Chapter 252: Night One: Waltz in the Air

Eve's legs continued walking down the stairs. Her face displayed a look of shock, her eyebrows scrunching a little. A hint of a smile tugged the corners of her parted lips. Her conscience has lost itself in the moment as if following a script—like this moment had always meant to happen.

The expression she wore only made Ambryan smile wider. He offered his hand when she was close enough. His bluish-gray jacket had black lapels that matched the buttons on his vest that had been tailored from the same fabric as the jacket. It also made up the trousers while a black bow tie hung under the collar of his white dress shirt.

He bent down to kiss the back of her hand. 

The cameramen moved silently, afraid to disrupt the current atmosphere. 

Still holding her hand, Ambryan led Eve to the center of the ballroom. Their eye contact never broke off—not even for half a second. He stopped once their assigned spot and pulled her in place so she'd face his front.

Cale strode towards the couple and touched his model's shoulder. He gave her a brief nod and undid the hook of the cape. Wrapping it around his arm, he bowed forward and retreated backwards. 

Eve flashed him a grateful smile. 

Ambryan positioned her right hand on his left shoulder, seizing her attention once more. He snared the back of her waist and pulled her closer. His free hand held hers. Eve took a deep breath and double checked if her back was straight. They remained communicating through their eyes.

Together, they rocked back and forth, dancing right into the music with a waltz. 

Then, Ambryan shifted his feet so they'd change angles. He stayed in place while Eve circled around him. The crew dived right into action. New determination glinted their eyes. Adrenaline pumped in their veins. This had to be the most exciting part of the day.

They aimed for the entire session to finish in one take.

The couple widened their range and increased their technique. Ambryan let Eve's waist go, spinning her once. His arm resumed its place behind her waist. They carried on with their exploration of the ballroom through dancing. 

Only them and the music existed.

At one point, they almost collided with the video camera. Eve mouthed an apology to the crew. The incident broke her out of her daydream. Her professionalism was at stake here. She couldn't have word spread that she easily got distracted by Ambryan's presence.

As if reading her thoughts, mischief twinkled in his violet eyes. 

Eve squinted her gaze, her instincts telling her to brace herself.

Ambryan grabbed her waist with his hands and hoisted her up.

She almost squeaked in surprise. Then, he set her back down and proceeded to waltz like nothing happened. Eve scowled at him, warning him not to do it again. The look only encouraged him more. He'd gladly do it over and over again if it meant he got to see her cute annoyed expression.

The music slowly made its way to the end. 

Ambryan guided them back to their original spot where he and Eve stepped back for a bow.

Applause came from their audience. Cale was the loudest of the bunch, whistling every now and then. Eve broke into a fit of laughter which made the clapping louder. Ambryan closed the distance between them and hugged her close, kissing her temple. 

By this point, the cameramen moved on instinct. 

And successfully captured the moment.

"I think we got it," the director announced as he jogged up to the pair. The applause quickly died down while the crew checked on the equipment. "There's no need for a second take. The both of you did really well that I contacted the owner just to talk about the progress. We're sending a sample right now and wait for his verdict." 

Eve was at the loss for words. She knew they performed well. Her heart raced as they reached the last notes. She couldn't afford to mess up a second time. But was that really enough for one take? They had slipped up once. 

The director continued to express his thoughts. "We might ask for a few pictures on the staircase though. Would that be okay? I don't want to beg but I would if I have to."

"Um…" Eve exchanged looks with Ambryan. 

He shifted his attention back to the director and said, "We'd be happy to if Chris agrees."

"Great!" The director exclaimed. He gave them both a thumbs up and headed back for his chair. 

It didn't take long before the owner gave his approval.

The couple each had a staircase to themselves. Eve stood halfway up the steps with her arms folded over the banister. Her cheek rested on top of her wrists as she gazed down towards the base of the other staircase. She just might fall asleep if this lasted long enough.

Ambryan leaned his back on the other staircase with his feet crossed at the ankles. The bow tie on his neck had been undone, letting it hang like he was getting dressed. He tucked his hands in his pant pockets and exhibited a lazy boy posture.

