Vince reached the young woman and looked down at her. He moved as if in a body he no longer recognized. His heart pounded as she lifted her gaze to meet his.
She noticed him and tilted her head slightly. Her voice was soft and warm.
"Do you need something, sir?"
Vince froze for a second, his thoughts clouded. What should I say? His heart tightened, yet a strange certainty filled him. He remembered nothing except the faint pull telling him to dance with her. He didn't know why he felt this way or why he was here, but it felt like a mission. He bowed, hand extended, a small smile on his face.
"Please, madam, may I have the honor of dancing with you?" His voice trembled, but he held steady.
The young woman blinked, caught off guard, then smiled softly.
"Such a bold move. We haven't even met." Her tone was kind, almost teasing.
For a brief moment Vince wanted to back away, sure he had failed. Did she reject me? Did I lose again? No. I can't. Not now.
Gathering himself, he spoke with newfound resolve.
"Please allow me to show you who I am."
His words barely rose above the music, yet they carried a weight that made her pause. Then she sighed with a smile.
"Well then, only for a moment." Her voice brightened with joy as she stood. Vince nearly lost his breath. She was radiant. With a wide smile, he took her hand. He didn't know how to dance, but by watching others, he tried to mimic their steps. They moved together, their rhythm slowly matching. With every motion, Vince's chest tightened, his pulse quickened, and his nerves melted away.
The woman leaned closer, her voice a melody against the music. "So, mister gentleman, may I ask your name?" Her eyes were curious and kind. Vince froze. A name? What's my name? What is my name! Who was I before this? His mind searched and found only emptiness, so he created one from nothing .In a voice full of forced confidence he said,
"Please, call me Aden, my beauty. May I ask for your name, my love?"
Her smile widened, amused and delighted by his boldness.
"What a lovely name. Oh, Aden, I am Nora. It's such a pleasure to dance with a man like you."
Her words wrapped around him like warmth. His heart swelled. He wanted to stay in this moment, to stay with her.
As they danced, the world seemed to fade. The pain he carried vanished. Everything felt light and free. He looked around and saw the music itself filling the air, glowing shapes of notes swirling around them, dancing to the rhythm.
With wide eyes he pointed upward, laughing softly.
"Look, Nora! The notes, they're moving! They're dancing with us!" Nora lifted her gaze, her skin glowing under the light, eyes widening in wonder." They are moving," she whispered, her smile bright and full of awe. Nora looked up, her skin glowing as her eyes widened. With a radiant smile she gazed at the floating notes that shimmered with the song.
"They are moving!"
They both laughed, spinning beneath the drifting lights as the music carried them. Time slipped away like water. When the melody finally faded, they remained close, unwilling to part. Instead, they walked together to the dining room.
The room was alive with chatter and light. Tables were covered in fine dishes, shining plates of steak and fruit, glistening with color. The air was warm and full of life.
Vince and Nora found a place to sit. They ate slowly, talking and laughing, surrounded by the soft pulse of romance.
Then Nora looked at him, her voice smooth and charming. "So, Aden, what do you want to be in life?"
Her question froze him for a moment. What do I want to be? The thought echoed. I don't remember my past, but I know I lived well. I must have been wealthy.
He straightened with sudden excitement.
"Well, I guess I want to own a factory! A place where I can lead people, command workers, make something real!"
Nora's eyes widened again, sparkling with admiration. "That's a very unique dream," she said softly. "If I could ever support you, I would."
Her words struck him deeply. He closed his eyes, letting her kindness fill him with warmth.
Then came heavy footsteps echoing through the hall. The dining room doors opened. Estill stepped in, his presence sharp and cold. Vince turned toward him, confusion twisting his face.
Who is he?
Estill spoke clearly, his tone polite but distant.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming. Please, if you may, you can leave now." Vince blinked, startled. He didn't know this man, had never seen him before. Still, he shrugged off the feeling. He didn't care where he was or why. Nora stayed by his side, and that was enough.
They left the hall together, walking into a life that blurred into years.
Time passed, sixty years, gone in a blink. Vince was now seventy-seven, his hair silver and thin, his eyes clouded. Beside him sat Nora, her beauty softened by age, her once-dark hair now a long silvery white.
They rocked gently in wooden chairs on their porch as a small boy ran around the corner, their grandchild.
Vince smiled wide, reaching out. "Oh, come here, you!" he laughed, pulling the boy close. The child giggled as Vince looked at Nora, his heart still pounding as it did the day they met.
"I love you," he said with all the life left in him.
Nora smiled faintly, but her eyes dimmed. Her voice dropped, soft but hollow.
"I'm already dead."