Chapter 173: Bow To Me
"All partners, please get ready... The dance is about to begin."
Everyone took their positions. Meanwhile, Ava shot daggers at Charlotte with her eyes, still consumed by jealousy.
Charlotte, however, seemed oblivious to Ava’s glare. "This is infuriating her," Charlotte thought.. "and that’s making me happy. Who would have guessed that.. I would end up dancing with this guy, Ryan..."
A soft, triumphant smile spread across Charlotte’s face, reflecting the genuine joy she felt inside.
As the lights softened, a warm, ethereal glow bathed the dance floor, creating an intimate and enchanting atmosphere. Charlotte’s eyes connected with Thea’s, and she gave her a warm, reassuring smile.
As the opening notes of "A Thousand Years" by Christina Perri filled the air, Charlotte’s heart skipped a beat. She placed one hand on Ryan’s shoulder, feeling the warmth of his skin through his shirt, and her other hand fit perfectly into his palm.The music swelled, and Charlotte’s heartbeat accelerated.
Ariella’s nerves were apparent as she danced with Saul, her steps hesitant.
"Miss Pierce, is everything okay?" Saul asked, his voice low and considerate.
Ariella nodded, her smile strained. "Yeah, Saul."
As they moved across the dance floor, they kept a respectful distance, their bodies moving in sync but without any real connection. Saul’s hand rested on Ariella’s waist with polite formality, while her hand hovered near his shoulder, their touch light and impersonal.
"Mr...I don’t know how to dance..." Thea confessed, her voice trembling with anxiety. "I might embarrass you."
Wren chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiled. "I’m Wren.." he said, his tone warm.
Thea’s frightened expression only made Wren’s smile grow wider. "I’ll help you," he promised. "You won’t be embarrassed."
With gentle guidance, Wren took Thea’s hand and placed it on his shoulder. "If you feel uncomfortable at any time, feel free to tell me." he said.
Thea nodded, her eyes locked on Wren’s, as he drew her into a gentle rhythm, his movements smooth and patient.
"Just relax and follow my lead.." Wren whispered.
Thea nodded, letting her tension ease as she surrendered to Wren’s guidance. She allowed herself to be swept up in the rhythm of the music, her steps harmonizing with Wren’s.
As they glided across the dance floor, Wren’s voice was low and conversational. "You and Charlotte are from the same university?"
Thea nodded, her smile growing more relaxed. "Yes.."
"You still haven’t told me your name.."
"I am Alethea Klein."
"Meaning?" Wren asked
"Truth.." Thea replied, "isn’t it nice? My father picked it for me!" Pride shone on her little face, but after it faded, her big eyes brimmed with boundless sorrow.
"It’s very nice, indeed!"
Wren asked, "Do you have a boyfriend?"
Thea raised an eyebrow. "Mr. Wren, are you interested in my life?"
Wren shook his head. "No, I’m just curious."
She smiled. "I have someone special in my life."
Wren feigned disappointment, chuckling. "Too bad. I thought I would have a chance with you."
They were still dancing while conversing.
Meanwhile, Charlotte was enjoying the moment, dancing with Ryan.
"Ryan"
"Ryan Harrington?" Charlotte muttered a few times, then her small hand climbed up his neck, "Can I call you Ryry from now on?"
"Absolutely not!"
"Husband?"
"Get lost!"
"..."
Ryan glanced at her uneasily, prying off the hands that were clinging to his neck like an octopus.
"Charlotte , behave yourself!" Ryan said with a thin layer of anger on his face.
Honestly, he had never encountered such a clingy girl before.
"Ryan, I want to ask you a serious question."
"When are you returning back?" Charlotte asked.
"Day after tomorrow.." Ryan replied.
"Ryan..." Charlotte began, but the music suddenly stopped and the lights flashed.
Ava quickly moved to Ryan’s side. "Ryan, I missed my chance to dance with you. Next time, we’ll dance together."
Just then, Wren joined them. "Hey, how about we plan another game like this for your wedding? What do you say, buddy?"
"Yes, we’d absolutely love to have games like these at our wedding," Ava replied, snuggling into Ryan’s side as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Ryan..." Garet, Charlotte’s father, approached them.