Eve could hardly believe her eyes. 

"So…" she said. "What brings you here?"

"I have no idea what you are talking about."

She scoffed, not buying his response for one bit. "Come on. Are you going to let me believe that you just walked on set and someone thought you'd be a good addition to the scene? With a suit perfectly tailored to your exact measurements?"

A chuckle escaped Ambryan's lips. Of course, she saw through the entire thing. He drew in a long breath through his nose. "Maybe I just wanted to understand your work."

Eve arched a brow. "Understand my work?"

"Go through the motions and experience it. I feel like it brings us closer. Don't you think so?" He smirked, genuinely thinking that. She had spent five years working with him and understanding his job enough to handle it when he was sick. 

He figured it was only right of him to be aware of her work's extensiveness, at least.

She propped her elbow on the banister and cupped her cheek. "If that was the case, you should be the one wearing this dress."

"But I could never look as beautiful as you do when you wear it."

"That's true," Eve agreed without hesitation. "But the hilarity would make up for it."

Ambryan crossed his arms over his chest, tilting his head to one side. "Shameless, are we?" 

"Yes, we are." She beamed down at him. A few giggles rumbled in her throat. "Maybe it's true that the more you spend time together, the more you pick up each other's habits."

The director called for their attention. Both heads turned towards him. He stood with his feet apart and gestured up the stairs. "Could you please face each other on the second floor?" 

While waiting, he rubbed his chin and debated on the next pose. "Yes, now meet in the middle. Mhm. That's right. Have your arms around one another and touch foreheads... Lovely. Now, smile. Maintain eye contact... Great. Hold it while we take the photos."

Eve first gazed at the floor. She let the eye makeup have its moment. Her lips parted open, emphasizing the plumpness of the gloss. Warm hands squeezed her waist. Then, a nose nudged the side of hers. The moment reminded her of a puppy. 

With that, an image of Ambryan with a dog filter came to her mind.

Her snort echoed across the room.

She slammed her hand onto her mouth.

It was Ambryan's turn to be suspicious. "What were you thinking about?"

"Nothing," she denied, waving it off with her hand. "Let's get back to our pose."

He grabbed her wrist. "But I want to know."

Her lips pressed together to suppress the next flood of giggles. The image resurfaced again but this time the dog filter had its tongue sticking out. "It's not something that will kill you if you never know about it."

Ambryan lowered his head until his lips hovered near her ear. His breath tickled the tip, brushing over the skin. "Either you tell me now or you won't sleep tonight."

Eve gulped. Now that she calmed down, she got a better look at his face. The topic was ridiculous, she couldn't imagine that he'd take it seriously. So this had to be a joke, right? He just wanted to know if she'd change her mind—see if she'd walk right into the trap?

"Fine. How about… later?" She compromised. When his eyes narrowed in doubt, she quickly cleared up her side of the bargain. "I promise! Just help me go through my slowgram account."

"What's wrong with it?" Ambryan released her wrist and she placed her hand back around behind his neck. He felt her fingers play with the stubble. 

Shrugging, Eve choked on her amusement. This was so going to be good! "I just think a little visual will help you understand what I mean."

Ambryan considered it for a moment. "Alright."

He rested his forehead on hers again, not allowing her to break eye contact this time. The hazel contact lenses stared back at him. His hand cupped her cheek and caressed it. In doing so, his thumb crawled over her skin until the tip touched the corner of her lips.

They opened about a centimeter apart, gasping faintly.

Ambryan acted on instinct. His head tilted sideways and leaned forward. He closed his eyes halfway. Their noses touched again but he aimed differently this time. His target was a pair of bubblegum pink lips. They invited him in, tempting him to try what flavor her lips held this time. 

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"That's a wrap! Thank you!"

Cale flinched when Ambryan snapped his gaze in their direction. 

He wouldn't have interrupted but the atmosphere had changed. The two had retreated to their little bubble—unable to hear the director when they had a private conversation up the steps. 

If they hadn't called them out, the temperature in the room would have risen significantly.