The man didn’t answer Emily’s question until the host’s booming voice, “Three, two, one!” snapped her back to reality.
“Well, I guess I’ll just find someone else,” Emily said, her voice laced with disappointment.
Just as Emily was about to turn and walk away, the host’s voice stopped her. “I’m going to come down from the podium to select some couples who will get a chance to dance on this dance floor.”
Emily’s heart skipped a beat as the host descended. Hope flared in her chest, hoping she would be chosen.
Suddenly, a woman’s voice broke the silence. “Can I come?”
Emily turned to see Alice, a big smile on her face, holding a masked man beside her. Alice, the host of the event, was not wearing a mask.
‘Is that Daniel?’ the question rang in Emily’s mind, swallowing the bitterness she felt. The masked man looked tall and well-built, standing next to Alice, as if they were the perfect couple. Pain pierced Emily’s heart.
“I don’t want the prize,” Alice said, her voice full of excitement. “But let me join this game.”
“Of course, Miss Alice. Well, we’ve got our first couple,” said the host.
“Who else wants to join the game?” he asked.
Several people raised their hands, their faces lit up with excitement and enthusiasm. The host began selecting participants. Emily hesitated for a moment before raising her hand.
“Yes, the couple wearing glasses over there. You’ve been chosen. Please come forward,” the host said.
He then continued to select other couples.
“Yes, that couple over there. You may come forward,” the host pointed to the enthusiastic couple at the back.
Emily looked distraught when she wasn’t chosen, but she persevered by keeping her hand raised. The host selected another couple, but Emily was not chosen again.
“The choice has fallen on four couples. Only one more couple will be chosen,” the host announced, his voice full of enthusiasm. A palpable tension filled the room as guests eagerly awaited the announcement of the final couple.
The host’s eyes darted around the room until he finally shouted. “Alright, that pretty lady in the red dress over there. You’re chosen!” He pointed at Emily.
Emily was shocked and covered her mouth in disbelief. A wave of happiness and relief washed over her as she realized she has been chosen for dance. The glowing lights and thunderous applause from the guests greeted her success.
“Can you be my partner? Please,” Emily whispered to the man who had refused her earlier.
“I’m not interested,” the man muttered coldly.
The man’s voice sounded familiar, unsettling Emily. Her heart raced as the image of Daniel’s voice flashed in her mind. The masked man’s voice sounded eerily similar. However, she quickly dismissed the thought. It couldn’t be Daniel. It was impossible.
“I’m sorry,” Emily pleaded, her voice hopeful. “But if I win the cash prize, I’ll share it with you. Please be my dance partner tonight.”
The man started to leave, but Emily blocked his path. “Do me a favor. I promise to share the prize.”
The man seemed to ignore her, and Emily, feeling desperate, knelt before him, pleading hopefully.
Several pairs of eyes focused on them, and whispers rippled through the crowd.
“Look at that! That man made her kneel to him!”
“Is that woman his girlfriend?” another voice echoed.
The man, who had previously rejected Emily, massaged his mid-brow. The gesture triggered a memory of Daniel, who often did the same.
‘Could this man be Daniel?’ Emily thought, but quickly dismissed the thought. There was no way. Daniel was with Alice, just as she had seen earlier.
“Stand up,” the man said firmly.
“Do you agree to be my partner?” Emily asked hopefully.
The man pulled Emily’s hand and led her to the dance floor. Emily gasped, her eyes wide.
‘Did he really agree?’ Emily thought, her heart skipping a beat.
Emily continued to watch the man. Something about his figure felt familiar, but the dim lights and his mask made it difficult to recognize his face.
The five selected couples were asked to stand in a circle around a small podium in the center. The air crackled with anticipation and excitement as the dance round was about to begin.
“Let’s start this game of fate!” the host shouted, his voice echoing throughout the room. Soon, the melodious music began to play, inviting the participants to dance. Emily, who was not used to dancing, felt her steps were heavy. She accidentally stepped on the man’s foot.
“Sorry!” she said, her face flushing red.
Emily was getting nervous. She tried to be more careful, but her feet wouldn’t cooperate. She stepped on his foot again, this time harder.
“Sorry, sorry!” she shouted frantically, creating a moment of chaos and nervousness on the dance floor.
The man sighed, “If you can’t dance, why force yourself to participate in this silly game?”
“Sorry, but I really want the prize,” Emily whispered.
“Can we go there?” Emily asked, pointing to the small podium.
The man did not answer, but they slowly moved closer to the podium. Emily’s movements were still clumsy, but the man guided her patiently. His warm touch warmed her, and she began to feel more comfortable dancing.
The other two couples were vying to reach the podium, resulting in a tug-of-war and pushing to be the first couple up. A tense atmosphere filled the room as a minor mishap occurred, causing the host to immediately stop the two couples and announce their disqualification.
“The candidates are expected to maintain order and safety during this game. As such, only three couples remain. Let’s continue with the surviving couples!” the host said sternly.
The spotlight shone onto the dance floor, highlighting the three remaining couple, Emily and her partner, Alice and her partner, and another couple.
Emily took a deep breath, trying to calm herself. The music resumed, inviting them to move. Emily stared at the small podium in the middle of them, the final target of this game.
Suddenly, the music sped up, pounding and livening up the atmosphere. Emily felt confused because the tempo was too fast for her.
“Calm down, don’t be stiff, follow my movements,” the man whispered soothingly.
The man gently guided Emily to move with the music. “Look, this step… then turn your body… and follow the music.”
Emily moved more smoothly, her steps beginning to synchronize with her partner’s. She felt his firm hand guiding her, felt the warmth of his approaching body.
“Good, you can do it. Trust me,” the man whispered, taking Emily’s breath away.
‘He really does look a lot like Daniel,’ Emily thought.
Alice and her partner almost reached the podium first as the song came to a close.
“Now,” the man whispered, his voice full of excitement. Emily understood. She took a deep breath, bracing herself. Nimbly, she climbed onto the podium before the song could stop.
Emily made it to the first step of the podium. However, her joy was soon replaced by worry. The two other couples made it to the podium as well. Their weight crushed Emily’s small body, sending her flying. The atmosphere was full of chaos and worry. The guests watched in shock and dismay at this unexpected incident.
Emily’s body floated, disappearing from sight for a moment. She felt the fear that seized her soul. She closed her eyes tightly, waiting for the inevitable collision.
However, the impact did not happen. Emily felt something soft absorb her body. She opened her eyes slowly, and was surprised to find herself falling against the body of the man who was her partner. Their lips touched, a touch that was etched in silence for a moment.