54 | Serenity

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Hello lovelies!

So...I hope you still remember me.

I know it's been a while, but life's been quite hard for me lately. I desperately wish that I could post more often, but I just can't. We're also nearing the end of ED (cries) and maybe deep down inside I just don't want to let go of Essie and Tiger. Those two mean the world to me. Not sure what the real reason for my absence (probably both), but I do hope you forgive me.

The chapter song is literally Serenity...after her. Was it planned? Absolutely not, but I am very much here for it.

Also, please don't forget to vote and comment, because I love reading the little things you have to say.

So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy this one (it's a cutesy chapter), my darling rosy tulips 🌷

♬ ✥*

Serenity.

Busy.

That's how life has been for both Harry and me since my birthday.

Apparently, there was another major project that Harry wanted to snatch and call it under the many already under Urban Corp. I wasn't sure of all the logistical aspects of it, nor could I focus on the details, but he just said that it was an opportunity the company couldn't pass up. So many companies were bidding on it, and I knew that was something Harry had been talking about lately.

Numbers.

And those numbers had a lot of zeros after them.

He always made it seem like buying a building was like buying bananas from the store.

I could never comprehend what was considered simple for him when it was monumental for me.

Harry kissed my cheek when he saw that I was honestly mind-blown about certain things, he told me that I didn't need to overthink. It wasn't that he was belittling me or my knowledge for such great things, but I only focused on one business — and that was mine. I was perfectly fine with keeping it like that. Just like Starlight was my baby, Urban Corp. was Harry's.

But there was one other thing reeling in my mind ever since he brought it up: franchising.

Was I really ready for that?

Did I even want that?

How would I even know which location to instruct at?

Would they all be in the same city or elsewhere?

There were so many questions, and I couldn't stop thinking about them.

My thoughts were quickly noticed by Harry when he caught me staring off into space. I brushed him off whenever he'd ask, but I'd tell him it was nothing. 

In reality, everything was fine, but it also wasn't.

Now with all of the possible ideas that could be life-changing, it wasn't.

There was also the performance that was yet to happen.

I was also nervous about that.

Yes, some people had been to Starlight's re-opening, and I've danced nationally before, but this was different.

This was going to be in front of hundreds of people who Harry, the CEO of Urban Corp., has worked with. This was going to be a performance at a place where not everyone who enjoyed or understood dance would be — so it had to be a showstopper.

Of course, Harry always told me that my dancing and choreography was always a showstopper, but I couldn't find it in me to believe it this time.

Which led me to another story: to perform solo or to have a group performance? That was the question.

I thought about asking River for some suggestions or help, but I wanted to do this on my own. I wanted this to ultimately be a representation of what the owner and founder of Starlight Studio could do, to what the studio could offer

I'd spoken about the event to him, Mars, and my family. I wanted them by my side on such an important day. It was also the first time they would get to see something that wasn't in their element; a hosted gathering filled with hundreds of multimillionaires enjoying a night of fine liquor, high arts, and entertainment.

And entertainment there would be.

Harry mentioned that live music was usually played; a small orchestra that tends to fill the void for events like this. He did say that my performance could be classical or practically anything that could sound through the speakers. Basically, I had ultimate freedom.

But all of that still didn't answer my own question of if I should do it solo or have my students be a part of it.

For a few days, I just put the entire thought to the back of my mind, and tried not to think about it, hoping that some idea or sign would pop up.

However, I got nothing.

It was a mess.

I was a mess.

However, as time passed, I came to a decision — and one was better than none. I was standing in the kitchen, chopping up some vegetables, and then I stopped as the notion came to me.

I wanted the performance to be solo. I felt it was necessary to showcase my skills and talent and tell the world that I could teach little prodigies to do what I could do. I can get them to be successful and lead them toward the direction of professional dancing. 

I knew I was good, but I wasn't cocky about it. I had the blood, bruises, sweat, and tears to prove it. My achievements and recorded performances led me to where I am today. I wanted to be a role model, and that was exactly what I wanted to be.

The only problem was that inspiration wasn't hitting me, and it was ultimately frustrating.

And not spending constant downtime with Harry wasn't helping. He was practically married to his work, and I was trapped in my mind, a girl going through an emotional rough patch.

Today, however, was different and very unexpected. Harry didn't have any meetings or needed to work late, so he popped by the studio after my last lesson. He'd picked up some tea for me on his way to the Starlight and surprised me — of course, his drink was his favourite black

I missed him.

We sat in my office and sipped on our drinks together, catching up on our days. He was happy that things were finally coming together on the project he wanted — mainly because he got it. It was rough for a while to obtain because of the bidders on the table. Whenever Urban Corp. wanted something, it was as if the other companies had to have it as well. Almost everything that Harry wanted, he knew that the rest would know it was a clean investment, which is why things got so rough with others since they were desperate to have its name attached to it. It made me proud of him, knowing he continued to lead his company to greater success.

When I told him how I felt, his cheeks reddened, trying to hide the shy smile when he brought his coffee cup to take a sip.

He was cute.

