The Great Sacrifice

Chapter Eight

           Arriving to the Gala on my dad's arm made for whispers, keeping my dad out of any circle that could lead to Ms. Maynor, made for even more. I didn't care though, I was purposely going to make some gossip of my own.  As we continued around the room, greeting people, my dad not leaving my side.
       It wasn't until, I came face to face with Damian did I twitch, but not with undying lust, but furious rage. My feelings for the man had dried up like a well and sailed away, all that was left was irritation.
     "Dr. Avella, on time these day" I said. He looked down at me and then back to my face, "Ms. Carrel, you look lovely". Turning to my father, he introduced himself and they made small talk, briefly before a ravishing blonde attached herself to his arm. She was dressed like an exquisite dish meant to be eaten in public. I felt myself tighten grip on my dad, she looked up at him with dimond gray eyes. By the dark velvet blue she was wearing, that matched Damian bow I figured that was his date. I was surprised he dared with Daphne here. The woman was two minutes alone with the girl to the edge of a cliff I decided.
     "There you are, Sugar" she said with a thick southern accent. She didn't have big hair to give it away, but she was plenty big every where else. "Vivienne, this Is Laklynn Carrel and her Father, Lucas Carrel, he is in the black gold business" he said. "Well nice to meet you both" she said turning to us. She was smiling big and showing all her teeth, it was blinding almost. "I'm Vivienne Dame. You might know my late husband Kenny Dame, he owned a large Oil company. I take care of most of it now" she said. My dad quickly became intrested in her, but I didn't look away from Damian. As if my eyes had pierced through his skin he looked at me finally. I couldn't look away now, so I held his big dark bear eyes. We didn't need words, for I felt that my hatred was heard clearly.
       I was about to pull my dad away, when someone came and laid a gentle hand on my back, "You are requested in the back". I looked over at my dad, I couldn't see him going to far from a good business venture. I turned to him and whispered gently in his ear, before walking away not another look at the overly rich doctor.
     In the back the girls were being dressed in the cutest little outfits. A simple sheer light skirt all different colors with, a solid white tube top the covered them completely, accessorized with pretty make up and every girl was getting there own hair due of there choice.  Daphne and I had chose to pull the side of her hair back if a tight twist clasping it together in the back while leaving the rest down in big loose curls she would be wearing a crown of while flowers like all the other girls. They all had there own beauty but Daphne had a wild Amazon princess look.
      "I want it like this" I could hear as soon as I stepped in. "Its just not a Ballerina hairstyle" i heard a quick come back from the stylist. Walking over to Amy I smiled, "what seems to be the matter?" "Thank goodness a Ballerina. Please tell her this hair style  it just won't do" the lady handed over the picture. Amy had been one of the more silent students and hadn't fussed about anything not even the slightest change i made to the choreograph, to the way I made them stand straight for almost a whole class. So this had to be pretty serious. Looking at the image I realized I wasn't sure how to say this. "Are you sure, Amy?" "I'm sure" she said. I looked at the stylist, "Parents signed consent forms allowing children to pick there own styles, and since she has asked for it, I see no reason she can't have it. She is a Ballerina so she will look like one" I said, with all the confidence I could find. "But..." I shook cutting them off, "A ballerina is a ballerina no matter her hair. What make a ballerina is how she moves not how she looks" I whispered tightly.  The stylist nodded. Reaching out i squeezed her shoulder and smiled, "This is a very pretty picture". Handing it back to her. She smiled at the picture, "Thank you".
         When it came time for the girls to go on everyone was nervous, but excited, especially Amy. I hadn't been a teacher long, but I did know I wanted to support her. Going to her side I took her by the hand, and squatted down, "You look absolutely stunning". "Do I" she asked. I nodded. She looked from side to side, "But I look to different" she said. "You don't, you look perfect. Amy, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. That means regardless of what anyone thinks as long you think your beautiful it fine. Beauty has no standards, only boundaries which can be broken" grabbing her face I smiled. "I think bravery is the most beautiful thing on a lady next to confidence". She nodded, standing just as the cued us. I walked in front and  and was met with a loud round of applause. The light only shined on me not the girls and as the followed me through the dark i waved.  When I reached the center of the dark stage I was handed a mike by the host.
