xyThe WEDDING

Gregory led Xenia to the dance floor.

"Can you dance, Gregory?"

The man gave a cocky corner smile, "I wouldn't have asked if I couldn't."

Gregory held Xenia's hand and placed the other on her naked back; his touch made the woman shudder.

"Sorry, my hands cold," Gregory said.

The man's hands weren't cold; on the contrary, they were warm, too warm. Gregory pulled Xenia close. Her head was just under his chin.

As the music's tempo speeded up, Gregory pulled her closer. Xenia practically breathed him as she inhaled the scent emanating from his collar. He smelled good; Xenia put her temporary infatuation on account of the three years spent without a man, of course being so close to one, an attractive one that had this effect on her.

Xenia's throbbing heart made her wish the music would stop. Gregory remained silent and focused, serious at all times; Xenia wondered what expression the man had now.

She lifted her head; his eyes shimmered emerald green and bored straight into hers like daggers. Xenia's gaze froze on his, had she dreamt Gregory's eyes were blue?

The woman only acknowledged the man's who stood before her existence and her own. Aurelie's wedding seemed like a mirage. The dream Xenia lived was far more enticing.

How come? Why I'm I only seeing you now? Xenia thought.

If someone told her she would slow dance with Gregory, and she would enjoy it, if not to say love it, at the present hour, Xenia would be in jail for committing homicide on the person who dared to suggest the idea.

Mark, Sophia, Niki, Malik, and the newlyweds watched how Xenia's dress swirled on the dance floor as Gregory led the way. Xenia had never danced like this, she didn't even know the steps, but she trusted Gregory. She could have moved her eyes closed and followed him to the moon and back, for this is where he was taking her.

The woman desired to stay there in his arms, but apart of Xenia suffocated by her emotions' combustion.

This isn't happening, Xenia; it will stop. Someone make it stop.

The Dj appeared to hear her plea as the song ended. Xenia broke away immediately and hurried off the dance floor to the toilet, leaving Gregory wondering what he had done wrong. The abandoned man walked off the floor, meeting Niki's gaze, who smiled before getting up and going to look for Xenia.

"Damn, you are really feeling that woman," said Malik, who joined Gregory at his table shortly after Niki's departure.

"I beg your pardon?" Gregory turned to face him.

A sly smile appeared on Malik's face, "Xenia, you fancy her. It's a shame she's a lesbian, though."

Fancy plus Xenia, Gregory never associated both words; he accepted her invitation, played the game, or was he?

They fought daily; this wedding was probably the first day where they didn't. Yes, Xenia fascinated Gregory in many ways, so could he like her, or did he already?

The woman filled Gregory's mind, but the man was subject to a form of denial at that instant.

Gregory knew the answer concerning his feelings, but he wasn't prepared to accept it yet.

XY XX

"Xenia, are you okay?" Niki asked.

She found Xenia gripping the sink with both hands in a total trance in front of the toilet mirror.

"Niki, what's wrong with me?" Her eyebrows knotted together as she turned to look at her friend.

"Why, Xenia, what's wrong?"

Niki was concerned about her friend, who, despite her jovial attitude, was boxed in solitude for the last few years. Afraid to be hurt, Xenia blocked everyone out. Even Niki had to fight to maintain their friendship.

"It's Gregory, that man. I swear he is like moss, he grows where you don't want it, and even though you cut it off, it comes back."

"Xenia, what are you talking about? You two look fantastic? I mean, you outshone the newlyweds on the dance floor, oh, gosh Xenia," Niki said, grasping both of Xenia's hands, "you two are a match made in heaven."

"Are you out of your mind, Niki? We are talking about Gregory. No matter how fantastic we looked, it's Gregory, and it can't be him."

"Why?"

"Because," Xenia made big eyes at her friend, who beat her stare with her laser blue eyes.

"Xenia, I know how you blush, your cheekbones rise, and you do your shy smile. See for yourself in the mirror. You know I'm right about this. Just let it happen."

"Let it happen, you say, and then what, Niki?"

Xenia stared at herself in the mirror; her heart still raced from the dance; she wasn't sure she'd survive another close encounter with the man.

"Don't think ahead, enjoy the moment with him, take what you can, whatever it is. We only live once, girl, go for it. Gregory is attractive, smart, and seems to be an honest guy. There's nothing wrong with taking a liking to him," Niki said, touching her friend's cheek.

"Niki, what about if I'm wrong. And that I'm making a deal about nothing and that there's nothing there?"

Xenia waved her hands everywhere; Niki grabbed them once more, "listen, Xenia, I've read enough ChickLit, Romance, self-taught, coaching, and experienced to know eyes don't lie and lips neither. I see the way Gregory stares at you and how he gazed at you while you danced. Xenia, you were there; you supported his gaze, you know the answer."

Xenia caught a glimpse of it, and she still wasn't sure of what she saw in the man's eyes.

"Now, let's go back and find out, face it, Xenia. Whatever it is."

When did Niki become a love guru?

Her relationship with Malik made her stronger. Shy Niki Wright was no more; the 28-year-old was a femme fatale and full of wisdom, Xenia thought.

XY XX

Gregory harbored a worried stare when Xenia returned. He, too, introspected on his motivations, but the man regained his composure as soon as he saw her. Time moved quickly after talking in small groups here and there; they were ready to leave, and so were the newlyweds.

"Wait here, Xenia, I'll fetch the car," Gregory said.

"Girls, I'm going to throw the bouquet," Aurelie announced.

Sophia tried to play strategically, standing outside of the circle. Xenia was too tired, and her feet hurt. Aurelie threw, and the bouquet flew. Sophia was ready for a kill, but the flowers chose Xenia's puffy curly hair.

Xenia took the bouquet out, "Aurelie; I think you should throw it again," Xenia said, not counting her retrieval.

Sophia sneered, "yeah, she cheated with her hair."

"Sophia, don't start. I think the bouquet fine where it is," Aurelie said with a smile. It was her wedding, and no one was going to run the show.

Xenia climbed into the car with the bouquet in hand.

"Can an accountant pay a Maserati with his income?" Sophia asked Mark, with whom they watched Xenia and Gregory drive away.

"How the fuck would I know?" Mark answered he was frustrated if not to say angry, and perhaps he was-.

"Jealous, Mark, I can't believe it. You're jealous," Sophia exclaimed, mouth agape.

"Cut it out, will you," Mark said back, going back into the party hall.

🌡XY+XX

"So future bride to be?"

"So some say," Xenia said, posing the flowers on the back seat.

A few minutes later, she was asleep until their arrival, where Gregory preferred to watch her sleep.

Not yet, Gregory thought.

"Xenia, we've arrived."

"Oh, sorry, Iㅡ."

"No worries."

They both stepped out and walked into the building, a rare silence accompanied them in the lift, and it was a different kind of relief they felt stepping out of it.

They now stood in front of their doors.