.
"So where is he taking you?" she asked curiously.
"He said he wants to surprise me, so I have no idea."
"A surprise. Exciting" she couldn’t stop smiling.
"Exciting yeah, but it’s kind of difficult to figure out what to wear if you don’t know where you’re going. The only thing he said was to wear something nice".
"He’s going to take you somewhere fancy." Sean said, with his eyes still on the magazine "So I wouldn’t wear jeans if I were you." He continued.
"I think I have THE perfect dress for you. Not too casual and you won’t feel overdressed"
"You don’t have to do that" I answered
"Girl, I have a closet full of unworn dresses. That’s the advantage of working in the fashion industry" Kate said with a smile. Her enthusiasm made me so happy. It made me feel that for once I wasn’t alone in this world.
"Let’s go shopping for shoes and accessories. It’ll be the perfect occasion to spend some time together" she continued.
"I’d love that"
"Feel like going with us, Sean?" Kate asked
"And hear you two talk about boys all day? Thanks but I’ll pass"
Kate and I laughed at his remark.

**************************************

We had a lot of fun. We tried the weirdest outfits on, went to the funniest stores and laughed like little kids. It felt incredible. After a while I found the perfect shoes so we decided to have a lunch together.

"I have to admit that I was relieved when I heard you had a date" Kate said.
"Relieved? Why is that?" I was curious to know what she was about to answer. She hesitated a little at first.
"Well… I was afraid that something might happen between you and Sean. Putting a girl and a boy of your age together in a house isn’t something every mother would do, if you know what I mean." I didn’t know what to say. She was right. it was difficult to be around him.
"You have to understand my concern. I’m a 34 year old woman with an 18 year old son. You do the math." I was shocked to hear that she was only 34. I thought she was amongst the blessed women that looked much younger then they’re actually are.
"Having a baby at the age of 16 is not something I wish for my son. Or for you.
And I know Sean is, well… sexually active, but I just wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if something happened under my roof."
"Kate, don’t worry. Nothing is going to happen between me and Sean." I wanted to reassure her. Making her think that I didn’t see Sean that way, but deep down in my heart I knew I had feelings for him. Feelings that I wished would go away.
"I know. I’m a mother. It’s in my nature to worry" she replied.
"Well I have to say that you turned out very good for someone that had a baby at the age of 16." I smiled at her.
"Yeah, but I had to work twice as hard to get where I am today. And luckily, I had the help of Sean’s father. We were in it together." My curiosity grow.
"So…uh… where is he?" I hesitated to ask.
"He died of cancer 2 years ago" She was quiet for a while but soon continued "He was a wonderful man and I think if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t be where I am today." The way she talked about him made it clear she loved him very much.
"What about your parents? How did they react?" I asked
"Let’s say I know how it feels to be abandoned by its parents." The sadness in her eyes brought a lump to my throat. She saw I was moved by her story.
"You know after a storm comes calm. The first years might have been tough, but I’m very lucky to be amongst the people to have experienced real love, even if it didn’t last a lifetime. Besides, he left me with the most beautiful gift. Sean is really looking more and more like him. So in a way I always feel his presence."
I wanted to know how Sean felt about this. His father was clearly a good man so it wouldn’t have been easy on him.
"You’re an amazing person, Kate" I tried to make her feel better. The way she did with me.
"Thanks. I’m really glad we spent time together." The sadness was replaced by happiness.

