“Yes, and apparently and she will be arriving at the hotel tomorrow!” replied Candasee soberly, so please remember that and be on your best behaviour so we can continue to have the intensive here without causing the hotel any more embarrassment or inconvenience.”
“Ms. Maxwell, why would you think our being here is embarrassing for management?” asked Julia looking slightly offended.
“I’m sorry. That did not come out right. I have faith in you guys to do the right thing and represent yourselves and your countries well while we are here. I just wanted to make sure that you were aware of what was expected of you,” replied Candasee realizing too late that she had just projected her own fears onto the students. The last memories she’d had of Darius included his disdain and embarrassment over her own involvement in dance.
Another student raised her hand at that moment, “Excuse me, Ms. Maxwell, will the hotel or Carthswright’s Academy be providing us with costumes for these added performances? I only brought what I thought I needed for the workshop sessions.”
“I’m not clear as yet on those finer details but just know that you need to prepare your best pieces of work for audition and we will go from there. This was unexpected but it has turned out to be a great opportunity for all of you and the academy to gain worldwide exposure, so we are all adapting as best we can,” replied Candasee. “Okay, class dismissed for the day, we will meet here again at nine o’clock in the morning and we will be starting with the floor work routine you learned this afternoon.”
The class then proceeded to gather their belongings and return to their rooms, no doubt to plan for a night of fun. She just hoped they heeded her words. The last thing she needed was to hear Darius tell her how her career was once again bringing him any kind of shame and embarrassment. She sat down on the floor and decided that she needed to stretch and unwind a bit before returning to her room to get ready for dinner.
She was looking forward to spending the night with Nathan. She always enjoyed his company and they never ran out of things to discuss. She smiled at the thought of the many times they just sat and talked about their dreams over the past few months. They had really forged a deep connection with each other.
“Excuse me Candasee, may I talk to you for a moment?” asked Julia approaching her somewhat timidly. She’d told the delegates to call her by her first name.
“Sure, what’s on your mind?”
“I just wanted to say that I really enjoyed your class today. You remind me a lot of my mother. She loved to dance as well.”
“Really does she do it as a career?”
“No, she died a year ago from cancer and it’s just me and my little sister Janel now. I am looking after her while I am working and studying. She will be eighteen next year and she’s a good student. We are hoping that she can secure a full government scholarship in her advanced level examinations. I would really love to win this scholarship too. I know it might be unethical to ask you this but do you have any pointers that could well, help me to improve my chances?”
Candasee looked into Julia’s eyes and she saw sadness there but still a strong sense of determination and courage. Not many students would have dared to ask her that fearing that she might consider it an attempt to cheat. There was something endearing about her that reminded her of her younger self and how lost she felt as well when her own mother died when she was seven years old. She missed her to this day and she’d never been able to really bond with her step-mother Melinda.
“Sure, I’d love to give you some pointers. We are looking for someone who is a bit of an all-rounder. We allow you to choose three areas you are best at and you are judged in all three but you showcase one at the final event. Most people have one strong area but versatility is also key to doing well in the performing arts. What’s your strong area?”
“Well I think my strong area is my voice. I love to sing jazz and soul and I chose spoken word poetry and dance as my other two. I mainly did some ballroom, African and a little modern and jazz dance with the troupe at my school when I was there. The other students in the class seem so much more polished than me though. I’m sure they have been taking classes from childhood,” she replied.
“Can I tell you a secret?” asked Candasee leaning in with conspirational whisper.
Julia’s eyes brightened as she nodded.
“I am not professionally certified in dance either. By that I mean that I don’t have a degree. I’m actually certified as a corporate lawyer.”
“You are? She asked incredulously. “But you dance so well.”
“That’s just years of practice with my dance troupe’s many performances, and practicing at home. I told you that because you can do anything you put your mind toward and you can have that scholarship. There isn’t anything standing in your way. Don’t look down on what you think might be limited experience or compare yourself to any of the other delegates who seem more qualified. I got this job at the Academy even without a degree but based on my talent. I am sure that I wasn’t the only person who applied.”
“Wow that is really encouraging. That girl Eve is actually my roommate and she has been making my life pretty miserable already with her constant put downs,” Julia explained.
“Just ignore her and focus on what you came here to do. Only really insecure people feel the need to criticize others the most. Just stay focused and use your time here well. Think out of the box, be creative, but most of all an artist is in tune with her feelings and your best work will come out of you being able to open up and release that.”
“Thank you Candasee, I really appreciate talking to you! You’ve given me a lot to think about!”
“Sure, no problem, it was my pleasure, that’s what I’m here for!” Candasee smiled.
Julia smiled in return and walked away deep in thought. She loved knowing that she could impact people like Julia. It was moments like this that confirmed that she chose her career well. She wanted to help others find the fullness of their life’s expression through movement. It was why she was at the Academy. This was what gave her life purpose and meaning.
