Part 56
Ch56. Masquerade Club.
That day’s meal was quieter than usual because the person who talked and laughed the most, especially Chi, only bowed his head to his bowl the whole meal. At the table, only occasionally did we hear Mr. Danh ask and Phuc slowly answered.
-How was your trip to Europe this time? Did everything go smoothly?
-Yes, basically, I met the CEO of the group in person, also attended a party with their senior leaders and gave congratulatory gifts. In general, their attitude towards our company is quite good. If they come to visit in a few months, as long as we maintain a good impression with them, I believe this cooperation will be successful.
-Then we have to try, this project is very big, if we can sign it, it will be enough for the whole factory to run at full capacity for 2 years. If there are any difficulties that need to be overcome, feel free to bring them up, the board of directors will consider and approve.
– Actually it’s not really difficult, just a little cultural difference. Their company used to be owned by the Royal Family, so at parties there are often dance performances, which you know, in our country, few people know about this. So attending a party with them will be a bit awkward.
– Yes, each place’s culture has its own characteristics, Japan likes tea ceremony, flower arrangement, China likes hanging paintings, porcelain, European aristocrats like symphonies, dancing. When doing business with someone, you have to learn to get used to their hobbies. But I remember you’ve been in England for a dozen years, how come you don’t know anything about dancing?
– I know, but dancing requires a couple, besides me, I don’t know who else in our company knows this.
Mr. Danh scratched his forehead and thought for a moment, when he looked up he said.
– If you don’t know, you have to learn, there’s still plenty of time, and learning that isn’t difficult. Just give the order to the administrative department and the media and foreign affairs department, they will arrange it right away. Ah, but we still need a few more senior staff, who should we choose?
Then suddenly he looked at Chi with bright eyes.
-That’s right, Chi, I think you should learn to dance to prepare for occasions like this. Although you are not a senior staff, you are the General Director’s wife, fluent in many foreign languages and understand the group’s products well. I think you are extremely suitable.
Chi was making tea and pouring water in the living room, when she heard him speak, she looked up in surprise, she was about to open her mouth to say something when Phuc interrupted.
-That’s right, Dad’s opinion is so right, you should learn to dance, it’s good for your health and if you entertain European guests, it will also have many advantages.
Although my husband seems very supportive, when I think about letting another man hug and touch my body, I feel uncomfortable. So I immediately shook my head.
-But I’m shy, I don’t like people touching me…
Phuc thought about it again, it was true, Chi was so beautiful, any man would love her, and when dancing, they had to hug each other tightly, no matter what, someone would take advantage of it to touch their hands and feet. So he hesitantly looked at his father, Mr. Danh seemed to have known what the two were thinking, he pretended to be thoughtful then said.
-What if it was in a crowded club and no one knew her face, you would be less shy.
Both Phuc and Chi did not understand, so she had to ask him again.
-What do you mean, Dad?
-Yes, Dad knows that in our city there is a very large dance club, the first floor is for organizing dances every night, and the second floor is a masquerade ball for those who like to hide their faces. There, everyone is equally beautiful and ugly, no one knows who they are, after practice they go home, if they meet each other on the street they won’t recognize each other.
Mr. Danh hit the right psychology of those who are reserved, because part of the reason they don’t like people of the opposite sex to come close and touch them is because they are afraid of people looking and judging them. So covering their face has reduced their shyness a lot. Chi is really hesitant at this moment, she is afraid of people touching her, but learning to dance is very beneficial for her future work. While she is still hesitating, she turned to look at her husband, Mr. Danh continued to say more.
-You can go there to see for yourself, if you feel you can rest assured, then sign up for classes. You two should consider it yourselves and discuss it together, I will not participate.
After saying that, he finished his sip of tea and went back to the office, in the room there were only the two of you sitting together.
-Or tomorrow, the two of us can go there and see for ourselves, if you see someone who teaches seriously, with upright hands and feet, then sign up, otherwise, don’t. I’m very busy, I don’t have time to teach you.
Chi could only nod, hoping to find someone to her liking, so that what she was worried about would not happen.
The next evening, after dinner, the couple hurried to the club they had found online. When they arrived, they saw that this place was really spacious and majestic, with a steady stream of guests showing its prestige, which made the couple feel a little secure. The club only started to get crowded after 8 o’clock, when the two of them wanted to go to the second floor, they were stopped by the staff here.
– I’m sorry, but the second floor of the club has a rule that you have to wear a mask to enter.
Of course, the two of them were prepared, Phuc hid his face with a monkey mask and Chi was in the form of an extremely cute white rabbit. At this point, the staff member stopped hindering them, instead he warmly invited the two of them to go up.
