Through her lashes, she looked at him her lips parted, as the gaze deepened. There it was again, that surge of electricity, that magnetic pull. There was only one road down from there, and they would have unconsciously gone down it, had the door to the garden not opened to allow the waitress to enter.
*****
Sophie sat, legs crossed, on the bench in front of the Bridal Boutique. She had on a pair of shades that colored everything in shades of purple. She winced at the soreness of her body, both her arms and legs exhausted from constant practice. She wasn’t complaining, though. The pain brought her pleasure, knowing she’d be dancing on stage as Gisele brought her satisfaction.
“Mrs. Hunter?” The voice came from behind her, making Sophie stand up and turn.
The man standing behind her was tall, with blond hair and purple ends. His eyes were blue, contoured by a golden eyeliner. He was dressed to impress too, sporting a sparkling blazer and white pants. She was ready to confess that the man had a better sense of fashion than her.
“Sophie,” she corrected with a wide smile. “You must be Marcus.”
“Yes! It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you! I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to work with the couple of the year!” he squealed, clapping his hands together.
“The couple of the year?” Sophie chuckled, raising a brow as she took her shades off.
“Well, of course. You guys are the definition of epic. Everyone is talking about how you got married in secrecy despite the hardships. So romantic!”
Sophie didn’t know if she was feeling guilty for deceiving so many people, or if she was sad that it wasn’t really true. She was feeling a mix of the two emotions. She couldn’t lie, she was a woman too. She had always wished for a strong romantic love story, and she got it...only that it was as real as a fairytale could get.
Sophie channeled all those thoughts into a nervous laugh that Marcus probably mistook for humbleness.
“Come on now. We have so many things to do today! Jonathan told me you won’t be able to get too involved in the preparation. He said something about you having to prepare for a big show.” Sophie couldn’t help but notice the butterflies in her stomach. It felt good to have someone acknowledge her hard work and busy schedule. “So, I will try to talk to you about the major details today, and then we’ll only meet when it’s really needed.”
By now, they had entered through the glass door of the shop, the floral scent of the room filling her nostrils. Inside, it was chill, the atmosphere angelic. The place was completely white. The walls were ivory, with soft patterns on it. There were roses and lilies too, all the same shade as the tiles. There were gowns and veils and flowers and crowns. Everything a bride could wish for. Sophie stared at the place with wide eyes, a heaviness resting on her heart. Being there, with so many layers of lace and silk and chiffon around her, she felt like it was all real. The wedding was really happening.
When she was young, she’d always dreamed of a grand wedding. She dreamed of walking down the aisle in a grandiose gown, with flowers as far as the eyes could see. But she had also imagined that she would marry a man she’d known for years. A man that loved her. While she was doubting her feelings, she wasn’t so sure about his. She wished she had the courage to open the subject, to demand an answer as to why he was acting the way he was. But she couldn’t bring herself to. She feared he would laugh in her face, that he would accuse her of taking things too seriously.
“Hello, welcome. I guess she is the lovely bride?” Sophie noticed the woman only then, but Marcus had been aware of her presence long before.
“Indeed, she is.” His eyes shone as he talked, making her smile. She loved the enthusiasm with which Marcus treated the wedding.
“Sophie Tur-Hunter.” She smiled, nervously laughing at the mistake she’d almost made.
“So you are the famous bride that everyone is talking about!” Sophie hadn’t realized it until then, but it seemed like everyone was talking about it. “So, do we have anything in mind?”
Both of them turned to look at her, eyes wide and expecting. Sophie gulped, and thought for a moment. She knew what she wanted, but it was weird to finally channel her dreams into reality.
“I was thinking of having one of those dresses with a detachable skirt? I can wear it at the ceremony and then the reception later on?” she said as she ran a hand through her hair, unsure if her idea was good enough.
“I love the idea! Maybe the underneath skirt can be a little shorter. You know, with some ballerina vibes?” Sophie smiled, she loved the idea. She could imagine it already, bringing a bit of herself into the event.
“Are you a ballerina?” the woman asked.
“Yes. I’ll be Gisselle in a show soon,” Sophie said with pride.
“Well, I’m sure you’ll shine. How about you wait for me here, I’ll go bring out a dress that I think will be perfect for you. I’ll also tell our designer to come out. In case you’d like to make some changes to the dress.”
Sophie smiled and watched the woman disappear behind a door. Meanwhile, Marcus left her side too, moving to check out the shoes. Sophie was left there alone, her feet taking her to the tiara section that was just in front of the door. She was about to pick one of them up, when the front bell rang, earning her attention.
A familiar face walked through the door, one she would have never expected to see there. Nina walked in, arm in arm with another girl, a sneer resting on her face as soon as she caught sight of her.
“Sophie?” She furrowed her brows, as she walked away from the redhead with whom she’d entered. “What are you doing here?”
“I guess no one informed you yet. Jonathan and I decided to have a formal wedding. I’m sure your family will be invited too,” Sophie said, glad to see the fire that burnt in Nina’s eyes. “You’re kidding, right?” she scoffed, making her scoff.
