Danny pulled me into his arms, hugging me tightly, as if the whole world had melted away and it was just the two of us on that stage. I wrapped my arms around him, holding on with everything I had. My eyes brimmed with tears—not of sadness, but pure, overwhelming joy.
He gently brushed a thumb under my eye. "Shh… we won, love. We did it."
I nodded, unable to speak. My throat was too tight with emotion.
Hand in hand, we stepped onto the stage. The teacher smiled proudly as she shook our hands and presented us with the golden trophies—brilliant and gleaming like everything we had worked for. Cameras flashed around us, and we posed beside our mentors. Behind those lights and cheers, I turned to look at Danny.
He was already looking at me—with that breathtaking, radiant smile. The kind that makes your heart ache in the most beautiful way.
My chest felt full. Overflowing. This wasn't just a win on paper. It was a win for us—for every little moment, every late-night practice, every time we believed in each other when no one else did.
And then came the ball.
The lights dimmed. Music wrapped around the room like soft velvet. He extended a hand, and I slipped mine into it. He led me onto the dance floor, his touch gentle, yet commanding. One hand rested lightly on my waist, and the other held mine close to his heart.
We swayed slowly. The world blurred.
"I can't believe this is real," I whispered.
He smiled, brushing a lock of hair behind my ear. "It is. And it's ours."
As we danced, he leaned in and whispered something, his breath teasing my ear—but the music drowned his words.
I frowned, half-laughing. "I can't hear you!"
He chuckled and leaned back. "Come with me."
He took my hand and led me through the hall, past the crowd, up the staircase to the quiet terrace, away from all the chaos.
"Danny," I said, catching my breath, "Why'd you bring me here? I didn't even get to taste the pastries."
He turned to me, mock-offended, lips forming a pout. "Here I am, trying to be all romantic—and all you care about is your dessert?"
I laughed, the sound light and genuine. "Aww," I said, cupping his face with both hands. "My sweet little jealous cupcake."
I kissed his forehead, but before I could pull back, he wrapped his arms around my waist and kissed me—softly, sweetly, deeply. His hands explored the curve of my waist, his lips tracing over mine with a hunger that had been simmering for too long.
He backed me gently against the railing, his body shielding mine from the cool breeze. His lips moved down to the corner of my jaw, to my throat, warm breaths and murmured promises sending shivers down my spine.
And then—he paused.
He looked at me with an intensity that made my knees go weak. His eyes weren't just full of desire... there was something else. Something deeper.
"I need to tell you something," he said, voice suddenly serious, eyes locked onto mine.
My breath caught in my throat. "What is it?"
He opened his mouth to speak—just as the terrace door creaked open.
We both froze.
"Danny?" a voice called out.
We turned to see—