Part 15
The beat of the salsa called more dancers to move to its intoxicating rhythm. It was what made Trev ask Chloe to dance with him.
Trev offered his hand to Chloe and for a while he thought she'd hesitate. He heard her say yes to his invitation and got with it her trademark Sullivan grin. Trev felt her trembling as she placed her hand in his. He took a step and led her towards the dance floor leaving a dumbfounded Clark Kent to guard Chloe's purse at the table.
"Nervous?" Trev asked with a smile as they moved towards the front of the hall.
Chloe had bit her lower lip to keep from smiling too much. "Was that a question or an astute observation?"
Trev gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're cold and quivering - means you are."
They faced each other when they reached the dance floor, though not letting go of their hands. In fact, Chloe stepped closer to him and reached out to take hold of Trev's other hand.
"Just like old times," Chloe said.
Trev nodded and smiled, "Just like old times."
Trev raised Chloe's hand to his lips and kissed it before placing it on his right shoulder. At the downbeat of the song they moved their feet basic quick-quick-slow pattern of the salsa.
Clark felt like the ground gave way beneath him seeing Chloe get taken away by Trev. To others it would seem normal - a young man leading a beautiful lady to dance. To Clark it was a sign of defeat.
There was a pain in his chest as if he was stabbed by a knife made of meteor rock Clark just had to sit down to fight the urge to bolt and get away from it all. If this was what Chloe wanted, Trev can have her.
What was he thinking?! Clark placed his hand over his eyes and closed them tightly. He tried to convince himself that this was not happening. He reminded himself not to give up. His friendship with Chloe was worth being strong for. She must know how he feels about her. And it has to be tonight.
When he looked up, his battle with himself got a lot more difficult.
There they were, dancing together, their movements like one, eyes rarely leaving each other's gaze. Trev led Chloe to an effortless twirl and a dip which she seemed to enjoy very much.
Chloe was indeed stunning. The cut of her dress really flattered her and Clark found it hard to tear his eyes from her. He was mesmerized by the sway of her hips, the amount of leg revealed at every step, the stunning look of joy on her lovely face.
What amazed him most was their skill; they executed difficult moves that would only seem like a flurry to the untrained eye. Trev and Chloe took charge of the floor, using whatever space they needed and the couples around them gladly made way for the pair who really looked like they knew their stuff.
They say that in dancing the ability of the man leading makes a huge difference. To Clark it seemed that they almost read each others mind. Clark had to admit, Chloe connected with Trev in a way that he could only dream of reaching with her. It bothered him. It made him uncomfortable, just like when Trev would wrap his arms around Chloe, press his body against hers; their faces centimeters apart. all part of the sexy Latin dance called the salsa.
Clark was torn. He marveled at Chloe's beauty and ability to dance, yet annoyed that it was someone else holding her close and making her happy. It was the same feeling when he found out she could play the drums, only this time he was determined not to rum away. He would face this feeling head on.
"You're looking at the Metropolis Junior Champions for Latin Dancing." Lex stated as he took the seat beside Clark that faced the dance floor.
Clark had been too preoccupied with his conflicting thoughts that he did not notice Lex's approach.
"No wonder they're that good." Clark acknowledged. The tone of his voice did not conceal his jealousy and it did not escape his intelligent friend.
Lex continued, "Apparently they've been winning trophies since they were twelve. Why don't you cut in?"
Clark wanted to resist glaring at Lex but was unsuccessful. "You have got to be kidding."
A smile formed at the corner of Lex mouth and one could never tell what exactly goes on inside the young Luthor's mind. "Suit yourself."
"Hey Gabe, look!" Clark heard Jake get Gabe's attention.
Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Collins returned to the table each with a refilled drink in hand. They turned their chairs to face the dance floor and watch their children move to the music with skill and passion. Both men were smiling proud grins, eyes on Trev and Chloe.
Clark looked around the hall and saw everyone looking at them. There were many smiles, nods here and there and others who pointed at the wonderful spectacle of a young couple dancing the way you only get to see on TV or in the movies.
"When was the last time you saw that, Jake?" Gabe asked his friend with eyes locked on his beautiful daughter who seem to be enjoying her moment.
"Too long," Jake answered with a similar pride evident in his voice. "They're finally getting together again."
The comment made Clark look at Jake but what he saw was Gabe quickly averting his eyes from Clark.
"Uh. yeah," was Gabe's hesitant reply.
The salsa ended to a roaring applause from the dinner guests.
Trev and Chloe were breathing heavily, her face flushed and radiant. They turned to face the crowd and the surrounding other pairs applauding them. Chloe curtsied and Trev took a bow. Before they could catch their breaths the band struck up a familiar Tango.
