When I was a little girl, my mother would bring me to dance classes on the weekends. I loved the music, the movement, and the sense of community that dancing provided. But right now, the same dance was a reason for my growing anxiety.

Mr Arnold, curse that man to hell and back, he was smirking. I mentally decided to step on his foot in the name of this dancing dare. I smiled and asked for his hand, uh not for the marriage purpose of course, but as a dance partner.

I must admit that I was a little nervous, but the feeling of his hand in mine was calming, and at the same time, exciting. I felt the pull of gravity on my body as he pulled me close. He placed his arm around me and then placed his hand on my neck and whispered, "Why to take the pain of dancing, you could have kissed me and the dare would have been finished within a second."

My face felt hot at his shameless words. And as if he was asking for it, I stomped on his foot. He gritted his teeth to suppress the urge to curse and I smiled proudly seeing his misery but my smile died down as soon as he gave me that weird look again.

There surely is something wrong with him today.

He placed a hand on my cheek and whispered, "I am sorry for what happened in the kitchen. I have no right to hug you..", and then he said something under his breath that I couldn't muster.

But whatever it was, I didn't mind since my heart literally jumped at his words. I was embarrassed by what happened in the kitchen but he didn't show even an ounce of it. He had apologized to me and I don't know why but I found myself comparing Mr Arnold with him.

I smiled, wholeheartedly, after a long time.

A smile that actually reached my eyes. This man. This man who loves to argue with me, this man who has made me angry so many times made me smile today.

He had apologized for the hug. It showed that he cared about me and my comfort and I couldn't help but smile at him. He was truly a gentleman and as much as I found him irritating before, today he had earned respect in my heart for him.

I was happy to dance with him, to have this conversation with him.

He looked satisfied seeing my smile as he held my hand gently. He said, "I take it, you've forgiven me."

I shook my head with a chuckle. My heart was filled with happiness.

The song ended and he let me go. I heard the claps of applause from the people around us. I was a bit embarrassed that I was the centre of attraction but it was worth it.

Mr Arnold was worth it!

I looked at Tara and Aiden who gave me a knowing smirk. Evans was fast asleep, his head on her lap. She looked up at me with her big brown eyes and smiled.

Mr Luke Carter was scowling. The f*ck is wrong with this man? F*cking butthole!

"What was the whispering going on, huh?", Aiden asked as soon as I approached them with a big smile on my face. I don't know why does he enjoy it when it comes to me and Mr Arnold.

" That's none of your business Aiden.", Mr Arnold said from behind me. Aiden raised his hands in surrender and gave us a sheepish grin.

I rolled my eyes at his expressions and picked my clutch. I was already late. I walked to him and smiled, the blush I saw earlier returned and I internally laughed.

What's with this weird blush, my God.

"Thank you so much for inviting me and for the dance as well. I'll leave now." He looked like he wanted to say something but he was having some internal battle.

I turned to walk to the exit but before I could step out, an irritating voice stopped me.

Not Mr Arnold.

It was Evans' cousin, Luke Carter.

"Miss Summers, should I drop you? It's late and not safe for you to be alone." The red flags in my mind multiplied at his words. Even if I was unsafe, with him I was sure some mishappening was going to happen. I ignored his comment and before I could retort.

Mr Arnold interrupted."Miss Summers is not alone. I and Kia will be dropping her off."

I frowned. When did this happen?

"Yes.", Behind him I heard Kia's voice. "Let's go, Ari.". She said and walked towards me. The sleep in her eyes was still visible but it had the tinge of excitement to go out with her Nicky uncle and me.

I felt guilty, I seriously didn't want to trouble both of them at this hour." Mr Arnold, it's fine. I have booked a cab. I'll be fine by myself." I said but he seemed to be in his other level of determination.

He ignored my words and lifted Kia in his arms."Come on Ms Summers."I sighed and gave up.

I looked at the clock and it was already 12:10 am. I glanced at Luke Carter and he gave me a slight smirk."Next time maybe."

My anger was growing at his words. Next time? Really? He had to be kidding!"There's no next time Mr Carter." I gave him a sarcastic smile and followed Mr Arnold who was patiently waiting for me by the door.

