Chapter 42 - So you think you can dance?

NOTE:

- Uni sucks man. It feels weird for not posting after so long. Anyway, I'm going to try write as much as possible because I'm on a short break !

- UPDATE: jfc i should have gotten an editor. I am so sorry to the ppl who read this before my editing. it's tough and i deserve all the hate in the world

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POV: Nero

The two hours were just speeches (that was a complete snooze fest) made by bosssir himself (except his. His voice will never get old), a couple of higher ups and some guest speakers. In conclusion, I learnt absolutely nothing from those speeches because I zoned out to pay attention my friends and the food they served mid-speeches. I honestly didn't know if they were appetisers or entrees or whatnot because this was apparently a seven course meal and I seriously had no fucking clue what that meant. Since when did people have to eat seven times a day, in one sitting?

Nevertheless, I spent the entire (during the speeches) listening to Mason and Pearl gossip about the people around them and the things celebrities had to do to get their spot to this thing. One dude apparently sucked off another when he identified as straight male but it did apparently give him some enlightenment afterwards because rumours have it that they were now casually hooking up. I'm pretty sure being gay wasn't contagious but I began doubting that fact. That or maybe being gay is more fun than being straight.

I had also realised during the entire conversation that Mason was fucking whipped for pearl. Like there was some major simp energy exuding from him as he looked at her like some sort 24 carat Rolex or like she was his dream Ferrari while she animatedly bitched about some co-worker. For someone who was a self-proclaimed observant bastard, I was disappointed in myself for not noticing earlier because it was light as day that he'd been pining after her for a while. However, that wasn't even the best part because as soon as Mason pulled his attention away from her to tend to food or talk to another female, Pearl looked back at him with THE SAME EYES (there was a hint of jealousy when his attention was on the other females). The idiots were pining after each other and it was frustrating because neither of them were hiding the fact that they're gone for each other, yet they couldn't see that. They're worse than bats.

So I made it my mission to help them and I had a failsafe plan, that works 100% of the time. I would execute the plan after I finished my dinner (which I inhaled) and appreciated the masterpiece that was Mr. Covell from a far distance. Speeches were already over and as everyone were having dinner, the man was going around talking to other important people.

I recognised none of them except for Erwin, who was immediately flocked by his groupies after talking with his best friend. You could tell he was beyond annoyed but he managec to hold it together. Seeing his pain was quite enjoyable.

Anyway, Leo spent about half an hour going around and he still hadn't finished (I blame the bunch of females who basically pounced at him to try and get a taste of him. They slowed down whatever schedule he had. Their efforts went to waste), which got me a tad bit worried because the man wasn't eating dinner, which slowed down my own chewing.

I sure as hell hope he had something to eat or else I'm going to stuff this chicken drumstick down his throat. Kindly. Stuff it down kindly. So I don't get fired.

Fortunately, as soon as I was finished with that thought, the man found his table (which was next to the dancefloor) and sat down to eat. I nodded to myself in content and continued inhaling my food again. Unfortunately, I'd failed to notice Matthew (and his wife) looking at me with smug eyes.

After dinner, some people went out and about to take photos and socialise but most stayed in their seats to watch the three performances/sources of entertainment, which included a comedian (I laughed so hard, I nearly puked), a dance performance (I bopped my head so hard, I nearly dislocated my neck) and a fire breathing performance (that one I didn't find as cool. I have knock off Thor as a best friend). All in all, the night didn't go as badly as I thought it would. In fact, I found myself to be enjoying it a bit. Maybe because I wasn't forced to talk to strangers or come in contact with Leo (which made me very depressed at the same time), however, that enjoyment was soon shattered. Just slightly though.

It's when the dance floor opened up and Matthew began pushing the entire department onto the floor. Obviously, since I was part of that stupid ticket deal in the first place, I had no option to back out of dancing but I did tell him I'll only go if there were more people there, which was contradictory for a person like me. Let me explain though. It's not like I mind dancing, in fact, I love dancing and the free feeling of it. It's also not like I'm bad at dancing either. I would say I'm pretty fucking good, considering all the eyes I attracted at the club when I got into it. Even me dancing in front of people wasn't the issue (I don't really care). The issue was that I had to dance in front of my co-workers. Dancing was something personal to me, something that's part of my private life.

So if I went busting it down here, it would be kind of like me mixing my private and work life and that's something I'd like to avoid. Except I couldn't so this entire monologue was completely pointless.

Anyway, back to explaining why I wanted more people on the dance floor, the more people crowded, the more it's like a club and the increased chance of me blending in. Our table was now empty, leaving behind Mason, Pearl, Matthew and I, with the other three keeping an eye on me in case I ran away and bailed. I released a surrendered sigh and looked back at the dance floor to find it filled with enough people (and no signs of Leo :( ) so I stood up (after chugging back a glass of Champaign) to get the stupid thing over and done with... as well as execute my plan.

"Ok, I'm ready to go now," I said, directed at Matthew.

