The night sky was brightly lit by the moon, the stars and the luminescence of fluorescent bulbs lining the area. They shined brightly in perfect synchronisation illuminating the lawn. The star-crossed lovers gazed into each other’s eyes that shimmered with love as they moved slowly on the dance floor to the music being played by the disc jockey. Inside their hearts, however, the tune was melodious as should the music of love. The night was perfect, as the gods had designed it to be, the exact atmosphere for romance.

The disc jockey slid in a different song that had the numerous couples on the dance floor gyrating happily to it, smiling at the evergreen memories of the music. It was an old time song of celebration: Appreciation by the legendary King Sunny Adé.

A while after, Lucas, who had spent the greater part of the evening admiring Sara's curves which were carved out beautifully by her gown and wondering how he got so lucky, bent his head to her left ear and whispered.

"Have I told you you're looking beautiful tonight?"

She hummed with a knowing smile. "Yes. But if I had a kobo for every time you've complimented me this evening, I'll be very rich before I leave."

He chuckled at her words, still in awe. "Consider yourself a rich woman already because you really are gorgeous."

She nodded, blushing. "Thank you."

They continued to dance to the melody of the music. Then it slowed down and another tune filled the speakers slowly to the joy of the dancers. It was ‘You and I’ by Onyeka Onwenu.

"Oh my! I love this song and it's my mother's favourite song too because of the romantic appeal. I can't believe they'll sing it at a birthday," Sara exclaimed excitedly, wondering at the impropriety of the song.

🎵you and I will live as one,
You and I will live as one,
You and I... 🎵

He nodded at her to look behind her and she did. Grandpa Fred was on the dance floor with his only daughter, and Martin's mother, Rita Oforah. She was obviously a replacement for her mother, his wife, as she guided him to join the dance pushing his wheel chair along. A few couples made way for the pair as they walked side by side to the middle of the dance floor.

"As a special birthday request, I want to have a daddy-daughter dance, papa. It's in honor of mama. Will you do me the honors?" Rita asked, staring at the old man.

He grinned amusedly as if he found her words funny then looked stoically at her and deadpanned. "No!" Which caused a gasp to escape from the crowd. "Go away. You're annoying like your brothers," he added, looking around the dance floor with a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.

Rita, as well as the rest of the Caspian-Asiegbu family and friends, stared at the old man in perplexity.

"I want to dance with my sweetheart, Isabella. Where is she?"

Sara heard a scoff behind her and turned around to find Lucas scowling. "How dare he? That sly old fox," he gritted out, his hold on her waist tightening. Gently, people standing in front of her moved to the side, allowing her to become visible to the old man's gaze. His face wrinkled up into a smile when he saw her.

"My Isabella!" He cried happily, stretching out his hand for a hug. He looked like a little child demanding for a lollipop.

She made to leave only for Lucas's hold to stop her. His eyes were narrowed as he dared his grandfather to insist on this ridiculous idea. The old man frowned instantly at his grandson's challenge. Two can play this game, he mused.

"My joy, my love! You've made me so happy since I laid my eyes on you. I'll be very gladdened if my special birthday surprise is a dance with you. You are the only reason I'm happy to be here right here."

She looked up at the grim look on Lucas's face and smiled. He looked like a mother hen protecting her chicks from the hungry hawk. She stroked his taut muscles from the grip, saying softly. "It's only a dance, Lucas. He won't take me away. I'll be back before you know it."

"You don't know that. My grandpa can be very cunning and mischievous. Be vigilant, Sara. Don't let him trap you into staying by his side the whole night," he admonished, sounding impatient and angry.

She nodded and turned to leave. He reached out to grab her arm, halting her progress. "Come back soon, alright? I have something I need to tell you and it's important."

She smiled at him, confirming why he was skittish all night. Slowly, she made her way across the dance floor to the middle where Grandpa Fred was waiting for her.

He smiled heartily when she reached him. "Isabella! You came!"

+++++++++++++

Lucas watched Sara and Grandpa Fred make their way off the stage back to his small tent, talking in low tones. The old man did not want a dance, he needed an excuse to take Sara away to continue wooing her. He probably told Martin's mother he wanted a dance with her, just to climb up on stage and pull that stunt. Cunning old dog, Lucas gritted.