"I don't like this Luke .", Kia said and I couldn't help but chuckle at the kid.

"Neither do I.", Mr Arnold muttered under his breath. A thing he has been doing a lot lately.

Kia giggled and I smiled bemusedly while taking her from Mr Arnold's lap. "Come on Kia, it's not safe for you to sit in front," I said, putting her in the back seat. She nodded and I safely buckled her in.

I got in the passenger seat and fastened my seatbelt. "Thank you for dropping me." He gave me a warm minute smile. "You're welcome."

The ride to my home was silent but the silence was comfortable. Mr Arnold threw a few glances at me and whenever I caught him, he just averted his gaze as if he was a deer caught in red lights.

The car halted outside my house. Mr Arnold got out of his car and walked towards me. He opened the door of my side and held it open for me.

My hand touched his hand as I exited his car and bloody hell! He snatched his hand with such a speed as if my touch had electrocuted him. And when I raised my eyebrow at him, he looked everywhere but me.

I sighed and moved towards the back and bent down to kiss Kia's cheek who had once again dozed off."Good night Kia baby."

My eyes caught Mr Arnold's face which was lightened with a subtle smile. I smiled internally, one moment he blushes, the other he smiles secretly.

There's something very wrong going on with him.

I took a step towards him."Why did you bring Kia with us? She's so tired."

"You really thought I'd let you go alone.", I raised my eyebrows at him."I thought you'd be uncomfortable with me alone so I woke up Kia since Sienna was occupied."My heart swelled at his words. How in the world is this man so thoughtful?

And then I took a daring step.

I hugged him.

I, meaning the most awkward, the clumsiest and the wallflower, Arielle Summers hugged Mr Nicolas Arnold.

He stiffened and I got the hint that I had successfully made him awkward as well.

Damn you, Ari!

And just when I was about to pull away, he hugged me back. My heart skipped a beat. His arms around me felt so warm and wonderful. I don't know how long I stood like that but the moment was more than perfect.

I felt so calm and happy at the same time. I pulled away and grinned at him."You got the right to hug me the moment you apologized to me. The moment you made me feel how much my comfort meant to you. You are the most wonderful person in the world after my Mumma of course."

A warm smile crossed his lips and he looked at me gently."You are the one who's wonderful, Miss Summers.", his voice sounded soft. My heart grew warm and I felt a sense of bliss.

I never thought my Christmas would turn out so amazing and wonderful but it did. Mr Arnold and Kia made it so perfect.

I was still in his arms, I don't know why but I felt it right.

Everything was right.

Him being so close to me, me hugging him.

It felt right.

It felt perfect.

"I should go now.", I smiled at him. He nodded his head in agreement but didn't unwrap his arms from around me.

"Don't take advantage of my permission Mr Arnold.", I teased him but to my utmost surprise, he unwrapped his arms around me so speedily as if I was on fire.

"I-I'm sorry. I was..", he rubbed the back of his neck in embarrassment and I couldn't help but chuckle at his actions. He surely was adorable.

"I was just teasing you Mr Arnold.", I winked at him and once again, ladies and gentleman a small smile with a hint of blush appeared on his face.

I moved my face towards him. "You're a nice man." I gave him a warm smile and made my way to my house.

But to my amusement, he grabbed my hand stopping me in my tracks."Your Christmas gift.", he kept a box in my hand. He pulled me a little closer, a habit of his whenever he wanted to talk to me."You really thought I'd not bring anything for you, huh?", a smirk played on his lips and I found myself smiling at him and his word.

God, I'm smiling a lot today! Something is wrong with me too?

I took the present."I'll open it once I reach home."

He nodded and walked me to my door."Good night Ms Summers."

And I did it again.

I f*cking hugged him again but this time it was a short one."Good night Mr Arnold. Drive safe."

Once again I could see the same weird look cross his face." Jesus Christ!", he mumbled and hurriedly walked back to his car.

I shut the door behind me once I saw his car driving off. I leaned my back on the door frame and I smiled "He's awfully cute."

***