Clark saw Trev ask Chloe for the next dance with only an expression on his face. Clark knew Chloe understood when she smiled and nodded to her partner.
Trev removed his coat and deposited it on the nearest chair. Returning, they assumed the beginning stance of the tango. Hands clasped together and extended towards their side, Trev's other hand at her back, Chloe's small hand rested on Trev's shoulder.
Once again their movements were fluid and confident, their dancing sincere and fiery. Clark saw that Trev held her close. too close. He saw how Chloe looked at Trev and he felt that pang again. He longed for Chloe to look at him like that - like nothing in the world mattered except him and her.
"Por Una Cabezza," Lex told Clark, breaking him from his reverie. "It's the same tango they used in 'True Lies' and 'Scent of a Woman'"
"Really?" was Clark's dry auto-reply.
Lex could see all night that there was something the matter with Clark. Seeing now how Clark would stare at Chloe and Trev twirling, swaying and dipping to the intense tango, he had a pretty good idea what it was about.
"It's not too late, you know?" Lex said.
Clark could not tear his eyes away from her, "Too late for what?"
"Well, that's up to you."
Lex was being cryptic again, Clark thought. Not too late. not too late to take up dance lessons or not too late for him and Chloe? With the foolish way he behaved to her that afternoon, Clark's first priority was to apologize to her for having wronged her. Honestly, if she would not take that well, he didn't know what to do. He prayed that she would forgive him and that they'd be friends again. Without that, going further wouldn't even matter.
The two young men sat quietly watching the spectacle of tango before them. Clark applauded with everyone else when the dance ended. Trev and Chloe acknowledged the crowd's praises with another bow.
Clark saw Trev collect his coat. He steeled himself to be gracious to them when they arrive at the table but to his surprise, Trev led Chloe out the hall. All Clark could do was follow with his eyes.
Lex caught it all and now understood what has gotten his friend all worked up. "Clark, what do you say to a game of billiards? This party's getting boring."
Clark hesitated, he wanted to be there when Chloe returns; that would be his chance to ask to talk to her privately.
"C'mon," Lex rose from his chair and grabbed his drink, "my study has a good view of the indoor garden. That's where I would go to catch my breath after dancing the tango with a sultry young temptress."
TBC
The beat of the salsa called more dancers to move to its intoxicating rhythm. It was what made Trev ask Chloe to dance with him.
Trev offered his hand to Chloe and for a while he thought she'd hesitate. He heard her say yes to his invitation and got with it her trademark Sullivan grin. Trev felt her trembling as she placed her hand in his. He took a step and led her towards the dance floor leaving a dumbfounded Clark Kent to guard Chloe's purse at the table.
"Nervous?" Trev asked with a smile as they moved towards the front of the hall.
Chloe had bit her lower lip to keep from smiling too much. "Was that a question or an astute observation?"
Trev gave her hand a gentle squeeze. "You're cold and quivering - means you are."
They faced each other when they reached the dance floor, though not letting go of their hands. In fact, Chloe stepped closer to him and reached out to take hold of Trev's other hand.
"Just like old times," Chloe said.
Trev nodded and smiled, "Just like old times."
Trev raised Chloe's hand to his lips and kissed it before placing it on his right shoulder. At the downbeat of the song they moved their feet basic quick-quick-slow pattern of the salsa.
Clark felt like the ground gave way beneath him seeing Chloe get taken away by Trev. To others it would seem normal - a young man leading a beautiful lady to dance. To Clark it was a sign of defeat.
There was a pain in his chest as if he was stabbed by a knife made of meteor rock Clark just had to sit down to fight the urge to bolt and get away from it all. If this was what Chloe wanted, Trev can have her.
What was he thinking?! Clark placed his hand over his eyes and closed them tightly. He tried to convince himself that this was not happening. He reminded himself not to give up. His friendship with Chloe was worth being strong for. She must know how he feels about her. And it has to be tonight.
When he looked up, his battle with himself got a lot more difficult.
There they were, dancing together, their movements like one, eyes rarely leaving each other's gaze. Trev led Chloe to an effortless twirl and a dip which she seemed to enjoy very much.
Chloe was indeed stunning. The cut of her dress really flattered her and Clark found it hard to tear his eyes from her. He was mesmerized by the sway of her hips, the amount of leg revealed at every step, the stunning look of joy on her lovely face.
What amazed him most was their skill; they executed difficult moves that would only seem like a flurry to the untrained eye. Trev and Chloe took charge of the floor, using whatever space they needed and the couples around them gladly made way for the pair who really looked like they knew their stuff.
