Dominque strode and ran, but only when he abandoned his pursuit, the situation began to sway in his direction.

Kaede sat and watched her phone. The man had her number, why didn't he call? He could give a pretext, and Kaede would play along, but there was no phone getting jiggy with an incoming call.

The store was busy. Asian tourists filled all the shops in the area. Their taste for renowned brands seemed to grow from year to year. Every commerce went by their way to seduce.

Chinese, Japanese, Korean speaker sales assistant, Union pay adapted machines. Quick refund tax-free. XS, zero-sized clothes, and half-sized shoes. The market adjusted to the new age big spenders who would buy the whole shop if the service was worth it.

Kaede did her best, and for the moment, Da Stuff 2 was in front of Marco in figures. The woman was in a mood to celebrate. Happy thoughts bubbled, but Dominque filled most; she liked the man. It was a fact, and if she decided to fall for him, it was innocent. There was no vengeful ploy against Marco or anything else. If Dominque and Kaede's story-to-be were about something, it would be about a natural encounter.

Dominque, who showed nothing but eagerness from the beginning, ignored her in dance class. His smiles went out to everyone else except Kaede.

Not wanting to boost the men's ego with excessive stalking eyes, Kaede, too, kept her grins and compliments for other men.

When Dominque heard her laugh for the first time, it was at one of Nathan's puns.

"Sorry," Kaede hurried to say when she noticed Dominque's signature dark stare upon her.

Dominque continued to explain the routine on which they would dance. The song was Chris Brown's summer jam Go Crazy.

Kaede giggled again.

This time Dominque didn't ignore her, "Kaede care to share the joke?"

"I'm sorry," she repeated. The woman hated people calling her out for anything. Kaede made sure to be that A+ girl all her life that people only named to speak about her merit. Right now, she didn't appreciate the reason that accompanied Dominque's sudden interest.

Dominque didn't like the shenanigans going on under his nose. The man noticed how Nathan slowly made his move like Jamie Foxx on Slow Jams. Every guy knows most women are sensitive to humor. Kaede wasn't an exception. Her cheekbones rose once too many times, and Dominque found himself jealous of what Nathan accomplished by making her smile.

"Kaede, can you move to the front, please?"

The tone was military; the man wasn't playing.

Kaede blinked, "pardon?"

"You heard me; you're not focused. Please come to the front."

A weird sensation crept over Kaede, who looked back on the friends she left behind and advanced like a teen going to detention.

Dominque resumed his explanation, "okay, everyone, let's take it from the top." He shifted his gaze, "Kaede, you're with me."

This time it was Tequilla's mouth that remained agape. Already used to teaming up with the man and having him as a private tutor, the young woman could not believe she was side-lined.

Kaede would have gladly traded places. She sulked internally to see the only moment the man paid attention to her was to reprimand.

"Don't just stand there, Kaede, come on," the man's impatience seeped through his expression. He missed seeing her daily; he had her number but didn't have the guts to call. Here she was, and all he found to do was call her out by jealousy.

Kaede's heart stepped up as she approached and stood in front of him.

Dominque licked his lower lip and smiled, "let's dance."

The music played, and Kaede began the steps by his side.

"Your movements are too slow; it's clack, back, back, boom."

Kaede wondered where all instructors came up with all these dance mock-up languages, which consisted of stringing together an onomatopoeia of sounds.

"Now, you're moving too fast. Let's try again."

Dominque was a pro, where he could take advantage to grope her here and there; the man kept a reasonable distance, contenting himself with explaining with words only.

The moment came for the demo. Kaede wasn't sure, but what the heck? She secured her bun and stood four steps in front of Dominque on his left. Chris Brown's voice echoed:

Oh, yeah

(Oh, is that Kaniel again?)

Oh

(Ayy, bring it, bring it back, bring it back, bring it back)

Oh, yeah

Laid up, got me thinkin', babe

Tell me if you with it 'cause I'm with it, babe

I haven't heard from you in a minute, babe

Just tell me what to do when I hit it, babe

Gucci and Prada...

Kaede followed the steps; she felt insecure initially and suddenly felt comfortable as she saw Dominque's smile. Their movements were similar even if each had their trademark. They trapped every beat without difficulty and also managed a freestyle that looked rehearsed from the outside. Surprised by the exploit of a successful first try, Dominque, who could not hold back his joy, hugged Kaede spontaneously.

The woman who would have pushed back on the sensation of Dominque's humid t-shirt stood still as she inhaled the mix of sweat masked by a subtle perfume Kaede knew but could not grasp the name. The class clapped and whistled, and Dominque let go realizing the offense he committed. "Sorry, I get carried away when I dance."

Kaede gave a weak corner smile and went to join the other dancers who engulfed her with compliments.

"Okay, guys, now it's your turn," Dominque announced.

Each group paired up, and Kaede went back to Tequilla. The woman was the only person who didn't encourage Kaede, "hey, Tequilla, you know I don't want that spot, right?" Kaede looked back on Dominque, "he likes to annoy me; come on, Tequi," Kaede did a moe face and nudged her. She liked Tequilla; she didn't have friends, and despite the age difference, Kaede saw the young woman as one.

"Okay, let's kill the floor."

For once, they danced by three, Janis, the split pro was with them, and of course, for the finale, she ended up with her legs wide open before doing a few Vogue steps.

The class was fun, and Kaede wished it didn't finish.

"Hey, Kaede, want to grab a drink with us?" Tequilla asked as they stepped outside, where everyone waited. Kaede took a shower, which made her the last person to come out.

She scooped the group; Dominque was gone.