Candasee set her IPod to play through the speakers to one of her favourite love songs and she began to dance a spontaneous routine of self-expression. It was so easy to get lost in the dance, to be completely swept away with the emotions movement could evoke in her.
As she danced, she never saw her audience. For the second time in one day, which was certain to be some kind of new record Darius thought, he’d found his way downstairs but this time he knew who he was looking for and he’d found her. Watching Candasee talk and encourage Julia and then dance, he could see the freedom and the expression that she was able to release and knew that being a follow-the-rules- attorney was simply too stifling for her. He rested against the wall not wanting to disturb her as she pirouetted, lunged, rolled and leaped gracefully. Watching her dance, inflamed his heart with both regret over his lack of support in the past and awe at how much her abilities had grown . The song ended all too soon and Candasee walked over to her IPod and turned it off!
When she turned around she was startled to see Darius calmly leaning against the wall and his slate grey eyes were filled with blatant admiration and was that also desire she saw?
“Darius, what are you doing here?” she exclaimed with surprise.
“I came to talk to you, after all I never got to finish what I was saying this morning, but I didn’t want to disturb you!” he said.
“I wish you had said something instead of just standing there staring!” replied Candasee feeling decidedly exposed and uncomfortable after having Darius see her dance like that.
“You dance beautifully, you always did! I’m sorry if you felt that I was invading your privacy,” he said walking slowly toward her with his shoes clicking against the grain of the wooden floor.
Candasee struggled not to snort audibly at his response. She’d always danced beautifully? Since when did anything related to her dancing even appeal to him in the slig
htest?
“Darius, exactly what is the game you are trying to play here with me? When have you ever seen me dance or even taken any interest in it? Do you really expect me to believe that you have changed this much?” she ground out between gritted teeth sensing herself growing angrier by the second! Great, there went her good mood.
“I know this is all confusing for you, which is why I was hoping that we could have dinner together tonight! There is so much that I want to explain to you and I have a proposal for you concerning your academy,” he replied never breaking contact with her eyes.
“I’m sorry but I already have dinner plans for tonight! I think you should seek to discuss any plans for the academy with Nathan. He’s the Principal and the one you need to talk to about any proposals,” she replied stiffly.
“I am not talking about Carthswright’s Academy, Candasee. This is something else entirely and I think when you hear what it is you will see that I am being totally sincere about my apology to you. It’s important! Can’t you reschedule?” he pressed.
“What? I don’t understand what you are talking about and no I can’t reschedule! You can’t expect to have the world fall at your feet all the time Darius. I have a new life now and I have moved on and I think you should too,” she said gathering up her bag and walking quickly toward the exit and away from him.
“Candasee, wait,”
She could hear Darius following closely behind her along the pathway leading from the room. Just as she was about to turn around and ask him why he was following her a beautiful woman in a red sheath walked up to him boldly and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him lightly on the lips.
“Surely, you haven’t forgotten that you promised to have dinner with me tonight. I came early to make sure you weren’t stuck behind your desk as usual. I am in luck to find you downstairs already,” she crooned almost musically.
Candasee swallowed a huge knot that had just appeared at the back of her throat at the sight of the woman kissing her husband, pardon ex-husband. Who was she?
Darius groaned inwardly at Candasee’s wide-eyed expression at this flagrant display. Great! The last thing he needed now was to have Solange here creating more misunderstandings. He had gone out with Solange off and on for a little while when he felt that he needed some friendly companionship at business functions but being with her always left him feeling empty afterward. It was good to have the company in the moment but the reality was far from what he truly wanted. Now, God knows what Candasee was thinking about this. He’d only agreed to have dinner with her distractedly when she’d asked him last night saying he owed her big time for finding Carthswright’s Academy in his moment of need. He’d forgotten about her and dinner completely!
“Look Solange I will make it up to you but I can’t make it tonight! I’ve made other plans!” said Darius apologetically as he tried to set her aside gently to continue following Candasee. But she stepped into his pathway and rested a palm on his chest.
“Darius, but we spoke just last night, surely you could've let me know your plans changed before I came all the way down here?” Solange questioned.
Candasee shook her head and walked off quickly leaving Darius with Solange. The nerve of the man declaring he made other plans as though she would automatically say yes to him. Besides this woman’s name sounded very familiar. She only knew of one other woman named Solange and it was the manager at the Meridian Hotel! As realization dawned on Candasee a deep annoyance bloomed simultaneously in her gut. How interesting that she was able to call in such a big favour from Darius, thought Candasee, wondering what else she’d promised Darius in exchange. She couldn’t believe that she was actually feeling guilty about being here with Nathan. She wouldn’t be making the mistake of feeling guilty a second longer, she told herself fuming inwardly.
Tonight she would let go off her inhibitions about being here with Nathan. He was right, Darius did bring his lovers here to the hotel and she was being very silly about all of this. They were divorced and he was free and so was she to do as she pleased!
She made her way quickly to the elevators, and pressed the button to open the doors.
