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The night was warm, Buenos Aires had such nice weather in the fall, making the streets beautiful with the dry leaves on the ground and the cool wind at night making it the perfect weather for a night of dancing.
Rael wore a beautiful red dress, with lots of sparkle and a tight cut that highlighted her curves. As she looked in the mirror, she couldn't help but remember the time she had worn a similar dress when she was still in Seoul, when she was still on her revenge plan, when things were harder and crueler. She smiled; her life was becoming so much lighter now.
The Gricel Club was her favorite place to dance and she went often, sometimes even giving a few lessons, but today she would go just to dance and have a good time.
The place was full as always, many tourists went to enjoy the presentations, take some classes before the milongas and eat the typical snacks. It was an old point, recently renovated and keeping the original architecture and elegance.
The employees already knew her and waved with a gentle smile. Rael went to one of the tables at the back, the first beginners' dances would soon be over and she was excited to be able to dance.
It wasn't long before the dance floor was filled with the first tango and a man called her over to dance.
Something Rael loved most about the place was the style. Everything was very elegant and refined, giving the impression of being in the original clubs from the 50s, something sophisticated and dazzling. The outfits, the atmosphere, even the people, everything seemed like another universe.
The dynamic of Club Gricel was that no one would stay with the same partner for long, the milongas were fast and the exchange of partners was constant. And Rael loved this. Not having to talk to the same person for a long time, not creating any kind of bond beyond the intimacy of the dance.
After about three dances, a different man pulled her up to dance. An Asian. This was not so unusual there, since it was a well-known spot among foreign tourists, but this man caught her attention.
He danced well, very well. He led her around the crowded dance floor with mastery, doing complex steps and pulling her along very lightly. The music was fast and sensual, which made them very close and Rael noticed that he didn't take his eyes off her even for a second, holding her in his gaze.
It was the first time since she had come to Argentina that she was feeling her heart racing as she danced with a man. He was handsome, tall, and judging by the way he felt over his suit, very fit.
The music ended before she realized it and the man let her go, bowing in respect and giving a smile, disappearing into the crowd.
Rael danced some more, until she began to get tired. The thought of the mysterious man permeated her thoughts. After two more dances she decided to go outside and get some air.
The narrow street was moving and she got out to walk a bit, going to the other side of the street and stopping in front of an old bookstore, she distracted herself by reading the titles that were there.
"I'll take my chances that you're Korean." A thick voice made her look away, seeing the stranger from earlier standing beside her, his hands in his pants pockets and a corner smile as he stared at her.
"You're right."
"It's hard to find another Korean who dances so well around here." He spoke and indicated the club on the other side. "You're a great dancer."
"Thank you, you dance well too." Rael smiled courteously. It was not her habit to speak to strangers around here so casually, but it was somehow comforting to be able to speak her native language after so long.
"Jang Tae Young, it's a pleasure." The man suddenly extended his hand to her, a friendly smile on his handsome face.
Deciding to let herself go a little, she smiled and shook his hand. "Lee Rael."
He once again bowed in an exaggerated gesture, making her chuckle. "It's a great pleasure Miss Lee." Tae Young placed a soft kiss on the back of her hand and straightened up. "What brings you to a place as distinctive as this?"
Rael took a deep breath and faced the books in the display case again. "I'm just letting myself heal."
Through peripheral vision she saw him nod. "I understand you."
She stared at him once more. "You do?"
"Yes, I too have come in search of healing." The look he gave her made her identify. It was a look of pain and loss, the same one she saw every day when she looked in the mirror. "The tango is something really magnificent, to be able to feel someone else's heart beating while you are both in sync in the same rhythm."
Rael smiled and nodded. "The tango is a sad thought that you can dance to." Tae Young gave her an impressed look and smiled.
They exchanged a long look, a silent conversation. No words were needed for them both to understand that their pains were similar, they were both searching for healing and something on that autumn night had brought them together. What fate or chance still had waiting for them was a mystery.