Chapter 77 You Don’t Get To Quit
Rachel had never tried dancing before, so her initial movements were notably rigid.
A week into practice, she had made minimal progress, and the results were disheartening.
With the fast ball fast approaching, she dedicated all her spare time outside of studying to practice her dance moves.
She tirelessly rehearsed the steps day and night, even while eating, running them through her mind repeatedly.
Ultimately, after countless hours of persistence and hard work, she began to
understand the basics.
She often found herself practicing alone in the large rehearsal space.
Wearing high heels for extended periods and the lack of adequate rest led to a series of painful blisters on her heels.
Each time she popped a blister, another would soon form.
She would treat each new blister the same way, and before she knew it, she lost count of how many she had endured.
Her motivation to continue through the pain was fueled by the anticipation of dancing
with Brian at the ball.
The event was set to start at 7 p.m. that night.
Determined to secure a dance with Brian, she arrived early to get in line.
It was essential to be at the front, as the popularity of the invitees like Brian meant those further back in the line’might not get a chance at all.
Luckily, she was early enough to secure a spot.
Preferring not to stand out, she opted for the last number available.
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Chapter 77 You Don’t Get To Quit
Unexpectedly, the evening’s first dance featured Brian and Tracy as partners,
Their presence on the dance floor captivated everyone,
Tracy’s gown struck a stunning balance between elegance and allure, drawing all eyes
to her.
Her hair cascaded down like fluid silk, and her figure moved with effortless grace.
The audience broke into loud applause and cheers for the pair.
Looking down at her own dress, Rachel suddenly felt it was starkly modest.
Even more embarrassing was her own dancing.
She had believed herself considerably improved, but next to Tracy, she felt hopelessly plain, a mere shadow among radiance.
That evening, she decided to pass her chance to dance with Brian to another girl.
The girl was overjoyed, looking at Rachel with wide eyes. “I can dance with Brian? Are you serious about giving this to me?”
As Rachel watched Tracy, her expression grew resigned. She nodded decisively. “Yes, I’m
not feeling well, so it’s yours.”
“Wow, thank you so much! This is unbelievable!”
That evening, Rachel quietly occupied a corner, observing as Brian gracefully danced with various partners.
Each dancer was elegantly dressed, their steps practiced and sleek.
She was relieved she hadn’t joined them on the dance floor, fearing she might have
embarrassed herself.
The expenses for the dance classes and her dress had relegated her to a diet of mere bread for almost a month. Furthermore, she had to work a part–time job for two months to pay back the funds she had borrowed from her peers.
Yet, despite all her sacrifices, she fell short of her goal.
From that point on, she swore off dancing..
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Chapter 77 You Don’t Get To Quit
Brian wasn’t put off when Rachel hesitated to reach out her hand. “I can lead well enough for both of us.”
“No, I’ll ruin it,” she replied.
But he didn’t allow her to retreat. He gently grabbed her wrist and pulled her towards him with determination.
Frightened, she gripped his jacket. “Brian, stop! I can’t do this, I really can’t!”
However, Brian had already escorted her to the dance floor.
“Don’t worry,” he whispered soothingly. “Stick with me, and you’ll be the star of this
dance floor.”
He wrapped an arm securely around her waist, holding her close, his tone filled with
calm assurance.
Despite her nervousness, he signaled the band to begin.
With one hand clasped in hers and the other securing her waist, he led her carefully through each step, his guidance gentle and patient.
Yet, Rachel felt rigid, her steps awkward and halting.
Her high heels, which were already uncomfortable, started to mark her feet with red
indentations.
Instead of stepping back, she mistakenly moved forward, stepping directly onto his foot.
“Oh, I’m terribly sorry!” Rachel blurted out, her face flushed with embarrassment.
Memories of Brian dancing flawlessly with Tracy haunted her, showcasing a natural, fluid partnership.
In contrast, she felt utterly out of place.
“It’s okay,” Brian comforted her, his voice gentle. “Let’s try a few more times. Just follow my lead, and I’ll guide you. Jeffrey is over there, watching. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to see us complete a dance together.” Brian’s voice was soft, comforting like a soothing breeze by her ear.
Rachel’s tension eased a bit as she tried to sync with his steps.
However, her inexperience was apparent, and she kept apologizing.
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Chapter 77 You Don’t Get To Quit
“I’m sorry…”
་་
“Sorry again…”
“I’m so sorry.”
After several more mistakes, Rachel reached her limit.
“I’m sorry, this is all my fault. I’m just not meant for this. I should stop.” She began to lift her dress, intending to exit the dance floor.
Brian, however, was determined not to let her give up.
He caught her arm and twirled her twice before drawing her back into a firm embrace.
As she leaned back, he dipped down, their eyes locking mid–air. They were so close that a mere tilt could have their lips touch. At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
Jeffrey seized the opportunity to take several photos, promptly saving them.
“You don’t get to quit,” Brian said firmly. “No matter how you dance, if I’ve chosen you as my partner, then you are the best.”
Rachel had to concede, in that instant, such words would melt any woman’s heart. And
she was certainly not immune.
“Shall we try a few more times?” he suggested warmly, looking for her agreement.
Instinctively, she nodded her assent.
They began again, starting from scratch.
“Hold onto my waist,” he instructed.
“Alright.” She bowed her head slightly and carefully placed her hands around his waist.
He drew her in closer, reducing the distance between them even further.
“Just forget everything else. Focus only on me,” he replied.
“Understood.”
In the soft lighting, their movements began to align, and they found their rhythm together.
Off to the side, Jeffrey watched with a subtle grin.
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Earlier, Samira had shared concerns about potential tension between Rachel and Brian. Wanting to mend any rift, Jeffrey had set up this dinner.
Now, seeing no signs of discord between them, his worry dissipated.
He silently turned away, leaving them alone, respecting their moment of intimacy.
