Dance With Me

Inside the M Restaurant at around 8:30 P.M., Leo checked in with the chauffeur and lent him the key to his sedan. He didn't even dare to hold her by the waist, but when she's about to walk inside the restaurant, Leo retrieved something inside a small bag. Zella didn't notice it earlier, but she didn't pay attention to it.

Leo retrieved an eye mask inside, in the shade of black and burgundy, complete with diamond sequins and red feathers on the side. Zella turned to him, asking, "What is this for?"

"This is a mask-themed restaurant. It's the only restaurant in the city that allows the celebrities, politicians and all known persons to hide under a mask. Wear it." Leo reached out. Zella checked the mask, and wore it over her eyes. Leo did the same thing, though with him, it's only black.

Leo folded the paper bag, placed it inside a trash bin, and walked inside. She was behind him, but Leo ushered her to the front by holding her waist. Zella didn't react, because, for all she knew, they are a married couple.

Leo gave two invitations, and Zella observed the code he punched in with his black card. Looking around the lobby of the M Restaurant, it's too cool to be true. The chandeliers hanging by the 10-foot ceiling, cream color of the walls, and its elegant glam all around. Zella wasn't taken aback. Probably, she gotten used to it.

As soon as Leo is done with his business, he guided Zella onto the event hall, where a lot of elites were sitting down. They're of the same outfit she and Leo has, like they're attending a ball. Leo pulled a seat right on the corner, and guided Zella. She slid, making herself comfortable, and turned to the center stage.

Wow, a restaurant with a stage, complete with a vacant center, probably for dancing.

Leo sat across, signing at the servers to present their course meal. But Zella isn't interested with food. She got entranced with the woman on a black, slit dress at the stage, singing a Latin song.

Leo followed her gaze. He asked, "Do you want to sing?"

The joy in her eyes dissipated once Leo asked. Zella raised an eyebrow.

"No, it's not that," she spoke softly. Leo found a hard time conversing with her. Zella's too hard to get along with. Right after their food served, they ate in silence. Leo had never been to a dinner too dull and quiet as this. Maybe because his wife doesn't want talk much after what happened in the car.

After the waiters cleared their plates, the singer announced something.

"Can we all agree that this day a lot of lovely couples are here on the M Restaurant? Yeah?" Everyone roared into applause, and still in class. Zella and Leo's eyes fixed upon the stage, waiting for the singer to say something.

"With that, I want a couple to dance in our floor while I sing my newest single... Lovely." The band started to play, and the spotlight roamed around the event hall, looking for a couple. Zella and Leo both hoped it wasn't them… it wasn't them…

But when the spotlight stopped at their table, she knew her dignity have come crushed.

Zella tensed up across from him, and Leo reacted the same way, too. She got nervous with the singer's voice, saying, "There we go! A very lovely couple! By the way, I liked the girl's dress."

Everyone giggled as they applauded. Zella doesn't know if she should stand up and get this over with, but Leo has a plan to continue it. He stood up, and every person inside the restaurant hooted. Is it a tradition here to dance?

Leo come across at her side, reached out a hand, and asked, "Will you dance with me?"

It made everyone munched in their lips, as if they're watching a fairytale unfolding in front of their eyes. Zella didn't know if she should be grateful with this opportunity. In which way would she know what Leo is?

Zella didn't want to get embarrassed. She held his hand, and they walked towards the dance floor. The spotlight followed them, and the band started humming a melodic tune. Too classic in her ears, but relaxing as it is, and Zella liked the tune of it.

As the singer get ready on her microphone, she threw a few banters first before signing at the band.

Leo held her waist. Zella placed her arms on his shoulders, looking straight at his eyes. She doesn't know why, but her heart beat louder than usual. He's pulling her in, even though he hadn't force her to touch his body. It's just the way it is. No matter how far they stood, the air pulled them together, wrapping on each other's arms.

"I simply know you wouldn't turn down this dance."

"And when the love blooms at the right time~"

"How would you even know?" Leo started to move, swaying her, as if he's an expert in dancing. He winked, soothing her side, and teased her bare armpit, caressing the inner of her arms. Finally, he reached her hand, and entwined it. Zella felt hot all of a sudden, but she resisted showing it.

She remained steady while Leo led the dance. The whole crowed was egging on them to kiss.

"The lovely colors of our memories, it will not turn to white~"

The tune picked up, and it's still romantic. Leo stopped from swaying, stepped a bit closer, leaned down his forehead upon her, and she widened her eyes. Zella touched it, both of them dancing under the spotlight. Some of the people even pulled out their cameras to record how cheesy they were on the dance floor.

"I love you~"

Leo didn't say anything throughout the dance. He just remained silent, his eyes closed, and solemn. It radiated through her, and both of them enjoyed the moment without actually seeing it. Zella closed her eyes, too, holding onto Leo's brusque palms, feeling his breath close to her nose, but she doesn't bother.

She even kissed his lips earlier.

"Lovely on you~"

The singer sang the resolution. A beautiful song for an admirable moment with Leo, and Zella wouldn't forget it. The moment she opened her eyes, it landed first on him. The applause came, and both of them still hold onto each other. Leo only smiled, held her hand, and guided her out of the dance floor.

"Thank you to our lovely couple!"

…

At the car back, Leo didn't say anything after the dance. Zella kept on fidgeting with her purse lock, as if she's guilty about what she said earlier. When they're dancing at the restaurant, he seemed different.

Zella wanted to conclude with her affection to him, but it wasn't that.

Leo turned around the curb, onto the mansion, and waited for a few seconds before turning off the car. Zella's gaze fixated to the fountain as Leo unbuckled his seatbelt. She stopped him, "Aren't you going to say anything?"

He froze. Why would he be?

Zella finally glimpsed at him. His reaction didn't even change. This… is unreal.

"What should I say that will you make you believe that I'm real?"

"Is that the reason you're not talking to me even if we're eating and dancing?"

"That's why I'm asking you. I don't want to talk because you see me as an unreal one."

"Can't I change my mind?" Zella seemed confused with the situation. Now, he's the one acting cold, like she's not even right. Zella furrowed her eyebrows.

"You said it with utter honesty, Laina."

"I'm your wife, Leo!" Zella wanted to believe it, for real, that's why she kept on saying it out loud. Leo stopped from arguing, and looked at her with gritted teeth. Zella clenched her jaw, holding onto her purse, and raised her eyebrows.

"Can't I be honest with you because I'm your significant other? Or was our marriage unreal, too?"

Leo shook his head vigorously. "It's not like that, Laina."

"Yeah, it's not, so that's why I want you to be honest with me. Who are you? Make me remember you, Leo," she pleaded.