Time is Silent, But True Love Will

My eyelid twitched abruptly, my heart racing in tandem.

Jaxton rose to his feet, his gaze sweeping across the room.

Perhaps the alcohol had gotten to me, as I instinctively stood up when his eyes landed on me.

"It's my gift," I boldly declared, causing a sudden uproar in the room.

At the door, a slender figure in white stood gracefully.

It was Louisa

Louisa sauntered in my direction, the tassels of her earrings swaying elegantly as she walked.

She positioned herself in front of me, an air of arrogance about her.

"Taylor, really? A watch worth a hundred grand? You dare to stand up?"

"If Louisa hadn't shown up, Taylor would've had a chance with Jaxton!"

"Can you believe it? An orphan with such lofty aspirations!"

The mocking voices around me engulfed me.

For a moment, I contemplated sitting back down. After all, this clandestine crush wasn't meant to be brought into the limelight.

But sitting down would imply that I lied.

Louisa flicked her slightly curled locks, smirking. "Ms. Dempsey, I know the chance to dance with Jaxton is enticing, but your behavior is quite low."

"It truly is my purchase."

"Oh?" Louisa's smile deepened. "Taylor, if you want to dance with Jaxton, just say it. Fabricating such a lie. Do you think anyone would believe it?"

Her taunt ignited a stubborn streak in me. I met her gaze squarely. "I worked hard for half a year to afford this. Any issues? I can provide proof."

I raised my phone, but a large hand quickly pressed it down.

"I believe you."

Jaxton's words reverberated in my ears, his handsome face blurring in my swaying vision.

"Can you still dance?"

His breath brushed against my ear, leaving me dizzy. He steadied my waist, leading me onto the dance floor.

"You like me."

His husky voice thundered into my ear, causing me to misstep and inadvertently stomp on his foot.

I gazed, transfixed, into his eyes, which were vast like the universe, as the world fell silent around me.

As the music ended, I walked to a secluded corner in a daze, absentmindedly picking at a dessert.

Louisa joined me, saying, "It took you half a year of thrift to buy a watch, Taylor. You and Jaxton are worlds apart. Is liking him a joke or not?"

I found it quite absurd as well.

I swallowed a spoonful of pudding, the sweetness turning bitter in my mouth.

"He could never like you, he..."

Before Louisa could finish, a commotion erupted nearby.

Jaxton held a rose, lazily twirling it in his hand.

Suddenly, the rose sprung from his hand, flipping gracefully in the air before landing perfectly in a vase.

Cheers mingled with screams.

"Jaxton is about to confess!"

"Oh my, oh my, who's that lucky girl?"

"No need to ask, it must be Louisa!"

The bitterness in my mouth intensified, my mind growing more blank.

I reached for an elegant glass nearby.

"Don't drink."

In my tipsy haze, I belatedly realized the room had eerily quieted down.

I turned, Jaxton's face bursting into view, his beauty undiminished despite the overlapping images.

He took my glass from me, the hand that held the rose.