The Misadventures of Seduction (COMPLETED)

Kabanata 20

Win

I closed the heavy book written by Alexandre Dumas as I advanced to the room I'll be auditioning in. Hindi ko mapigilang maalala ang nakaraang audition.

"No."

"What?" Biglang naibulalas ko pagkatapos gawin ang routine na ginagamit sa audition. "You haven't even seen me do jazz and hiphop."

"I said no and it's final." Sabi ni Calix.

Bumilis ang pagtaas at baba ng dibdib ko. This guy is pissing me off!

"If you would just give me time to finish my routine." Mahinahon kong sabi rito kahit na gusto ko na siyang sakmalin.

He shrugged and leaned back to his swivel chair. Pumunta sakanya ang bulaklak at minasahe ang balikat nito. Tila ba nakaka-frustrate na titigan akong magtagal rito!

I removed the skirt covering my shorts and put a shirt on top of my leotard. Ginawa ko na ring ponytail ang tali at nakita ko ang pagngiti ni Mrs. Clemente habang nasa tabi si Caleb.

I'm still not confortable wearing shorts kahit na sa recital ay lagi ko namang ginagawa.

Caleb did an 'okay' sign by lifting his thumb and smiled at me. I smiled slightly and looked at Calix who's looking at Caleb.

Bakit, natatakot kang may pumayag na mag-stay ako? When I was doing my jazz routine, Ms. Matilda went inside the room. Kahit na ginagawa ang sayaw ay ngumiti ako rito.

"So unprofessional." Rinig ko ang bulong ni Calix.

Halos patayin ko na siya ng tingin kung pupwede lang. I did my double pirouette and posed as the sign of the end for my jazz routine.

"Is it right to wear such short shorts, Ms. Brown?" Matigas na sabi ni Calix.

"Dancers need a comfortable outfit. Jazz dancers often use shorts to dance. I guess you should know that if you're handling this business, huh?" Magalang kong sagot rito.

I just wish it didn't sound offensive. Or maybe I do wish it sounded offensive but to his ears only.

"I don't think you need to wear shorts to dance jazz, Ms. Brown."

"Well, that's why I'm telling you what jazz dancers wear. Dagdag kaalaman po, Sir." Matigas na pagbanggit ko sa sir.

"And that's why I don't want you here, Vivienne."

Nagulat ako sa pagtawag niya sa akin ng impormal. Nagsinghapan ang ibang mananayaw na naka-short at dali-daling tumayo para magpalit.

"No, not you. Just Vivienne."

"It's Ms. Brown to you, Sir."

Ngumisi siya at tumitig sa akin na tila ba nagpapahiwatig ng katatawanan sa sinabi ko. Mahina siyang bumulong at tila hindi rin iyon narinig ni Tulips. Probably a curse. I smiled sweetly that it would seem too plastic.

"But if you really don't like it, I can adjust. Say, remove my shorts to put on jogging pants in front of these people?"

His face lacked humor as he looked at me. Matigas at malalalim na tila ba huhukayin na niya ang paglalagyan ng bangkay ko. Still, I looked at him as if I have all the power in the world. I will conquer and devour you, Calix. Just wait and see.

Umayos siya ng upo at tumikhim.

"Your shorts are fine." Tumingin ito sakanyang relo para pagtakpan ang umiigting na panga. "Don't waste our time."

Ngumiti ako sakanya.

"Nadadaan naman pala sa maayos na usapan, Sir."

Nakita ko ang natatawang mukha ni Caleb at si Cleopatra na nakatitig kay Calix na tila ba naglalaway.