A/N: Hey, Guys. This chapter will be back in Aria's perspective. But if you guys want me to write more in Val's perspective, I'll happily oblige; just let me know in a review or pm me. Please review and thanks to those who have supported me.
Chapter 4
"Krasaviiitttssssaaaa…..," Val purred in my ear. His mouth watering scent emanating from him was making me dizzy, yet I leaned in closer and inhaled mere inches from his face. His chiseled features moved as he smiled slightly. His eyes began to smolder and he unleashed their full effect on me. The air was getting caught in my throat and I couldn't breathe. Val closed the little distance between us and touched his lips to mine…..
WHACK! My head hit my headboard as I jolted upright from the dream. "Owww!" I yelped as I flopped back down on the bed. I tried to discern what the dream was and what was real as I walked into the kitchen to get an ice pack for my head. After a few minutes of fuzzy thoughts, I finally was able to tell what the dream was and what was real. I wish I could make the dream real, I thought. I shook my head trying to erase the mental image that formed in my mind. You cannot afford to think like that, Aria. You're only going to hurt yourself in the end. Oh shut up, I mentally yelled at my brain. You have feelings for him, just let what happens, happen.,my heart thought mentally. You be quiet too!, I yelled. I laughed aloud when I realized I was yelling at organs.
I looked over at the clock and realized that I had to get up so I could do a couple of things before I headed over to the studio for the premiere. I hopped in the shower, more to calm my nerves and less out of necessity. I blew out my hair after my shower so the hairstylist could easily style my hair regardless of what style she chose. I spent the next half hour unable to find a suitable outfit to wear. It really shouldn't have mattered what I wore considering I would be changing into my dress for the paso doble anyways. I knew I was lying to myself when I was trying to convince myself that it wasn't because of Val. It definitely was. I finally decided on a black sequined bandage dress and black wedges that had satin bows that tied on the back of my ankles. I added a black onyx necklace and was satisfied with the outfit.
I didn't bother with any make up since the makeup artist would just take it off anyways. I straightened up my apartment a little, organized my ever growing shoe closet, and made a few calls. By the time I finished, it was time to go.
I hopped in my Benz, when something appeared in my peripheral. I turned towards the passenger's seat to find a folded piece of paper and a single rose laying there. I picked up the folded piece of paper and it was addressed to Krasavitsa with Aria in parentheses. Opened up the piece of paper and began to read. As I looked at the note the first half of the note I realized it was written in the Cyrillic alphabet. Under the unfamiliar letters Val had written "Oops, wrong language," and drew a smiley face. I laughed aloud. I found it endearing that he wrote in the wrong language and then caught himself. I smiled as I drove out of the parking lot.
I decided to make a quick stop at Panera before going to the studio. I did this as a way to thank Val for all he had done for me so far. I got each of us a broccoli and cheese soup, a berry smoothie, and a frosted cookie. I drove a lot more carefully than I usually do so I wouldn't spill anything on the sharper turns. I pulled in the parking lot and stepped out with the food. Suddenly, two strong arms wrapped around my waist. I froze for a fraction of a second in shock, almost dropping our food. "Sorry, babe. Didn't mean to scare you," Val apologized, his chin on my shoulder. "It's okay. So now I'm babe?" I asked, secretly pleased. Thankfully, he couldn't see my expression. "Not necessarily, Krasavitsa is still my favorite," Val replied. "Aria, Krasavitsa, Babe, all of them work. I'll answer to any of the three," I say. "Oh, I brought you a pre competition meal," I announce, putting the bag in front of his face. "Just what I needed," he said, kissing my cheek. I realized a moment later I wasn't breathing, so I let out a huge breathe. I began walking towards the studio entrance where, once again, I tripped over the damn parking barrier. "Zabaat!" I muttered loudly. Val stood there, his mouth hanging open, staring. "Take a picture, it'll last longer," I say purposefully loud. Val pulls out his iPhone and snaps a picture. "Vyzadnitsu," I say. Val stared at me with wide eyes. I snickered in response. "You just dropped an f bomb and called me an ass in Russian in a matter of minutes…I'm so proud of you," Val said smiling, engulfing me in a hug. "Can you do me a favor and do that to Maks the next time you see him? His face will be priceless," Val snickered. "Oh, I will. Maybe I'll learn a few more words," I said, eyeing him and giving him a devilish grin. Val just shook his head in response and hugged me tighter.
