Chapter 8

▫️Stella’s POV...

After being forced and blackmailed by that asshole I came to the mansion again. I talked with nick and then ava came with the dress and we went to the room to check it.

The peach-colored off-shoulder dress with a slit on the leg? Stunning. I couldn’t help but gasp. "Oh my gosh, this is so pretty," I mumbled to no one in particular.

Seriously, the only good thing about this whole mess was getting to wear these beautiful dresses.

After dinner, I went to bed early, trying to get some rest.

The next morning I thought Tomorrow is the big day ...birthday of my mother-in-law . Technically, I wouldn’t mind calling her my mother-in-law. Her son’s hot, handsome, and has that deep voice that could make anyone swoon. Oh my gosh, I could just melt. But hold on—he’s also a complete asshole. A jerk with a capital J.  I can’t even stand to be in the same room as him, no matter how attractive he is.

If he were just a little bit polite, like Gabriel, I might have--- I still wouldn't have swooned over him.  Forget this bastard.

He’s just a fox in a suit, all clever and sly, like some kind of vixen pretending to be a man. Ugh. Nope. Not thinking about him. Ever again.

-------

▫️Christian’s POV...

After breakfast, Liam dropped the bomb.

“You two need to dance at the party tomorrow,” he said with that smug smile, like it was the most obvious thing ever.

Stella and I stared at him in disbelief.

“Wait, what?” Stella mumbled, clearly annoyed. “This is going to be a disaster.”

I tried to get out of it, but Liam wasn’t having it. He waved his hand dismissively. “Nope, you’re doing it.”

We all gathered in Liam’s room to practice. Stella and I were in the center, with everyone else looking at us like they were waiting for a trainwreck.

I looked down at Stella, who was already giving me a look like I was the worst dance partner ever. “Ready?” I asked, trying to sound confident.

She shook her head. “Not even close.”

Then Ava turned on the music, and I held out my hand for Stella, who reluctantly placed hers in mine. I put my other hand on her waist.

“Okay, now what?” I asked, feeling like an idiot.

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Uh, why aren’t you moving?”

“I don’t know what to do next,” I admitted, feeling the awkwardness settle in.

MJ, sitting on the bed, sarcastically applauded. “Great job, Chris. You’ll be pro in no time.”

I glared at him. “I’m doing my best, alright?”

Stella just stared at me. “Wait, you seriously don’t know how to dance?”

“Nope,” I shrugged. “I guess I’ve been too busy doing other things.”

Stella blinked in disbelief. “Like blackmailing and forcing people to do stuff?”

I rolled my eyes. “Yeah, that too.”

“Alright, Chris,” Nick said, “Stella, you guide him.”

I looked at Stella. “You want me to follow your lead?”

Stella sighed, stepping closer to me. As she tried to demonstrate, she lost her balance. My reflexes kicked in, and I caught her before she fell.

The others immediately burst out in exaggerated unison, “Oooooo!”

Stella’s cheeks turned red. “Sorry!” she gasped, looking up at me.

“Don’t worry,” I grinned, “I’ve got you.”

I thought for a moment even this idiot feels shy in such moments. Not bad.

“I think we should just give up,” Stella sighed. “We’re terrible.”

Ava put her hands up in mock surrender. “No way. Just keep practicing.”

We tried for another hour, but it wasn’t going well. Liam let out a dramatic sigh from the couch. “This is a nightmare.”

“I swear, mafia trying to dance is worse than a nightmare,” I agreed.

Nick perked up. “I’ve got a solution.”

We all turned to him. “What now?” I asked, half-expecting him to do something ridiculous.

Nick vanished for a moment, and when he came back—he was wearing Ava’s red gown. Over his jeans and T-shirt. And he was strutting like he was in a beauty pageant.

“Where’s my handsome prince?” Nick asked, striking a pose in the doorframe.

MJ, without missing a beat, swooned dramatically. “At your service, my lady,” he said, bowing deeply.

The room exploded in laughter.

Then MJ grabbed Nick’s hand, placed the other on Nick’s waist, and tried to dance. It was even worse than our attempt. I swear I and Stella were better than them bcoz of looks may be. They both tripped and landed on the floor in a heap.

I couldn’t help but laugh. “Amazing dance, beauty,” I said, rolling my eyes.

MJ grinned as he struggled to stand. “You jinxed us, Chris!”

Nick groaned from the floor. “Yeah, I think I’ve lost all my dignity at this point.”

MJ tried to pick Nick up in a bridal carry but almost fell himself. Nick held onto MJ, laughing so hard he could barely breathe.

“Alright, alright, enough of the ‘dance moves,’” I said, still chuckling.

Stella clapped. “Atleast this failed attempt is better than Christian's most perfect attempt. ” she teased, bowing dramatically.

Ava was shaking her head. “I think we should just give up on looking graceful,” she said, laughing along with everyone else.

Ava nudged to MJ. “That was so ridiculous. But I can’t stop laughing.”

MJ smirked, “It was worth it just to see you smile.”

Ava smiled.

MJ said in low voice, “I’m the one who should be laughing. You're my favorite disaster.” but everyone heared it.

Ava chuckled, looking up at him. “I’m yours, huh?”

“Always,” MJ replied, his voice soft but serious.

Just then, the others noticed the cute moment and Stella teased, "Ooo!"

Before Ava could react, I grabbed Stella by the ear and pulled her out of the room. "Ow! What the hell?" Stella yelped, surprised.

I muttered low enough for Stella to hear, “That's the moment to run from dance. Also you shouldn't disturb them or they might disturb you one day .”

Stella looked in confusion but didn't asked. I know with her IQ she didn't understand what it mean by they might disturb you one day.