It All Started with a Lie

Chapter 29

Before I know it, the curtains open and Alexandria stands center if two other dancers. You would think she doesn't even notice the crowd when she dances, she is so entirely in her element. She outshines everyone else on stage and it is obvious how she scored the lead as a freshmen. She is the best this school has ever seen.

The little girl beside me watches in awe, and periodically looks to me and her father to see if we are enjoying it nearly as much. She is as amazing as I remember and seeing her like this brings a lump to my throat, when intermission hits, I can't decide whether to stay or go. I make it to the door twice before I turn back around and find my seat. But as the curtains are about to open again I realize that if I watch her perform her solo, or the routine she's spent months choreographing, I will beg for her back, no matter what she says behind my back.

I thought I could handle it but if I truly believed that I would be sitting beside my sister right now. I make up my mind and as I go to stand and leave before the show starts again, there is a tug on my jacket sleeve. "Serendipity!" The little girls father scolds as she holds onto my sleeve with all her might.

"You can't leave! The show's about to start." She turns to her father. "Tell him he can't leave or he'll miss mommy's show."

She reminds me so much of Bea when we were kids. You could never get her to stop talking to strangers, it is a miracle she was never kidnapped. Sometimes when our father would look away from us for too long at dinner, he would find her sitting with another family, telling them about her life, particularly her pet hamster.

She even looks a little Bea, same ringlet curls, even wears the same clip in bows Bea would refuse to leave the house without until she was ten. When tears start to well in her eyes as her father pulls her away from me while apologizing profusely for her behavior, I sit my ass right back down. I won't be the reason she cries, even if it means watching the entirety of the performance.

Her crocodile tears stop the second I sit down, even when her father threatens to take away her cartoons if she doesn't behave.

Her solo goes over perfectly, she doesn't look the least bit nervous and she leaves the crowd stunned. I don't think she can look anymore beautiful but then it's time for the duet she choreographed and I'm proven wrong. She's never looked so stunning. She does some move that I suspect is particularly difficult because several people, who after eavesdropping on their conversations I've concluded are proficient in everything ballet, audibly gasp. She makes it look effortless.

She gets a standing ovation at the end by the crowd, including myself and the little girl whose name I assume is Serendipity.

I don't think I can leave without seeing her once before I go. She must want to see me, right? Why else would she invite me? I could wait outside for her in the lobby but there are so many people dying to meet her I don't think I would even get the chance.

I follow the mass of people towards the nearest exit. When I get to the door, a woman who I recognize but can't quite place , steps in front of me with her arms crossed. When I try to move past her she steps in my way again and puts her hand on my chest. "No can do sir, I am on direct orders from the boss not to let you leave."

I have never met this woman in my life. "I think you have the wrong person."

She shakes her head. "Nope. You fit her description 'tall, insanely strong, gorgeous'." She lets a few people pass her while successfully cornering me in. "Not that I'm calling you gorgeous. I have a very loving fiancé, who is way better looking." She flashes me her ring and I am even more confused.

"I really need to get going." I try to get past her once more but the look she gives me is terrifying and forces me to stop. I'm sure I could easily get past her but there is a sparkle in her eyes that makes me question it and scares the crap out of me. There are two other doors in this building so I feel no need to risk it.