"I'm so nervous," I admitted, as we walked into the studio. Suddenly, Val stopped just inside the studio and grabbed my shoulder to stop me. He placed his hands on my shoulder and bore into my eyes with his own. "You will be amazing. You've practiced so hard and I'm so proud of you," he says seriously. I just nod in response.
After we eat, we part ways to change into our costumes and then meet back up for hair and makeup. I walked into hair and makeup to find Val in his costume. As I had predicted, he was shirtless with a black matador jacket and black pants with a red pinstripe down each leg. The costume definitely suited him. I smiled at Val as we made eye contact. I sat in the chair next to him, glancing at my reflection in the mirror. "So how do you want her hair, Val?" the hairstylist asked, as she manipulated my hair with her hands. Val tapped his chin and thought for a moment. "Something dramatic, but elegant," Val answered. "Will do," she replied, beginning to work her magic on my hair. I soon became extremely impatient with all the tugging that was being done to my hair. It must have been apparent on my face because Val gave me an apologetic smile through the mirror.
Bored with the situation, I surfed the internet on my iPhone. I sent out a few tweets and scrolled through the feed. "Smile," I said to Val, as I gestured to the camera that I pointed at us. Val nonchalantly placed his left arm around my shoulder, but I tried to ignore it and take the picture. I looked at the screen and liked the picture overall. "Ewhh, I look awful with my hair half done," I commented. "No, you look beautiful," he said, the truth evident in his eyes. I tagged Val in the picture and posted it on Instagram. I went to go check my email when something caught my eye. The headline read: Aria Grey and Valentin Chmerkovskiy: Forbidden Romance. "Hey Val?" I called his name, while tapping him on his shoulder. "Hmm?" He asked back. "Did you know that according to Yahoo!, we have a forbidden romance?" I asked, trying to keep the mood light. "Oh do we now?" he asked rhetorically, laughing. "Hey, we better get to work on that love child that they are going to tell us were going to be expecting in a month or two," he added, smiling at me. I raised my eyebrows at the last comment. "Too far? He asked, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "No, it's just like you to do that," I explained.
Before I knew it, Val and I were standing backstage, waiting to be called by the bossy stage manager. I tapped my high heeled shoes on the wooden floors repeatedly in an attempt to calm my nerves. As if on cue, Val began to rub soothing circles on the back of my hand. "Aria, Val, you need to get in your positions on the floor!" the stage manager yelled from across the stage. "Let's go, Krasavitsa," Val said, towing me to the ballroom floor.
"You can do this," Val whispered, staring into my eyes and holding my gaze. I nodded in assent, trying to maintain whatever semblance of calm I possessed at the moment. "Doing the paso doble, Aria Grey and her partner Valentin Chmerkovskiy," the announcer boomed throughout the venue. The music began and we were dancing. I had to divide my attention between my technique, my emotional display, and my chemistry with Val. I had to maintain all three things simultaneously. I got really into character. So much so, I almost lost touch with everything else that was going on around me. We were coming up to the part in the routine where Val tries to win me back. As Val approached me, I slapped him in a spur-of-the-moment thing across his face. Obviously, I got a little too much into character. Val seamlessly blended my little episode into the routine. We went for the final move when, instead of twirling me, Val dipped me and kissed me.
A moment later I stood up and stared into Val's eyes. I was hypnotized by them. I snapped back to reality when I realized that we had to walk over to the judges table. I took Val's hand and towed him along with me.
Bruno, Carrie Ann, and Len were all happy with our dance. But they did say I needed to work on my posture and timing some more. Val and I walked arm in arm up the staircase an went up to the sky box to get our scores. "So Val, how do you think Aria has done so far?" Brooke Burke Charve asked. I never liked her. Like really you're going to ask a question that you already know the answer to? "She's been amazing. She's such a hard worker. I couldn't have asked for a better partner," Val answered, smiling at me. After the mini interview we received two eights and one seven. Thanks a lot Len. But I was definitely happy with the scores.
I was leaving my trailer when Val found me. "Just wanted to say again how good you did and how proud I am of you," he said embracing me and placing a kiss on the top of my head. "That's because I have a good teacher," I replied, smiling up at him. "What would you say to coming to my house?" He asked tentatively, avoiding direct eye contact. "I would say that I would love to. I follow you to your house in my car," I answered albeit a little too quickly.