Cane wanted to ask about Julian. Yvette looked upset and a little shaken when talking to him, but it could be due to the cold and stress. He felt how tightly she was holding on and decided not to pry any further; it would ruin their moment together, and he was fine being just like this for the moment

     However, the moment was ruined anyway as Cane's phone rang. Cane sighed, but his expression shifted as he saw it was Damien. As Cane answered, Damien was in a panic. "I think Yvette got stabbed. I just saw the news. Are you with her right now?!". 

     Cane placed him on speaker and asked Yvette to say hi. "Oh geez, I thought you were gone. Yvette. I saw you covered in blood. How are you doing? Are you alright?!?". 

    Yvette laughed. "A little sore but still kicking, how are you?". 

   "Curious. Let me buy you a drink tonight, hell, a whole meal, but please tell me what happened". 

    Yvette continued to laugh but ultimately agreed to the invitation. 

     Cane and Yvette walked around the park and circled back to their cars. They ended their makeshift date with a hug and stepped into their cars. They each took one last peek at each other before driving off.

     Yvette drove home, but she couldn't stop thinking about last night, apart from the stabbing. It was pleasant to be taken care of. She was able to eat with someone and cook for them, even if it was just simple dishes; they enjoyed their time with her. 

     She felt she wouldn't be able to contain her feelings anymore, but she still felt fear at the outcome. What was once infatuation had turned into a feeling similar to love. It had been so long since she accepted that feeling, but it had not yet reached its peak. She still worried about the secret in her freezer. Was he willing to accept her feelings, was he willing to accept her past or future actions, and how did he know where she lived? 

     She trusted him in her heart. After how gentle and caring he was, it was hard not to. The problem now was whether he could tell her the truth. That was all she wished he could be, but for now, she felt it was too early to say.

     Night fell sooner than expected. The lights were up again; many were enjoying the night out due to the long weekend associated with the holidays. Yvette let her hair down, but her wavy hair was no longer bouncy; her face looked sickly, and there were visible signs of stress in her eyes. She tried to do some touch-ups while in the parking lot, concentrating on the rear view mirror. She sighed, but this was the best she could do; thus, she shook her head and prepared herself.

     She made her way into the restaurant, instantly seeing Damien, Estelle, and her adorable Cane waving at her to come over. However, a bad taste appeared in her mouth so suddenly that it was almost supernatural. She then heard a grating voice behind her calling out her name, "Yvette, you're here too? What are the odds? You wanna join us?". Julian had a goofy smile as the two others at his table gave Yvette the side-eye. 

     Yvette tried to uphold her standard facade, but his face alone was sickening to her; she couldn't do it anymore. She didn't bother to smile as she answered. "No, I was about to eat with friends, thank you for the offer". She continued to walk, but Julian kept his eyes on her, anger bubbling as he tried to sear a hole through her head.

 

     Damien greeted Yvette as he pulled out her chair, still bubbly, and for some reason, he looked more beautiful than before. Estelle's as well; she looked blonder and her eyes more vibrant. "Is it just me, or do you two look more gorgeous?," Yvette asked, astonished. 

     Estelle and Damien flaunted and smiled as they posed, "You're too kind, I guess you can say it comes naturally to us". Estelle said, looking away dramatically.

      Damien followed the ridiculous display as he flaunted his skin. "You see, Cane, at least Yvette has the decency to recognize true beauty. But what did I expect, you're as blind as a bat". 

     Cane rolled his eyes, "Ignore them. They just got facials and Botox. Don't play into it too much, it'll go to their head".

      Yvette sat and snickered, "Well, all in all, you both look great". 

     The group began to talk, and Yvette unfolded the story fully: details on her boyfriend before he went missing, his infidelity, the angry woman beating her in front of her apartment, and all culminating in her getting stabbed.           "Dear Christ, how did you know it was the same lady. Estelle asked. 

     "Well, it's difficult to forget the person beating your ass". They all laughed, and Yvette felt a weight lift from her shoulders.

     "I'm glad you're safe, Yevette. And I'm grateful Cane was there to help. I just hope nothing like this happens again", Estelle reassured as Yvette nodded, wiping a tear from her eye.

      As they ate their meal, they all turned towards the open center of the restaurant where a band began to play. Couples all flocked in towards the giant square, and Estelle giggled. "I love this song. Cane, do you mind?". 

