"A Kitten,, A Dance,, and a Growing Connection"
As soon as I entered my room with my tiny kitten nestled against me,, she squirmed excitedly and,, before I could even close the door,, she leapt from my arms.
She bolted straight to my bed,, her little paws pattering softly against the floor,, before she curled into a tiny,, perfect ball right on my pillow.
I smiled,, shaking my head at her antics.
"Such a little diva,," I murmured fondly.
Still smiling,, I realized that the rumbling in my stomach had grown impossible to ignore... I hadn't eaten a single thing since morning.
Dragging my tired body toward the small kitchen tucked away in the corner,, I opened the fridge.. A few leftovers greeted me—nothing glamorous,, but enough to satisfy my hunger.
I reheated the food,, the soft hum of the microwave blending into the low murmur of the city outside.
Carrying my plate,, I settled near the window, the city lights sprawling out below like a blanket of fallen stars.
The night was silent,, save for the faint hum of cars, distant sirens,, and the occasional bark of a dog far away.
I took slow bites,, savoring the simple meal,, allowing my mind to drift.
As the last forkful disappeared,, I stretched, letting out a long yawn that pulled at every muscle in my body.
Exhaustion weighed heavy on my eyelids, but just as I was about to climb into bed,, I remembered—the medicine...
My kitten needed her dose tonight,, I couldn't skip it,, no matter how much she hated it.
I grabbed the tiny bottle,, carefully measuring the prescribed amount into the dropper.
Scooping her gently from the pillow,, I cradled her in my arms.
"Come on,, sweetheart,," I cooed, "just a little,, okay?"
The moment the bitter medicine touched her tongue,, she squinted her eyes in betrayal, her tiny pink tongue darting out as if trying to erase the taste..
I giggled,, unable to help myself... Her dramatic reaction was just too much.
"I know,, I know,," I murmured between laughs,, "but it's for your own good,, my little drama queen."
With an exaggerated huff,, she buried her face against my chest,, letting out a soft, defeated sigh.
The warmth of her tiny body against mine,, the steady rhythm of her purring—it all lulled me into a heavy,, peaceful drowsiness.
I pulled the blanket over us,, cradling her protectively,, and closed my eyes...
" A Morning of Surprises"
I woke to the soft pressure of my kitten nestled tightly against me,, her tiny form pressed to my chest like a heartbeat I never wanted to lose...
The night had been calm,, a rare gift,, except for a faint knocking that echoed through my dreams.
As consciousness crept in,, the knocking grew louder.
I groaned,, dragging the blanket over my head,, but it persisted.
Reluctantly,, I rolled out of bed,, rubbing the sleep from my eyes,, and shuffled toward the door.
The moment I cracked it open,, I was engulfed in a tight, familiar embrace.
"Rimi!!" Lily squealed,, squeezing me like a lifeline. "You had me worried sick!! You weren't answering your calls last night. Where were you??"
I chuckled,, pulling her inside before we became a public spectacle in the hallway...
"Relax,," I said with a sleepy smile... "I was taking care of someone important."
I gestured toward the little lump of fur still dozing on my pillow...
Lily's eyes widened. "Oh my God!!" she gasped, bending down. "You got a kitten??!"
"Kind of,," I said, scratching the back of my neck. "I found her injured yesterday... I couldn't just leave her..."
Lily grinned mischievously. "Moody,, injured,, and stubborn... yeah,, she fits right in with you."
I rolled my eyes dramatically,, and Lily only laughed harder...
Before I could say anything,, she clapped her hands excitedly.
"Enough chitchat!! Get ready,, Rimi!! We have wedding dance rehearsals today!!"
I groaned. "Can't I have one lazy day??"
"You have half an hour,," she insisted,, ignoring my protests. "Breakfast first,, then practice."
As she rattled on about the plans,, I scooped up my kitten, who gave a sleepy little yawn and nuzzled into me...
"Oh! And bring this cutie pie with you!!" Lily called over her shoulder as she left,, adding a cheeky wink before disappearing down the hall.
Getting Ready
Rushing to the bathroom,, I let the warm water of the shower chase away my lingering fatigue..
When I stepped out,, steam curling around me,, I searched through my closet for something... different.
Something comfortable,, but also beautiful.
My fingers landed on a flowing blue gown—the softest material I owned,, cinched at the waist just enough to hint at my curves without being overly formal..
Perfect...
Turning to wake my kitten,, I found her sitting proudly on my desk,, swatting playfully at the tassels of my purse.
I shook my head,, smiling.
"You are pure chaos,," I muttered affectionately,, scooping her into my arms.
She purred contentedly... until I pulled out the medicine dropper.
The moment she saw it,, she bolted under the bed with surprising speed.
"Oh no you don't," I said,, laughing as I crawled after her.
