Tamed by love-Book 4 of Untamed Series

Chapter Four

Six years ago,

It was Friday night and I was obligated to go with my mother to the Ballet Gala with her. Her way of finding famous ballet directors and convincing them to give me a scholarship for when I graduate from high school while they were completely unaware if I can even dance. She smooched her way up to the top and nobody seemed to mind because they were impressed by her fake smiles and fluttering eyes that they couldn’t see past her mask.

I was just standing around listening to her talks while suppressing the urge to roll my eyes at her lies. She kept going on about how she used to be one of the greatest ballet dancers but there wasn’t proof of anything she says.

The only time I would utter a word is when I am acknowledged and given the okay from my mother to speak—mostly I would just nod my head when she gestures to me when she remarked about how much potential I have to become the next Margot Fonteyn but she was wrong though—Margot had the burning passion and fire in her soul and she knew exactly what she wanted since she was four years old.

Margot’s mother at least showed her support throughout her ballet career by attending every show even when other dancers started to pick on her for having overbearing attention from her mother.

There was something small Margot and I had in common and that was pushing ourselves past the extremes to avoid disappointment.

I got annoyed with my mother’s lying as it became too overwhelming for my liking and the only way, I could get out of this awkwardness for a while was by using the excuse to go to the lady’s room. I felt like running just to get away but that would only mean I will be returning sooner for my liking. So, I acted gracefully while floating through the crowds to get to the lady’s room.

“Oh, shoot!” A soft voice gasped making me turn away from my reflection in the mirror and as I heard something hitting the floor.

I saw a purse and all of its contents scattered over the floor. “Let me,” I offered when I noticed the person struggling to retrieve it. I shoved everything neatly into their purse and got to my feet to hand their belongings over when a very familiar face greeted me.

Elizabeth Cunningham.

A legend who turned against the strict and stereotypical ways of ballet, and became the new sensation of town. She is the founder of contemporary dance after spending years as a ballerina.

“Thank you,” Elizabeth thanked giving me a grateful smile.

I nodded shoving my awestruck expression to the side. “I never picked you to be interested in ballet after you walked away from it,” I noted hoping I didn’t sound too forthcoming.

She smiled at me. “I used to dance the lead role back in the day,” She remarked.

“I know, I still have a tape recording of you,” I admitted. She used to be one of the dominant ballet dancers I’ve seen in a very long time as she executed all of her lead roles.

“You a dancer yourself?” She asked giving me a once over.

I nodded. “Ballet,”

“It’s a strict but beautiful genre of dances,” She was right about strict. I missed out on most of my childhood since it takes a lot of dedication to reach the top.

“Do you want to escort me over to the refreshment table since I lost my date?” Elizabeth asked pushing the door open leading back to the party.

I thought about it for a second and decided to join her.

“Why did you quit being a ballerina?” I asked once we reached the refreshment table.

It has been a question I’ve been pondering about for a long time and I only ever wanted to know how the heck she got out even when people thought she was nuts.

Elizabeth didn’t seem to mind when I asked such an upfront question. “I fell out of love with the decorative movements,” She said with a small grin on her face as if she recollected some memories of when she used to be a ballerina.

“I stripped away from ballet when I got this overwhelming urge to make dance an art form that was more about expressing yourself than putting a show of entertainment.”

“You wanted to focus more on the foundational aspects of movement,” I noted sharing a knowing smile with her because it was something I was longing for. Ever since I found the dance studio and have been dancing there every chance I got—I started to understand why she left ballet and created something that was more grounded in the rawness of the human experience.

She nodded. “Sometimes we have to let the people down who are counting on us,” It’s like she saw right through my armour and I almost wish she did.

“Elizabeth,” A director greeted her and openly invited her to join him for a discussion.

“I would like you to meet my friend,” Elizabeth gestured toward me.

“Hailey Grant,” I introduced myself to the director who shook my hand.

“Vivian’s daughter,” He noted.

I was a bit taken aback by the look Elizabeth gave me when the director observed who my mother is. “Vivian Graham?” She asked.

I nodded. “Yes, she is Vivian Grant now.”

“It’s quite sad to see her pressuring her daughter to follow in her footsteps. Let’s just hope you are not as ignorant as she was.” I frowned and watched Elizabeth walk away with the director.

Ignorant? On what terms? Wait…Elizabeth Cunningham knows my mother? Maybe she can light some news on why my mother’s obsession with Giselle.

I tried to follow in pursuit to find out but my feet halted when I heard a deep voice asking a ballerina if she knew a baseball player after she asked him what he does for a living.

I shook my head in shame when the girl gave him a once over before excusing herself.

“The girls around here don’t find baseball players attractive,” I informed him.

He frowned at me when he realized I knew who he was talking about without telling the girl he is a baseball player. Maybe the girls at school found him attractive and wanted to strip him off his clothes whenever they lay their eyes on him, but here the girls were more worried about their profession.

“You know baseball?” He asked coming over after lowering his tray and fixing his tie.

What a baseball player was doing here and serving drinks had me a bit confused.

“Enough to know that your flirting skills won’t work on ballerinas.”

“Why because they think they are better than me?”

I shook my head. “Their careers are far more important to them than some boy who is trying to get laid.” Our careers only last ten years if we are lucky and you have to become the best to make waves so you can get recognized by the best academies before getting accepted into one of the best ballet companies in America.

He gave me one of his famous smiles. “Yet, you are talking to me.”

I shrugged. “I thought I might just give you a heads up before you really start to embarrass yourself.” And, well, I didn’t care about my dancing career as much as they did.

“Hailey,” I gazed over my shoulder at the sound of my mother calling me.

“Try not to get kicked out. I won’t be able to save your butt again,” I started to make my way over to my mother who didn’t look happy.

“I’m Chase by the way,” He said loud enough for me to hear.

I glanced at him over my shoulder before I disappeared behind the curtain leading to our seats. “Who was asking?”