“Whatever floats your boat, Nina. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go look at the veils. You can go on and help your friend, I’m sure she brought you along for that.” She pointed at the redhead who was already looking through some of the displayed dresses.
Sophie was about to turn and walk away when she heard Nina say:
“I just don’t get how he married you!” she exclaimed loudly, making Sophie turn.
“Excuse me?”
“Jonathan and I were supposed to get married as soon as things were settled, our families talked about it long before he even returned from New York. I also know for a fact that someone like him would never marry someone like you!”
Sophie felt her words, Jonathan had told her how his mom always wished he would marry Nina. The reason the words hurt her so badly, was because she knew in her heart that she didn’t deserve to have someone like Jonathan by her side. She knew it, but she would be damned if she would allow Nina to rub that in her face.
Slowly, she approached her, her eyes deadly, her voice low.
“I don’t know nor care what your families wanted. I know what Jonathan chose. He chose me.
He married me. So you better get over it.” Sophie wasn’t saying all that just because she wanted to piss Nina off. There was another reason too. Jealousy. She hated the mere thought of
Jonathan with another woman, not just Nina. It was hard to admit it, but that had been the truth.
“I know there is something going on. I’m sure of it. I’ll find out, you just wait.”
Chapter 8
“Thank you, Mr. Hunter, for your generous donation. I can assure you that the money won’t go in vain,” the man in front of Jonathan said, his smile brightly displayed as his eyes gazed at the check Jonathan had just handed him.
“You don’t have to thank me, I am a fan of ballet myself. I just want to be a part of this world too, you know. Donating toward your new junior program is the least I can do.”
Jonathan wasn’t lying, he was a fan of ballet–more specifically, a ballerina. In the back of his mind he could imagine Sophie, her elegant moves and graceful steps. He
could sit there and imagine all day, the sound of the soft music so real in his ears.
“Is that so? I would love to have you as a guest at our next show then. I heard you know Nina Lanson. She just joined us, she’ll be in our next show.” The man smiled. Jonathan knew all too well about that small detail. That was exactly the reason he was there.
“I know, I heard her family got close with the director before the auditions,” Jonathan said nonchalantly. Although he’d said the words with ease, they had a powerful impact on the director in front of him. The man seemed to go red, his eyes widening. He nearly choked on his own saliva.
“I doubt that was the case. We like to be unbiased when it comes to our casting.”
“Maybe. Although you should be careful if word gets out you may have a lot to lose. I’m just saying.” He shrugged, a smirk tugging at his lips.
The man furrowed, clearing his throat before he leaned over the table, his hands folded on the smooth surface.
“Mr. Hunter. Are you implying something?”
“Oh, no! This is just my way of starting a proposition.” “Proposition?” Jonathan nodded.
“There is this show that will take place in a few days. I would love it for you to be there. Someone I know will be performing. I’m just asking you to go there and have a look at her performance. If you do that, I’ll make sure no one utters a word to the press about this.” “Mr. Hunter. You know we only recruit one female per season. Besides, you can’t blackmail us into accepting a ballerina.”
Jonathan shook his head, his fingers reaching for the pen in front of him. Slowly, he picked it up, busying his hands with it as he spoke.
“I’m not asking you to take her. She auditioned, but she wasn’t given a fair chance. You were so set on taking Nina. I’m just asking for a chance. If she’s not good enough for you, then don’t cast her.” Jonathan could have easily persuaded the man to accept Sophie without him even seeing her. He had the power and money to do so. But he knew Sophie would never accept that. She wanted a fair shot, that was all she’d asked for. He was going to do that, it was the only way he could help her, much to his disappointment.
“A chance?” The man asked, clearly in a dilemma with himself.
Jonathan nodded. He knew that if he only saw Sophie, then he’d surely recruit her. Jonathan didn’t know much about ballet but he knew it was an art of feelings. The body of a ballerina should tell a story, make you feel emotions you didn’t know you could feel. Sophie did that. When she’d danced for him, he’d felt the sadness she displayed, the sadness and anger Gissele, the character, felt. When she danced, she looked like an angel, like a muse ready to inspire.
“Fine. Send me the details, I’ll be there. But if she’s not good enough Mr. Hunter–” The man trailed off, a serious look on his face.
“I know.” Jonathan stood up, ready to leave. “By the way, that donation had nothing to do with the request. I’ve looked into you, I know you help young ballerinas a lot.”
*****
Before any show there was chaos. Backstage, people would run around, shouting orders or cowering into major panic attacks. The dancers would pray and stretch and rehearse. All at the same time. The voice of their producer was the loudest. She heard him over all other noises, constantly shouting both encouraging words and orders, reminding each and every dancer of common mistakes. Meanwhile, Sophie stood in a corner, right beside the curtain, her hands making enough space for her to peek into the audience.
The room was full, all the tickets had been sold. The crowd was loud too, a chorus of whispers and mutters filling the space. The spotlights hadn’t been turned on yet, so the light wasn’t blinding. She was still able to gaze through the rows of people with ease.