********************************

Kate’s bedroom was like I expected very stylish. The walls were painted beige and she had wooden furniture. Very antique yet with a modern twist. She led me to her walking closet. I was amazed to see the numerous closes, shoes, purses …
"Now, where is it" she said softly while she went through her dresses one by one. "Here it is!" she said. She took out a beautiful red, three-quarter length dress and when I tried it on, it fitted perfectly.
"You look beautiful Layla." Kate said.
"Isn’t it too tight?" I asked. I wasn’t used to wear dresses so tight and… well sexy.
"It is tight and you have the body for it. It’s perfect". I smiled at her compliment.
"Can you let me do your make up?" Kate asked
"Sure, as long as you don’t put too much though."
"Don’t worry, you’re in good hands" she replied
When she was finished she let me take a look in the mirror.
"So what do you think?" she asked.
"Perfect. Just how I like it" I answered. She smiled.
I brushed my hair and decided to let it down for a change. I put my high heels and a bolero and took a last glimpse in the mirror. Approved.
"You look perfect, but there is one thing missing, though" Kate said while waving with her car keys.
"Are you crazy? What about you?"
"I have my company car." I took her keys gave her a hug and left off.

**********************
Michael was already at the agreed place, waiting for me.
"Wow, you look great." He looked at me from top to toe and smiled.
"You don’t look bad, yourself" I replied. It was obvious we were going somewhere fancy as he was also dressed up. He was wearing a black suit with a dark blue button-up shirt. He looked very sexy.
He gave me his arm and guided me to his car. We drove for a few minutes and we arrived at this fancy club. When I looked around and realized that I luckily was wearing the perfect outfit for it. The place looked great. It was big. There was a life band playing and the dance floor was surrounded by tables.
I had a great time. It was the most perfect date I’ve ever had, we ate, talked, danced, laughed... Yet my thoughts kept on wandering off to Sean. I looked at Michael and wished it was Sean that was sitting there. I blinked my thoughts away forcing myself to forget about him. But it was almost impossible to do so.

Michael was walking me to the car at the end of the night.
"So, did you have a good time?" Michael asked.
"The time of my life." I answered
"But?"
"There’s no ‘but’" I replied. He smiled out of relief.
We arrived at my car. Michael turned around to face me.
"I’m very happy to hear that Layla." He said softly while looking at me in the eyes. I saw his face come closer. I closed my eyes and forced myself to come closer too, but I froze…
"I can’t" I said while my eyes were still closed.
"What’s wrong?" he asked. I opened my eyes and saw that he looked disappointed.
"You’re a great guy, Michael, you really are. And today was perfect. But…"
"There is someone else, isn’t there?" he interrupted me. How did he know that?
"No, it’s not that"
"Layla, it’s okay. I kind of felt it coming, you know"
"Really?"
"You were quit distracted today."
"Oh, I’m so sorry Michael." I felt so bad for him. I didn’t know it showed so much.
"Don’t worry about it, Layla. Just promise me one thing" I looked at him. "Promise me you will tell that guy how you feel"
"It’s not that simple, you know" there was no point in denying as he seemed sure about it.
"If he is the guy I think I he is, then I’m sure he feels the same way" I looked at him surprised. Who did he have in mind?
"C’mon Layla, the way you two danced with each other made it very obvious, you know". I didn’t say anything, making it obvious that he was right.
"I hope we can stay friends" I said.
"I would love that" Michael answered.

I was in the car driving and thinking about everything that has happened. The date was perfect. Michael was perfect. I was a fool for not wanting to be with him.
My thoughts were interrupted by the smoke that came out of the hood. I muttered an oath and stopped my car on the side of the road. I got out of the car and opened the hood to take a look, which wasn’t necessary as I was a total fool when it came to cars. I needed to find a solution. I considered calling Michael, but soon realized that it wasn’t a good idea to call a guy I just blew off a few minutes ago. I thought of Kate but I didn’t want tot disturb her on her only day off, she already sacrificed her day to hang around with me. Then there was Sean, which was not an option as I haven’t seen him since breakfast and he made it very clear that he didn’t want to be around me. I sighed.
"Hey pretty girl! Need a ride?!" When I looked around I found a car full of boys staring at me. I ignored them and luckily it helped. They drove away. When I looked around to see where I was I realized that I wasn’t in the cleanest neighbourhood so I quickly went back to the car took my phone and without any hesitation called the first person that came in my mind…

I hope you guys aren’t too disappointed…And if you are let me know by commenting. I enjoyed reading the ideas, so ideas and remarks are always welcome.