Page 25 of Rome: The Ballerina

“Rome.”

My lashes batted, slowly and uncontrollably. My cheeks flattered. Reality rested on my chest, tripling the weight of my body. Quietly, I suffered a great deal at the revelation that I’d lose all self-control to the man before me.

“Rome.”

It was only a matter of time. Though it wouldn’t be this very moment, the moment it did, I knew that there would be no way to reel myself back in. Because, I knew what our future entailed. Our fate was sealed. I could fall effortlessly, endlessly for him without reservation or hesitation.

The question of who my lover was, was never the issue. Where he was, was always the dilemma. In this big world with over eight billion living and breathing humans, finding him felt impossible, so I cherished my sleep. I longed for rest each evening, hoping to see him again.

“Rome.”

And, here he is.

In front of me.

Breaking me down.

Lifting me up.

Taking me down without even touching me.

“Rome.”

His voice finally registered. A final blink snapped me back into reality. I swallowed the lump of air in my throat and shifted in my seat. I could breathe again. I could see again. I could hear again. I could speak again.

“I apologize.”

The dryness of my throat prompted me to reach for the water in front of me. I laid the sandwich on the wrapper. The precipitation around the cup from the chilly water cooled my body upon contact. I sipped, hurriedly, quickly coming to the conclusion that my power was wavering. I didn’t feel as poised because I wasn’t. I was far from it.

Panicked. The word was more suitable.

Unnerved.

Easyanduneasyat once.

“What’s the matter?”

I shook my head, “Nothing.”

Sac pressed his stomach against the table, leaning closer. He removed the water from my hand and sat it down. He beckoned for my attention without a single word. The tips of his fingers rested on my palm.

“What’s the matter, Rome?”

He extracted things from me that I wanted to hold onto.

“Just– overwhelmed is all,” I admitted, “Feels like I’ve known you before. Like I’ve heard you before. Like I’ve seen you before. Like I’ve felt you before.”

His chin dropped slightly, closer to his chest as he listened.

“And, I’m sure it’s not just my imagination.” I chuckled, trying to lighten the mood. “I’ve experienced you at least a hundred times, so this all feels natural… not new. Makes this meet-up easy and overwhelming, simultaneously.”

“One hundred and one,” he stated.

“One hundred and one,” I added.

“I like you, Ms. Mellow. But, I’m beginning to think I gave you that name far too quickly. You’re as mellow as you are mysterious. Meek. Mild. Modest. Yielding. Reverential. Quiet. Very, very respectful. Bashful. Careful. Probably too careful. Faultless… Not by default. Because you are keen on results. You do the work to receive the results. Often. I can sense your level ofdiscipline. It defines you more than any of your other qualities. You value those who are more of the same…as you… than those who aren’t.”

“I value everyone the same until they prove me otherwise.”

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