The Villain's Redemption

"I won't kiss you."

"…"

"Until you ask me too." His face was extremely close, she could feel his hot breath against her cheeks, she could see the different shades of brown that lined his orbs. Li Yue blinked. And she blinked again. Unable to process her words, Li Yue frowned and stayed silent. Why the hell would she ask him to kiss her? She immediately removed his hands from her chin and looked away.

"It's not like you are a very good kisser." She uttered and drank her champagne.

Hearing her words, Mo Li chuckled before he started laughing. "Do you want to dance?"

"No." Li Yue didn't know how to dance.

"Look at Li Weiwei and Xia Jin dancing like the world belongs to them. Why don't we show them who can dance better?"

"I don't know how to dance." Li Yue said, she looked at the couple wearing white and pink, the lights were already focused on them as they danced in each other's arms. Wasn't this like those fairytale movies that Li Yue used to watch?

"You don't have to do anything. I will teach you."

"I'm a slow learner." Li Yue said. She really had no interest in dancing. "I have two left feet. I can't really dance." She heard herself say.

"Then… step on my feet." He suddenly held her hand and took the champagne glass. Then he pulled her towards the center.

"What happened to being a wallflower?" Li Yue uttered.

When they were about to step onto the dance floor, Li Yue hesitated. She paused and looked at the wooden tiles, she could feel her heart started to race. Why was she so nervous?

"Come." He gave an enchanting smile as he pulled her closer. He slid his hand around her waist, expertly locking it against his body as she rested her hand onto his shoulder. Then their other hands perfectly tangled as if they were made to fit each other. "Let me be the one to lead." He whispered.

In response, Li Yue nodded. She bit her lips, unable to contain her raging heart. Why was she so nervous? Wasn't this just a simple dance?

Slowly the music changed. She felt him pull her hips closer to his, their faces so close, she could feel his hot and steady breathing down her cheek.

Then she felt him move. He slid his feet forward, prompting her to move her feet backward.

This was so embarrassing. She honestly didn't know what she was doing.

"Step on my feet." He said.

"Huh?"

"Step." He met her confused gaze and smiled. "Put your foot on top of mine."

"Oh. Oh! Are you sure?" she whispered back. Seeing him respond with a confident smile, Li Yue complied. She gave him an awkward smile. She already told him that she couldn't dance. And yet….

"It's alright." He said as he started moving his legs to match the slow beat. For a few seconds, Li Yue closed her eyes, hiding the embarrassment that she felt. Seeing him so close somehow made her nervous then a little irritated. "Have you decided?" He asked.

"What?"

"When will you marry me?"

"I—" Li Yue pursed her lips. Because of her long gown coupled with the lightning, it would be hard for someone to notice that she was actually stepping on Mo Li's foot.

"Hmm? Do you have a specific date in mind?"

Li Yue's thoughts froze when she realized that he was actually asking her when she would like to marry him. She looked at him, disbelief flashing in his eyes. "You said you would give me two months."

"I can't wait."

"I haven't thought about it yet."

"Really? Is that really that hard to decide?"

Li Yue frowned. It wasn't hard, really. If one would consider feelings, she knew that she did not love him. Could she even feel something like love? Li Yue laughed inwardly. How could someone who doesn't really exist feel emotions like that?

"If it's really hard then… why don't you marry me tomorrow then just decide whether you like to divorce me or not?" He said in a low voice. Mo Li didn't bother to hide the amusement in his tone as he added, "I believe that would be easier to decide once we are already married. Plus… I will treat you well. I am a very good husband."

"How do you know?" Li Yue asked. "How do you know that you will be a good husband?"

"I have all the best qualities. I am good looking, talented, smart, rich, my body is good, I am—"

"I get it." Li Yue interrupted him.

"Oh? So…. You will marry me tomorrow?"

Li Yue responded with a sigh. "Are you sure you want to marry me?"

"If I'm not, I won't let my pride go and ask you over and over again."

"Why do we have to marry each other?" Li Yue asked. "Our relationship is good now." Her tone became serious. "I can't give you more." Rather… she didn't have anymore to give.

"Oh? We were already in a relationship?" Mo Li asked, surprised. "I didn't know that." He let out a chuckle. "But I want to be with you. So I need to marry you."

Of course, Li Yue didn't miss the word 'need'. One could easily say that they want something but don't really need it. Saying that they need something was like saying that they need water to drink. She raised her head and looked at him as she wondered why he was so adamant on marrying her. "Mo Li… tell me honestly… do you love me?"

A flash of surprise could be seen in his face. He stopped dancing and stared at her. "And if I do?"

"Love is a dangerous thing."

Mo Li nodded. "I agree. So will you marry me now?"

"No." Li Yue suddenly stepped down from his feet. She slowly pushed him away from her. "I think it is best that we don't see each other again." Seeing him would only fuel this nonsense emotion that he felt. "Please stay away from me." Li Yue said, her eyes devoid of any emotion.

Then she turned her back away and started walking towards the exit, leaving Mo Li in daze in the middle of the dance floor. They had no future together, Li Yue thought. It was best to hurt him now than hurt him later.

….