After that, though, Harry suggested that I try out some different choreography steps and work something together. He thought that maybe with him there, I'd have better luck. Which was true in previous occasions. So we popped back out to the empty studio, and he let me be free. I noticed how he didn't sit over to the side, but rather on the piano bench.

I watched as he carefully lifted the fallboard and settled his fingers on the keys. His brows furrowed just before pressing against them, hearing music suddenly filling the room's soundless void. His brows were furrowed slightly, a delicate strand of hair fell over his forehead, and eyes were sealed shut as he played each note, feeling it vibrate in my veins. 

A small smile curled on my lips as I watched him for a moment before letting him be. Seeing him do one of the things he loved was always heartwarming. No matter the case, he put his soul into the instrument, and it showed.

So he played beautifully, and I danced — and danced, and danced.

My blue eyes pierced through me as I looked at my reflection in the mirror, catching my breath every chance I took. But even listening to Harry playing ivory and ebony, nothing was coming together. I wasn't happy with anything. The moves were there, but it was bland.

I was stuck.

So I took a break and sat down with my back against the wall of windows. My reflection was straight ahead in the mirrors, and I could see the evident sadness on my face as I flexed and pointed my feet. 

It wasn't until I let out a deep sigh, realising that a melody was no longer echoed between these walls, as Harry walked towards me, a little smirk playing on his pretty lips.

"Penny for your thoughts, my love?"

Harry stood ahead of me wearing white runners on his feet, shorts and a tee with some random doodle of a guy on the front that he'd once stored in my changing locker here for days out of the office. It was for days like today

Emerald gems were vibrant, a clear layer covered them, feeling the desire to change it up. But even in the aching clouds desperate to let down rain or snow, and miserable faces outside furious with the weather, his expression was still brighter than a summer's day. 

The front of his pretty brunette hair was pulled up in a small claw clip — one that he stole from the top of my dresser, and began calling it his. With that said, the little bit upwards was something that I loved calling a 'sprout.' Harry found it quite strange the first time I mentioned it, face scrunching up which caused a laugh to leave my lips. I also showed him the emoji that I felt best resembled it, and he looked at me blankly saying "I look like a plant to you?" 

That only caused me to laugh harder. 

To put it simply, he looked positively adorable.

But as he looked at me, I sighed and rubbed my hands over my face.

"I just need a good routine. I can't come up with anything."I let out a soft whine with a frustrated faux sob. "Why?"

When I glanced up at him, he smiled at me — I frowned.

"Don't give me that look, H. I don't have a lot of time, and I'm drowning in frustration, and you're smiling at me."

A chuckle escaped his lips as he shook his head, then gave me a serious expression.

"I wouldn't dare smile at you, Es."

And broke my distressed feelings just a smidge.

"Besides, I never like to see you upset, sweetheart."

My lips pulled into a pout. "I hate being upset."

That's when another smirk pulled on the corner of his mouth.

"How about you include me in your dance?"

I raised a brow.

He had to be joking.

"Dude, what?" I deadpanned, and his nose scrunched at my word choice.

"I will disregard that title, Essie," he noted. "But come on. Look here."

Sighing, I kept my gaze on him as he went to grab his phone. A smile remained on his lips as he swiped on the screen, searching for something, and his expression widened as soon as the song was voiced through its speakers of the studio.

An orchestra sounded vividly and powerfully, and I knew that it was clear that the intent was for a waltz. String instruments were prominent, a soft piano in the background. I closed my eyes as I took in the music, and once I opened them, my jaw dropped just slightly.

There was Harry, moving around our studio, pretending to have a partner as he danced through the open space. A grin tugged at his mouth, yet opened in song to match the pitch, and while doing so, he held eye contact with me the entire time. An arm was extended out, his other hand pressed lightly against his chest. His steps were soft and light on his feet, with wide gaps between each step. They were precise, matching the music, even though there was pure humour holding onto his heart.

And his heart was currently something that I could see.

In those emerald gems I loved deeply, he also held onto another meaning — one of adding other elements.

But I decided to play along with him first.

Harry bent down in front of me with both arms in full extension, almost in a bow, a giggle escaped my lips at his action. I bit the corner of my mouth as he held his hands just inches away from me.

"Come on, baby love. Dance with me."

I shook my head, challenging him, and he raised a brow in realisation of what I was doing.

He didn't have any of it, though.

His hands reached further down to grasp my waist, and he threw me over his shoulder as he walked some steps towards the centre of the studio. I slapped his bum multiple times while telling him to put me down, but he just laughed and gave a little harsh tap on my behind while warning me. "Behave, Serenity."

The tone in his voice was stern enough to get me to stop.

I didn't exactly want to pay for it later.

Even though it was always fun.

Slowly, he set me down on my feet with a smile contrasting with how he'd just spoken to me. Innocent and pure, a literal angel.

And truth be told, he really was one.

Especially since he was in all white.

"Now, we're going to try this again," he said softly. "Dance with me, pretty girl. Show me what you've got."

That was a challenge in the sweetest way. It was no question, but a delicate demand. I knew what he was doing — and it was working.