After a small,, playful battle of wills,, I finally managed to administer her medicine.
She gave me a look so betrayed that, I couldn't help but laugh.
"You'll thank me later," I whispered,, kissing the top of her tiny head.
One last glance in the mirror confirmed, it—I looked... different today.
Maybe it was the dress,, or maybe it was the feeling blooming quietly in my heart.
I slipped into my shoes,, kitten tucked snugly against my chest,, and headed downstairs.
Breakfast and Adrian's Charm
The moment I entered the garden,, all conversation stopped.
All eyes turned to the tiny kitten cradled in my arms,, and immediately a small crowd gathered,, reaching out to pet her..
But she had other ideas.
With a startled squeak,, she leapt from my arms,, clambered up my dress,, and hid against my chest like a shy child.
Everyone laughed,, and Lily threw up her hands.
"Well,, she only loves you. No surprise there!!"
I chuckled,, stroking my kitten's fur soothingly.
"She just needs time,," I said.
As I sat at the long breakfast table,, I felt someone take the seat beside me.
I turned—and found myself looking into Adrian's smoldering gaze.
His smile was slow,, devastating.
"Looks like she's already claimed you,," he said,, nodding at the kitten curled up in my lap.
I laughed softly. "She's clingy,," I admitted.
Adrian leaned closer,, his voice dropping to a teasing murmur.
"Sleeping on your lap... lucky kitten..."
I froze,, heart skittering wildly in my chest...
The way he said it—deep,, low,, with a glint of something mischievous in his eyes—sent a shiver up my spine..
Blushing furiously,, I focused on my food,, trying to act unaffected.
After breakfast,, as everyone got ready to move inside,, Adrian fell into step beside me.
"Want me to hold her??" he offered, extending his hands.
I hesitated,, then carefully transferred her into his arms.
For a moment she simply stared at him,, tiny nose twitching.
Adrian smiled,, and I saw something in his face soften—a gentleness he rarely showed.
Then,, without warning,, my kitten launched herself back toward me..
Adrian groaned in defeat...
"She hates me,," he said dramatically.
I laughed,, cuddling her protectively.
"Maybe you just need to give her time..."
He glanced at me sideways. "You think that'll work... with you too??"
I blinked,, startled.
"What do you mean??" I asked,, my voice a whisper.
Adrian's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Will you also come to me... if I wait long enough??"
Before I could summon a reply, Lily's voice broke through the haze...
"Guys!! Rehearsal time!! Upstairs!"
I turned away quickly,, hoping he hadn't seen how red my cheeks had become...
The Dance That Changed Everything
The rehearsal room was breathtaking—floor-to-ceiling windows with the Manhattan skyline sprawling out beyond...
But all of it faded into a blur when the instructor called out the pairs...
Adrian and I...
Of course...
As he stepped closer,, I could feel the world narrowing down to just the two of us...
His hands found my waist,, strong and steady,, My fingers curled around his neck instinctively...
The music swelled,, soft and intimate.
We swayed together,, moving as if we were the only ones in the world.
Every step,, every glance between us built the tension higher.
And then—the final move...
I had to jump,. Trust him completely.
Without hesitation,, I leapt—and he caught me effortlessly,, pulling me tightly against him.
Our eyes locked,, breath mingling,, hearts racing.
"You're blushing again,," Adrian whispered,, his forehead almost brushing mine.
"Maybe," I managed,, my voice shaky.
"I like it,," he said,, his tone dangerously tender.
My heart stumbled,, breath catching—until, suddenly, ,my kitten chose that exact moment to crawl under my dress,, causing me to yelp.
Adrian laughed,, setting me gently down.
"Jealous little one,," he teased.
Scooping her up,, I couldn't help but laugh too,, my cheeks still burning.
A Sunset Confession
After rehearsal,, as I walked toward my room,, I heard my name.
Turning,, I saw Adrian standing there,, my kitten once again perched awkwardly in his arms,, glaring at him.
"She ran after you,," he said,, handing her over.
I tucked her safely into my arms,, smiling.
"She really doesn't like being away from me."
Adrian hesitated,, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Are you free... for a walk??" he asked,, his voice softer now. "Just you and me??"
My heart skipped...
"What time??" I asked,, barely breathing.
"Five," he said,, smiling. "And... wear this dress. You look beautiful in it."
Blushing furiously,, I nodded,, clutching my kitten tighter.
Adrian smiled—a real smile,, not the teasing smirks he usually wore—and reached out,, brushing his fingers lightly against mine..
Neither of us moved for a heartbeat.
Then,, slowly,, reluctantly,, he pulled away.
As I stepped into the elevator,, my heart hammering,, I caught a glimpse of him watching me—like he didn't want to look away.
And deep inside,, I knew...
Tonight was going to change everything...
To be continue...