TWENTY SEVEN(Lady in red)

Later that evening at the banquet....

".... You have a lot of guests tonight, it's really impressive Mr. Kenato." Ethan told him,

"Oh my wife knows a lot of people." He laughed,. "I don't know a lot of people, women like to have a lot of friends. Speaking of friends, where's your wife, I haven't seen her all evening." Mr. Kenato asked,

"Oh, she won't be able to make it," he sipped the champagne, "she wasn't feeling unwell—"

"I doubt that, look." He nudged at the direction of the hall's entrance. "There she is."

Ethan turned to the door and saw Mia, if he had something in his mouth he would have probably choked on it.

There she stood, looking dainty and delicate, darting her eyes in all directions in search of him.

She wore a wine red gown that fell to the ground, it revealed her tiny curves and made her breast seem fuller—it was actually the menstrual hormones.

Her silky hair fell to one side of her neck and the beautiful silver earrings she wore accentuated the entire look.

On her finger was the beautiful diamond ring he gave her, she held a black purse and the gift bag Ethan had forgotten.

"....Now are you just going to stand here and stare all night or are you going to meet her?" Mr. Kenato chuckled.

----

Mia reached the hotel and made her made to the banquet hall, at her approach, the huge door was drawn opened and with decorum, an elderly butler stepped aside to await her entrance.

" Good evening and welcome Ma'am, may I?" He smiled as gestured to her coat,

Mia smiled back,

"Oh sure you may." She replied as he assisted her to take off her coat.

"Now where is he?" She stared in all directions of the hall.

The hall was filled with guests elegantly dressed in dinner gowns and tuxedos dancing, holding up champagne glasses and making small talks here and there.

Just then, Ethan appeared from nowhere,

" What are you doing here?" He questioned,

"I'm glad I came too." She replied with sarcasm. "I'm feeling better now, plus you forgot the gift bag." She grinned as she held it up to him.

"Right." He chuckled nervously as rubbed the back of his neck. He took it and handed it to the butler.

"....By the way, you....you look really beautiful tonight." He stuttered,

Mia quickly looked away as her cheeks turned rosy red,

Ethan chuckled,

"....W.... Would you like to dance with me?"

Mia shrugged,

"....I don't really dance—"

"Its fine, I'll teach you." He smiled gently as he stretched out his hands.

Mia smiled back as she took his hand. He led her to the dance floor.

"…The first step is to give your partner some breathing space."

"Oh!" Mia exclaimed as she quickly stepped away from him,

Ethan chuckled,

"I didn't mean that far…I meant like this." He said as he gently pulled her closer leaving no space in between them. Mia's heart suddenly started racing,

"...You do know where to place your hand?"

"I do." She nodded and placed her right hand on his right shoulder. Ethan clasped Mia's free hand light and held it her eye level.

"...So we're going to count eight, while stepping to the left then right. You let your body move to the music like this." He said as he gently moved his left foot to the left and brought the other foot to it, then repeated the action again,

"...That's four." Mia smiled,

"Yes, you're getting the hang of it. So we're going to go in reverse by stepping to the right… Here we go, left, two, three, four, right, six, seven, eight." He repeated as they danced around, once or twice, Mia stepped on his feet, but soon she began to dance naturally.

She laughed, as Ethan angled his feet while stepping, so he could slow dance in a circle with her. They continued the eight step dance then Ethan initiated a slow spin and turned her to the beat of the music.

"…I'm doing it!" She laughed,

"Yeah, you're a quick learner—"

"That's because I have a really good teacher." She bit her lips, and Ethan chuckled as he spun her closer,

"What?"

"Nothing." He replied then guided her right hand to his left shoulder. He rested both of his hands on her back then led her backward in "dip."

Mia smiled as she stared at his handsome face blankly, suddenly, she remembered the day's event and his words and quickly looked away.

"Are you okay?" He asked,

"I'm fine, I just need a drink." She feigned a smile then walked over the bar and told the bartender to pour her a glass of champagne.

Ethan came over and stood next to her. "Are you sure you're okay?" He questioned with concern,

Mia stared at him briefly, he seemed unfazed and unbothered by the kiss.

"I'm fine." She nodded.

' You shouldn't be overthinking things Mia.' she told herself.

Just then, Mr. Kenato interrupted,

"....Oh Mrs Regal, lovely seeing you this evening. You look rather elegant in that dress." He smiled,

"Thank you Sir...And happy anniversary." She smiled,

"Thank you dear...Um, would you mind, I'd like to borrow Mr. Regal here."

Mia laughed,

"Sure thing Sir."

"Good, Ethan they're some guests I'd like you to meet."

Mia was at the bar, quietly drinking her champagne when Suzie came along.

"Suzie, I didn't think you'd be here—"

"I didn't think you'd be here either." She laughed,

"How are you feeling now, Nicholas told us...."

"Oh I'm feeling better, and really excited too!" She giggled,

"I can easily tell." Mia laughed,

"Won't you ask why?" She asked excitedly,

" Oh, Um okay? I didn't think.... Screw it, I want to know—"

"We just found out Chloe is going to be a big sister." She whispered,

Mia's eyes widened as she she gasped,

"Are you fucking serious?!" She mouthed,

"Mh-Mm." Suzie nodded,

" My goodness, congratulations! That's great news—"

" I know right, Mrs. Kenato was the one who suggested I take the test." She grinned,

"Awn, I'm so happy for you." Mia gave her a hug.

" Thank you.... Enough about me, take a look at you, you look gorgeous—"

"Thanks Suzie, you look rather stunning...It's probably the probably the pregnancy glow—"

" Oh quit the flattery, you're the lady in red, you're certainly going make heads turn tonight." They laughed.

"C'mon, I met a group of friends earlier on, come and sit with us just over there—"

" Oh no it's fine Sue—"

"C'mon stop playing "The lonely wife at the bar." It's pathetic."

Mia laughed at that,

" I promise, my friends are super friendly."

" Well okay....screw it."

Suzie was indeed right about her friends, they made Mia feel at ease and chatted away like old friends.