28: Cinderella

I think it was safe to say that my friendship with Liz would not be getting back on track anytime soon. She was finally back home, much to her parents delight but she still wasn't on speaking terms with Jason. I could see how much this was hurting Jason and all I wanted to do was make things right. I couldn't bring myself to contact Liz. I was definitely the last person she would want to hear from right now. I felt so helpless and I didn't know what to do.

Jason was his usual self at work, keeping up the appearance as if nothing was wrong. I knew, deep down, that he was hurting. It was now December, meaning Christmas was nearby. I just hoped that everything would have been patched up by then. I would hate to think of Jason feeling alone at Christmas with Liz not speaking to him.

The whole office was abuzz with excitement over the Christmas party. This year, we were having Christmas dinner at some fancy hotel, where we had booked out the hall for some dancing and partying.

"I can't wait to have a night away from the kids" Yasmeen laughed "I've already told my husband to make sure he didn't have any plans for tonight"

"I actually met my wife at a Christmas party. We accidently bumped into each other while dancing and the rest is history" Jakub smiled, reminiscing of the past.

"Awww, that sounds so romantic" I cooed.

"Christmas time is indeed a time for romance" Daniel smiled, a dazed look in his eyes.

"You're only saying that because you're all loved up" Jakub teased.

His proposal had gone down well, and it was all Daniel could talk about after. His girlfriend was already starting the wedding preparations. He would keep us updated on all the progress.

"Yes, yes I am" Daniel grinned, not even trying to hide that fact.

I sighed, thinking how Daniel was right, that Christmas should be a romantic time. Although our families had always spent Christmas together, this would be my first Christmas with Jason as a couple. Who knows if we would end up spending it together this year?

At least I had this night to look forward to. I had an amazing dress to wear, one which Liz would have approved of, I'm sure. I was hoping tonight, I could forget all about my worries and fears and just enjoy the night with Jason. Although, if I was seen dancing with Jason, it would confirm everyone's suspicions of us being together.

Although the rumours of us being together had quietened down, it didn't stop our colleagues teasing us about it every so often. We would laugh it off, thinking it funny that they would think such a thing. Out of the office was a whole different matter.

We hadn't discussed what our plan for the party was, whether or not we were going to keep our distance or if we were going to save each other a dance. I suppose I would just have to wait and see what the night brought.

I was dressed in a blue floor-length , which sparkled as I made my way inside the grand hotel, making me feel like Cinderella going to the ball. I smiled as I saw my team already settled at the table and made my way over to them. The party was already in full swing by the time I arrived. The music was blaring as everyone mingled with each other, some people already taking to the dance floor, swaying their hips to the music.

"Wow, you look amazing Rosie" Yasmeen smiled.

"As do you" I smiled back, admiring her red dress that draped beautifully to the floor, her matching hijab with little bits of glitter, glittering in the light.

"What time do you call this Cinderella?" Daniel chuckled.

"Hey, I call this being fashionably late" I laughed, sticking my tongue out.

"Well, if you were looking for your prince charming, he's over there" he smirked, pointing over to the other end of the hall, where Jason stood, talking to his team members. I couldn't help but smile as he stood there, in his suit and tie, looking very elegant.

"I wasn't looking for him actually. But thanks", I blushed, making my way over to him. There was no point in hiding it from Daniel. He knew right from the start that something was going on and never did let it go.

My heels clacked against the floor as I made my way to my prince, as Daniel put it, which made Jason turn my way. If people didn't know we were together before, his heart melting grin he gave my way would have given it away.

He finished his conversation with his colleague and made his way to me, his smile growing wider. In that moment, everyone else in the room disappeared, leaving just the two of us standing there smiling like Cheshire cats.

"Wow, you look amazing" he smiled, moving closer to me.

"You look great too" I grinned, biting my lip, feeling like I hadn't seen him in ages when in fact I had only seen him a few hours prior. Granted, we didn't actually speak much, since we were working, so this was our first time speaking to each other all day.

The large Christmas tree shone brightly, the tinsel and the flashing lights illuminating the room. All I could hope for was that our Christmas turned out to be magical as I was feeling right now.

He approached closer, inching towards to my ear and whispered "I have a surprise for you later on"

"Uurrghhh, you would think you'd know by now that I hate surprises" I groaned.

"Trust me, it's the perfect surprise to end the night on" he raised an eyebrow.

"Can't you just tell me anyway?"

"You're never going to change, are you?" he chuckled, rolling his eyes. "Fine, I suppose I can tell you this one little surprise. Besides, at least this way, you'll have something to look forward to at the end of the night. I've actually- "

"Hey man, their serving the food" one of Jason's colleagues announced.