"Ok. So go." Matthew made no movement from his spot.

"Matthew, please go first."

"You're going to run."

"No, I won't. I only told you to go ahead. Not these two," I pointed at Mason and Pearl, who are looking at us with mild confusion. "I just need to talk to the two and I'll go... 'bust it down' in your terms."

Matthew looked at me suspiciously before declaring, "I'm not going to go because I don't trust you but I will be standing out of ears distance so I won't hear what you're saying but close enough to chase you down."

I shrugged and put my attention back to the very confused, soon-to-be couple. I cleared my throat before announcing, "I have something to say."

Mason and Pearl looked at each other with puzzlement before looking back at me. "Okaaaay?" said Mason.

"The thing I have to say is... Mason is in love with Pearl and Pearl has super big crush on Mason!" As soon as I finished, I bolted towards Matthew who was about to chase after me but stopped since I headed in his direction and not away. I grabbed his wrists as I heard a simultaneous "NEROVSKY!" being called out from behind me but I just dragged Matthew to the dance floor, cackling to myself. I took a quick glimpse over my shoulder to see my two very flustered friends clearly talking it out. A wave of relief passed through me and finally, we reached the dancefloor.

As soon as my feet touched the wood floor, I get dragged by an excited Matthew towards the finance employees, who all happened to be conveniently in the centre of the floor. The co-workers opted into creating a circle around me, giving me room to go as hard as I want and effectively blocking off the other dancers with their barricade. That being said, I noticed a couple of unfamiliar faces part of the circle. Once the room is made, I immediately began swaying along with the other people, moving along with the beat of the music. As soon as said beat picked up, I took it as my cue to show them what I am made of because even if this entire thing was against my will, I will show them that shit like this wasn't enough to embarrass me or deter me. Shocking for introvert like me, innit?

My swaying turned into larger hand movements and proper dance moves, executed fluidly and effortlessly. I felt the music running through my blood, rhythm taking over my body. I transitioned from one position to another effortlessly, making myself look agile and good. I knew my moves attract all the boys to the yard... floor. Hopefully no girls though.

Anyway, I didn't even need to look to know that the people around me were gaping in confusion and shock but the shock was quickly turned into encouragement where now the entire circle was whistling and cheering for me. Towards the end of the chorus of the song, I felt myself beaming in joy, enjoying the adrenaline coursing through my vein and for once, loving the cheering that was directed towards me. I winked at an overexcited Matthew, who mock feinted onto his exasperated wife. I toned it back down to simple swaying to not prompt the people around me to break up the circle and join me.

Everyone got the message and everyone now was either jumping up and down or dancing with their dates. Matthew was with his wife, both boogying it down and the recently joined Pearl and Mason were swaying with each other, love shining from their eyes. It brought a fond grin to my face but also made me feel a tad bit lonely because it's something I could probably never have. Something I don't deserve. Speaking of something I can never have... I tried to look around the floor and the area as subtly as possible for everyone's favourite boss. The likelihood of achieving such goal was almost nil since the guy was busy doing anything else but hey, it's worth a shot.

It seemed the odds were with me though because as soon as my eyes brush over the elevated stage next to the dance floor, my eyes locked onto the target. A very enchanted looking target. For some reason, Leo was looking back at me like he'd been hypnotised and it startled me out of dancing. Well, swaying.

We're both frozen and blatantly staring at each other because I didn't know what to do, now that I caught him staring at me. I felt heat rushing to my cheeks due to the attention I was getting and the realisation that Leo most likely saw me busting it down. Thank fuck I actually tried in that case. At least he can be impressed with something about me. But why does he look so out of it? Is it that shocking I can dance? Did he want me to embarrass myself? Was he whipped my moves? I can't believe I just said that.

Even after my mental bullshit spewing, the damn guy still hadn't moved from his spot nor did he look away. It began to freak me out so I was about to move towards him to ask him what's wrong but some bimbo came out of fucking thin air and clamped herself (her boobs) onto Leo's arm.

It broke him out of his weird stupor, rapidly blinking as if to non-verbally say, what the fuck just happened? His eyes widened as he seemed to get his thoughts together and immediately directed all his attention to the girl. It was hard to see but I swore ear tips and cheeks were dusted pink. Regardless, I couldn't study his side profile deeper because he dragged the girl off the stage with him, probably to get some peace and quiet. It created a bad squeezing sensation in my chest.

"Hey! Why'd you stop dancing?!" Matthew came from behind, hopping to the beat of the music. The previous befuddlement was washed off and I used this opportunity to get a breather.

"I'm going to go for a smoke!"

The manager stopped dancing, eyebrows raised as high as the roof. "You smoke?"

I shrugged in response. "Occasionally. A method to calm myself down from a high or stress." (By getting more high *cough*)

"Interesting... alright." Matthew disappeared into the crowd, renewing his bopping and it rose a chuckle out of me as I walked towards the exit.