        "Thank you, thank you all so much. The young lady here have worked extremely hard and long for this day. Each one up here will one day make a beautiful Prima Ballerina. However one of my Ballerinas, I think is the most gorgeous of all. I was sick to hear someone say this is not what a Ballerina is supposed to look like. I was ashamed that a Ballerina had to be portrayed as everyone else. A Ballerina is more then its looks its it skill, and today I would like you all to clap for all our ballerinas who are here" The light cued behind me and the girls shined brightly behind me. I turned taking Amy's hand, "I would like an even bigger hand to the prettiest Ballerina I have ever saw in my entire life" I said this with all the truth in the word. The aroud applause faltered but only for a second as people stood to clap. I was grateful for there reaction, because had they had not I would of looked like the worst person in the world.
      After the girls light proformance, they had to much of a high and I was so proud. I had managed it and now I wanted to go home and sleep.
       Of course there was the rest of the party to attend. The girls had been offered the choice to change but most girls loved there costume and wanted to continue to wear them. "That was stunning" my dad greeted me at our table. We had been seated with a couple of his co workers, and to my surprise Gabrielle Mayner. I turned to my dad, narrowing my eyes, he tried to give me a reassuring smile. "Dad, I don't feel very well" I said. "Laklynn" he whispered. "I don't" I said. He sighed, "Maybe Dr. Avella will take a look at you. I'd hate for it to be serious then I'll take you home". I wanted to argue, but he was being reasonably fair.
    Leading me to the table, where Daphne was sitting in the a dark blue dress she sat between Vivienne and her dad. My dad greeted Vivienne right away, "My, my, what a pleasure to see you again" she said. Turning to Daphne he greeted her, and told her how great she did. I touched Daphne hair and she smiled up at me, "Are you going to dance?" I shook my head, "Not this year, I'm feeling a little light headed". "Oh, your leaving?" She said disappointed. I nodded, "However, if you want to come over your more then welcome to" I said. She smiled, cutting her eyes at Vivienne, "Would you like to have  Christmas Dinner with us?" She asked holding my hand. "Well, Christmas is really a family holiday, I don't know if your dad would appreciate that" I said. "Tell you what, you talk to your dad and I'll ask mine and maybe we can do something for the holidays" I said. "Okay" she said hugging me. "That was really cool what you did for Amy. Her big sister is really sick and can't grow her hair, but her mom is really strict and wants Amy to be her perfect daughter". "Why are all moms like that?" She asked. I didn't know what to say, "Just some moms" I said. Damian cleared his throat, "Why don't we go out to the hall" he said. I nodded, "Dad, will you keep Daphne company?" He nodded taking a seat. I follow Damien out the grand room and into the hall, there was a few employees and even a few guest traveling the hotel.
         He lead me into the elevator, and I was silent, following him not saying a word. I felt to close to him and flushed, it was all the attraction I had thought I had gotten rid of had simply turned around, tripled.  "Where are we going?" I asked when he pressed floor nine.  "I got a room" he said, pulling the gold card out his pocket. "What ever for I wonder?" I said, folding my arms over my chest. He didn't say anything until we got to the floor. He opened the room and I followed him in. The room was nothing less then what I had expected from Damian Avella, and it made stomach litterly turn.
   I touched the leather couch with the tips of my fingers, I didn't know alot about passion, but the few things I knew this was the kind of place for it. For feeling I told myself were gone they broke and crumbled around my ground, but I wondered why? He wasn't anything to me, he was no one. I told myself turning my head just in time to make eye contact with his brown eyes. So dark, so chilling, but so alluring like drowning in chocolate.