Versailles Series Book 7: The Ballerina [COMPLETED]

CHAPTER 53

=== A L E X A N D R I A ===

I was watching one of the dance rooms from outside. My eyes are fixated to one specific kid. Jeya Sullivan-Byrne.

"Hi, Teacher!"

I smiled at the kid. She was a carbon copy of her mother no doubt except for her blue eyes. I asked her teacher to let her talk to me for a bit.

"Hey...how are you little ballerina?"

"Okay lang po, Teacher." She has that giddy smile kids usually show when they're happy and excited.

I squatted until I was on the same eye level as hers. "Kilala mo ba ako?" I feel weird asking the kid but I just want to prove something. I hate overthinking when I can ask the kid straight out.

Tumango ng marahan ang bata. "Kayo po si Teacher Ria."

"Hmm...kilala ba ako ng Mommy Joanna mo?"

Tumango ulit ang bata. "Sabi po ni Mommy na friends daw po kayo noon. Mabait daw po kayo at close kayo kay uncle and auntie."

I bit my lower lip. "Ano namang pangalan ng uncle and auntie mo?"

"Si Uncle Juan at Auntie Janica po. Mahaba po pangalan nila eh."

"Juan Miguel ba ang pangalan ng uncle mo?"

Tumango ulit ito. "Opo. Close din po ba kayo sa kanya teacher?"

I smiled at the innocent kid and nodded. "We know each other." I stood up. "Sige na balik ka na sa class mo."

I went back to my office and stared at the invitations that I'm about to give to the kids. The recital will require students to bring two of their parents or guardians. For sure I'll see Joanna.

Based from the unsolicited updates I got from the members regarding Juan Miguel, he's in Ireland since we last saw each other. I doubt he'll come home for this especially only two people will come per pupil.

I sipped my tea as I felt uneasy. There's no need to overthink. Nothing bad will happen. We'll just say hi. And even if Juan Miguel will be there for some unthinkable reason, we didn't separate on bad terms this time. We can smile and greet each other like before.

The days passed by in a blur. A day before the recital, I received another letter. The print was familiar with me already but it still brought anxiety to me. What could this mean?

I opened the letter and read it fast. Hmm. Looks like they are still not giving up on me. They still want me to teach in the school once I have fully recovered. They are giving me three months to reply. They have added terms and more benefits. I wonder why they keep on insisting that I do it. Bakit ba sa tuwing nagku-krus ang landas namin ni Juan Miguel ay lagi akong may natatanggap na ganito?

Come to think of it, I can do it right now without any hesitations. But why do I feel like I'm not motivated to do it at all?

I opened my phone and hovered over the phone number only to just close it after. Maybe I meed the three months to think about it.

I just decided to go to the venue of the recital. It was ready for the children's performance tomorrow. I should be happy completely but something is not sitting right with me.

I went home and barely got any sleep. Still, I want to celebrate with my students so I got up and fixed myself. I wore a bright pink midi dress its almost white paired with some white heels. I put up my hair with some strands falling on the sides.

I looked at myself in the mirror. Its far from the mess I was almost a year ago. I looked fresh and radiant despite the lack of sleep I've been having for the past months.

I drove to the venue with a smile on my face. The entrance was filled with kids in cute ballet costumes along with their parents and guardians.

Hinila ako kaagad ng event organizer bago pa man ako makapag-kamustahan sa kanila. She ran me through the sequences before the program starts. I practiced my speech last night. Wala naman akong stage fright kaya hindi ako kinakabahan.

When the time came, the students came in and settled in the front rows. Their parents are at the back.

I stood on the podium and looked at the crowd as if I was searching for a familiar face. My skin got goosebumps which was weird because I didn't get those the first time.

I pushed through with my speech and gave the introduction to the dancers. We are focusing on ballet for the first year before expanding to other dances in the coming years. Maraming investments and dumating pagkatapos ng opening kaya naman ay may mga scholarships kaming nabigay sa mas maraming mga bata.

Nakita kong natuwa ang mga magulang sa balita ko. Hindi mura ang pag-aaral ng ballet kaya naman hindi lahat ng gustong matuto ay nakakapag-aral.

Masaya naming pinanood ang mga performances ng mga bata. Pagkatapos niyon ay ang walang katapusang pakikipag-picture dahil sa mga tao rito, isa pa rin ako sa mga sikat na prima ballerina.

"Teacher! Teacher! Magpapa-picture din kami ng uncle ko!" I stared at Jeya who was holding hand. She was holding someone else's on the other. I slowly followed her hand before landing my eyes on a sleeve with cuff links, a custom suit...all the way up to the man's face.

"Alexandria..."

"Juan Miguel..."

Naputol lang ang tinginan namin nang hilahin kami ni Jeya. "Mag-picture na po tayo! Uncle buhatin mo ako!"

Juan Miguel chuckled before carrying her. We got our pictures taken before Juan Miguel put her down.

"Doon lang po ako sa friends ko."

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Juan Miguel na magkaharap. I tucked a few strands of my hair behind my ear. "Where's Ate Joanna?"

"She wasn't sure she was able to come because of some stomach flu but she made it anyway. She was late, but she came anyway." He said scratching the back of his neck.

I smiled at his shyness. Both of us know what his sister is trying to do.

CHAPTER 54 >>