By the time Dominic came out, I was already hiding behind the corner of the hallway. He just stared out for a moment, then closed the door. Since then I haven't heard back from Dominic's phone call with that person.
I returned to my room before Dominic returned.
Lying on the bed, I carried an uneasy and restless mood. I couldn't sleep and was constantly thinking, and there were many speculations in my head, but because there was no evidence, I couldn't confirm which one was true.
About 15 minutes after I got back to my bedroom, Dominic came back too. His footsteps were very soft, he lifted the blanket and lay on the bed and held me in his arms, just like he always did.
I closed my eyes tightly, breathing evenly as if I was fast asleep, but sweat beaded my forehead. Finally, because I was tired, I also fell asleep.
When I had breakfast with Dominic in the morning, I pretended not to know anything about last night. I took the milkshake and took a few sips, while Dominic was reading the morning paper before going to work.
"Did you sleep well last night?" I strike up a conversation.
"Still as usual. What's wrong, didn't you sleep well?" Dominic didn't look at me, he was still reading the newspaper.
"I slept well, it's just that... near dawn, I turned over and touched where you lay, but I didn't see you." I pretended to be calm and said.
"Ah, I have a phone call." Dominic doesn't seem to intend to hide it, he said bluntly.
This caused me to stop eating bread for a few seconds. I wonder if I'm too cynical. Because, Dominic didn't look nervous when he mentioned the suspicious phone call last night.
"Oh, who's calling you so early in the morning?"
"An acquaintance." Dominic folded the newspaper and looked up at me. His eyes were calm but it made me a little nervous. I was afraid that I would reveal some expression that would make him realize that I was acting. But then he simply looked at me like that and said nothing more.
I felt like if I asked him more he would find out I overheard his phone call, so I decided not to say anything more.
He still came to the corporation as usual after taking me to Malibu academy.
As soon as I got out of the car, I immediately saw someone I hadn't seen in a long time.
Kaylin Joan was walking into the academy, her expression cold and calm, it seemed she had regained her confidence after the terrible scandal she had to face.
Kaylin didn't seem to see me, she walked all the way inside. She still loves the same flashy and bright fashion style as before, like just waiting for people to notice her. And the truth is that everyone is paying attention to her.
"Is that Kaylin Joan? She still has the decency to go back to the academy, even Baldric Harrington wouldn't dare do that."
"Look at how she's deliberately dressed to be flashy and stand out. Does she still think of herself as the 'white swan' celebrated at our prestigious Malibu academy?"
"I think I can guess the reason why she returned to the academy. She has to take back the position that belonged to her. After all, she only has two years left before graduating, she can't let her reputation go down because of that scandal."
The gossip could not change Kaylin's expression. She still looked the same as she did almost a month ago, confident and full of arrogance, the only difference perhaps was that people's attitudes toward her were no longer the same.
It is said that Kaylin's group of friends are no longer playing together. Jade Rosaleen and the other stylish girls both boycotted Kaylin, even though they were very close before. Looks like they don't really treat each other honestly.
The only person who is really happy about Kaylin's return is probably Miss Jenny. She looks fresher and more enthusiastic than in the past few days.
"Everyone, I have something important to announce today."
All members of the Royal group simultaneously raised their heads to look at Miss Jenny.
"In the near future, the whole city will hold a large-scale competition to find the representatives of the country to participate in the international ballet competition "Finding Stars."
Everyone was surprised and became extremely excited. It took two years for such an international competition to be held for professional ballet dancers. The "Finding Stars" competition is all about ballet talent, and just being chosen is enough for a ballet dancer to become famous and respected.
This competition is only open to female ballet dancers, so it's a pity for outstanding male ballet dancers like Garrick that they won't get the chance to participate. However, there are still many other competitions that Garrick can represent the Royal team and participate in.
But before being selected to participate in that competition, they had to pass a competition among cities.
"The top five representatives of cities will be selected as contestants of the Finding Stars competition. There is a fact that some of you know, some you don't. Those are the members of the famous Angels group who all participated in the Finding Stars contest."
Hearing Miss Jenny say that, everyone immediately became more excited. The Angels members to them are all excellent and legendary ballerinas who have been idols since they were children.
When Miss Jenny mention the Angels, I miss my mother.
