Chapter 88
Whether it was dancing or anything else, even if people admired and wanted to imitate someone, that was a form of tribute. But today, Victoria was here to mentor students, assessing each one’s fundamental skills and personal style, not here to watch an impersonation performance.
“Nicely said.” A voice of admiration suddenly came from outside,
Everyone looked up in surprise at the person who came in and quickly greeted, “Mts. Harris!”
Victoria nodded, looking at Bonnie with even more approval. She stared at the extremely embarrassed Esther and said calmly. “This isn’t an imitation contest. If you truly admire me, you should give it your all and dance something suitable for your age.”
Victoria said. “Only when your self–confidence is strong can you perform your best dance, yet you’ve already lost yourself. She had been dancing traditional styles all her life, feeling the stories within different dance forms through her faith, which had sustained her until now.
Choosing a student to pass on her legacy wasn’t about making the student into another version of herself
Esther’s face flushed, and she hung her head, her eyes filled with shame and anger as she hit her lip until she tasted blood. It was understandable from Victoria, but she couldn’t accept Bonnie’s lecture.
Streetlights glowed along the road, and the traffic was a noisy mess. After the rain, the wind had a bite to it Lenore looked pale, and people could almost feel the chill coming off her.
Silas grabbed her hand, as cold as ice, his eyebrows knitting in concern. “You’re freezing. What’s up with that?”
His big hand was warm, the heat sinking into her skin, into her bones. Lenore’s fingers curled a bit, and her eyelashes fluttered like feathers. She looked up with a teasing smile. Taking liberties, huh?”
Her eyes were bright, clear and cold, blurred by the mottled fog under the dim streetlights. Silas’s eyes were deep, but somehow a little softer. Without answering her, he took off his coat and put it around her, his voice low. “Senanville’s colder than Jinslenburg. Wear more next time.”
He smelled of sandalwood, like it had soaked into him over time, even his coat carried the scent. It was pleasant, Lenore squinted a bit and said casually. “I run colder than most people. Normal body temp was around 96.5 F, for her, that was hot
Silas looked surprised, gave her a long look, and didn’t say more.
Later, Bonnie came out of the grand theater. Joseph strolled over with a cigarette dangling from his lips, the tip glowing on and off, a bit of a bad boy vibe. “Let’s hit the best restaurant in Senanville. My treat, to celebrate Honnie’s win”
Bonnie chuckled. “Win Where’s that?” Victoria was staying for three days. It was already seven at night, and the results wouldn’t be out till tomorrow. It wasnt a done deal yet.
Lenore’s phone vibrated with a message from an internal app. After a quick glance, her eyes dimmed a bit. “Got stuff to do tonight.”
Victoria stepped out of the grand theater with her assistant, pausing for a moment when she saw a Hummer by the road. Her assistant followed her gaze. “Ms. Harris, what’s up?”
Lenore had already gotten in the car, and the window was rolling up. Victoria said, lost in thought, “I could’ve sworn I saw someone I know.
The assistant was curious. “Who
As the Hummer disappeared into the night, Victoria’s ga
gaze turned a bit weary. “Someone who once said no to being my protégé
“Huh?” The avistant thought he misheard.
Victoria shook her head. “Never mind, let’s go. She deemed that she must have been mistaken.
As soon as she got back, Esther locked herself in her room, crying non–stop. Rachel didn’t see this coming, frowned, and thought for a bit. “Ella. think you could invite your teacher to lunch tomorrow?” Give some gifts, say the right things, it should smooth things over.
Today’s mess had Ells worried about her image with Victoria too. Ella didn’t look thrilled, but with the crying upstairs, she nodded. Til give it a shot” She went upstairs, knocked on Esther’s door, and coaxed softly, “Esther, it’s all my fault. I’ll talk to the teacher, make it right.”