She was about to look away and go talk to Jackson, the male lead, when her eyes landed on a seat in the second row. She recognized that pair of magnetic eyes immediately, her eyes stopping for a second. Jonathan was there, emptily looking at the curtain, oblivious of her stare. She had no idea he would be there, she’d talked to him that morning, she’d managed to wake him up even before dawn. She guessed he bought the ticket under a different name, otherwise the corps would have gone wild with gossip. She remembered one of them asking about him, if her so-called husband would attend. She shook her head and smiled, a slight pang of disappointment finding refuge in her.
She smiled and shook her head, suddenly filled with a new kind of energy. Her nerves increased too, she now wanted to be good now more than ever.
“Come on everyone. Take your places. The show will start in sixty seconds.”
The two men that were supposed to open the scene were already in places, behind the two houses they had built on stage. Meanwhile, she entered through the door of the house in the right, ready to wait for her entrance. The windows to that decoration had been painted on, so she couldn’t see exactly what was going on outside. But she could imagine. She’d practiced the scene so many times that the song alone was enough to guide her through the routine. In her mind, she knew the exact moment when the curtains were pulled and when the male lead made his entrance. The crowd was silent and she could imagine their stares.
She had danced in front of a crowd so many times before, but that was her first time as a prima ballerina. It was only natural for it to be nerve-wracking. Time passed in a blur and she finally heard the notes before her big entry. Taking in a deep breath, she smoothed the edges of the blue apron she had on and smiled.
Meanwhile, in the crowd, Jonathan could barely breathe. He waited with anticipation for Sophie. Beside him, the director of LaRouge sat quietly. He seemed to be used to the suspense before the performance, unlike him. He could only imagine how she was feeling, her heart was probably barely beating.
Suddenly, Sophie entered from one of the houses. She danced her way around the stage, the dress she wore moving with her body. He couldn’t believe someone could be so beautiful. Although all the other ballerinas had the same gracious moves, she was on another level. Sophie wasn’t dancing, she was floating, her feet stepping on clouds as she moved.
Eventually, the moment with Gisselle and Albrecht came. The man held onto her waist, their bodies moving in sync. They emitted all the needed emotions, love and sadness. He could even anticipate the betrayal that was soon to follow. As much as he hated it, he felt jealous. He hated seeing someone else touch her that way.
He remembered that night, when she had danced only for him. If he could, he would always have it that way. He would be the only one to look at her with so much awe, with so much appreciation.
The play was about two hours long, but to Jonathan, time passed like the blink of an eye. He watched the show with enthusiasm, appreciating the story that had been told for decades now. But like all other things, the play eventually came to an end.
Soon, he found himself standing, the sound of his clapping hands joining the wave of applause that went through the room. He was proud, proud to know that the woman standing there, on the stage, was his wife. He had never felt so proud to know someone, not until that moment. It wasn’t necessarily the extraordinary performance that made him feel that way, but rather the backstage events. He knew how much she had worked. How she would wake up in the early hours of dawn just to practice. The show people saw within two hours, had been a process.
Sophie’s eyes landed on him as she rose from her bow.
Smiling, he turned towards the man standing beside him, and said:
“I told you, didn’t I. There is no one like her,” his voice barely audible.
“I believe we should hurry backstage. I have to make a proposition before I leave.”
*****
When Sophie entered through the door of Jonathan’s apartment, she was still ecstatic. Her feet and hands were still trembling from all the adrenaline that was surging through her. Although she had asked Jonathan a thousand times, she could still not believe Miller’s proposition had been real. After all the hard work, after everything she went through, s
he had finally been admitted to dance for LaRouge.
She wished her grandmother was still there. She would have cried by her side. They would have both stayed up the entire night and imagined what her first performance would be like. Although her grandmother wasn’t there, she still had Jonathan.
“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me the director would be there!”
“If I did, then you would have been worried. You wouldn’t have been entirely focused on the dance. What good would that have been?”
Sophie smiled, placing the beautiful flowers he had bought her on the table. Slowly, she turned to face him again, her eyes set on him.
“Thank you.” She whispered and before she knew it, she’d closed the distance between them, her lips suddenly pressing on the side of his cheek.
The kiss had been short, but the moment she raised her head, his hands grip onto her. His lips moved to meet hers. Their mouths meeting into a kiss once more. By this time, Sophie should have gotten used to kissing him, the intense emotions no longer new to her. But, if she would have told anyone that, she would have been lying.
No matter how many times they had touched, his hands on her were still like fire. Her body turned to ash with every touch, her heart melting as he pulled her closer to him. This time around, there hadn’t been room for even the slightest bit of doubt. Their hands moved shamelessly, feeling the curves of one another.
His chest was hard and well-built as always. The layers of muscles strong even after long hours at the office. She felt every line slowly, her lips kissing their way down, following the traces of her hands. By now, she’d thrown his shirt to the ground, his torso bare, ready for her to touch.
She heard him take in a deep breath as she licked his collarbone, her tongue proceeding to trail down the line that sectioned his abdomen in two. As she did so, Jonathan struggled with the zipper at the back of her dress. What a surprise he was going to have when he discovered she had no bra on.
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