127: Under the Spotlight

Emma found herself unwittingly in the limelight, Desmond's hand clasped around hers leading her through the throng of guests, her heart racing with an unfamiliar mix of excitement and apprehension. The atmosphere, charged with an electric energy, seemed to pulse in time with their footsteps. "Why the grand gesture, Desmond? Planning to steal the show?" Emma's voice was laced with a blend of amusement and mild reproach as they navigated through the crowd. Desmond, with his trademark boyish grin, played it off with a shrug, "Can't a guy make a grand entrance with a friend? Besides, I thought you'd appreciate a break from the monotony." Their banter was cut short as they stumbled upon a setup that seemed straight out of a fairy tale—a red carpet unfurling before them, bathed in the soft glow of ambient lighting, with a melody that seemed to weave magic in the air. Emma's eyes widened in disbelief, her gaze flitting from the extravagant setup to Desmond's nonchalant expression.