𝐹𝑟𝑒𝑒 𝑋𝑜𝑛𝑒

𝐿𝑉𝐼

I left stage smiling and laughing with the kids. They were happy and so was I, the energy between us was a good high. I gave every one of them a high five, Jenna, Kelly, Shawn, Lori, Rob, Eddy, Nick, Kevin, and Gil. Gil gave me a high five but pulled me into a hug.

I was drenched in sweat. "Eww," I whined.

"You love me, shut up," he sang, and I smiled. He was right. I loved him.

Canada loved us, and I was smiling the whole way backstage as I walked with Joey. I wiped my forehead with a towel on my way to my room, but there was a surprise waiting for me. Joseph was there, wearing a fedora on his head, holding a bouquet of flowers in his hand, smiling.

I stopped in my tracks, my heart skipping a beat. The sight of him, there, waiting for me, sent a mixture of emotions flooding through me. Joseph. I wasn't sure what to feel at first, part of me wanted to walk past him and keep my focus on the show and the team, but another part of me, the daughter part of me, wanted to hear what he had to say. He stood there, looking at me with that same familiar expression, one that always made me feel like I was supposed to please him, to earn his approval.

"Janet," he said, his voice warm yet calculating. "You did great out there." He extended the bouquet toward me.

I glanced at the flowers, then back at him. I hadn't seen him in a while, and I had mixed feelings about him being here now. There were so many things unsaid between us. "Thanks," I said softly, taking the flowers from him. I wasn't sure if I should embrace him, but I felt like I had no choice.

He watched me closely as I held the bouquet. "You've come a long way, Janet," he added, his tone a little softer. "I'm proud of you."

It was hard to believe him. His praise felt empty, like the kind of words he used to throw at me to keep me in line. But for a moment, I let myself believe it. Just for a second.

"I'm doing what I love, Joe," I replied, my voice a little firmer than I intended.

He nodded slowly, his gaze still fixed on me. "I know. Just don't forget where you came from, okay? Don't let them distract you."

I clenched the bouquet tighter, my mind racing. He didn't get it. He never did. The music, the stage, it was my life, not just something to check off his list. But in that moment, I bit my tongue. It wasn't the time to argue. I just needed to get through tonight.

"Thanks for the flowers, Joseph," I said, trying to keep my emotions in check. "Did you see the entire show?"

"The entire show," he said with emphasis. I'm guessing that meant he saw Would You Mind. "There was one part that made me look away, but besides that, I loved it. I wanted to talk to you."

"Right, that's why you called the other day. Let's talk in my dressing room."

Joseph nodded, looking at me with that same calculated expression, almost like he was preparing to deliver another one of his speeches. My gut twisted, but I couldn't help it, something in his presence always made me feel like I was back in his grasp, just when I thought I had escaped it.

"Alright," I said, not wanting to fight him right now. My mind was still buzzing from the performance, but I had to get through this conversation before I could truly relax.

We walked together through the hallway, the echoes of the after show chaos still swirling around us. I felt everyone's energy, the laughter, the buzz of excitement from the dancers and crew, like it was all happening in a different world. My own was locked in a room with him, and I couldn't decide if it was better to talk about what he wanted now or just let him leave and keep moving forward with my life.