My lips rolled in as my sapphire gems glimmered when I saw how he looked at me; with wholesome love, one that was desperate to start a spark of creativity in my feet.

Determined, I grasped his hand, and with a confident nod, he smoothly began with a lead for the dance. It was perfectly spontaneous, our steps matched with the beat of the music, and even once the tempo changed, each move uniquely altered to join along with it.

Unison.

It was all in exact harmony, with steps and instruments that played a beautiful song that ruptured passion in our hearts and souls. Lyrics that dug deep into our veins, a meaning so powerful that nothing could over dare let it tumble and fall.

Twirling, swirling, extensions, lifts, and an idyllic dip reminiscent of the first time we danced together. His glimmering emerald eyes gazed deeply into mine, sharing an intense look with his love and ardor for me—and one to tell me that I could do anything and everything.

Once he dipped me, he spoke those four words that had always resonated with me since the first time he said them, "I'd never drop you" and pressed his smooth lips against mine. He held me in his arms, a grip firm on me to ensure the words formed on his tongue.

Just like our steps, our mouths danced together, moving at a perfect pace that could take one's breath away.

Which was precisely what it did.

Parting for air, his lashes fluttered open, seeing those same beautiful eyes flicker between my own as I felt his hot breath against my skin.

"With moves like those, you can do anything, Essie. Sparkle, my starlight," he whispered before kissing my bottom lip.

When he pulled me up in a swift spin, I took over.

He let me lead, giving me the control to show me that I could truly do anything.

Our hands remained adjoined, touching skin to skin and fabric to fabric. Our moves were still in unison, but I created a choreography meant for one. He was my mirror, supporting me whenever I'd make a jump.

With him beside me, I got lost in my mind, selecting the perfect song to move along to. As I moved, I let the beat and tempo echo silently in my ears. Time was at a standstill, yet, it wasn't.

I hadn't realised I was smiling until my eyes settled on Harry's, gazing at me with a fond expression. His breath was just as heavy as mine from following my steps, but I shook my head and gave him a shy laugh.

"What?"

"Nothing. You just look stunning when you're dancing. Love seeing the passion on your face. Missed it. Missed experiencing it with you," he spoke softly, before leaning in for a delicate kiss.

His hands let go of mine, and he walked back to the wall. As he turned off the music that was playing, he looked up at me with that same tender face.

"Dance it again for me, pretty girl. Want to see the whole thing. Give me everything you've got," he said with a smile.

So I did.

Harry's lips parted as he watched me repeat the routine from beginning to end. It was silent in the room, only filled with light pants and soft taps against the floor. But it was deafening with emotion, a story being written, my body being the pen, the open space the paper.

His emerald gems read the novel from cover to cover, seeing an entire plot unfold in front of his eyes. A romance tale, bringing highs and lows, happiness and sadness, the details of a love story written from a female's perspective.

With the last lengthened extend of my arms, I stopped in the final movement. A breath was shared with mine, the same one from the man that I loved dearly. 

He knew what story it was.

Ours.

As my eyes met his, I couldn't grasp the sudden feeling of his body colliding against mine. Before I knew it, I felt the barre hit my lower back and his hands lifted my legs to wrap around his hips as he kissed me passionately. My breath was taken away by how urgent his movements were.

It was his turn to let his body tell me how much he loved me.

I felt it. I felt Harry all over.

I could only get a handful of words out, telling him to head to the changing rooms.

It was the only place where the security cameras weren't set up, and it was clear that Harry could not wait.

And frankly, neither could I.

So with frantic steps, he carried me where I told him, not daring to part his mouth from my own.

This time, he never spoke, only letting his body speak for him. His lips never let go of me. Whether it was my lips, neck, collarbone, cheeks, or shoulder, he was always pressing kisses against me.

The only time he let my feet touch the floor was when he pulled my leggings off, but I was quickly lifted up again after. He held me expertly as he guided us through everything, so determined to bring us to bliss—and he did. At that moment, I couldn't care less about myself, so as long as he declared his love physically; but he didn't dare to let that happen, pushing me off the side of the sensual cliff three times.

I loved every second of it, and I knew he did too. Doing that always drove himself on the erotic train, a passenger taking me with him. Not once had he ever left me hanging.

His mouth left me only when he rolled his head back, his neck vein so prominent as his lips parted, eyes shut tightly. His fingers dug deep into the bare skin of my hip, grounding me in place, while his right hand slammed against the lockers next to my head. He was so overcome with pleasure, and it was a sight for sore eyes.

As he regained his composure, he returned his lips to mine, whispering sweet nothings to me.

"Kissy."

"My God, you're incredible."

"Always so good to me."

"Sorry if I hurt you."

"Love you."

"My precious, Essie."

"Thank you."

Harry was so incredibly soft with me after that. He wouldn't leave my side, nearly glued to my hip—well, literally my hips until he left me—as he remained highly affectionate for the rest of the day.

After taking a quick shower and changing into warmer clothes, we left the studio not long after that. We both had dopey smiles on our faces, and Harry kept teasing me

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