     Cane was hesitant, but took her hand, "Um, sure, but keep in mind I'm still a beginner". Estelle put on a serious face, "Don't worry, I am the instructor, so just follow my lead". 

     As she led him to the dance floor, her walk was elegant and poised; everyone's gaze was pulled towards her direction. Then, as they reached the center, she positioned herself as well as Cane. Her stance was impeccable as she found the beat of the song and began. Her movements were fluid, which made it look as if he was leading. 

       Everyone stared at the almost choreographed dance, their eyes following their movements. Damien then took this moment to have a heart-to-heart with Yvette. "Yvette, I'm always surprised by you, you know. I admit I thought you were naive and too nice for your own good when we first met. But, I think I can see how you think." Damien scratched his head, hesitant, but sighed, resolute in his actions.

     "Overall, I'm grateful you shared your story with us, but I feel it's unfair we know so much about you and we don't return the favor. So, please, ask me anything you want". 

     Yvette was surprised, but this could be a good moment to bond with essentially a new friend. "Well, if you insist, can you tell me why you left the dance company you were a part of?". 

     Damien was taken aback. How long had it been since he went through memory lane? "Well, if you want to hear it, but it's not a particularly interesting story. You still want to hear it?" He asked. Yvette nodded, placing all attention on him.  

     At age ten, Damien was recognized as a dancing prodigy. He was able to master every type of dance that he saw, his body adjusting and bending as he commanded with little to no effort. At twelve, he was a bit of a celebrity in the dancing community and was signed to a dancing troupe overseas. 

     Thus, he said goodbye to Cane and headed out alone into a new world. Blessed with natural talent and androgynous angelic looks, he stood on top of all others, but was disillusioned with this world of dance. Accosted by adults, he felt powerless against those with connections beyond him. He became angry with the world around him, and his dream of dancing was almost turned to dust. But there was a shining light through this hellish dream, Estelle. 

     She proclaimed herself his rival the very moment she laid her eyes on him; it was a surprise to everyone, even Damien himself. But, as he saw her, he knew she had worked hard to get here. Passionate movements, angelic looks that rivaled Damien, and drive beyond anything anyone had ever seen, she was also a rising star in the company.  

     Damien found new meaning in this world and focused his time on Estelle, which brought him out of his depression, but soon things changed. At seventeen, the company he was in went on tour, and they landed a show in his hometown. This excited Damien and called for Cane to meet him in his dressing room afterward to catch up. However, Damien was assaulted by one of the instructors who doubled as a producer in the company. 

     Pinned to the ground, he kicked and struggled, unable to free himself. As he looked at his ex-teacher perceived him in such a way, he felt distraught: As a student, he felt betrayed, and as a man, he felt ashamed that this was being done to him. 

     But before more damage could be done, Damien saw a flash of light, and the man on top of him was brutally shoved to the ground and away from him. Damien scrambled away, tried to see who helped him, but a smile soon replaced his scattered thoughts as he saw Cane relentlessly beating the assailant with a broom handle. 

     Cane made sure Damien was alright, then gave Damien the picture he had taken; he now knew what that flash was. Damien didn't want to expose his ex-teacher just yet, so he used the picture as blackmail. Damien planned to extort as much as he could from his attacker. 

    At eighteen, he left the company and had the ex-instructor fired after draining him for all his money and connections. He soon found a new passion in teaching dance. He then took the next step to become certified as an instructor, and with the wealth he had accumulated, he decided to open a dance studio using his name to attract students, young and old. But the studio felt empty, missing that work ethic he so yearned for, so he went in search of Estelle. 

     He found her at death's door, her drive almost extinguished, but when she saw him, she found new purpose in performing again. 

     "And thus concludes my epic tale, amazing, right. It got pretty pathetic, though, I must admit?" Damien said sarcastically. Yvette gave a sympathetic smile, "The only thing pathetic was that man, Damien. What happened to you could happen to anyone, but it takes courage to place yourself in a vulnerable position to bring light to the truth. Truly, you've lived through tough times, but you have so much to show for it. Thank you for sharing with me, Damien". 

     Damien felt relief at the response. She didn't coddle him, and she didn't see him differently, and she saw the essence of what he wanted to convey. She was indeed almost angelic, like Cane had described. Damien smiled and heard the song was about to end, and thus it was his time to help his dear old friend Cane.