In the heart of the countryside, a castle stood nestled amidst undulating waves of golden wheat fields. From the home of a king to a local museum, the castle served many roles throughout its storied existence. Three years ago, the castle took on another life as a luxury hotel for visitors from abroad. Its time-worn walls were rejuvenated but kept its fairy-tale-like charm, which beckoned lovers from far and wide to make their matrimonial vows. Just earlier today, one such loving couple exchanged their vows on the castle's grand veranda, with two hundred odd guests as their witnesses. Now, as the sun sank low in the sky, celebrations were underway at the castle's banquet hall.
The banquet hall was an absolute masterpiece, a testament to architectural splendor and artistic finesse. The sophistication and intricacy of its decorative elements were of craftsmanship no longer seen in modern times. High ceilings soared above, reminiscent of the awe-inspiring arches of cathedrals. Orange light streamed through tall, stained glass windows, casting vibrant hues across the floors and lending a gentle glow to the surroundings. Long, exquisitely set tables ran down the length of the hall, all draped in pristine white linens and adorned with dazzling crystal-ware and silver cutlery. Food was abundant and alcohol was flowing. Guests were immersed in the festivities of the joyous wedding, including Timothy Gray, a friend of the groom since childhood. He could hardly believe his friend of the same age was now married. At 26 years old, Timothy was of the mind that he still had time on his hands, and there was more fun to be had before settling down.
Timothy went about conversing with old friends and meeting new ones, but amidst the sea of guests, Timothy's eyes were drawn to two captivating women. The first was Rosa Marino, 22. She was a vision of elegance in her flowing violet gown that accentuated her grace and poise. Her luscious chestnut hair cascaded in soft waves, framing her delicate features with an enchanting allure. Her captivating smile and sparkling hazel eyes hinted at a mischievous spirit that intrigued Timothy from the moment their gazes met. Her charm was undeniable, and their conversations flowed effortlessly. Rosa reciprocated the attraction. She was swayed by Timothy's charisma and confidence. He seemed to have a playful and boyish character that let people put their walls down. Rosa found his dimples cute too.
The second woman was Vittoria Marino, aged 24 and the older sister of Rosa. How fitting that the two most beautiful women present shared the same genes. Naturally, they bore resemblances to one another, but were unique in their own way. Vittoria's long tresses were of a slightly darker, mysterious hue. She sensibly adorned her hair with delicate floral hairpins, accentuating her femininity. With every step she took, she evoked the artistry of a model poised for a photoshoot. Even the most subtle or seemingly ordinary movements became exquisite displays of fluidity and grace, as if she effortlessly walked the runway of life.
Throughout the evening Timothy mingled with his old friends and made new ones, but keen observers might notice a pattern where his socializing seemed to lead him back, every now and then, to one of either Rosa or Vittoria. Favorably for him, the readily available wines, spirits, and beers meant there were few keen observers around. The only people who noticed, and appropriately so, were the two sisters themselves, and they welcomed the attention. One encounter would be a drink with Vittoria. Another time would be a compliment to Rosa about her choice of dress. Timothy twirled through conversations, seamlessly gliding from one group to another yet always in close proximity to one of the sisters.
Back and forth went the courting dance. A glance exchanged with Rosa was an underarm turn. A playful smile shared with Vittoria was a dip. The flirtatious waltz carried on, until the background music suddenly became center stage. The gentle melodies gave way to a lively beat. With a skillful twist of the turntable, the DJ signaled the banquet hall was now a dance floor. A cheer rose from the crowd and bodies moved to the rhythm of the music. At that moment, Timothy happened to brush shoulders with Rosa. Now the figurative dance could become real. Their eyes met, and without uttering a single word, an unspoken agreement passed between them. They moved as a pair to an available space in the rambunctious crowd to dance. As the rhythm of the music intensified, they could read each other's movements perfectly. The distance that separated Timothy and Rosa began to shrink. Their bodies, once separated by a friendly distance, now brushed against each other with every raise of a shoulder, every sway of the hips.
But suddenly, the palpable electricity between them was disrupted. A group of Rosa's girlfriends enthusiastically pulled her away to dance. Rosa, caught off guard, exchanged a surprised glance with Timothy as her friends, oblivious to the energy between them, towed her away. She disappeared into the crowd and embraced her friends, surrendering to their drunkenness. Timothy maintained a composed smile, accepting that beautiful moments don't often last forever. He gathered his surroundings, remembering the dance floor that existed outside the intimate space he shared with Rosa. He found familiar faces nearby and danced into their group.
The atmosphere on the dance floor was reaching a fever pitch and guests were dancing in ways outside of the formalities of the dress code. The wedding had become a real nightclub in stark contrast to its elegant surroundings. The night was just getting started and tiring the partygoers too early would be wasteful, so the DJ thoughtfully transitioned to the first slow dance. The transition was met with a collective murmur of "Ohs" and "Ahs" and giggles. The once animated dance floor became a blanket of swaying bodies caught in the slower, more intimate rhythm. Couples were forming and pairing off. Some folks, who were unprepared for the new tempo, or didn't have a partner to share the tempo with, excused themselves from the dance floor.
Undeterred by the absence of a partner, Timothy embraced the spirit of the slow dance. He was content to close his eyes, open his ears, and let the romantic melody play through his body, but there were other plans in store for him. He was interrupted by a tap on his shoulder. He turned to see that it was Rosa, standing there alone and free of her friends. Her presence, though unexpected, was welcome. Rosa covered her mouth with both hands, concealing her amusement at Timothy's confidence to dance solo to this tune. Without missing a beat, he extended a hand, inviting Rosa to share his dance. Rosa gathered herself and met Timothy's open hand with her own.
As dance partners who only met hours ago, Timothy and Rosa settled into a friendly position. Timothy placed his right hand just below Rosa's left shoulder blade, forming a resting place for Rosa's left arm. Giggles bubbled up between them as they shared in the amusement of the change in tone. They blended their swaying to the music and the motions of the couples around them. When the undercurrent of awkwardness became too much, Timothy lifted his arm to lead Rosa into a twirl, dispelling the discomfort with playfulness. He twirled her a couple of times in between the swaying for that was really the only dance move he knew, but soon enough, the awkwardness had faded and they were content to just undulate to the rhythm of the music.
Somehow along the dance, Timothy and Rosa found themselves gravitating closer to one another. The change was subtle and a testament to their growing comfort with each other. Timothy's right hand had found permission to rest gently on Rosa's lower back. They were close enough now that parts of their bodies brushed against each other in their steps. A different kind of shyness blossomed between them in their newfound closeness. Neither were sure where to direct their eyes, but they were hesitant to look at each other's faces. They were close enough to each other now that, in a moment of vulnerability, Timothy inadvertently glanced down the top of Rosa's dress. The realization of this trespass brought a blush to his cheeks. To avoid the violation, Timothy made a conscious effort to redirect his gaze behind Rosa.