He didn't even know why he was angry and possessive all of a sudden. It must have something to do with what he planned to do tonight. He didn't think through about this huge step in his life, heck, he rarely thought about things that dealt with matters of the heart. Falling in love, he had learnt a long time ago was not sealing a business deal or working out the next project to invest in. It was something you let your gut direct you into, and so was deciding to get married. He touched his right pocket again, and calmed down a bit when he felt that little box still there.

He was going to do it tonight. It was obvious from their relationship these past few weeks they were now on the same page. She has not said she loved him yet but it didn't mean she didn't. She was in love with him as much as he was in love with her. They were made for each other, and even though he had broken them apart the first time around, he was going to go through painful lengths to ensure he didn't this time.

Feeling nervous, he pulled the velvety blue box from his trouser pockets and opened it to look at the diamond ring nestled inside. He hadn't been this anxious the first time around but then again he didn't break her trust. He stared at the ring again and smiled, recalling the events that led up to this idea.

He and Freddie had gone watch shopping, seeing that he had run out of ideas on what to get the old man for his birthday. So Freddie had suggested getting a watch with an inscription just like the one Sara had given him on their anniversary and he had obliged. Freddie had been giddy with excitement when he was told his words would be written at the back of the watch, and hence spent an hour composing all the nice words he could think of.

Leaving him to his work, Lucas had strolled round the shop aimlessly until he sighted that square-cut diamond ring sitting elegantly on the glass case. It was the perfect epitome of his love and he knew instantly what he must do. It was logical, seeing it was the only way forward in their relationship. Yes, she might say no, and yes, there would be some misgivings but he chose to be optimistic. He would wait, if he must, but he won't give up and he would not let her go. Never again.

"It's beautiful," said a voice behind him, startling him from his thoughts. He turned to find Karen smiling mistily at the ring he held.

She was wearing a black sheer lace mermaid gown that highlighted her curves greatly and her weaves were pushed to fall off her left shoulder. Her lips were darkened by ombre red lipstick and her makeup made her face glitter against the lights. She looked extremely beautiful with smiles on her face.

Pocketing the ring carefully, Lucas coughed to clear his throat. "Yeah. It is," he concurred and then frowned. "What are you doing here, Karen?"

She raised her hands in mock surrender. "I come in peace. Despite what you think, I'm still a friend of the family and I have an invitation." Their fathers were business partners and friends afterall.

He nodded. "You're welcome, then. Enjoy the party." He made to walk past her.

"I'm sorry about Donald, Lucas. I didn't know he was stealing from you. He used me to get information on you and I was foolish to let him." She pleaded, pausing him in his steps.

He turned to glare at her. "I don't believe a single thing you say. How can you not know he was stealing from me? You guys shared the same bed!"

"I loved him! He made me feel loved like no one else has ever done before." She cried, tears streaming down her cheeks. "Love blinds you to your partner’s faults. You know what I'm talking about, don't you? You've been there before," she stated accusingly.

Lucas nodded, feeling the jab directed at him. "I'm sorry about that, Karen. I didn't know you felt that way about him." He consoled.

She nodded, blinking through her tears. It hurt her deeply that Donald hadn't been as smart as he claimed. It hurt her to see that her plans might never be completed.

"A hug would be really nice right now," she began, trying for sympathy. Lucas must pity her right now and she would take advantage of it.

He shook his head in disagreement. "I don't think that is a good idea, Karen."

"For at least taking away the only man I've ever loved apart from you. You cannot be mean and deny me this at least, can you, Lucas?"

He exhaled and accepted the hug she offered. He allowed her to calm down her crying quivers in his embrace, rubbing soothing fingers across her back. Then they broke apart, smiling genuinely at each other.

Karen reached up on tiptoe instantly to kiss his cheek, staining it with red. He frowned at her action, using his handkerchief to clean his cheek before excusing himself to move towards the direction of the tent, oblivious to what Karen had done.

++++++++++++

Earlier that evening, Sara walked towards the old man on stage and smiled even as he pulled her in for a hug. He was all smiles as he stared at her.

"My Isabella. Will you dance with me my dear?" He asked, watching her. More like gawking at her if the admiration in his eyes were any indication.

She shrugged indifferently. "If you already made such a fuss, I cannot deny you."

He chuckled at that, casting a glance at his only daughter, Rita who was now dancing with her husband, Prince Nwanze Oforah. It would not bother her much, as she was used to his cranky self.

