[Music: Fangs By Little Red Lung]

I took a deep breath a few times, and my eyes fluttered open, allowing the music to drown my mind and connect me to the string I needed to take charge.

My hands moved first, incorporating the flow, before my legs mirrored the action.

As the beat picked up, I let it pilot me, neck straightened in a flawless position as I bracket my legs.

My hands were suspended in the air for a while before I dropped them down in a slow, graceful way.

Then I took it from the top when the rhythm changed, shooting into the air before I did a spin, closing my eyes with my head upwards.

When music slowed down, I lowered my chin, staring at the mirror as my mind recollected a few hours ago.

~

"An offer?"

Could it be what I think it is?

"I’d like to train you personally, Ana."

I inhaled sharply. It is what I think it is!

However, as quickly as the joy came, the faster it withered away as doubt clouded my mind.

"You..." I paused as I swallowed a thick lump in my throat. "Y-You really think I’m good enough?"

Genevieve Valmont was more than a legend. There were only a handful who had trained under her. The others would kill for an opportunity like this.

"You have an immense talent, Ana. I’m willing to nurture it."

Mrs. Valmont redirected her laptop to me, and then I saw the screen... I’m stunned. It was one of the pieces of footage from the classes, and I saw myself in the far corner. It zoomed in on me.

She tapped the space button and another showed, during a stage performance where I played a background character.

"At first, I reviewed your class footage because of the generous donation..." she said. "I never expected to see something so beautiful."

I snapped my eyes to her, and I could tell she meant every word.

"I-I don’t know what to say..."

She chuckled. "It’s alright... I can give you time to think about it."

"Y-Yes!" I blurted out with a smile, and her grin widened.

"Thank you so much... I-I.. sorry... I’m..." I shook my head. "I can’t even speak properly, dammit!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

I slapped my hand on her mouth. Shit!

Mrs. Valmont simply laughed.

"Truly, Ana... I think your husband knew exactly when to make his move..."

I blinked. "I’m sorry?"

"If it weren’t for his actions, I probably wouldn’t have ever noticed you. The role you got could have never been more. I was compelled... especially how he talked about you."

"Talked about me...?" I questioned in amusement, but when I saw how serious she was, it didn’t sound funny anymore.

"Your stage performances, of course... aren’t you aware? Your husband has been to every single one of them."

My eyebrows lifted as surprise washed over me.

Mrs. Valmont caught my shifted expression and snickered. "I guess you didn’t know your husband is a secret admirer."

~

I followed the next beat, doing yet another spin, my tiptoes swirling against the pristine floor while my other leg stayed curved and spread out when I added more momentum.

I came to an abrupt halt when I lost focus.

Zade has been to my performances.

The mere thought of it had stayed with me ever since I left Mrs. Valmont’s office. I was so consumed that the rest of the day was a passing blur, and I could barely pay attention.

I tried to still my hoarse breathing as I placed my hands on my waist, pacing.

I have only performed on stage for the last two years, which raises the bugging question.

Why would he attend them?

It doesn’t make sense at all because at that time, my father wasn’t in debt or even considered a contract with Zade.

I clenched the barre tightly, dipping my head as more questions spiked.

Could it be that Zade had his eye on me before my father came to him?

God... I’m so confused right now. I’m having a headache trying to figure out that snake.

The moment I lifted my head, I froze. Through the mirror, I caught a tall figure leaning against the doorway.

A long overcoat rested over his broad shoulders; beneath it was a black dress shirt that clung neatly to his chest, a few buttons left undone to reveal the tattoos spreading across his neck.

Slowly my eyes dropped to his tailored black trousers and polished Chelsea boots, his gold Rolex and rings catching the light.

Zade.

I turned to face him, narrowing my eyes when he stood there, face hidden behind the bouquet of calla lilies he held.

I gave a soft blink, a bit taken aback by his action. It became awkward as he remained there like a statue.

"I can see you, you know..." I said, brows furrowing. "Stop being creepy."

I tracked his movement as he pushed off the doorway, one hand sinking into his pocket.

The closer he got, a strong sense of déjà vu hit me so hard I nearly lost my footing.

It wasn’t just the déjà vu.... this particular scene was... familiar.

I tilted my neck back when he halted in front of me, face still hidden, and the more this played on, the more I felt like I had seen this before.

Slowly, he pushed the bouquet to the side, revealing his eyes, and a shiver zapped through me.

"Hello, little kitten. Did you miss me?"

I took a step back by instinct, my heart pounding against my chest. The moment he lowered the bouquet, air finally filled my lungs.

What just happened?

I gulped, trying to compose myself. I mean, we all get déjà vu, right? That glitch in the matrix and that type of—!

I froze in place when the back of his hand brushed against my face in an impossible tenderness.

All traces of amusement were gone as he asked. "Are you alright?"