"I suppose you'll just have to wait" he chuckled.

"That is cruel and mean and I hate you for doing this to me" I grumbled.

"No, you don't" he smirked as he walked back to his table.

I walked back to my table, grumbling as I went along, moaning about how I hated surprises.

The dinner was delicious, just as super fancy as I would have expected it to be in a place like this. I chatted away to the rest of the team, discussing our plans for Christmas and the presents we had all bought our loved ones. That reminded me of the gifts I had got for Liz and Jason, that was, if our Christmas plans were still going ahead and our families were still spending the day together.

For Jason, I had made him a photo album and included pictures I discovered of us from when we were younger, to our recent pictures which included some from Edinburgh and some of our dates. And for Liz, it was something similar. I had found old pictures from when we were kids and from our high school days, which made me laugh as I looked at them, taking a trip down memory lane. I had decorated each album cover, giving it the personal touch. I had also included some gifts I bought from Scotland. I just hoped that I got the chance to give the present to Liz.

When the dinner was done with, everyone made their way to the dance floor, the DJ hired for the night blasting the music for everyone to enjoy. I joined in, my heart beating in time to the music as I floated around the room. It's amazing what a little liquid courage could do to one's dancing ability. I hadn't had this much fun since our night out in Edinburgh.

I could see Jason out of the corner of my eye, who was also dancing without a care in the world. Memories of our night in Edinburgh came flooding back and I couldn't help but smile. Jason caught me staring at him and walked my way. "You look like you're having a lot of fun"

"Tons" I laughed. "There's just something about working at this company that's changed my view on dancing"

"How about you and I have a little dance?" he smirked.

"What? Here? You know we can't do that. People will find out about us"

"Is that such a bad thing?" he raised an eyebrow.

"Yes. Who knows what this could mean for our careers?"

"Dance with me and pretend the world doesn't exist" he , his green eyes piercing into mine.

After that, there was no going back. I took his hand in mine, and he twirled me around, for the whole room to see. But in that moment, I forgot all about them and focused on the person in front of me. I didn't want to think about what everyone would say, I didn't want to think about what the future held, I just wanted to focus on the here and now. Besides, everyone seemed to be having way too much fun to notice us anyway.

We danced the night away, not having a care in the world. It was turning out to be such a fun night that I didn't know how it could be topped. "Thanks for the dance. I forgot how much fun it can be just forgetting about all your worries and letting go"

"See, I told you it would be fun" he laughed.

Soon that moment of fun turned into a moment of fear. What if people did spot us? What if our bosses saw us? Would they accept us being together, considering office relationships were frowned upon?

"What happens if anyone has an issue with us dancing together?" I asked, now fearful that our jobs were on the line.

Jason chuckled, turning me around to face the others "See everyone else? They're all dancing with each other. To everyone, we will just look like two friends that are dancing, just like everybody else"

I looked around to see everyone else was in their own little world, either dancing on their own or in a group. I suppose it would just look like we were just dancing like everybody else and nothing more. I smiled, realising I had nothing to worry about.

"Hey, Jason, c'mon, we're getting a marketing team group picture", one of Jason's co-workers called out. Jason was grabbed away, leaving me to dance on my own. But I wasn't alone for long as Daniel appeared by my side.

"You having fun? It seems like you are" Daniel laughed.

"Are you?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, I am. You know I love any excuse for a dance. And I can see you're having fun with lover boy"

I rolled my eyes. Of course, he would know something was going on. He was our number one supporter from day one. "Yes, I am having fun with my best friend"

"Oh no, you're not telling me those lies. From what you've told me Liz is your best friend. And from my observations, you and Jason are more than just friends"

"You're right" I smirked, folding my arms "We're best friends"

Daniel chuckled "I'm just saying, I better get an invite to the wedding"

"Who's getting married?" Jason asked, coming back from his photo session.

"No one. Yet" Daniel laughed, taking to the dance floor once again.

"So, are you ready for your surprise?" Jason asked.

"Yes, I'm so ready" I grinned.

He leant down to my ear and whispered, feeling myself blush as he told me. I smiled, letting him take my hand and guide me to what would hopefully be a magical ending to a magical night.

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Uuuggghh, this chapter.... It didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. And I couldn't bring myself to tell you all what the surprise was. I'm blushing just thinking about it... All I'm saying is they are in a hotel, sooooooo.......

But Daniel, I just love writing about him. He's totally Jason and Rosie's number one fan!

If you guys are writing and you ever need some prompts to help you out, I would recommend @Ithildaeforever Writing Prompts for Everyone. There was a line used from the book that helped with this chapter. It was just too cute, I had to use it.