<h4>Chapter 182 - THE DANCE 1</h4>


    The best love is the kind


    that awakens the soul;


    that makes us reach for more,


    that nts the fire in our hearts


    and brings peace to


    our minds.


    That''s what I hope to give


    you forever.


    –The Notebook–


    ????


    My reservations flew out the window. I found myself moving to the rhythm of the orchestra, enjoying the slow movements of my feet while forgetting that everyone in the room existed.


    This night is mine, this is my moment. Enjoying it is the best thing I could do. This event won''tst forever so I might as well cherish this moment while itsts.


    My lips wouldn''t?stop smiling the entire time as if nobody matters to me except gracefully moving on the dance floor while father holds me.


    This is the second time I was able to dance with him. The first time was during my birthdayst year. It was a bit saddening that I wasn''t able to dance with my father during my younger years and even on the day I turned eighteen. But I was still grateful that I''ve got to know my father and I still have the chance to dance with him on the future birthdays I will have.


    "Happy birthday, mi unica Hija." He gazed at me lovingly, tenderness welled on his bright inky eyes. "A year was added into your age and so your beauty increased." He added with a smile.


    "Thank you papa." I mumbled, reciprocating his smile.


    "Are you happy?" He asked softly after a calcted pause.


    I was surprised by the question that it took me a moment to respond,"Of course, I am happy, papa." I told him and it was the truth. Though I wasn''t one hundred percent happy because Ace was not here but still I am happy at the moment.


    "I''m d you are, my daughter. You''ve had had enough hardships in your life, "He swallowed hard and sniffed. "It''s time for you to finally be happy." Tears flickered on his eyes as he looked at me.


    I hugged him tight. "Thank you for everything papa." I mumbled, wiping a tear from the corner of my eyes.


    "I''m willing to do everything for my only daughter." He said andid a kiss on my forehead.


    When the dance was over,?father led me to where Ethan was waiting. Even with his mask on, I recognize my brother. When father let go of my hand and found his ce beside ire and Grandma who looked dashing in their matching beige dress, Ethan captured my hand and pulled me into the middle of the room.


    He was grinning from ear to ear as he whirled me to the dance floor. "You''re the prettiest woman tonight, big sister." He whispered close to my ears so his voice wouldn''t be drowned against the music.


    A grin appeared on my lips. "Do I? Or was it because it''s my birthday." I teased him and I was rewarded with a wide smile. His eyes were hidden behind a mask but I could imagine how his inky eyes crinkled underneath.


    "You''re always beautiful, big sister, but tonight you stand out among the rest." He replied softly and I felt how sincere he was.


    "I believe you now." I chuckled. Mirth danced into my eyes as I ced my gloved fingers into his shoulder.


    The soft musicing from the orchestra filled my ears as we moved on the dance floor. All eyes followed our movement but it didn''t bother me like it did a while ago. In fact, I was enchanted by the seemingly magical moment that I didn''t pay attention to the crowd.


    "Happy birthday. I wish you all the best, above all happiness. May everything you wishe true tonight."


    "Thank you, Ethan. I hope it will."


    "I''m guaranteed that your ultimate wish wille true." He said confidently.


    Sadness swiftly flickered inside me. I only want Ace to be here tonight, said a part of me. Could it be possible?


    I vanish the thought as fast as it arrived. I don''t want to feel sad, just for this moment I want to be happy.


    The song was fading in the background and the next song was about to y from the orchestra. We pulled into a stop and Ethan leaned closer andnded a quick kiss on my cheeks before he let go of my hands.


    Rhylle was eagerly waiting for his turn, before the next song could begin he took my hand gently into his own and led me to the center of the room. He couldn''t take the grin on his face as he did so. "Happy birthday sissy." He greeted me. "My only wish on your birthday is for you to provide me with a handsome nephew who is as handsome as I look. Or if possible, a nephew who is far more good looking than me."


    My head was thrown backward. A crunchyughter erupted from my lips. Thankfully the music was so loud that my udy-likeughter didn''t reach anyone nearby, for my grandmother would go crazy if she ever heard of it.


    "You''re kidding right?" I asked, trying hard not to burst into another udy-likeughter.


    Rhylle smiled in response then his smile turned toughter. "I''m not. You''d given me two lovely nieces and I want a nephew this time."


    "You need to have a girlfriend first." I told him jokingly. Rhylle was the gentlest man among my brothers. He''s twenty-three but never once had a girlfriend.


    "I was turned down." He said, finally after a moment of silence. He was pouting like a boy whose favorite toy was taken away from him.


    Afraid that I would hurt his feelings, I suppressed the smile forming on my lips. "She must be blind for turning you down." I told him. I didn''t say it out loud to console him but because it''s the truth. Who would turn a good boy down? She must be blind not to see his good qualities.


    "Let''s not talk about my lovelife. I don''t want to ruin your birthday." He said, a blush stained his cheeks.


    I chuckled and fondly patted his hair like a little kid. It was one of the things I wasn''t able to do when he was still a child.


    "Wait for the right girl toe along. It would be all worth it."


    I kissed him on the cheeks before he let go of my hand.