"May I Have This Dance" (978 words)

How a man was turned down on the dance floor.

  There she was! Unannounced as to who she was, Drake was taken aback from her beauty. Her hair glistened under the chandelier lighting. Ringlets hanging just over her bare shoulders. From her red high heels to the top of her head, she was stunning.

Who was she? Drake had to get closer to her to make himself known. He was guilty of falling for someone at first glance. She was already dancing with another, so he asked a lady by his table for a dance and she giggled at her friend beside her. He paid no attention, he was using her as a pond. He smiled politely at this girl and said nothing as he stared at the beauty in read waltzing on the floor as if the ballroom was hers alone.

Drake had to snap out of the daze he was in and pay attention to his dance partner. She asked him if he lived in the area.

“Oh,I am here visiting family.”

She was shy in her response, “I see, so you won't be staying in town long I imagine.”
“No, I will be leaving in a few days.”

He asked then what her name was. He didn't want to end the dance on a rude note.

“My name is Melanie. May I ask you what your name is sir?”

He had to laugh at the fact that this girl who had no confidence and almost afraid of him it would seem.
“There is no reason to call me sir miss. My name is Drake. Drake Flounders. Thank you for the dance it was a pleasure.”

He then walked her back to her table and within seconds Melanie was giggling with her friends and blushing.

Drake was handsome enough and carried himself quite well. A classy man with not many riches but a kind person. He did however consider himself a ladies man of sorts. There was no woman he could not swoon to his wants.

As the last dance was finished, the band was taking a small break. He sauntered over to where this gorgeous woman was sitting and recognized a gentleman at her table. He came up with a quick conversation to get his attention. Hoping to get eye contact with the lady.
She lifted her head and looked at him in the eye.

Drake took that opportunity to introduce himself. “Well now, here is someone you must introduce me to. A woman with such style and grace.”

She merely gave a smirk and took a sip of her drink. His friend then said, “Oh yes of course. This is Mia Lovely.”

Drake chuckled and said.” Lovely she is. A name well suited for such a beautiful and lovely woman.”

Mia gave him her hand as his kissed it gently and looked up at her and smiled. She smiled back at him almost in a pathetic way. It didn't seem to bother him any, he was closer to her and introduced. It seemed it would be an easy task to eventually have her hand in a dance.

For the rest of the evening Drake would not dance with another woman. His yearning for this Mia Lovely had a great hold on him. She left him dazed even without a single spoken word. He watched giggle and prance about with other dance partners. She did glance at him every now and again. This only made him think she was waiting for him to ask. Now the game is on, he decided. He would not just pounce at her. He would make her wait, so when he does ask, she would not hesitate.

Mia left the ballroom and into the powder room. Drake saw this as his chance to ask just as soon as she came back. He returned to his table with new refreshments and as he sat his first dance partner Melanie came to his side. “I am sorry if I am intruding Mr. Flounders. I was wondering you might be up for some sort of chat. You being here by yourself, and I am also alone. Maybe we could share a refreshment and some conversation.”

Drake rolled his eyes and sighed, ” My dear, I don't mean to be crass or bold but your no more than a child. I did not mind the dance we shared but I am sorry you have mistaken my gesture. You are quite immature."

His attention then went right back to Mia.

Melanie was almost in tears and so embarrassed she removed herself quickly from the situation.
Drake went outside for a cigar. He entered the men's facilities before he returned to the ballroom. No more waiting around. The band started the music and he went right up to her being sure of her answer.

“My dear Mia, would care to join me in this dance?”
She looked annoyed and upset.

“I am sorry, you did tell me your name. Was it Blake?”

Drake didn't know how to respond. “No it is Drake, I can see how you would have gotten the two mixed up. So shall we then?”

She stood closer to him and whispered in his ear. "You know I was taken by your handsome looks and I was even interested momentarily. Until my sister Melanie came to me crying about how rude you were with her. I would have considered a man of you stature more caring and concerned towards a young ladies emotions. As dapper as you are sir, you are no match for me.”

She turned around and walked away satisfied that she handled herself very well.
Drake had no choice but to leave. He was embarrassed, sorry for his shameful behaviour and also knew now, he played his cards poorly. A lesson not so easy to learn when you have put yourself so high on a pedistal.