Dance

Saying that I was surprised would be an understatement. I was completely stunned by the development of the events.

"Ethan?" I whispered, uncertainty clouding my tone. He was the only one who liked calling me that, especially with that cheeky tone.

"I wonder if I should say surprise?" His usually low voice sounded even more deeper tonight or was it because of the mood brought on by the mask?

His familiar voice already got me half-convinced but somehow my hand still unconsciously went to his face to try and remove his mask.

A rough hand imprisoned mine while he intoned softly, "You can't do that here."

With that, he smoothly locked hands with me as he raised it to our side and put his other hand on my waist. I didn't have any choice but to place my left hand on his shoulder. This dancing position brought him way into my personal space. I only noticed now that he was a lot taller than me as I had to look up to meet his eyes even though I already wore heels.

I was so distracted that I didn't even notice the music had already started and the other pairs were already dancing but Ethan led the dance expertly. He guided me easily to the next step so that even someone like me who barely danced at all was able to follow him.

I stared at those dark eyes that were shrouded in mystery, trying to guess how he managed to be in here but somehow my heart started racing instead. Was I nervous because of the dance?

It was weird.

Taking deep breaths doesn't seem to help so I just tried to distract myself, "Why are you here?"

He raised my hand that he was holding and even though he didn't speak, I understood that he wanted me to turn so I instinctively followed.

His hand went back to my waist when I returned and casually said, "Someone invited didn't make it so a friend told me that they needed a filler and since I already have records here I got the part-time job."

It was a pretty innocent reason but this whole thing was so unexpected that I was still reeling. Seeing Ethan outside the work setting seemed like a wake-up call to me. He looked different tonight and I kept noticing new things I hadn't paid attention to before. Like how he had a mole in his upper lip or how there was a tiny tattoo peeking behind his ear. It was like discovering new facets to his personality but at the same time it left me wanting more. At my thoughts, a bubbling nervousness settled in my stomach.

Even though so many things raced through my mind because of Ethan, the lilting music went on uninterrupted which assailed the listeners with pleasure and made the dancers on stage even more passionate. Ethan led the dance flawlessly, sometimes fast or slow in time with beat and even spun me around effortlessly. All the while gazing at me with a half-smile on his face. Those eyes looked like they were trying to tell me something but I couldn't understand what it was.

It drove me crazy.

At that moment, his hand tightened on my waist that it was almost proprietary. He leaned even closer and my heart which had been pounding since earlier made its presence known again. I couldn't even hear the music anymore as my heartbeat already managed to drown it.

He went to the side of my head and then whispered huskily, "Trust me."

I felt my ears heat up as I saw a flash of wicked glint in his eyes.

I caught on his plan belatedly, "Wait, wha-"

My perfect view of the world went upside down suddenly when he dipped me. I held on to his neck tightly in fear of him dropping me but it wasn't needed since he had my back secured with his hand as the last strain of music surrounded us.

"Isn't this exciting?" He grinned at me while I was still wide-eyed. His face was so near that I could even feel his warm breath in my face.

Slowly, he brought me back up. He took his hands off me and he went back with the rest of the men as the rest of the audience started clapping enthusiastically.

The host started to say something but I couldn't care less. I slipped away and headed for the wide garden where I last saw Ethan. Walking out of the doors, the beautiful garden in the morning became enigmatic with the darkness that was only kept at bay by the sparsely placed lamps at some pathways.

5 minutes in and I became aware of my mistake. It was a goddamn maze inside. I wouldn't be able to get back even if I wanted to or ask for help since I didn't bring my phone with me because of the dance.

I heaved a sigh and proceeded to try and figure out the way and maybe I'll get lucky and stumble upon the exit before I turned blue from the cold.

I turned left on a dim path and headed for the light which seemed to be a lamp from far away. I trudged carefully in case I slipped from a random pebble in the ground that I can't even see. I was almost there when I suddenly heard muffled noises. I instantly perked up and sped up. It must be the sounds from the party.

I frowned the nearer I reached. The noises turned into voices that sounded like they were arguing. But, I was desperate to get out of here so I still wanted to ask for help even though it would be awkward.

I was about to step onto the patch where there's actually light when my arm was yanked back AGAIN. I was so annoyed that I was about to snap back when my mouth was covered with a hand. Flashlight abruptly illuminated my surroundings. The guy who I've been following and the reason why I'm currently lost was right here inches away from me.

The snap that was building inside me cooled off. He put his index finger in front of his mouth and showed the universal sign to keep quiet before removing his hand on me.

"Speak quietly or they'll hear us," he whispered, not even bothered by the closeness.

"Can't we just pass? Is there no other way?" I rubbed my arms while trying to take a peek as I was curious about their identities.

"It's probably a lover's quarrel. Do you want to get in between that? Also, the exit is that way so we have to wait," he answered so quietly that I had to strain my ears to hear it.

I shivered as the wind blew past us, raising goosebumps in my bare arms, "Why are you here anyway?"

He took a step back from me, removed his coat before draping it around my shoulders. It immediately brought warmth to my trembling arms but the scent of deep musk and cinnamon spice that was clinging to it assaulted my senses. I've never been sensitive to perfumes but somehow I had the urge to take a deep breath of it. My face flamed with embarrassment at the thought. Fortunately, I was wearing a mask so Ethan didn't see it.

"I was looking for the exit too since I was just randomly exploring as the scenery isn't something I see everyday," he muttered, clueless at what my mind was thinking.

"Oh." I said offhandedly.

Now that I'm here, I don't even know why I tried to follow him. I am rarely spontaneous and now that I'm here in this situation I'm actually at a loss on what to do.

"How about you? Why are you here? Were you following me?" One side of his lips lifted to a smirk.

I looked at him blankly as I wondered the same thing as well. The people making noises ahead of us suddenly got even louder and Ethan turned to their direction distractedly.

Ah.

I really wanted to remove his mask.

So I did.

We stared at each other in silence while I tried to find logic inside my head. I don't even know why I'm acting this way.

I'd have thought my peculiarity tonight was because of that mask but I guess it was not.