In contrast to the noisy atmosphere downstairs, the atmosphere up here seemed more calm and isolated. There were about a dozen couples dancing in the middle of the hall, some were quite skillful but some were still unsteady on their feet.
-Honey, now let’s both watch to see if there’s anyone we like and trustworthy. -Yes
.
At first, when the crowd was still sparse, not a single man could catch Chi’s eye. Some were immature and had awkward, fluttering steps, and some took advantage of the tight hug dance movements with fidgeting hands and feet. Chi and Phuc did not like all of these people, so the couple had to wait. At around 9 o’clock, the crowd began to grow, and the couple found a few suitable people.
First, to be proportional in height, these people were all between 1m75 and 1m8. Next, they had to dance very skillfully, and above all, their dancing movements had to be polite and moderate, not taking advantage or being indecent.
Finally, after observing for a long time, among those people, there was someone who satisfied the couple. That man was quite tall, wearing a wolf mask that looked quite fierce, but his movements with his dance partner were both polite and gentle. And there was something about him that made Chi suddenly feel that she could trust him.
Taking advantage of the break between the two genres, the music had just stopped when the couple approached to ask questions. When he knew that the couple’s purpose was to learn to dance, he immediately refused outright.
– I think you should find someone else to learn from, my teaching schedule is full, I can’t accept anyone else, you should try to find other dancers at the club.
His voice was gentle but very decisive, making it inconvenient for the couple to bargain, so Phuc turned to his wife and said.
– Honey, try to see if you can find someone else more suitable, like that guy for example, I see that many people learn from him.
Chi looked in the direction of his finger and saw a rather tall man wearing a pig mask, his dance partner at this time was a woman with a rather slim body. They were quite in sync with each other’s movements, and his hands also knew how to place them in less sensitive places.
-I noticed that this person’s hands and feet are quite disciplined, only sometimes he hugs his partner a little too closely, you can remind him if you don’t like it. But now I think you should try it, I’ll stand outside and observe.
So Chi went to see him alone. In a blue one-piece dress that was longer than the knee, with a slight waist tie, she was discreet but still showed off her graceful figure, making him unable to look away. When he knew that she wanted him to teach her to dance, he immediately accepted, and showed that he was ready to start. Chi also nodded in agreement because it was not too early.
As soon as the next beat played, he pulled her to the middle of the floor and began to instruct her. He seemed to have done this very smoothly, the instructions were easy to understand, precise and very fast.
-Step on the left foot… that’s right. Keep your shoulders straight, don’t bow your head, follow me.
Chi listened, each step was a bit awkward at first, but he patiently guided her very gently.
-Don’t rush, turn on the third beat. Yes… now back up slightly, to get your hips more flexible.
His hand was placed on her waist, adjusting to the right rhythm. With experience, he knew how to keep the frame standard, making Chi feel secure and think that she had found the right teacher.
A few more steps as they both moved to the area near the large pillar, the lights were dimmer and fewer people were paying attention, he suddenly tightened his arms. Chi’s body was pulled closer, she was startled but his words were close to her ear
– Don’t be afraid, you have to feel the rhythm with your whole body…
His breath was hot as fire, signaling to her that the distance was no longer standard. And more than that, the hand that was placed neatly on her waist was slowly sliding down lower. Chi pulled her hand back to block her chest, but below she felt like something hard was pressing against her.
– Oh, this girl is so delicious, her butt and waist are slim, her body is warm and soft, it feels so good to hug her.
– What are you doing? Let me go.
-What’s wrong, sister, Rumba is a love dance, you have to get close, your eyes and body intertwined to be able to express it clearly.
The possessive squeeze hidden behind the dance movements, every note suddenly became an excuse for him to go further. But that made Chi even more determined.
-Let go of me, I stopped practicing.
But your roundness and softness were so attractive, in a hidden place like this he didn’t want to stop.
-Just a little more, the dance is almost over, you’re so great.
I struggled while he tried to pull me closer, wanting to escape now the only way was to scream and let people point and scrutinize. But luckily I didn’t have to do that, a big hand was placed on his shoulder and squeezed hard.
-I said I don’t want to, are you trying to force me, I’ll call the manager.
The tall man with a gentle but decisive voice appeared again, in his arms was also holding a woman. But she was very happy, enjoying herself, not frowning like Chi. The hateful person was about to say something more, but when he saw someone running from behind, he disappeared. The person who came was Phuc. He ran over, grabbed his wife’s shoulders, and asked,
“What’s wrong, honey? Did that person teach you well?”
The man who had just helped Chi saw him and immediately left, leaving only his back for Chi to look at in bewilderment. When her husband asked, she was startled and answered,
“No, I can’t practice with him. If I can’t find someone as trustworthy as the first man, I’ll find another place.”
“But there’s no place that can disguise like this place.” So let’s try to convince him one more time.