DANCE INTO MY HEART - by Vicki D'Writer

<span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Episode 1: At the Bar <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>The music was loud enough to bring out every thought, but Veena could still hear Cas’s voice. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“You’re too sensitive,” he snapped at her. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>She stared at him across the table, her fingers tightening around the glass in her hand. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“I only asked you to speak to me with respect.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Cas laughed bitterly. “I don’t have time for this rubbish.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He stood up, adjusted his jacket, and walked away to dance with one of the club girls, leaving Veena alone beneath the flashing lights of the crowded club. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>She tried not to cry. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Behind the bar, Leeno had seen everything. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He was only a bartender, and judging by the way his manager treated him, even that title felt like something he had to earn every night. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Leeno! Table six!” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Coming, sir.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Stop standing around lazy ass!” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Leeno swallowed his frustration and continued working. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>But his eyes returned to Veena. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He had been listening to their conversation for several minutes. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He walked over and placed a fresh glass of water beside her. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“On the house Pretty Lady.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Veena looked up. “Why? I have a boyfriend” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Because you look like you need it.” He chuckled <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>For the first time that night, she smiled. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Are you always this kind to strangers?” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“No,” Leeno replied. “Only the ones who look like they're pretending to be okay after an obvious mistreat.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Her smile disappeared. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>For a moment, neither of them spoke. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Then Veena whispered, “You don't know me and you should face your work.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Leeno leaned against the counter. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Maybe not. But I've been watching you.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>She looked at him nervously. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Watching me?” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Not like that,” he quickly said. “I mean... I've noticed you.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Before Veena could respond, Leeno's manager shouted his name again. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He turned away. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Then Veena noticed something strange. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Leeno's hands were trembling. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Are you okay?” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He froze. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>For the first time, the cheerful expression disappeared from his face. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“I'm fine, just stay behind me.” <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Across the club, Cas had suddenly stopped dancing. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>He turned and looked directly at them. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>His expression had changed. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Leeno noticed. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>So did Veena. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>“Please stay out of this” she cried. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Leeno didn't answer. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Cas slowly began walking slowly back toward the bar to Leeno. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>And this time, there was something in his eyes that made Leeno step between him and Veena. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>Something was going to happen. <span style='font-size: 7.2pt; font-family: "Google Sans"; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); background-color: transparent; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-position: normal; white-space-collapse: preserve;'>To be continued.....

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