They say that in dancing the ability of the man leading makes a huge difference. To Clark it seemed that they almost read each others mind. Clark had to admit, Chloe connected with Trev in a way that he could only dream of reaching with her. It bothered him. It made him uncomfortable, just like when Trev would wrap his arms around Chloe, press his body against hers; their faces centimeters apart. all part of the sexy Latin dance called the salsa.
Clark was torn. He marveled at Chloe's beauty and ability to dance, yet annoyed that it was someone else holding her close and making her happy. It was the same feeling when he found out she could play the drums, only this time he was determined not to rum away. He would face this feeling head on.
"You're looking at the Metropolis Junior Champions for Latin Dancing." Lex stated as he took the seat beside Clark that faced the dance floor.
Clark had been too preoccupied with his conflicting thoughts that he did not notice Lex's approach.
"No wonder they're that good." Clark acknowledged. The tone of his voice did not conceal his jealousy and it did not escape his intelligent friend.
Lex continued, "Apparently they've been winning trophies since they were twelve. Why don't you cut in?"
Clark wanted to resist glaring at Lex but was unsuccessful. "You have got to be kidding."
A smile formed at the corner of Lex mouth and one could never tell what exactly goes on inside the young Luthor's mind. "Suit yourself."
"Hey Gabe, look!" Clark heard Jake get Gabe's attention.
Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Collins returned to the table each with a refilled drink in hand. They turned their chairs to face the dance floor and watch their children move to the music with skill and passion. Both men were smiling proud grins, eyes on Trev and Chloe.
Clark looked around the hall and saw everyone looking at them. There were many smiles, nods here and there and others who pointed at the wonderful spectacle of a young couple dancing the way you only get to see on TV or in the movies.
"When was the last time you saw that, Jake?" Gabe asked his friend with eyes locked on his beautiful daughter who seem to be enjoying her moment.
"Too long," Jake answered with a similar pride evident in his voice. "They're finally getting together again."
The comment made Clark look at Jake but what he saw was Gabe quickly averting his eyes from Clark.
"Uh. yeah," was Gabe's hesitant reply.
The salsa ended to a roaring applause from the dinner guests.
Trev and Chloe were breathing heavily, her face flushed and radiant. They turned to face the crowd and the surrounding other pairs applauding them. Chloe curtsied and Trev took a bow. Before they could catch their breaths the band struck up a familiar Tango.
Clark saw Trev ask Chloe for the next dance with only an expression on his face. Clark knew Chloe understood when she smiled and nodded to her partner.
Trev removed his coat and deposited it on the nearest chair. Returning, they assumed the beginning stance of the tango. Hands clasped together and extended towards their side, Trev's other hand at her back, Chloe's small hand rested on Trev's shoulder.
Once again their movements were fluid and confident, their dancing sincere and fiery. Clark saw that Trev held her close. too close. He saw how Chloe looked at Trev and he felt that pang again. He longed for Chloe to look at him like that - like nothing in the world mattered except him and her.
"Por Una Cabezza," Lex told Clark, breaking him from his reverie. "It's the same tango they used in 'True Lies' and 'Scent of a Woman'"
"Really?" was Clark's dry auto-reply.
Lex could see all night that there was something the matter with Clark. Seeing now how Clark would stare at Chloe and Trev twirling, swaying and dipping to the intense tango, he had a pretty good idea what it was about.
"It's not too late, you know?" Lex said.
Clark could not tear his eyes away from her, "Too late for what?"
"Well, that's up to you."
Lex was being cryptic again, Clark thought. Not too late. not too late to take up dance lessons or not too late for him and Chloe? With the foolish way he behaved to her that afternoon, Clark's first priority was to apologize to her for having wronged her. Honestly, if she would not take that well, he didn't know what to do. He prayed that she would forgive him and that they'd be friends again. Without that, going further wouldn't even matter.
The two young men sat quietly watching the spectacle of tango before them. Clark applauded with everyone else when the dance ended. Trev and Chloe acknowledged the crowd's praises with another bow.
Clark saw Trev collect his coat. He steeled himself to be gracious to them when they arrive at the table but to his surprise, Trev led Chloe out the hall. All Clark could do was follow with his eyes.
Lex caught it all and now understood what has gotten his friend all worked up. "Clark, what do you say to a game of billiards? This party's getting boring."
Clark hesitated, he wanted to be there when Chloe returns; that would be his chance to ask to talk to her privately.
"C'mon," Lex rose from his chair and grabbed his drink, "my study has a good view of the indoor garden. That's where I would go to catch my breath after dancing the tango with a sultry young temptress."
TBC