Match my footsteps

It was an announcement for all the couples to join the stage. The first celebration dance was performed by Grace and Nathan who were the couple of the event. Soon they were joined by the other couples on the floor, dancing on the soft romantic music filling the air with love and joy.

Anna was standing at a corner while watching the people on the floor while Regan once again got busy with other business delegates.

"I see your hands are empty Miss Prescott."

She was startled to hear from someone and turned to look around for the person. It was Mr. Benc sipping his wine and holding a glass in another which he offered to her.

She smiled forcefully and said, "Mr. Benc, that's really thoughtful of you. But thanks..... I don't need one right now." She refused kindly.

"Oh common Miss Prescott. I believe you are not someone who hold grudges. I mean about that day..... you know?"

"Yes Mr. Benc, I don't hold grudges and of course I have already forgotten about our little argument earlier. But thanks again... Actually, I don't drink."

"Do you want me to believe you?" He was furious at her denial. "You could have come up with a better excuse Miss Prescott. I was just trying to make things better between us, after all we will be working together from now on. But it seems as if you are not interested. If not for me, you can have it for the sake of the deal that we cracked today." He said craftily.

"Mr. Benc, please....."

"I think she had made herself clear Mr. Benc." It was Regan who was standing behind them. His voice was sharp filled with rage. He had his hands tucked in his pockets and looked cold and daunting.

"Mr. Kni....Knight? " He stuttered

He came and stood beside Anna. He glanced her briefly and turned his attention towards Mr. Benc who was shivering in a cold sweat for he knew that Regan was not the one to be messed with. He could feel the rage in his voice. So, he tried to explain.

"Mr. Knight..... I was just asking her for a friendly drink for the sake of our Company. You..... You see I just wanted to raise a toast and asked her to..."

He cut him off in between and said coldly, "Two things Mr. Benc..... First, it's not ours, it's my company and my deal. There's no need for you to celebrate it, especially with Miss Prescott with whom you had nothing to do... not even the business, not now and not in the future. And second....." He went towards him, squinted his eyes and proceeded, "I don't feel the need for you to settle things with her especially, when she doesn't want to."

Anna stood there astoundingly, noticing the sudden tension in the air. She saw Regan advancing towards Mr. Benc. As she could not seem to understand his actions, she innately caught his arm and called his name, "Re...Regan".

He was surprised by her sudden gesture but before he could say something to her, he saw some people gathered around them due to the clamor. He straightened himself. Meanwhile, Anna realized what she did and abruptly left his hand. In order to not create any scene further, he bitterly smiled at him and said, "So Mr. Benc, as Miss Prescott doesn't drink and you are so eager to celebrate our success, let me raise the toast on her behalf." He then took the other glass from his hand and gulped it down in one go.

Mr. Benc was dumbfounded by his actions and thought the ground to swallow him whole for the embarrassment that he has to face once again due to her. He gritted his teeth and stood there quietly. Everyone around them were shocked to see him all protective towards her whereas Anna didn't know how to react.

Meanwhile, their folks came to them and asked if everything was okay. Although, they didn't say much, they noticed how Regan stood up for Anna. After a while, the crowd dispersed and everything went back to normal.

In order to ease the atmosphere, Nathan looked at Anna and asked, "Can I have the pleasure to dance with the gorgeous lady?" Before she could accept or deny him, they heard Grace saying, "No darling..... You are all mine today. And besides I don't want the poor child to get hurt by your heavy feet. You know that your dancing skills are unmatched and horrible. Don't you?" They all laughed at their banter.

She then said something which took both Anna and Regan off guard. "Anna..... Actually you should dance with Regan for he is exactly the opposite to his father. Regan, can you take Anna to the dance floor?"

After hearing her, Anna's eyes widened in shock. She abruptly refused her. "No, no..... I mean I.....I can't dance. My dancing skills are as bad as Nathan. Actually it might be worse than him. I am sorry. I can't." She looked towards Richard for help but he simply shrugged.

After Ashton, she was never into such things which were meant for recreation. She never thought of her being with someone else than him or enjoying any moment of her life without him. She wanted to deny badly but she didn't want to sound rude as they were the sweetest people to her. Before she could deny further, Richard said, "Princess.... just go ahead. It's just a dance." She looked at him with hurt clearly visible in her eyes for she didn't expect him to say such things. On the other hand Richard knew what she was going through but all he wanted was for her to forget everything in the moment and enjoy herself.

"Anastasia? May I have the honor to dance with you?" It was Regan this time.

She immediately looked down. So far he has noted the habit of her looking down like a baby whenever she was nervous or want to hide her emotions from all. After a moment, she looked into his eyes and said, "I don't.....I don't know how to dance. I mean.... I..... I can't..... What if I would fall or.....?"

He chuckled at her lame excuse and extended his hand for her to hold and gently said, "That's okay. Just try to match my footsteps. Even I am not perfect but you can trust me. I would not let you fall."

She could not decline more so she hesitantly put her hand in his. For the first time he noticed how her small hand fit into his big one perfectly. He smiled and led her to the dance floor.

As for Grace and Nathan, they were in awe to see Regan all so gentle and easy with Anna. They could see him acting differently around her for which they looked obviously happy. While Richard was just contented to see that finally there was someone who was possessing the ability to gradually draw her out of the shell that she has created in all these years around her.