TENSIONS ON THE DANCEFLOOR

< Althair Starlight Hotel

UTC+6 0704 PM

Festive Hall, Lobby >

Angel blinked up at the scene before her. Joffrey's hand trembled with withheld frustration; a similar picture could be seen from Spencer, still sitting in his seat across the dance floor. Although to be fair, Spencer put less effort into concealing his rage, with the way his fist clenched around the knife to the point his knuckles turned white. His expression looked like he had just swallowed a lemon. Next to him, Mrs. Thorne seemed slightly amused at her ex-husband's expense.

On the dance floor, in contrast, Jenny smiled full of cheer, and One Shot stood still like a statue next to her. The rest of the guests were quiet.

"Looks like we're opening up the dance floor," the MC commented but the guests were too focused on the spectacle to move away from their seats. Now all eyes rested on Angel.

With a sigh, she pushed her seat back and placed her hand wordlessly into Joffrey's hand while rising to her full height. He led her out onto the dancefloor, a few feet away from the other pair and both pairs resumed positions. On this cue, the music finally began and broke the awkward silence in the room.

"Don't get the wrong idea," Joffrey muttered and without looking at Angel, "I'm only doing this because Jenny asked me to."

Unimpressed, she stared into his face, contemplating her response. "I'm not. But why would she ask you that?"

"Why would you ask Joffrey to dance with Angel?" One Shot protested on the other side of the dance floor in a hushed whisper to Jenny while nervously glaring over at the other pair as they kept spinning around, always a good distance apart.

Joffrey just shrugged and avoided Angel's prying eyes. He hated that inquisitive part of her. Sometimes she was too smart for her own good.

"Let me guess," Angel continued, "She wants us to talk things out?"

"I want the two to make up," Jenny smiled up to One Shot, "I don't want any bad blood between us. She is my best friend after all and he's my husband now." She blushed at her own words. "I feel like we should be able to talk things out and forgive one another and I believe we can get along again like before."

Her naivety rendered One Shot speechless. Get along? Past lovers connected by hate that was apparent to everyone but Jenny?

"You didn't tell her that we already had our little 'talk' earlier?" Angel asked Joffrey, raising an eyebrow.

"I didn't have the chance to tell her," Joffrey indirectly conceded, avoiding looking directly at her.

"You're starting your wedded days in an excellent manner," Angel said sarcastically, "Isn't communication the basis of a lasting relationship?"

"…" Joffrey glared down at her. The best course of action in his mind. Any words would just give her more reason to put him in his place. And he knew that anything he could say would provoke another fight.

"…" One Shot on the other side stole glances at the other pair at every turn.

"You should say something," Angel said, "Otherwise it'll be hard for Jenny to believe we've talked things out. And don't forget to put a smile on that pretty face of yours."

Joffrey pulled up the corners of his mouth while his eyebrows remained tightly furrowed. Oh, how he hated her when she was right.

"THAT poker face will require some more practice," she grinned teasingly. Joffrey rolled his eyes. But finally, his mind was more at ease, and a more relaxed expression entered his face. It was annoying to have to listen to Angel, but she was right. If Jenny wanted it, he would do it. Even playing pretend to get along with his past love. How strange to hold her now in his arms on his wedding day with another woman. He looked straight down at her face which was so close to him now. She smiled back with that beautiful-

"Okay, that's enough," One Shot spat out. Jenny startled at his sudden outburst. "It's your wedding day; you're barely been with your new spouse a minute; you deserve another dance with him! Joffrey!" He yelled out as he got close to the other pair, "Catch!" He barely took note of Jenny's surprised face as he spun her out and let go of her; Joffrey at the same time loosened his grip on Angel to receive his bride. Angel stumbled forward, right into One Shot's chest.

Being so close, she could smell his cologne. It was nice, like being in a forest. When she raised her head to meet One Shot's eyes, his smile reached his eyes.

"I missed you, Angy."