Avelina's body remained frozen; she did not even know what to do at this point. It was like her mind had momentarily shut down—no words left her lips.
Mrs. Zauriel…
Those words echoed in her mind like some kind of addictive chant. It was as if the world had gone into a momentary halt just for her. She stared at him, her emerald eyes locking with those steel-grey ones.
What was even more shocking was the fact that he was the only one who dared to show his face in the sea of masks. He wasn't even hiding at all, not minding that it was a masquerade ball.
Just then, the violin began to play as the strings moved smoothly.
"May I have this dance?"
A dance? That was totally unexpected, because Avelina did not think it was time for one at all. And wasn't he supposed to be going somewhere before he turned to her?
Avelina stared at him with wide eyes because she knew that look in his eyes—one that told her he was sure she would say yes. And she was about to prove him wrong.
"Yes, you may, Mr. Zauriel."
She spoke softly as her eyes widened right after. She had not expected that. She was sure she wanted to say no. Had he just spellbound her to say that?
What just happened?
His eyes glinted as he gently held her hands. Avelina could not even believe what was happening.
She walked with him, making sure she maintained her elegance, knowing she was in bigger trouble. What if her husband—the one she had signed a contract with—saw this? Not to mention the broken cup.
They finally reached the center as the silent hall remained still. The dim lights brightened a little as all eyes turned toward them. Then the piano began softly before the violin joined in. Avelina locked her gaze with him, unable to believe what she was about to do. He hadn't even asked her if she could dance this—and the answer was no.
No, she couldn't. She had never thought about dancing this way in her life. In fact, she had other things to do than think of wealthy dances. This type of dance had never crossed her mind until now. She had watched movies about it—different kinds showing how they danced. She loved it, of course; the movies were interesting. But never had she thought she would actually do it herself.
And now, she was in front of hundreds of prestigious people. All eyes were on her as she and Zauriel were about to dance first, and she had no idea how to dance at all. All she knew was that the man would hold the lady's waist, and the lady would hold the man's shoulders as they moved. That was all.
"Heavens save me," she whispered to herself, unable to believe what was happening.
She locked eyes with Zauriel, and her heart stuttered when she saw the way his eyes glinted mischievously, as if he knew exactly what he had done.
Avelina did not know what to do. Things were going unplanned—from a dessert finder to the spotlight, how was that even possible? Was this really a Cinderella movie? If it was, where was Cinderella? She needed to come and take the spotlight.
"Stay obedient and follow my lead."
Zauriel's cold voice rang through her, halting her thoughts.
His stony eyes held calmness, even though the panic in hers was far more visible than she could admit.
He moved as he pulled her to him. A soft gasp escaped her lips as his hands rested on her waist possessively.
"W…what…are you doing?" Avelina stammered nervously.
Ll
"Teaching you. What else?" he spoke as he raised a brow, looking at her with dark mischief in his eyes. Her gaze locked with his grey ones, and she immediately shifted them away as her heartbeat picked up pace.
She could not believe this man—the kind of confidence he had in himself was so annoyingly hypnotizing.
This man really wanted to teach her how to dance in a place full of people, at such a serious event.
All eyes remained on them, curiosity written across people's faces, yet no one dared to speak. They all loved their lives too much.
"Eyes on me, Mrs. Zauriel."
His deep voice resonated through her as electrifying sparks shot up her spine. Avelina gulped slightly as she tried her best to maintain her composure. He held her closer, his hands firm on her waist. Avelina could not ignore that, as her stomach did a dangerous flip.
Their eyes remained locked as he spoke again, his voice swift and calm, which somehow quieted her racing thoughts.
"Left leg to the side, puffin."
Avelina did not know why, but those piercing, cold words already sounded very soothing to her ears as she followed his lead. The soft music played, and now she could tell something was really wrong with her—it seemed she was actually losing her mind. Because why else would such cold and dry words soothe her? Yet she could not help it. She was not supposed to even trust a person who had made her strip and divorce her on the same night.
She pressed her lips together as she knew all eyes were on them.
"Focus, wife."
Her heart skipped at his words, even though there was no trace of softness in them. The way it made her body shiver shocked her more than she could admit.
"Y…you have to mind your words, Mr. Zauriel. I am married—respect that, at least," Avelina managed to speak, realizing she had been too awed by his touch and gaze to even form words. Immediately, those words left her lips he leaned in, she gasped softly as she pulled in his masculine, perfect scent that wrapped around her.
A dry chuckle escaped his lips as they curled up ever so slowly.
"Oh, so clueless. Even as the years passed, you grew even dumber," he spoke sharply. Her eyes widened, and she almost missed a footing.
"Your right leg next, Mrs. Zauriel."
His low voice dripped next, making her forget his earlier insult. She could not even believe this man. She knew this must be the easiest dance because he seemed so calm and repetitive with it.
His eyes flashed darkly, impressed by her quick learning. Avelina could not believe this man had called her dumb—and before she knew it, the violin and piano played a little faster.
Just then he swiftly moved, spinning her. Her back gently pressed to his chest, her lips parted..what were they doing? She did not even know the simple one, and yet they were moving like this.
Her heart raced as she felt his warm, minty breath fan her earlobe while her back pressed dangerously on his chest, he spoke.
"Exactly the moves you did earlier, but reversed."
He began to move, and Avelina's face flushed hard as she felt her body pressed more to his and his warm breath fanning her neck. She tried her best not to make a mistake, but Lord—his presence could not be ignored at all.
Surprisingly, her steps became fluid. A slow smirk flashed across Zauriel's lips as he noticed how swiftly she was moving.
Avelina almost gasped out loud as she felt his hands, which had been on her waist, begin to move lower.
Her heart raced faster.
W…what was he planning to do?
"Y…you should stop this. I have a husband…" she spoke as her face paled—but it was as if those words meant the opposite. She hated herself for that.
She was not liking how her body was reacting to his touch. Like… like she wanted… m…more.
"We are already married."
Avelina raised her eyebrow at his words. Did this man forget the fact that they had signed a divorce that night?
"The marriage contract you signed that night…"
Avelina's mouth fell open—and before she knew it, he moved, spinning her, and now she was facing him. He pressed her body closer to his, swiftly. Another shocking breath escaped her lips.
"Belongs to me, Mrs. Avelina."