His Devious Rule

The two waiters again met at the bar counter. They spoke in a low voice while placing the glasses on their tray, "Did she drink it?"

"Se holding on to it."

"How to bring them together?"

"Her husband isn't going away from her."

"Why isn't he speaking with others?" They had thought Alvin would be speaking with business officials. And they could easily bring Anya and Earl together.

"Hey, that man seems to be keeping an eye on you. You better leave the hall."

"She drank everything."

"Leave."

Just then, Ean clapped his hands to grab the attention of the banquet attendees. He received the microphone from Anya and made another announcement, "Let's light the stage with Mr. and Mrs. Matthews."

Anya was flustered when she discerned it was dance, "I don't know how to dance." She didn't have any idea about it. With all the eyes on her, she was going to make a fool of herself.

Ean: "…"

The limelight fell on Anya and Alvin who were two steps away from each other. Ean looked at Alvin who hadn't told him about it. He hesitantly suggested to Anya, "Just follow Alvin's lead."

Krystle sighed at her friend's state. She stressed her words narrowing her eyes at Ean while saying through her teeth, "Ean Watson, Annie doesn't even know A of dancing." Following Alvin will be even tougher for her.

Anya looked at Alvin, without revealing her expression as she could feel the eyes on her.

Ean also turned to Alvin, unsure if he should call off his announcement. Alvin had said they would leave quickly so he just made an announcement so that they could leave.

Alvin had never danced at any kind of party. Dancing with his wife was enticing. Seeing her reluctant gaze, "Should I get you another drink?" The second one would be enough to make her drunk and jump for the music.

Anya controlled herself from punching the man, "Do you want people to laugh at me?" She didn't want to do something she wasn't even one percent sure of.

If that's bugging her, "Let's send everyone out." Alvin seriously suggested.

Whoever heard him was speechless to their bones. Krystle went back to Linus holding Zane's hand. Only Anya could handle Alvin so she didn't try to help her again.

Rob stayed close by Zane, making sure Krystle doesn't feed him anything or if any waiter approaches him.

Dancing was much easier compared to how Anya had pulled her stunt on her high heels. So Ean stepped away when Alvin extended his hand at Anya.

Earl had started feeling hot. He uneasily stretched his neck, pulling his collar. He felt drunk when it was just a glass of whiskey. He looked at the center of the hall where Alvin was holding his hand out and Anya just stared at Alvin.

He chuckled to himself. Anya doesn't know dancing, and he wouldn't have put her in that place and made her uncomfortable in front of all. 'Scumbag.'

Earl blinked a few times at his thoughts. He never cursed anybody even in his thoughts. What was wrong with him?

He turned to his mother and said, "Mom, I will just come." He almost swayed at the first step but balanced himself and went out to find the washroom.

In the center, Anya uneasily held Alvin's hand and gasped when he tugged her, making her spin and reach his arms. She looked at her one hand in his palm and another on his shoulder. She doesn't remember knowing that move.

"That was easy," Alvin remarked.

Anya wanted to pout but was controlled as they were covered in all directions by the people. She threatened him, "If I make a fool of myself, I'm going to trip you on the floor." Then she flashed him an enticing smile.

Alvin knew she wasn't going to do it. She would have rather chosen to walk away if she wanted to embarrass him. "Stand on my feet."

"Huh?"

"Go ahead."

Ignoring the people, Anya listened to him and removed her high heels before she stepped on his feet. Her dress covered her feet but everyone knew she was standing on his feet.

"Focus on our leg movements." He instructed.

Anya didn't have to do anything. Her attention was on their legs while hearing the soft music and Alvin moved right and left as they subtly went in the round.

"How do you know this?"

"I have watched people doing it from a young age."

"Have you danced before?"

"No."

Anya was amused with his answers. Before she could say anything, Anya found herself on the carpet and Alvin twirled her and brought her to the basic position.

Alvin didn't ask her to step on his feet again. "Now repeat."

Unmindfully going on her toes, Anya repeated the same eight moves he just taught her. Although her body was pretty stiff, she didn't stomp his leg.

"Not bad, Officer Owen. You are a quick learner."

Anya smugly responded, "When wasn't I?"

The crowd could see Alvin was teaching her and she was copying it almost instantly. Soon they got to see the graceful dance of the two with minimum and easy steps.

It had been more than five minutes when Alvin noticed Anya's face was turning red. They were doing very simple moves, nothing exhausting so he doubted if she was drunk. "Anya…"

Anya cut in as she asked with a frown, "Why is it so hot?" Her voice was complaining.

Alvin: "…"

She was wearing a one-shoulder dress without a warm layer of the jacket. People were wearing gloves to keep themselves warm and she was talking hot.

Hot?

He quickly pulled her into his arms and leaned her on him. He signaled Linus to go near him immediately. "Replace us." Then he nodded at Rob who spoke to Zane and took him towards the door in the darkness.

Linus and Krystle started the dance together while Alvin spoke to Anya, "Little Donut, could you walk?"

Anya hummed, unable to read the situation, finding her mind foggy. She was just glad they were stopping quickly.

Alvin noticed her shoes on the floor. It won't grab too much attention if he carries her. He grabbed her shoes and scooped her into his arms as he walked away leaving the limelight on Linus and Krystle.

Outside the hall, Zane ran over to Alvin seeing him carry Anya. "Momma, what happened?"

Anya smiled hearing her son and got off Alvin's arm. "What happened to Momma?" She hummed and added, "Momma is feeling hot."

Zane immediately kept his hand on her forehead, "Momma, you have a fever."

Whereas Anya held his hand and started rubbing between her palms, "Baby, are you feeling cold? Momma will keep you warm." There was desperation in her tone as her eyes filled in helplessness.

Alvin couldn't even bring himself to imagine how she might have felt when her home was locked and she was with her baby on a snowy night.

Anya was about to embrace Zane, and Alvin hurried her, "Anya, let me bring you to the hospital."

Zane innocently tried to put his jacket over her, "Momma, you have a fever. We need to go to the hospital."

Anya held her head feeling all confused, hot, and flushed. 'Fever?'