"Uncle..." Ryan smiled.
Garet and Ryan moved to the side, out of earshot, to continue their conversation.
"You haven’t visited our home yet.." Garet said. "This time, bring your whole family."
"Yes, uncle..." Ryan replied.
Charlotte and Thea walked over to where her mother and grandmother were standing, and as she drew closer, Charlotte overheard the words her father was saying to Ryan.
"Father, why are you asking him to come? He won’t come after all. He’s always so busy. You’d better invite others except him..."
"Charlotte, that’s not a nice thing to say.." Mila corrected her gently.
Turning to Ryan, she added, "Don’t pay any attention to her words, Ryan."
Ariella approached the group, and Charlotte whispered softly in her ear, "Sister Ariella, do you like your cousin’s girlfriend."
Ariella’s step faltered, and she whispered, "No."Her expression quickly turned defensive. "Why are you asking me this, Charlotte?"
Charlotte’s reply was candid. "To be honest, I don’t like her at all."
Ariella’s eyes sparkled with curiosity, prompting Charlotte to add, "That’s the only reason. I just don’t like her."
Ariella’s expression turned wistful as she said, "But ultimately, the decision of who he marries is his, and his family’s. Our opinions don’t carry any weight with him."
Inside the car, Thea and Charlotte sat together. Charlotte, gazing out the window for a moment, turned to Thea and began to speak.
"I have to admit, I enjoyed making that girl,Ava angry.."
She smiled, changing the subject. "You dance well."
"All thanks to Mr. Wren - he guided me."
"Did Mr. Wren inquire anything from you?" Charlotte asked.
Thea nodded, looking a bit embarrassed. "Indeed, he inquired whether I have a boyfriend."
Charlotte’s eyes glimmered with mischievous fun. "Oh no, poor Brother Wren!" "If you weren’t already having someone in your heart, I would be inclined to arrange a meeting between you two."
"Charlotte,about Mr. Harrington?"
"I’m going to fully commit, regardless of whether I win him over. In that manner, I won’t have any regrets and can confidently say that I made an attempt."
"Alright.." Thea responded softly.
The days flew by, and before long, it was the night preceding their return. As they sat together at the dinner table, Charlotte’s gaze met that of her father, Garet.
"See, Father? I told you he wouldn’t come.." Charlotte remarked, a trace of resignation in her tone.
"Maybe he had something urgent to deal with."
She whispered quietly to herself, "Important tasks or any other things. . . only he is aware. " With a scornful flutter of her eyelashes, she turned her eyes upwards.
Garet overheard the quiet comment and inquired, "Did you mention something, Charlotte? "
Charlotte quickly redirected the conversation, her voice brightening. "The food is wonderful, Mother."
Mila smiled warmly. "Thus, I have made these dishes for you two..."
"Yes, Charlotte, I heard you mention you want to be an actress."
Charlotte’s gaze shifted from her grandma to Thea, a hint of surprise and curiosity on her face. "When did you hear that?" she asked, her tone tinged with a touch of defensiveness. She turned to Thea, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Did you tell her?" Thea understood the unspoken question and shook her head.
Grandma Agnes burst out laughing. "In your sleep, dear! You talk in your sleep, and I just happened to overhear."
"Hmm, it seems she only imagines these things in her dreams. Charlotte, you should definitely pursue acting – you’ll get to play different roles, and then you won’t annoy us at all!"
Charlotte’s eyes widened in embarrassment. "In my dreams?" she repeated, her voice laced with mortification.
Grandma Agnes chuckled, clearly amused. "Hmm, last weekend I went to your room and found you fast asleep. As I approached your bedside, I heard you muttering something. I leaned in closer, putting my ear near yours, and that’s when I heard it..."
Grandma Agnes’s voice dropped to a dramatic whisper. "’I am the queen... bow to me...’ You were declaring your royal decrees in your sleep, Charlotte!"
She tried to recall the vivid details of her dream. In it, her little claws were just about to wrap around Ryan’s clean neck when he suddenly opened his eyes, grasped her collar, and flung her across the room, sending her tumbling into the farthest corner.