"Rita is a sweetheart. She'll forgive me and get over it soon. Your boyfriend, on the other hand, will soon die of jealousy," he cackled, nearly choking on his laughter.

Sara let her gaze travel to the back of the stage where Lucas stood, still scowling at his grandfather. "He doesn't like this arrangement very much. Let's have that dance now, Grandpa Fred." She wanted to go back to Lucas as soon as possible.

Grandpa Fred grunted at that. "Alright, I know you're eager to go back to him. He's actually more handsome and wealthier than I am. And I know he's better in bed than I am, even if I would never admit it to his hearing. But do me a favor and walk with me, Sara dear. I need to talk to you," he finished solemnly, pushing his wheel chair off the stage.

She followed him, then falling behind him to help him push his chair. Slowly, they made their way to the pool area, at the right side of the house, far away from the party and all the guests. The area was lit by the various garden lights and lamppost and Sara couldn't help blushing as she remembered a memory where the Caspian-Asiegbus returned home unawares to find her and Lucas in the height of passion at this very pool. Then her mortification increased when she remembered Grandpa Fred was one of the people that caught them in the act.

As though in her thoughts, he asked. "Do you remember the day I arrived to this house a month earlier for your wedding to my grandson and found you two in the swimming pool having sex?" He chuckled at the memory and she clamped her eyes shut in shame. She really did not want to think about that incident.

"I remember laughing so hard when I saw the way you kept squirming around, trying to fit into his back as though he could save you, like he could face off a firing squad all for you. And that hopeless boy was proud to defend his actions, saying that as his fiancée, you two had the right to express your love whenever you want and wherever you choose."

She flinched at the memory, mentally scolding herself for being swayed too easily by Lucas's charms and forgetting the importance of propriety. The fool had been too brazen facing off his family for her, and she had tried so hard to not die of embarrassment that day. "It was very foolish of him to have done that," she stated.

He chuckled in agreement. "Yes, it was, but that day I realized something. The love he had for you was stronger than whatever he had ever felt for any woman before. Even his mother. I was happy to know he would fight for you if need ever arose. And that was why you found favor in my eyes."

He pushed his chair around to look at the dreamy look on Sara's face. Linking his fingers with hers, he said. "Don't disappoint me, Sara dear. I don't believe the love you two had is no longer there. I know my grandson still loves you and my only wish this day is that you'll give him another chance. The love between you two then was so strong it made me jealous. So jealous I thought I should get in his hair whenever I can.

"And it was the two of you that gave me my favorite great grandson, Freddie, to help me out sometimes in my pranks. He's really the only one, you know. All my other great grandchildren rarely have time for this cranky old man," he finished, sounding sad.

She extracted her hand to cup his face, forcing him to look into her eyes. "Don't be sad. I'm sure they'll find a way to have time for their great grandfather. But even if they don't, maximize the time you have now with them. Have that dance with your daughter, and with all your children and your grandchildren and your great- grandchildren. Cherish this moment." She adviced him.

He smiled and nodded. "You look and sound like my mother right now. She's always been good at giving motivational speeches."

She blushed at the compliment, courtseying as well. "Thank you."

Then his features went grim. "Sara, I know I dote on you, but if you hold my chin up while talking to me, especially the way that stupid boy does it, I'll drown you in this very pool."

Five minutes later, the pair made their way to the back of the house with its massive lawn where the party was going on. She helped him roll onto the stage, and once he finally agreed to do the daddy daughter dance with Rita, she made her excuse to go find Lucas. He said he had something to tell her.

Her gaze darted around and stopped at the buffet table when she saw him. Or better still, she saw them. Karen and Lucas. She watched him pull her into a hug, and Karen clutched him tightly in the embrace. They broke apart, and she saw Karen reach up and kiss his lips. He then turned and walked away from her, leaving Karen with a satisfied smirk on her face.

She didn't realize she was angry until she felt her perfectly manicured nails dig into her palms. That incorrigible cheater, she thought painfully as a single tear rolled down her left cheek.

~~~~~~~

Can you believe it? Karen is here ladies and gentlemen! Tell me, who missed her? Only me? Alright then. 😏😒

There's definitely more to that kiss. Just you wait and see (chuckles meanly) 😈😉

Vote and comment as always to show your support.

Thank you 😍😘