Darius breathed out his frustration at being interrupted for the second time that day in trying to speak to Candasee.
“Solange, look I really apologize for forgetting about dinner tonight, but I really can’t talk to you right now,” said Darius not taking his eyes of Candasee.
Solange knew she was getting the brush off and she did not like it. In fact, all of her attempts to get past superficial with Darius had all failed miserably. She could literally see him slipping through her fingers and that was more than distressing.
“Okay what about lunch tomorrow?” she pressed.
“Look Solange, I’m sorry but I don’t know when as yet. Call my secretary and see if she can slot you in. Please excuse me, there is someone I really need to talk to, and again my apologies,” he said finally forcing his way past her and striding quickly down the pathway in the opposite direction leaving Solange standing alone in shock.
“Call your secretary? Slot me in?” Solange said to herself aloud in disbelief as she watched Darius walk away from her as though his shoes were on fire.
Candasee stepped into the elevator and the doors closed behind her. Darius walked up to the doors, swore and pounded them with his fist lightly. She obviously got the wrong impression just now. Should he try to catch up with her now? He decided to let her go for now because any conversation he attempted tonight would surely be met with disbelief after what happened with Solange just now. He made a mental note to let Solange know that he wouldn’t be seeing her again.
“Solange hi?”
Hearing her name Solange turned toward the sound of the voice and saw Nathan jogging toward her. They had become friends at university years ago and had remained friends ever since. She was always very attracted to him but at college he’d always been involved with someone else, so she’d resigned herself to them just having a good friendship. He looked amazing and the way the muscles rippled along his arms made it clear that he was in the peak of fitness. Some men were so sexy it made her mouth run dry, both Nathan and Darius fell into that category.
When he reached her, he embraced her warmly.
“How are you? I am glad to see you and I did promise you that hug for all of your help!” he said with a broad smile.
“I could be better actually!” she replied turning again to watch Darius’ rapidly retreating figure. “But enough about me, are you happy with the facilities?” she asked trying to deflect the attention from herself.
“Are you kidding, this is fantastic! I never imagined that we could ever host an intensive in a place like this,” he laughed. “By the way, how do you know Darius Brogan so well, to call in such a big favour?” asked Nathan curiously.
Solange bent her head a little and scuffed the tip of her shoe against the stone walkway before she responded. “I met Darius last year at a tourism conference and you could say we became friends. We go out every now and again when he needs a date for a business function, but so far nothing serious!” she said in a deflated tone.
Nathan could not believe his ears. What was it with this man that women were left sighing in his wake?
“Well you would have to be pretty close to pull of these arrangements for us! Nathan countered trying to encourage her to say something, anything he could use to his advantage.
“No not really! Darius is the consummate businessman and he is benefitting from this as much as you are. He isn’t doing this for free you know; it is my hotel that is suffering the loss here.”
“Solange, I am really sorry about that. How are the repairs coming along?”
“Slowly, we haven’t done much yet except for clearing away the debris. Estimates need to be drafted and presented to the owners so I think we will be closed for a few more weeks.”
“Wow, well I hope that all goes well there!”
“Yes me too! The hotel is li
ke a ghost town right now. I was hoping to meet Darius for some dinner tonight but he blew me off,”
“Dinner?” asked Nathan even more intrigued.
“Yes, we planned to have dinner tonight but he said he made other plans but did not give an explanation. He was hurrying after someone. Actually now I think about it, he was talking to a woman dressed in dance clothes when I stopped him, probably one of the intensive instructors!
Nathan froze at that bit of information and fumed inwardly at Darius’ repeated attempts to get close to Candasee. Goodness, it had only been one day, what was the man’s rush?
“Did this woman have dark skin and long black hair?” asked Nathan trying to sound nonchalant.
“Yes, in fact she did!”
“It seems that you like him a lot though, judging by the way you look and sound right now!”
“That would be understating it Nathan,” replied Solange looking deflated.
“You’re in love with him aren’t you?”Nathan guessed, now understanding Solange’s body language.
“Guilty as charged! Look Nathan, I think I am going to leave now, I am going home to repair what’s left of my dignity with my favourite bucket of triple chocolate chip fudge ice cream!”
“Solange, I think we can help each other,” said Nathan thinking quickly.
“What do you mean by that?” she asked.
Come, let’s have a drink and I will fill you in on all of the details. I think we are both in a position to help each other out!”
Solange looked quizzically at her old friend and regarded his wide smile. Any help in snagging the elusive Darius Brogan was definitely worth a listen, but she couldn’t imagine how Nathan could help her do that.
Fifteen minutes and a glass of punch later, Solange looked at Nathan with amazement at his idea. It turned out that they had much more in common than she’d even realized.
“So, will you help me?” he was asking at that moment.
Helping Nathan was helping herself now that she knew what Darius’ distraction was. But one thing was still bothering her!
Fighting Destiny Page 9