When I was a kid, I saw my mother perform with the Angels a few times and indeed those performances were so perfect that I can't forget them.
My mother used to be the most prominent member of the Angels, every time she appeared, everyone noticed her. There must be many people who idolize my mother among the students at Malibu Academy.
"Why have you been in a daze for so long?" Garrick touched my hand, startling me.
I shook my head, not answering that question.
Garrick wasn't flustered by my indifference, he continued to talk to me as usual. I try not to remember his sudden confession, but he doesn't seem to be.
"Esther, listen to me. Are you still with Dominic? I've warned you many times not to trust him."
It is true that Garrick has repeatedly reminded me that Dominic is very suspicious. And the truth is that yesterday I also overheard a suspicious phone call between Dominic and someone I assumed was my father.
"If you really have proof, I'll believe you."
"Are you telling the truth? Will you really believe me?"
Garrick was a bit surprised when I first sided with him instead of Dominic.
I didn't explain too much to him. There are actually two opposing thoughts in my head. Part of me expected Garrick to actually prove that Dominic was involved in my troubles, and the other part I hoped that Dominic was completely sincere with me.
"Did you know any of his secrets? I told you, you should have trusted me sooner."
"If you want me to believe you, prove it."
"Okay."
Garrick seemed very sure of his words. This caused my faith in Dominic to decrease.
For the competition in the city, the Royal team is expected to do a miracle. The city competition is really hard, even Kaylin and Garrick have never been in the top 5 to be contestants in the "Finding Stars" contest. It was enough to see how talented and gifted the people in the Angels group were at ballet.
Kaylin's return makes everyone curious if she will eventually regain my place or not. Kaylin's silence made me nervous. She is currently alone, and with her reckless personality she will do anything to get what she wants.
Veronica and I spend time training together at her house. More than a week has passed and our performance is almost done. Fortunately, Ms. Glenda helped us a lot. For a long time, she stopped instructing ballet students and only served as a judge for competitions. However, she wanted me and Veronica to be more confident in the city competition so she decided to show us a lot of new ballet moves.
Veronica and I follow two different styles of ballet, so even though we learned the movements from Ms. Glenda, we had two different expressions.
In the afternoon, Jeffrey stopped by to play with us. He is a mischievous and very nice guy, he bought a lot of snacks for us. Jeffrey has a knack for talking, he can tell a lot of funny stories to make us laugh.
"Ah, I remember." Jeffrey slapped his hand on his forehead and shouted. "I met you in the hospital."
"Hospital?" I asked again in surprise.
"That's right. I met you with a very handsome guy. At that time I heard the two of you talking, it seems that the two of you are taking care of a certain patient."
"Well, it is so."
I flashed back and remembered that time when Dominic and I went to visit my mother at the hospital when she was still alive. Jeffrey must have bumped into us there.
"I went to visit my mother. Now she's gone."
"Oh, I'm so sorry." Jeffrey said sadly. "Actually, I heard the man with you mention this while at the hospital. You must have been very upset."
"Wait, what did you just say?" I widened my eyes in surprise.
"Huh? Did I say something wrong?" Jeffrey was confused by my reaction.
"I mean... did you hear the man with me mention my mother's death?" My voice trembled and asked again.
"Right." Jeffrey asserted firmly, without a moment's hesitation.
"Do you remember what he said?"
"I don't remember very well, I think I met him when he was talking to the doctor. Apparently... someone with cancer, dying, the doctor talked about going abroad for treatment, but the man refused."
"How are you, Esther?" Veronica looked at me anxiously when she saw my pale face and rapid breathing.
I don't know what to say, my thoughts are extremely chaotic. If Dominic had lied to me about anything, I could forgive him, except when it came to my mother.
"I'm going home, I'm not feeling well today. Can we continue training another day, Veronica?"
I hurriedly left. When I got home, Dominic wasn't home yet.
I'm sitting in the living room, my phone says I have a text message.
"Dominic hides everything very well, I haven't found any proof to send you yet. But I heard Kaylin say your father plans to bring you back home, since you are Dominic's fiancée."
"Dominic know about this?"
"He knows."
I turned off the phone screen when I heard the door open.
"Are you back from practice? How are you today?" Dominic changed his shoes and went into the house.
"Um. But..." I looked at him, uncertain what to say. "Can I ask you something, please?"